Things to Do in Napa & Sonoma

Inspired by the French resort Les Arcs, Valle Nevado contains almost 7,000 acres of skiable domain – the largest accessible ski spread in South America. This new ski center rests snugly in one of the best locations of any resort in Chile and caters to all levels. It also offers off-piste runs and hosts an extensive terrain park full of rails, boxes, jumps, and a quarter-pipe suitable for even the most enthusiastic freestylers.

Detachable lifts have changed the ski industry forever – and Valle Nevado´s The Andes Express was the first one to be built in Chile, reflecting just how modern the resort aims to be. Five new runs were built in 2010.

The ski area also contains a spa, sauna, Kid´s Zone, emergency services, a cinema, and an outdoor heated pool with nearby cocktail bar.

Nestled in the Cone Valley, halfway between Dijon and Paris, stands the idyllic village of Vézelay, a ninth-century hilltop fortress that is not only home to one of the most remarkable basilicas in France, but also a UNESCO-classified old town.

There’s a reason the waterfront of Valletta is one of Europe’s most-visited cruise ports, and travelers to this historic town on the northeast coast of Malta will immediately understand why. Ancient forts, breathtaking buildings, and winding streets dot the hillside of the city that’s served as a backdrop of movies like Troy and Gladiator. Approaching its shores is like approaching another world, where modern-day amenities seem to disappear and the influence of Greek, Roman and Arab culture can be seen at every turn.

How to Get to Valletta

Cruise ships dock in Pinto Warf, about a half mile from the main shopping district of Valletta. Visitors can explore the town on foot, in a carriage or by hiring a taxi. Buses can take travelers further into the island, while local ferries connect Malta to the nearby islands of Gozo and Comino.

One Day in Valletta

Start the day at the Merchant Street Flea Market. Open daily from 9 a.m. until noon, this lively bazaar is the perfect place to find great deals on Gozo glass, a local specialty. Then take a taxi to the village of Wied iz-Zurrieq and hop aboard a small wooden boat to spend the afternoon exploring the incredible Blue Grotto. This series of caves carved into the southwest coast of Malta is accessible only by water and is a must-see sight on this beautiful island.

Exciting big-screen movies are shown at the Hemisferic IMAX cinema at Valencia’s impressive City of Arts & Sciences. The impressive curved building was designed by the renowned local architect Santiago Calatrava in the shape of an eye. 

Founded as a penal colony, Ushuaia is the southernmost town in the world. This rustic town is also the jumping off point for cruising to Antarctica or exploring the Tierra del Fuego (“Land of Fire”). As such, it is a major tourist destination for Argentinians and foreigners alike.

How to Get to Ushuaia
When you dock, you will already be in the heart of Ushuaia – and just a block from the main shopping street, San Martin. Taxis are available to take you further afield, but they are not metered, so you will need to negotiate your price.

One Day in Ushuaia
Chances are, you will be visiting Ushuaia to explore the surrounding mountains, forests or lakes. Cruise ships typically offer several possible excursions or you can arrange something independently through a travel agency, or by simply hiring a taxi when you arrive in port.

Tierra del Fuego National Park, about 10 miles outside of Ushuaia, is one of the largest nature reserves in the world. You can go horseback riding, bird-watching, hiking or mountain biking or visit the end of the Pan-American Highway at Lapataia Bay - almost literally the “end of the world.” You might also ride the “Train at the End of the World,” a steam-driven train that follows the River Pipo into the park.

Those who haven’t yet had a chance to see penguins on their journey may want to visit the Hammer Island Penguin Rookery, which provides an up close look at Magellanic penguins. Discover some of the region’s wildlife on a catamaran trip through the Beagle Channel, or take a chair lift to the top of the Martial Glacier for a magnificent view of the channel.

If you want to explore the town, start with a stroll along Malvina Argentinas Street, passing a reconstruction of the old town. Then head down San Martin to Yaganes, where you will find the Ushuaia Prison Museum. The museum is a combination prison museum and maritime museum and includes exhibits detailing the history of Usuhuaia from the time it was first settled. Retrace your steps to San Martin to do a little shopping and then take the ski lift up above the city. Enjoy an amazing view while indulging in an Argentinian steak or some of the area’s superb seafood.

Port Information
The official language is Spanish, but it is common to hear English, German and Portuguese as well. The currency is the Argentinian peso. ATM's are widely available and credit cards should be accepted in most places. There is a visitor information center at the dock with maps and information about the area, as well as an internet kiosk and handicraft vendors.

The colossal Vajdahunyad Castle sits next to the boating lake amid the greenery of City Park (Városliget) and displays a joyous clash of Hungarian architectural styles. It was designed by Ignác Alpár to be a gigantic folly for the Hungarian millennium celebrations in 1896, but it was such a hit with the citizens of Budapest that it was granted a reprieve and its makeshift construction was rebuilt in stone.

Running the gamut of Romanesque to Renaissance architecture, the palace is gaily encrusted with towers, turrets, Gothic flying buttresses, portcullises, bridges and courtyards, happily borrowing features from other castles around Hungary and there are scores of neo-classical statues scattered in the grounds.

Today Budapest’s Agricultural Museum is housed among the marble stairs, ornate décor, stained glass and vast chandeliers of the palace interior. The eight permanent exhibitions include a terrifying collection of taxidermy and a vaulted gallery stuffed full of antlers. Other highlights are the informative exhibit on Hungarian wine production and the whistle-stop tour through Hungarian agriculture, but that comes to an abrupt halt in 1945 without addressing the effects of enforced Communist collectivization after WWII.

The castle courtyard is open 24 hours a day and is free to wander and admire the eclectic architecture. Church services are held on Sunday at 12 noon in the Romanesque Jak Chapel from April to September.

Known for its jumble of architectural styles, Valencia Cathedral (also known as the "Seu") is also famous worldwide as the home of the Holy Chalice. While the cathedral’s dome and tower are Gothic, the main entrance is Baroque and some of the chapels date from the Renaissance.

Take a tour to learn more about the cathedral’s architectural history and treasures, or just pop in to pay your respects to the Holy Grail in the flamboyant Capilla del Santo Caliz near the main entrance. It’s claimed to be the chalice from the Last Supper.

The de Borja chapel boasts some lovely frescoes by Goya and the museum reveals a rich collection of vestments and statues.

Recognized as one of the most easy-to-access shipwrecks in the world, the USS Liberty is located just 25-meters from shore and anywhere from five and 30 meters below sea level. It’s the ideal destination for first-time divers but holds enough interest for veteran underwater adventurers, too.

Visitors can swim through Bali’s calm warm waters and arrive at the dive site directly from shore.  A vast array of marine life, military cargo ruins and haunting ocean scenery make it the perfect underwater photo safari, and the 120-meter ship offers plenty to explore. Divers can expect about 66 feet of visibility almost any time of year.