Things to Do in Anaheim & Buena Park

Some 600,000 people call George Town home, and travelers to this bustling center will find restaurants, shops, and temples tucked among traditional colonial-style buildings, like the Municipal Council of Pulau Pinang Hall. While visitors would certainly do well to wander the streets, architecture along Armenian Street and the typical items in Little India are worth a visit. Fort Cornwallis, with its historical galleries and restored grounds is an ideal stop for history lovers and Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple proves one of the city's most iconic religious structures.

Tucked away between the many attractions of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the looming tenement building known as Gladstone's Land is easily overlooked, but behind its unassuming façade is one of the capital's most fascinating historic gems. 

The six-story complex was developed by wealthy local merchant Thomas Gledstanes in 1617 and was renowned as one of the first "˜high-rise' buildings of its time. Now preserved as a National Trust property, Gladstone's Land has been restored to its former glory, offering visitors the chance to step back in time to 17th-century Edinburgh. Along with the original painted ceilings and beams, and an impressive collection of antique furniture, highlights include a traditional "˜luckenbooth' shop-front, a 16th-century kitchen, a spinet and a selection of old maps and photographs of Edinburgh. 

Akseli Gallen-Kallela was a Finnish painter who is especially well known for his illustrations of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. The Gallen-Kallela Museum was once his private atelier and home, and was later converted to fit Gallen-Kallela's personal use perfectly. The studio is open, spacious and allows a lot of light to come in, but the outside of the building and the surrounding area fit in perfectly with the romantic style of the artist as well. What is today the Gallen-Kallela Museum looks a bit like a castle and sits in the midst of green gardens and quiet nature.

The Gallen-Kallela Museum presents both well-known and lesser known works of the artist and also includes works from his friends. Additionally, it features contemporary art that relates to the paintings of Gallen-Kallela. Exhibitions change frequently and the museum also hosts a variety of events, such as concerts, special guided visits and even tattoo showcases and sauna sessions.

Sometimes called the Gross Monster by English-speaking locals, Grossmunster is a Romanesque-style Protestant church in Zurich. According to legend, Charlemagne discovered the graves of the city's patron saints, Felix and Regula, and ordered a church to be constructed on the spot. Construction of Grossmunster began in 1100 and was finished around 1220, with the core of the building built on the site where Charlemagne's church stood. The only original decorations that remain today are some faded frescoes in a side chapel and a depictions of battle scenes and Charlemagne's discovery of Felix's and Regula's graves. The church's crypt is the largest in Switzerland and dates to the 11th and 13th centuries. Modern stained glass windows were added to the church in 1932 and bronze doors were added in 1935 and 1950.

Also known as the starting point of the Reformation in Switzerland in the 16th century, Grossmunster's twin towers make it one of the most recognized landmarks in Zurich. Visitors can climb the nearly 200 stairs up the north tower for sweeping views of the city. The cloister features a museum about the Reformation and the annex to the cloister is home to the theological school of the University of Zurich.

Führerbunker translates from German to "leader's bunker" and is the site of Hitler's fortified underground air raid shelter. He died here by his own hand in the last days of World War II. Today all that remains at the site is an information board marking the bunker's former location. 

Located near the Reich Chancellery in central Berlin (Nazi headquarters), the Führerbunker was an air raid shelter that formed part of an underground complex used by high-ranking Nazi officials. Built during WWII, it was designed to protect the leaders from bombing raids. Hitler married Eva Braun at the bunker before the couple committed suicide in April 1945. The bunker itself was demolished 1989 and a car park created in the location. 

The Führerbunker was located under Wilhelmstrasse near the intersection with Gertrud-Kolmar-Strasse, a short walk from Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate. Berlin walking and bike tours often stop here. The closest metro stop is Brandenburger Tor on the S-Bahn. Go with a tour to avoid hunting around for the plaque. 

The bunker was demolished in the late 1980s. All the remains is a small information plaque. The former site of the bunker is a public place and can be accessed 24 hours a day year-round. 

In the pre-war years, Potsdamer Platz was a thriving area with shops and restaurants, but it was badly damaged by allied bombing in WWII and then left to ruin as a no-man's-land divided in two by the Berlin Wall. After the wall came down, the area rebounded with shops, bars, restaurants, and movie theaters. It's one of Berlin's most popular spots for evening entertainment. 

