Choose from 5,104 Fun Things to Do in Windsor & Eton
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Beomeosa Temple
Beomeosa Temple has a history that dates back to its founding in 678 CE by Buddhist monk Ui Sang, long before the original temple was destroyed during a Japanese invasion in the late 16th century. Perched on Geumjeongsan Mountain, the current temple complex was built in 1713 and includes a pagoda, several pavilions, three ornate gates and 11 hermitages.
While many visitors to the temple come to enjoy the verdant grounds for only a few hours, Beomeosa Temple is one of several in Korea that allows temple stays, where visitors both foreign and Korean can experience firsthand Korean Buddhist monastic life. The main temple stay program here includes meditation sessions, tea ceremonies, traditional monastic meals and several hands-on cultural clinics.
Practical Info
If possible, plan your visit to Beomeosa Temple during the month of May, when the wisteria surrounding the grounds are usually in full bloom.
Address: 546 Cheongnyong-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Hours: Daily 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
From $ 100
Belize Zoo
In 1983 Richard Foster came to Belize to film a wildlife documentary. Over a dozen animals used in filming became partly tame by the time shooting wrapped, so Sharon Matola, the American biologist in charge of their care, decided to found the Belize Zoo to give them somewhere to call home.
Today, the Belize Zoo covers 29 acres (11.7 hectares) and is home to more than 150 animals representing 45 species native to the country. Many of the zoo’s residents are rescue animals who have been injured, orphaned or donated from other zoos, and the spacious enclosures make it feel more like a wildlife refuge than a typical zoo.
Among the Belize Zoo’s star tenants are the five species of wild cats native to Belize: jaguar, puma, margay, ocelot and jaguarundi. Other animals in residence include spider monkeys, manatees, scarlet macaws, toucans, tree frogs and boa constrictors. If a half-day visit to the zoo isn’t enough, wildlife-loving visitors can stay the night in the neighboring Belize Zoo Lodge, which has its own nature trails and birdwatching deck.
Practical Info
The entire Belize Zoo is accessible by wheelchair.
Address: Mile 29 Western Highway, Belize City, Belize
Hours: Daily 8:30am-5pm
From $ 125
Benaki Museum
The Benaki Museum competes with the Acropolis Museum and National Museum of Archaeology as one of the top three museums in Athens. It was established in 1930 by wealthy philanthropist Antonis Benakis in his neo-classical family mansion opposite the National Gardens, and he kick-started the collection by donating nearly 40,000 pieces of Byzantine and Islamic art to the museum. Further donations from private collectors over the decades swelled the exhibitions and resulted in the museum being extended several times.
Following a revamp in the early 21st century, the oriental and Islamic art was moved to thesatellite Museum of Islamic Art in Kerameikos and there is also an annexe on Pireos Street in the newly trendy district of Rouf, showcasing all that’s best on the Athens contemporary art scene. The Benaki Museum itself now concentrates solely on Greek history from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 through the formation of the Greek state in 1821 and on to the 1922, when the defeat of the Greek army in the Asia Minor Disaster led to the massacre of thousands of Greeks living in Turkey and the displacement of a million more. Showpieces among the museum’s fine collections are rare 17th-century embroidery from Cyprus, vivid traditional costumes from mainland Greece and weaponry from the independence struggles of 1821.
Practical Info
Benaki Museum: 1 Koumbari Street; open Wed & Fri 9am–5pm, Thur–Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am–3pm, admission €7 (concessions €5 students and seniors); free on Thursday until March 2016. Take Metro line 2 or 3 to Syntagma.
The Museum of Islamic Art is open Thur–Sun 9am–5pm. Admission €7 (concessions €5 students and seniors); free on Thursday until March 2016. The new Benaki Musemat 138 Pireos Street is open Thur & Sun 10am–6pm, Fri & Sat 10am–10pm. Admission depends on exhibitions but is around €4.
Address: Koumpari 1, Athens, Greece
Hours: Wed & Fri 9am–5pm, Thur–Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am–3pm
Admission: €7
From $ 10
Ben Ezra Synagogue
Ben Ezra Synagogue used to be a Christian place of worship by the name of El-Shamieen Church and according to a legend, the building was built on the exact spot where Moses was found as a baby in his basket. However, when the Coptic Christians owning it weren’t able to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers any longer, they had to sell the church. It was sold to Abraham Ben Ezra, who purchased the building in 882 AD for 20,000 dinars and turned it into a Jewish synagogue.
