Things to Do in Riviera Maya & The Yucatan

Founded in 1434 by the King of Pomerania, Malmo Castle was partially demolished in the early 16th century and later rebuilt by King Christian III of Denmark. Long an important strategic stronghold for Denmark, the castle also served as a prison for the third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. Today, it stands as Scandinavia’s oldest surviving Renaissance castle and has been restored to its appearance in the 16th century. Visitors exploring the castle will find furnished state rooms, a variety of historical exhibitions and sheriff’s quarters that showcase the darker history of the castle such as the plague and methods used to execute prisoners. Look for a 17th century bible that once belonged to Danish King Christian IV and a display that traces Malmo’s development over the years from a small settlement to an important fort town.

Adjacent to the castle are several museum galleries that were added in the 1930s, focusing on natural history, photo exhibitions and Nordic art.

The École Militaire is a large complex of buildings located in the 7th neighborhood (arrondissement) of Paris that houses several different military training facilities. The original military school was founded in 1750 by Louis XV, who wanted to create an academic college for cadet officers from poor families. One of the school’s more well-known students was Napoleon Bonaparte, who graduated from the École Militaire in one year instead of the standard two. The impressively decorated building is still home to a training school for officers in the French army. The buildings are located within sight of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero – very close to the Champ de Mars, which originally served as a parade ground for the school’s troops and students. The front facade of the building (facing the Eiffel Tower) is decorated with true 18th-century grandeur and still contains bullet holes where German units made a ‘last stand’ prior to the liberation of Paris in WWII.

Located within Paris-Le Bourget, one of Europe's busiest business airports, is one of the world's largest and oldest museums dedicated to aeronautics. The Air and Space Museum encompasses 1.6 million square feet (150,000 square meters) of hanger space showcasing more than 150 aircraft, including a 747, Concorde, DC3, Mirage and Ariane rocket, as well as a variety of aviation memorabilia dating back as far as the sixteenth century. 

The Ballooning Era exhibit details the fascinating history of hot air and gas balloon flight, while the newly added Planete Pilote allows young visitors to take a seat in an aircraft cockpit, experience the buzz of an air traffic control tower or explore how a space station operates. An onsite planetarium takes visitors on a virtual journey into the heavens, while flight simulators teach them how crews operate real aircraft.

One weekend each month, the special Cockpits Secrets program takes visitors into some of the museum's legendary cockpits "” typically closed to the public "” to hear the stories and history of these great aircraft.

Paris's tropical aquarium was constructed in 1931 by French architect Albert Laprade and it was intended as a permanent reminder of the Paris Colonial Exposition; the building has a distinctive colonnaded façade designed to resemble a classical Greek temple and it is a monument to Art Deco styling. The exterior walls are covered in bas-relief carvings of more than 250 figures and animals depicting life in France's colonies, which were created by sculptor Alfred Janniot. Today the aquarium makes a great family afternoon out, with over 5,000 animals and fish from more than 300 colorful species on display, from barracudas to turtles and starfish. 

 

Recent additions to the aquarium are two rare young albino alligators, while temporary exhibitions take on weighty subjects such as global warming and conservation. Upstairs in the Palais de la Porte Doree is a small museum showcasing the story of immigration into France from her colonies, but the most spectacular part of the Palais de la Porte Doree is the ground floor, with walls adorned with friezes of colonial scenes and stylish Art Deco furniture on display in the banqueting hall. 

Zipaquira's attractive Spanish Colonial center, built with the wealth of the massive nearby salt mines, was founded in the 1760s some 31 miles (50 km) north of the Colombian capital. Today the 'City of Salt,' replete with quaint cafes and souvenir shops, is Bogota's most popular day trip—you can even make it in an antique steam train.

You are here to see the famed Zipaquira Salt Cathedral, considered one of Colombia's 'Seven Wonders' and its architectural crown jewel. Climb to the Parque de Sal (Salt Park), just southeast of downtown, to enjoy the Plaza of the Miners' great views and evocative art. From here, you'll begin your journey 590 feet (180 meters) into the heart of an enormous salt mountain.

The structure was carved from the mines, using both heavy machinery and the most sophisticated sculpting tools, thanks to a team led by architect Roswell Garavito Pearl and engineer Jorge Enrique Castelblanco Reyes in 1995. It is most famous for its understated Stations of the Cross, but there are finer pieces of art dedicated to both the church and those who worked here long before it was built. While most of your time is spent wandering through the chill and colorfully lit cathedral, a film at the end of the tour delves into the gritty history of the mines. For an extra fee you can even mine a bit of salt yourself.