Latin America is as well known for its rum production as it is for its rum consumption.  A tour of the Flor de Cana Rum Factory offers travelers the perfect way to capitalize on both, with an informative guide who offers up details about the production process and a tasting room to sample some of this strong spirit.

Visitors will have the chance to tour the vault, where rum is slow aged, walk through the rum barrel operation area and relax during a video presentation that highlights every aspect of Flor de Cana's unique process. The tour concludes with a chance to sip on the local product, as well as a stop in the gift shop, museum and rum bar (for those who'd like to drink a little more).

This elegant 18th-century town house offers a glimpse into the lives of Georgian Edinburgh's elite. Now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, the perfectly preserved property features a traditional 18th-century kitchen with collections of china and silverware as well as paintings by prominent Scottish artists.

Visitors can pre-purchase admission tickets for the Georgian House and then take a self-guided tour around the property. Watch Living in a Grand Design, a short introductory film about the property, before exploring the interior, from the grand drawing room and dining room to the servants' quarters. In each room, information sheets provide details about the life of Scottish aristocrats in the Georgian period. 

Visitors who purchase a National Trust for Scotland Discover Ticket gain free access to the Georgian House, along with other National Trust for Scotland sites such as Culloden battlefield and Culzean Castle. 

The Georgian House is situated in Charlotte Square in Edinburgh's New Town, just a short walk from the west end of Princes Street. It's also accessible by public transport; take the tram to Princes Street, which is just a 10-minute walk away. Edinburgh Waverley train station is about 20 minutes away on foot.

The Georgian House typically closes for several months during winter (usually for at least January and February, and sometimes longer). Though the house sees most visitors during the summer months, it is rarely crowded. Get there early in the morning when the interior is hushed and quiet. 

The house, designed by well-known architect Robert Adam, has been restored to reflect the lifestyle its wealthy 18th- and 19th-century occupants would have enjoyed. In addition to period furniture, it also features works by acclaimed artists including portrait painters Sir Henry Raeburn and Allan Ramsay. If you want to get into the Georgian spirit, dress up in one of the period-style costumes provided, which are available in both children's and adult sizes. 

Georg Kolbe was the most successful German sculptor of the first half of the 20th century. His home and studio on the outskirts of West Berlin were turned into the Georg Kolbe Museum in 1950, three years after his death. The two buildings were built in 1928 and 19299 using elements of architectural modernism, and they are connected by a large garden with old pine trees. He chose to have his home and studio built here due to the natural setting and the proximity to the cemetery where his wife was buried.

Over 200 mostly bronze statues are on display at the museum. Most of the pieces on display at the museum were created by Kolbe himself, though there are a few pieces of art from his closest contemporaries. His work in the 1910s and 1920s was very reflective of the times. His sculptures came to represent freedom from the restrictive traditions of the Wilhelminian Period as well as the political and social upheavals of the time period. 

Italy often shakes, rattles, and rolls with seismic activity from volcanoes and earthquakes. This geothermal energy has formed countless hot springs, many used as natural thermal spas since ancient Roman times. One of the most famous is the Garda Thermal Park (Parco Termale del Garda), part of the 18th-century Villa dei Cedri estate near Lake Garda.

The Garda Thermal Park includes two thermal lakes with several swimming pools fed by underground hot springs that maintain a soothingly warm water temperature, as well as fountains, waterfalls, and massage jets to loosen aching muscles. The main lake is the warmer of the two, but both thermal water lakes are lit after dark, making for an especially relaxing soak by night. The surrounding 13 acres (5.3 hectares) of grounds and the winter garden glass pavilion are furnished with sun beds, ideal for lounging before and after bathing.

The aristocratic Villa dei Cedri overlooking the park is now a hotel, but you don't need to be a guest to use the thermal pools inside the estate's unique natural spa: you can purchase a full- or half-day entry ticket that includes use of all the park's lakes and pools. For an extra fee you can book massages and other spa treatments, and use the Turkish bath (steam bath), sauna, mineral water hot tub, and fitness room, in the indoor wellness center.

The Garda Thermal Park is located on Piazza di Sopra in the Veneto town of Colà di Lazise,  about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Lake Garda and 15 miles (25 kilometers) from Verona. The easiest way to reach the thermal park is by car; there is parking on the grounds.