The synagogue became a place where North African Jews congregated for major festivals and famous rabbis came to worship on their visits to Cairo. Then, during a restoration in 1890, the most famous and diverse Geniza in the world was found. In an empty space below the roof, roughly 300,000 priceless manuscripts were hidden away, a collection that is now known as the Cairo Geniza. The manuscripts have long since been transferred to different libraries, but visitors to the synagogue will still be able to visit this place of historical importance and learn about Coptic and Jewish Cairo. In fact, the Ben Ezra Synagogue is the most visited Jewish site in the city and surprises visitors with the beautiful geometric and floral patterns in the Turkish style.
Practical Info
Ben Ezra Synagogue is located right behind the hanging church and next to the line 1 metro station Mar Girgis in the district of Old Cairo. The synagogue is open daily from 8am to 4pm.
Address: Cairo, Egypt
Hours: Open daily from 8am to 4pm
From $ 12
Berardo Collection Museum (Museu Colecao Berardo)
Considered the best modern and contemporary art museum in Portugal, the Berardo Collection is own by billionaire art collector José Berardo. Both the permanent collection and the rotating exhibits are housed in an all white, modern, minimalist building located in the Belém neighborhood of Lisbon.
The carefully curated permanent collection uses chronological order to take visitors through the evolution of modern art from the early 20th century through the present day. The first exhibition focuses on art from 1900 – 1960 and includes works by famed cubism artists Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp, as well as abstractionist painter Maria Helena Vieira da Silva and surrealist pioneer, Salvador Dali. The second part of the permanent collection focuses on art from 1960 – 1990, and
includes recognizable pieces like Andy Warhol’s silk screen prints of Judy Garland and Campbell’s Tomato Soup alongside unique, unexpected pieces from lesser-known modern artists.
The museum is quite large and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike for a rainy day activity — not to mention that admission is free. Beyond the art, there’s a lovely café and restaurant that faces the expansive lawn and well-kept gardens as well as a museum shop with interesting trinkets and gifts.
Practical Info
The Berardo Collection Museum is located at the Centro Cultural de Belém in Praça Império in the Belém neighborhood. It is open every day from 10 a.m, to 7 p.m. and admission is free.
Address: Praça do Império, Lisbon, Portugal
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m, to 7 p.m.
From $ 6
Benito Juarez Market
Benito Juarez Market takes up two blocks in central Oaxaca, Mexico, and is located a short walk from Zocalo, Oaxaca’s main plaza. The market offers a variety of food and handicrafts.
You’ll encounter many different types of food when walking through Benito Juarez Market. Dine on the Oaxaca delicacy, Chapulines while you’re at the market…a fancy way of saying you’ll be eating grasshoppers. There is also fresh seafood and hanging cuts of meat you can purchase to prepare back at your accommodations if you have a kitchen or grill. Get some fresh tortillas from the market as well and turn your dinner into tacos.
In addition to heaping baskets of grasshoppers and produce, you can also find artisan products ranging from weaved purses to clothing to ceramics. You may find similar products at each stall, so don’t be afraid to browse first and then barter.
Practical Info
Benito Juarez Market is located in the city center of Oaxaca at the cross streets of Flores Magon and Las Casas, less than two blocks south of Zocalo, with a brick arched entrance off of Las Casas. The market is covered and has lots of different lanes making it a fun place to lose track of time in and just browse and converse with the vendors and other locals.
Address: Flores Magon and Las Casas, Oaxaca, Mexico
From $ 22
Benromach Distillery
Scotland’s smallest working distillery has just three distillers handcrafting its ‘Uisghe Beatha’ (water of life), sourcing water from the Chapelton Spring in the Romach Hills near Forres and using Scottish barley in the process. Established in 1898, Benromach Distillery opened and closed several times over the last century before being revived and refitted in the 1990s by bottling company Gordon & MacPhail of Elgin. The now-
redundant landmark red-brick Victorian chimney still remains and a visitor center was installed in the old barley-drying house; HRH Prince Charles officially declared the distillery open for business in 1998. Every task, from maturation in the copper stills to bunging the oak casks, is overseen or executed by hand and Benromach is once more known for creating award-winning single malts, some batches smoked with a hint of peat in the traditional Speyside manner.