Most visitors to Disneyland Paris make a beeline for the Disneyland Park, but don’t miss out on a trip to the adjoining Walt Disney Studios Park too, where you’ll find even more shows, rides and Disney-themed fun. The smaller of Disneyland Paris’ two theme parks is devoted to unveiling the magic behind the movies and it’s designed like a Hollywood movie studio, with four distinct areas - Front Lot, Toon Studios, Production Courtyard and Backlot. 

As well as taking a studio tram tour, watching dazzling displays of stunts and special effects and learning how your favorite Disney films were created, there’s also a host of thrilling rides and iconic Disney characters to meet. Highlights include the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™, Ratatouille: The Ride, Flying Carpets Over Agrabah, and the Toy Story Playland.

Disneyland© Paris

Peberholm Island, which was created to accommodate the bridge piers and tunnel, is now a designated nature reserve with a wide range of flora and fauna, including more than 500 different species of plants, as well as rare spiders, insects and a rare green toad.

The Carrière Wellington museum opened in March 2008 in Arras in the North of France, inside a quarry used during World War I. It commemorates those who built the tunnels and, subsequently, fought in the Battle of Arras during World War I. The Arras Tunnels formed an intricate network that ran from the town center to the German front lines, and housed over 20,000 soldiers of the British Empire and the Commonwealth. In fact, it was New Zealand soldiers who named the quarry after the city of the same name in their home country.

Although they were used as air shelters during the Second World War, the tunnels remained essentially forgotten until their rediscovery in 1990. 350 meters of the quarry’s galleries, located approximately 22 meters underground, can be accessed today. The museum showcases historical artifacts to help visitors understand the context around the Battle of Arras, notably why the military strategy was so remarkable at the time and what life was like for the underground soldiers.

Located at the foot of the hill where the infamously fierce Battle of Belleau Wood was fought in World War I, the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial overlooks the Marne Valley and is dedicated to the memory of lost soldiers. It was designed by famed French-American architect Paul Cret, who also planned several war memorials and battlefield monuments across Europe and in the United States. At 42 acres, it is one of the most important American cemeteries and memorials in France and commemorates the sacrifices and achievements of fighting men in the region, as well as the cooperation of French and American forces during World War I. Because of the role the US marines played in the battle, the Aisne-Marne Cemetery is often considered to be a pilgrimage site for American soldiers on leave. It features a T-shaped cemetery and a memorial chapel, which is built on top of a small hill, directly over the front-line trenches dug during the battle. Of the 2,288 burials in the cemetery, 251 contain unknown remains; 1,060 soldiers' names are inscribed on the Chapel's walls. Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial is located nearby the Chateau-Thierry American Monument and the Belleau Wood US Marines monument, which hold equally significant importance in military history of World War I.

Singapore is known for its safe streets, clean public spaces and incredible skyline, and whether it’s day or night, the Waterfront Promenade offers visitors some of the best architectural views, relaxing parks and easy access to so much of what the city has to offer.

Travelers can wander the well-kept waterfront lined with boutique shops and sample a variety of fare from a wide selection of restaurants. Sunset and high rise views along the promenade are some of the area’s best, and visitors agree the people watching can’t be beat. Be sure to check out the Merlion statue and Clark Quay. Travelers looking to learn more about the surrounding landscapes can even embark on a peaceful boat trip where local guides highlight Singapore scenery as it passes by.

People travel the entire world in search of tropical paradise, when all along it’s been sitting right here—hanging out in plain view. Here on tiny Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, yachties, bar flies, sunseekers, and divers all gather together on a white sand cove that’s back by a turquoise sea. Grab a snorkel and swim through schools of small, silvery fish, or watch as pelicans swoop through the sky in search of an easy meal. After splashing in the shallow waters, order a plate of conch fritters from one of the beachside restaurants, or sip on a frozen “Painkiller” cocktail at the infamous Soggy Dollar Bar. The name, it’s said, is derived from sailors who would swim to shore and purchase drinks with wet bills—which is still a tradition that visiting yachties casually enjoy to this day. To stretch your legs between drinks and meals, stroll the length of White Bay and scramble around the rocks, taking in views of the natural harbor that’s dotted with sailboats and yachts. Even for all of its beauty, however, and renowned tropical fame, Jost Van Dyke remains unpretentious and true to its casual roots.