The park is open daily year-round, but is most crowded during the summer months, when the best time to visit is on a weekday. The park stays open until 1am on Saturday night, which is a fun option for a nighttime soak.

If you are traveling with kids, consider combining a visit to the thermal park with a stop at the nearby Gardaland amusement park, about 10 minutes away by car.

Harboring some of the world's greatest examples of European art, the Gemäldegalerie belongs to the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, an affiliation of 19 museums found in five locations throughout Berlin. It forms part of the Kulturforum, a multi-faceted cultural center that was largely built in the 1960s before the Berlin Wall came down. Today the Kulturforum also encompasses the Philharmonie and Chamber Music Hall, home to the Berlin Philharmonic; Mies van der Rohe's Neue Nationalgalerie, which showcases contemporary art; and the Kunstgewerbemuseum, home to Germany's premier decorative-arts collections.

The present incarnation of the Gemäldegalerie was not completed until 1998, almost a decade after German re-unification in 1989, and was the work of Berlin architectural firm Hilmer and Sattler. Its boxy, contemporary design hides a surprisingly traditional interior, in which over 1,000 art treasures from the Middle Ages to the 18th century are beautifully hung in a spacious suite of galleries. Arranged chronologically, the displays present the very pinnacle of western art, from the gilded religious works of Giotto through the fine animal etchings of Albrecht Dürer and portraits in oil by Hans Holbein to the world-beating 16-strong collection of sublime paintings by Rembrandt. Along the way there are world-beating artworks to discover by eminent artists such as the Flemish Primitive Pieter Bruegel, fine Venetian landscapes by Canaletto and rococo portraits by Thomas Gainsborough.

Relaxed and trendy, lively and culturally diverse, the West End area offers some of the best things to do and see in Glasgow. Its Victorian architecture and cobblestone alleyways keep with tradition, while its many boutique shops, coffee shops, and Bohemian cafes present the modern side of the city. While vintage and antique shops keep the past alive, the student scene of the nearby, world renowned University of Glasgow keeps things current. Other don't-miss sights include the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, the Botanic Gardens, and the famous Grosvenor Cinema. 

A variety of parks, galleries and museums provide dozens of options for an afternoon. A stroll in the streets or along the river "” or an evening in one of the many bookstores, tea rooms, pubs, or unique restaurants "” is also an option. Each summer the area is home to the famous West End Festival.

Telling the story of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity, the Foundling Museum offers a unique insight into one of the country's most pioneering charities. Established by philanthropist Thomas Coram in 1739, the Foundling Hospital was the first of its kind, using the support of artists and musicians to fund its charitable endeavors. The museum reveals the secrets of its success, the support of artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel, and its influence on charitable arts programs to this day.

As well as learning about the charity, the museum is also home to the Gerald Coke Handel Collection, the world's largest private collection of Handel memorabilia, including music, art, manuscripts, and books.

Medieval Frigiliana is a typically Andalusian pueblo blanco (white village) perched on a ridge in the hills east of Málaga above the vacation paradise of the Costa del Sol. Guarded by the photogenic remains of the ninth-century Moorish Lízar Castle, the village straggles uphill from its cliff-side promenade, which offers far-reaching panoramas towards the Mediterranean coast.

Recently voted "the prettiest village in Spain," the Moorish, Mudejar-style heart of Frigiliana is a maze of cobbled alleyways leading off the main street of Calle Real, and lined with gleaming, flower-festooned white cottages ornamented with wrought-iron balconies. The streets wind ever upwards in steep steps, past ancient churches and palaces, and are crammed with boutiques selling traditional ceramics decorated with Arabic designs. Tiny piazzas reveal tapas bars in which to sample local treats and a glass or two of local wine, while a sign-posted walk, illustrated by ceramic plaques, guides visitors through the narrow streets up to the castle, relating the story of the Spanish ousting the Moors from the village in 1569. 

Frigiliana is also a gateway to the rugged terrain of the Parque Natural Sierras de Tejeda, popular with cyclists, hikers and drivers alike for the chance to spot golden eagles and shy mountain goats among the mountain peaks and scattered olive groves. 

Perched atop the Genting Highlands, almost 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level, the Genting Highlands Theme Park is a comprehensive leisure and amusement resort in a truly unique Malaysian setting.