Now firmly ensconced on the Malt Whisky Trail through Speyside, Benromach Distillery is open for guided tours and tutored tastings of various drams; visitors can also bottle their own single malt to take home.
Practical Info
Invererne Road, Forres, Moray IV36 3EB. Open Jan–Apr,
Oct–Dec Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; May–Sept Mon–Sat 9.30am–5pm (also Sun June–Sept). Tour prices start at £6. All but the 30-minute guided tours must be booked in advance. 45 minutes northwest of Inverness, accessed by car along the A96.
Address: Invererne Road, Forres, Inverness, Morayshire IV36 3EB, Scotland
Hours: Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; May–Sept Mon–Sat
9.30am–5pm (also Sun June–Sept)
Admission: Tour prices start at £6
From $ 108
Belgrade Fortress
Standing on a 410-foot (125-meter) cliff overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, Serbia's Belgrade Fortress has beckoned visitors (and scared off enemies) for centuries. This 124-acre (50-hectare) vantage point served as a military outpost since the first century AD, but is now enjoyed for its history, enormity and spectacular sunset views.
Essentially a large park within fortress walls, the site contains two museums, two towers, a bunker and a Roman Well spread out throughout three main areas: Upper Town, Lower Town and Kalemegdan Park. Upper Town features preserved ramparts of the fortress, as well as the Military Museum, Victor Monument and Ruzica Church, which contains chandeliers made of ammunition casings and a chapel with an allegedly miraculous spring; Lower Town sits on the banks of the Danube River, and while it was the city center in the Middle Ages, only a few buildings have survived. The 18th century Turkish Bath now houses a planetarium.
Kalemegdan Park offers great river views, as well as walking paths, a zoo and an amusement park. Allow a few hours to visit the entire fortress and consider joining a tour to ensure you don’t miss any of the highlights.
Practical Info
Belgrade Fortress is a short walk from central Belgrade or the Belgrade train station. To get there using public transportation, take tram 2, bus 31 or trolleys 19, 21, 22, 28, 29 or 41 to Kalemegdan Park.
Admission to the grounds is free, and the fortress is open 24 hours. Museums, churches and specific attractions vary by price and opening hours, but you'll find most attractions open between 11am and 7pm.
Since the grounds are huge, it's recommended visiting by guided tour to ensure you see all the highlights. Food, drink and souvenirs are available at one of the many kiosks throughout the fortress grounds.
Address: Terazije 3, Belgrade, Serbia
Hours: Varies
Admission: Varies
From $ 16
Belogradchik Fortress
Also known as Kaleto, the Belogradchik Fortress is an ancient fortress standing on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria. One of the best-preserved fortresses in the country, it dates to Roman times and was expanded over the years by the Byzantines, Bulgarians and Turks. Covering 10,000 square meters and featuring walls over two meters thick and up to 12 meters tall, the fortress was last used for war during the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885. Set among spectacular rock formations that served as natural protection, the fortress almost blends in with its surroundings.
Today, the fortress is open to the public as an open-air museum. Visitors can wander through the three fortified courtyards, check out the defensive bunkers and climb up steep ladders to some of the highest rocks around the fortress.
Practical Info
The Belogradchik Fortress is just outside of the village of Belogradchik in northwestern Bulgaria. The village is nearly a three-hour drive from the capital of Sofia. From the center of Belogradchik, follow ul. Tsolo Todorov uphill for about one kilometer to the end of the street.
Address: ul Tsolo Todorov, Belogradchik, Bulgaria
Hours: June-September, 9am-6pm.; October-May, 9am-5pm
Admission: 6 lv
From $ 7
Belgrad Forest
Located at the easternmost point of the Thracian Peninsula, the Belgrad Forest is about 15 kilometers outside of Istanbul. Covering about 5,000 hectares of land, the forest is home to a variety of plant, bird and animal species. Shaded by birch, elm, oak, pine and spruce trees, it is also a popular recreational area for residents of Istanbul.