The Battle of Belleau Wood saw the U.S. forces recapture the woods on the Metz-Paris road around Chateau-Thierry, taken at the end of May by the German Seventh Army forces. The June 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood was quite significant for the American Army, which often refers to this battle as a key component of the United States Marine Corps' lore and dedication; the soldiers, led by General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, held off a critical sector of the final German offensive, teaming up with the French and British forces to stop the advances that would eventually lead to the German Empire's recognition of the Armistice of November 11"”one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe.

Once the site of a fierce battle that caused substantial casualties, Belleau Wood is now home to a vast memorial in honor of the three-week long action. In the center of the road leading to the woods is a flagpole and a monument, erected in commemoration of the valor and bravery of the 4th Marine Brigade who captured this area in 1918 as well as the actions of the of the U.S. Army's 2nd Division, who not only survived but overpowered the German attacks. Shell holes, war relics, weapons and trenches can be found in heaps in the vicinity, especially near the monument. The entire site is dedicated to the sacrifices and achievements of fighting men in the region, as well as the cooperation of French and American forces during World War I.

Once famous for its sacred gardens, dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite, these days the sleepy village of Yeroskipou (Geroskipou) is best known for its production of Loukoumia, the age-old Cyprian sweet, otherwise known as Turkish delight. The powdered sugar coated candies are traditionally flavored with rose water, but are produced in a myriad of unique flavors and make an ideal souvenir.

Additional highlights of the small town include the 11th-century Church of Agia Paraskevi, celebrated for its medieval paintings and icons; the fascinating Folk Art Museum; the sandy Yeroskipou beach; and the nearby Luna Park amusement park.

A distinct landmark on the Maltese island of Gozo, Xewkija Rotunda Church was modeled after Venice’s Santa Maria della Salute and built around a too-small 17th-century church. Paid for and constructed by local parishioners, the church dedicated to St. John the Baptist was consecrated in 1978, 26 years after the the first stone was laid.

The majestic facade of the baroque-style Rotunda was designed by Maltese architect Joseph d’Amato. Statuary and spires constructed from biscuit-colored Maltese limestone adorn its exterior. The circular interior is covered in biblical scenes and has an ornately patterned Carrara marble floor; the altar is also carved from marble. The church has the third-largest freestanding dome in the world at 246 feet (75 meters) high—it’s beaten only by the Vatican in Rome and St. Paul’s in London.

Xewkija Rotunda is on the route of Gozo’s hop-on hop-off bus tour, which also visits the Ggantija temples and Ta’ Dbiegi crafts village. Other tours stop at the church and include activities such as a day-long Jeep tour of Gozo or a day cruise of Gozo and the neighboring island of Comino.

Mgarr, Gozo’s main port, is 15 minutes from Xewkija by bus 301, 303 or 323 or car. Alternatively, skip the hassle by visiting on a guided tour.

The church is open daily from 6am-12pm and 3pm-8pm. Religious festival days show the church at its most colorful, particularly the liturgical feast of the nativity of St. John the Baptist, which falls on June 24 and is celebrated on the nearest Sunday. 

Parts of the original church still stands next door to the Rotunda, and it forms a small museum with sculptures, paintings, and other relics saved from the original church on display. From there you can take an elevator up to the dome and enjoy panoramic views across Gozo to Malta.

Once the buzzing center of Paris' wine trade and home to the biggest wine market in the world, Bercy Village has now reinvented itself as one of the city's most unique shopping destinations, thanks to an urban renewal project that started in the 1990s. Today, the vintage and modern stand side-by-side, with the 19th-century wine cellars and warehouses repurposed as shops, clothing boutiques and art galleries. The old train tracks, where barrels of wine would arrive from regions like Bordeaux, are still embedded in the cobblestone streets.

Wine tasting is still a popular activity in Bercy Village, but it's also a beautiful spot for a walking tour. With its historic architecture, tranquil Bercy Park and plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars make for a delightful mid-sightseeing pause. There are also over 30 shops to browse, selling art and handicrafts, artisan foods, fashion and gifts, including big names like Parisian perfumer Fragonar, L'Occitane, Oliviers & Co and Sephora, plus a multiplex cinema and a spa.