The park's First World Indoor area offers various rides within themed zones, each named after famous cities and landmarks around the world. The Snow World attraction is particularly popular with children, featuring a play area, log cabin, igloo and toboggan slides, while the Rainforest Splash Pool is also made for kids.

The outdoor theme park also has a range of amusements and attractions that can be enjoyed in a cool climate due to the altitude of the park. Here, travelers will find the usual roller coasters, ferris wheels, carousels, train, car and ship rides, plus boating, archery and a whole host of other activities.

For the ultra-adventurous, there's also a free-fall skydiving simulator, plus a 50-foot-high (15-meter) rock-climbing wall with a 20-foot (six-meter) overhang. The bowling alley, video arcade, cineplex and Malaysia's only casino also provide entertainment for all ages.

Originally built as a palace, the Gesú Nuovo Church was converted into a place of worship by the Jesuits. It stands in a square by the same name in Naples historic city center.

Built in 1470, the original palace façade was left intact when construction began to convert it into a church. The bugnato style exterior is characterized by pyramid-shaped stones on the façade, however, its outward appearance can lead to confusion, sometimes causing unknowing visitors to walk right by, not realizing what's tucked inside. The Church's Baroque interior is ornate with 11 Chapels and frescos throughout that represent bible scenes and the stories of Saints. The church's construction was a lengthy process, started in 1584 but not completed until 1601.

Although Montevideo was once a fortified city with majestic walls and a grand stone entrance, the colonial citadel was demolished in 1829. All that remains today is the stone gate, called the Gateway of the Citadel.

The fortifications serve as a key example of Spanish military architecture in South America. Construction started around the mid-1700s and took more than 40 years to finish. The walls of the citadel were constructed with 19.6-foot-thick (6-meter-thick) granite and once housed 50 cannons. There were four bastions, which held artillery fortifications, and originally, there was a large, deep moat. It wasn't until 1829, four years after the country's declaration of independence, that a decision was made to tear down the fortifications, and the city was then able to expand. The demolition of Montevideo's fortified walls made room for Plaza Independencia, or Independence Square. 

The Gateway of the Citadel was dismantled and rebuilt by the School of Arts and Crafts in its original location in 1959. The fortified section of Montevideo was called Ciudad Vieja, while the expansion project was dubbed Ciudad Nueva.

Today, Ciudad Vieja is considered by many to be the nightlife area of Montevideo. It also hosts the Port Market, which is a great spot to try traditional Uruguayan food and drinks. Despite its popularity as a nightlife area, the most beautiful and historic colonial buildings are found here. 

The tree-lined shores, tiny islets, and blue-green waters of Gatún Lake (Lago Gatún) cover what was once the fertile Chagres River Valley. When it was created in 1913, Gatún Lake was the largest man-made lake, buttressed by the biggest dam, in the world. Today, it forms an integral part of the famous Panama Canal.

Gatún Lake eco cruises explore islands and lakeside villages before continuing along the Chagres River or the Panama Canal. Zip around the lake on a motorboat, take a small-boat tour to Monkey Island, or kayak around the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. A full-day Gatún Lake tour from Panama City may also include a hike through Chagres National Park, a stop at the Miraflores Locks or the Gatún Locks Visitor Center, or a visit to the indigenous villages of Soberanía National Park. 

The main gateway to Gatún Lake is Colón on the Atlantic coast, from which regular buses and taxis make the short trip to the Gatún Locks. Most tours set out from Panama City on the Pacific coast, an hour away by road.

 

Gatún Lake cruises run all year round, but the main cruise season is October to April. For the best views of the Panama Canal, avoid visiting between midday and 2pm, when the canal changes direction and no boats pass through the locks. 

 

The Panama rainforest that surrounds Gatún Lake is renowned for its biodiversity. Common sightings include capuchin, tamarin, and howler monkeys; iguanas; and a huge variety of exotic birds. As you cruise around the islands, look out for three-toed sloths hanging in the trees, crocodiles lounging by the lakeside, colorful toucans swooping overhead, and perhaps even coati and agouti darting along the shores. 

A large part of the opera house's popularity is due to its varied roster of entertainment and the 1,300-seat stage plays host to an array of operas, musicals, classical concerts and ballets throughout the year.  Behind-the-scenes tours are also available, offering visitors the chance to peek into the dressing rooms, watch the expert wigmakers, stage designers and costume tailors at work, and browse the extensive library, said to contain over 15 tons of sheet music.