The historical importance of the forest cannot be understated. In the 16th century, Suleyman the Magnificent resettled the area with Serbian prisoners-of-war so they could manage the many reservoirs that supplied water to Istanbul. Several reservoirs remain today, some dating as far back as the 15th century. On the fringes of the forest, sparse remains of the village of Belgrad can also be found.
The forest is also home to the Ataturk Arboretum, an expansion of the first nursery ever founded in Turkey, in 1916. Containing almost 300 hectares of land, the arboretum boasts over 2,000 foreign and native plant species. The most exotic plants can be found along a lake trail that takes about ninety minutes to walk.
A visit to the forest can be a great way to escape the tourist crowds of Istanbul and enjoy a bit of fresh air, although it can get crowded with picnickers on the weekends.
The historical importance of the forest cannot be understated. In the 16th century, Suleyman the Magnificent resettled the area with Serbian prisoners-of-war so they could manage the many reservoirs that supplied water to Istanbul. Several reservoirs remain today, some dating as far back as the 15th century. On the fringes of the forest, sparse remains of the village of Belgrad can also be found.
The forest is also home to the Ataturk Arboretum, an expansion of the first nursery ever founded in Turkey, in 1916. Containing almost 300 hectares of land, the arboretum boasts over 2,000 foreign and native plant species. The most exotic plants can be found along a lake trail that takes about ninety minutes to walk.
A visit to the forest can be a great way to escape the tourist crowds of Istanbul and enjoy a bit of fresh air, although it can get crowded with picnickers on the weekends.
Practical Information
Located about 15 kilometers northwest of Istanbul, the best way to reach Belgrad Forest is by car. If you would rather go by public transport, you can take the 42T bus from Taksim or the 153 bus from Sariyer to Bahkecoy and walk from there. If you are a runner, there are running groups in Istanbul that sometimes arrange car pools to the forest for group runs on the weekends.
The Ataturk Arboretum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The Ataturk Arboretum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Address: Turkey
From $ 168
Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve
The Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve encompasses nine mountains within the southern slopes of the Ben Lawers and Tarmachan ranges in Scotland. The mountain ranges stretch for nine miles and seven of the mountains are Munros – mountains more than 3,000 feet high. Ben Lawers itself is Scotland’s tenth highest Munro and the highest in the Scottish highlands, standing nearly 4,000 feet about Loch Tay. Inaddition to the mountains, the nature reserve is known for its arctic-alpine flora, including many rare and endangered species and more than 500 types of lichen. Visitors can also spot wildlife such as red deer, ravens, black grouse and ptarmigan.
One popular route through the nature reserve is the circular Edramucky Trail that goes around the lower slopes, while another, more challenging route heads up to the tops of Beinn Galas and Ben Lawers. Great views are possible, of Ben Lomond and Glencoe to the west and Cairngorms to the north. Guided walks are available during the summer months and the best time to see alpine plants and colorful wildflowers is between June and August.
Practical Info
The Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve is open daily all year round. It is not accessible by coaches; infrequent buses can take you as far as Killin, but none go to the reserve itself. The nearest train stations are at Crianlarich, Pitlochry and Stirling.
Address: Lynedoch, Main Street, Killin, Scotland
Hours: Year round, daily
From $ 54
Beng Mealea
Beng Mealea is located 40 kilometers east of the main Angkor Wat complex. The temple was mainly constructed from sandstone, with its architectural style identical to that of Angkor Wat. Because of this, it is thought that Beng Mealea was built in the 12th century under the reign of Suryavarman II.
The temple grounds are surrounded by a gigantic moat and was once entirely consumed by jungle. This atmospheric temple is oriented toward the east, with entranceways from the other three cardinal directions also. If entering from the south, visitors will find themselves amid piles of chiselled sandstone blocks, sweeping vines, and mysterious dark chambers.
The layout of the temple consists of three enclosed galleries situated around a central tower, which has now completely collapsed. There’s a well-preserved library in the northeastern quadrant, plus extensive carvings of scenes from Hindu mythology and long balustrades formed by bodies of the seven-headed Naga serpent.
Practical Info
Beng Mealea is situated approximately 70 kilometers from Siem Reap. The shortest route to the temple is found by heading north at the town of Dam Dek, located around 40 kilometers from Siem Reap, traveling in the direction of Phnom Penh. Arranging a vehicle and driver from Siem Reap is recommended.
Address: Beng Mealea, Temples of Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Hours: Open daily 7:30am-5:30pm
Admission: US$5
From $ 59
Belfast Cruise Port
Belfast is known for its shipbuilding heritage, urban regeneration, and blossoming food scene. As well as providing easy access to attractions such as Titanic Belfast, Belfast cruise port also serves as the gateway to Northern Ireland’s other big-name sights, including the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
The Basics
Travelers docking at Belfast cruise port can choose between shorter shore excursions lasting just a couple of hours, such as hop-on hop-off bus tours of Belfast and city walking tours, or longer organized tours. Daylong shore excursions often combine guided tours of Belfast city with visits to other sights in Northern Ireland—most commonly attractions along the scenic Causeway Coastal Route such as the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway. Some day tours also include visits to Game of Thrones filming locations such as Dunluce Castle.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most Belfast shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at the Belfast cruise port.
- Tours that venture outside of the Belfast area require some travel and typically last 6–8 hours.
- Belfast shore excursions that focus only on city center sights are usually shorter.
How to Get to Belfast City From the Belfast Cruise Port
Most large cruise ships dock at Stormont Wharf, which is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the city center. Many cruise operators offer shuttle buses into town for a fee. Taxis are also available for the 10- to 15-minute journey.
Port Information
A small tourist information desk is often available at the port, offering maps and information about shuttle bus departures. Shuttle buses typically depart from the cruise port and stop at Belfast City Hall, near the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre. The information center has currency exchange services and left luggage, as well as free information and advice on what to do and see in Belfast.
Address: Port of Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
From $ 16
Belur Math Shrine
The Belur Math Shrine in Kolkata is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, based on the religious movement founded in 1898 by Swami Vivekanada. The Swami was a longtime disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, the man who inspired the movement with his teachings on the unity of faith among all religions, and the ashes of Sri Ramakrishna are housed within the shrine.
The Belur Math Shrine is also a physical symbol of such unity, as it includes architectural elements borrowed from Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist motifs. Depending on your vantage point, the Shrine manages to resemble a church, mosque or temple.
The serene grounds of Belur Math along the riverbank include a handful of smaller shrines that seem to be scattered across the manicured gardens. If you want to appreciate the serenity the shrine is meant to embody, visit on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds of picnickers that sometimes take over the lawn. At 5:30pm each day, visitors can listen to the aarti: religious chants being sung in the prayer hall.
The Belur Math Shrine is also a physical symbol of such unity, as it includes architectural elements borrowed from Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist motifs. Depending on your vantage point, the Shrine manages to resemble a church, mosque or temple.
The serene grounds of Belur Math along the riverbank include a handful of smaller shrines that seem to be scattered across the manicured gardens. If you want to appreciate the serenity the shrine is meant to embody, visit on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds of picnickers that sometimes take over the lawn. At 5:30pm each day, visitors can listen to the aarti: religious chants being sung in the prayer hall.
Address: Belur rd, Howrah, Kolkata, India
Hours: Apr-Sept: 6am-11:30am & 4pm-7pm; Oct-Mar: 6:30am-11:30am & 3:30pm-6pm
From $ 42
Belmont Estate
If you find yourself watching two people dancing barefoot in a large copper pot, rhythmically moving to the beat of a drum while stomping on piles of cocoa, you know you’re at the Belmont Estate on the northeastern coast of Grenada. Here at this traditional island estate that dates to the late 1600s, “dancing the cocoa” is just one tradition that still lives on to this day. Designed as a way to remove unsightly residue from the exterior of freshly grown cocoa beans, the dance today is a highlight of touring the 400-acre plantation. Though the estate was founded on sugar and coffee, it’s now spices such as nutmeg and cloves that spring from the Caribbean ground. For travelers with a self-professed chocolate addiction, a tour of the neighboring Granada Chocolate Company showcases the process of cocoa beans being transformed to silky rich chocolate. Or, for a taste of authentic Grenada cuisine in a pastoral island setting, the restaurant on site at Belmont Estate is regarded as one of the island’s best for its fine collection of flavors. Families will love the petting zoo and chance to hang with the goats, and this model of island agri-tourism successfully fuses Grenada’s past with its modern, tourism future.
Practical Info
The Belmont Estate is open 8am-4pm on every day except Saturday. The property is located approximately an hour from Grenada’s capital of St. George’s, and remember to bring some insect repellent to combat the area’s mosquitos.
Address: Belmont Estate, Belmont , St Patrick, Grenada, West Indies, Grenada
Hours: Sun-Fri 8am-4pm
From $ 125
Belvedere Lookout
Belvedere Lookout is a scenic viewpoint awarding views of Cook's Bay, Opunohu Bay, Mount Rotui and the fertile Opunohu Valley with its many pineapple plants, craggy peaks and gentle slopes. There are many ways to reach the top -- uphill hiking, ATV, scooter or car -- as there is a road leading to the lookout. That being said, now that it is more accessible it is also more crowded, meaning you should allow yourself adequate time for photo snapping. The most popular time to visit is at sunset at around 5:30pm, where you can see the sky and landscape illuminated by a rainbow backdrop of reds, pinks, yellow, oranges and purples. At the top there is a small snack, beverage and souvenir stand. And if you're still feeling energetic, you can access waterfall and nature treks from the top.
There are two roads leading to Belvedere Lookout, depending on whether you're going from Cook's Bay or Opunohu Bay. While Cook's Bay will take you through pineapple fields and lush vegetation, Opunohu Bay will bring you through Moorea's natural preserve as well as stop at the local Agricultural School for some fresh juice and sorbet and jam tastings.
There are two roads leading to Belvedere Lookout, depending on whether you're going from Cook's Bay or Opunohu Bay. While Cook's Bay will take you through pineapple fields and lush vegetation, Opunohu Bay will bring you through Moorea's natural preserve as well as stop at the local Agricultural School for some fresh juice and sorbet and jam tastings.
Address: Overlooking Cook and Opunohu Bays, French Polynesia
From $ 47
Bellavista
Bellavista, a walkable neighborhood not far from downtown Santiago, is routinely referred to as the city’s bohemian neighborhood. There’s street art and both sedate and raucous nightlife, art galleries, theater performances, dance clubs, loads of restaurants (both formal and informal) and one of Chile’s most-visited museums, La Chascona. Even this museum has a colorful history; it is one of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda’s homes-turned-museums. And the whole neighborhood is just a few blocks south of Cerro San Cristobal, the large hill that overlooks the city and has both a sanctuary and a large marble statue of the Virgin Mary on top, in addition to the hiking trails, swimming pools and Japanese garden.
On weekends, the hill attracts families, couples, runners, cyclists and participants in group activities, from yoga to zumba. And all week long, the Chileans of all ages and income brackets come to hang out.
Bellavista’s food options cover nearly every budget, with many restaurants in the Patio Bellavista, an walkway that also houses gift shops, theaters and jewelry stores. There is a string of cheaper eateries with a beer garden atmosphere on the street Pio Nono, and tonier options on the parallel street of Constitución.
Practical Info
The closest metro station to Bellavista is Baquedano, where the red and green lines cross. Bellavista is the never-fail option for Sunday night dinners, while many of Santiago’s other res restaurants close after lunch in preparation for the week ahead.
Address: Santiago, Chile
From $ 33
Belfry (Belfort)
Dominating the city skyline from all angles, the striking, 83-meter high Belfry (Belfort) is one of Bruges’ most iconic landmarks, standing proud over the central Market Square. Dating back to 1240, the historic bell tower has undergone a number of changes over the years, damaged by fire in the late 13th-century and hit by lightning twice. Today, the Belfort is both a UNESCO World heritage site and one of the city’s top tourist attractions.
A popular pastime for visitors is climbing the 366 spiraling steps to the top of the 83-meter-high tower, from where the panoramic views look out over the entire city and it’s possible to peek inside the carillon with its 47 bells and impressive clockwork mechanism. Along the way, a number of small rooms are also open to the public, including the old treasury, where the city’s rights and charters were once kept, and an exhibition on the tower’s bells.
Practical Info
The Belfry (Belfort) is located in the Market Square in central Bruges and is open daily from 9.30am- 5pm. Adult admission costs €8.
Address: Markt 7, Bruges, Belgium
Hours: Open daily 9.30am- 5pm
Admission: Adults: €8
From $ 12
Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere)
Built in the 18th century as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the magnificent Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere) is among the many treasures of Vienna’s Baroque era and a UNESCO World Heritage–listed monument.
The Basics
Guided tours of the Belvedere Palace include the main palace buildings—the Upper Belvedere, Lower Belvedere, and Winter Palace (the Orangery)—as well as the Royal Stables and the lavish palace gardens. Opt to visit as part of a Vienna city tour; explore independently on a hop-on hop-off bus tour or using a Vienna Card; or combine it with a horse and carriage tour or candlelight dinner in Vienna.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plan around two hours to visit the palace and gardens.
- Separate or combination tickets are available for the Upper Palace and Lower Palace.
- Visitor facilities include a gift shop, café, and restaurant at both palaces.
- All the palace buildings are fully wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Belvedere Palace is located about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) south of Vienna’s historic center, just off the Ringstrasse. It’s easily accessible by tram (Tram D, Schloss Belvedere or Gusshausstrasse station), U-Bahn trains (Hauptbahnhof station), or S-Bahn trains (Quartier Belvedere station).
When to Get There
The palace is open daily year-round, but it can get busy during the peak summer months, so plan an early visit to avoid the crowds. To experience the palace at its most atmospheric, time your visit for the festive season, when a lively Christmas Market is held in the palace grounds, or look out for special evening openings and exhibitions, which offer a chance to admire the illuminated palaces by night.
Art Masterpieces at the Belvedere
The Belvedere houses one of Vienna’s most impressive collections of Austrian art, with the most notable collection on display in the Upper Belvedere. Highlights include the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings, including famous works such as The Kiss and Judith; an important display of Viennese Biedermeier art; and works by acclaimed artists including Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Oskar Laske, Paul Troger, and Max Beckmann.
Address: Fasangasse 18, Vienna 1030, Austria
Hours: Open daily 10am - 6pm. Open until 9pm on Fridays.
Admission: Varies
From $ 20
Belfast City Hall
The neo-Baroque Belfast City Hall is home to a memorial garden and visitor exhibition that provide insight into the city’s history. Built to commemorate Belfast’s new city status in the late 1800s, the building survived the Belfast Blitz, and was at the center of the 2013 dispute regarding its continued use of the Union flag.
The Basics
As a focal point in the Belfast landscape, most city sightseeing tours include a stop at City Hall, including round-trip day tours from Dublin. As you stroll the grounds of the Portland stone structure, you’ll see the copper dome, Queen Victoria statue, and controversial Union flag flying from the pediment. You can also book a politics-focused tour to gain deeper insight into the city’s complex past.
Things to Know Before You Go
- City Hall is a must for anyone interested in Belfast’s social history.
- Remember to bring a coat and umbrella during rainy months, as the memorial gardens and lawns are uncovered.
- The building is accessible for wheelchairs, with adapted toilets, a ramped entrance and exit, and a lift.
How to Get There
City Hall features on many guided walking tours of Belfast, which can be useful for orienting yourself in the city. Otherwise, Lanyon Place and Great Victoria Street stations are both a short walk from City Hall, and the 6A bus serves Donegall Square directly. Belfast is a typical capital city—lots of traffic—so it’s best to avoid driving because parking can be a challenge.
When to Get There
Belfast City Hall is open year round, though the building, grounds, gift shop, and exhibition all keep slightly different hours. In summer, you can picnic on the outdoor lawns or simply relax on the freshly kept grass.
History in Stained Glass
The building’s stained glass windows reveal the history of Belfast and pay homage to important community members. The Belfast Dockers Strike window, located on the northeast corridor of the ground floor, is a particularly powerful installation that demonstrates the power of a united Belfast.
Address: Donegall Square N, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland BT1 5GS, Northern Ireland
From $ 19