Things to Do in St John's

Suzdal is one of the highlights of the so-called Golden Ring around Moscow and makes for a long but viable day trip. The Suzdal Kremlin was founded in the 11th century and today includes the Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral, a 13th-century cathedral notable for its blue and gold domes.  

Not far from the Kremlin is the Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life, an interesting stop to get a feel for traditional Russian culture and the life of Russian peasants.

Walking around Suzdal, you will see no shortage of churches, with many dating back centuries, including the Cathedral of Intercession, built in 1518, and the St John the Baptist Church, built in 1720.  Climb the tower of the Resurrection Church near Torgovaya Ploshchad for panoramic views of the entire area.

This stunning cathedral in the heart of Arsukidze dates back to the early 11th century and serves as a visual reminder of the iconic Georgian architecture that has made this region famous. Travelers will find ornate stone carvings on Svetitskhoveli’s exterior and detailed frescos on the interior walls. The robes of Jesus Christ are said to be tucked underneath the church’s nave. For this reason, thousands of pilgrims find their way to this famous cathedral every year. Travelers can revel at the artistry of what’s widely considered the most beautiful church in the nation, and learn about the Georgian monarchs who are buried here as they explore the grounds.

Sitting on Reykjavik’s waterfront, facing the impressive figure of Mt. Esja across the bay, the gleaming sculpture of Sun Voyager (Solfar) makes for an excellent photo opportunity. The 60-foot-long stainless steel artwork resembles the skeletal frame of a boat and sits on a circle of granite slabs jutting into the sea.

 

Solfar was created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, who developed the concept during the late 1980s. It was the winning entry in a competition for an outdoor sculpture to honor the city of Reykjavik’s 200th anniversary. The full-scale version was unveiled in 1990, a year after the artist's death. City walking tours usually include a stop at Solfar. You can also see it from the water on a whale-watching cruise.

 

 

Solfar is located on Saebraut road, a few minutes’ walk southeast of Harpa and a 15-minute walk from the center of Reykjavik. Bus routes 1, 3, 6, 11, 12, and 13 all stop at Lækjartorg, a 10-minute walk away.

 

You can visit the sculpture any time of day, any day of the week. Seeing it under the midnight sun during the height of summer offers a great opportunity to appreciate the significance of its name. Otherwise, the glow of dawn or dusk creates an attractive backdrop any time of year.

 

A common misconception of the sculpture is that it represents a Viking ship. This is understandable, because Solfar does resemble a ship and Iceland is, of course, the land of the Sagas. However, the artist’s original intent was to create a “dream boat” honoring the sun, the promise of undiscovered territory, hope, progress, and freedom.

Between bohemian Barranco, glitzy Miraflores, and the coastal streets of Chorillos, the Surco district is a part of Lima that few visitors see. Located well off of the tourist trail—though physically not far away—Surco is stocked with universities and hundreds of manicured gardens. It’s a place that was heavily looted and destroyed in the War of the Pacific with Chile, and a place where locals gather in droves in the green oasis of the parks. Take a stroll through the Surco district’s very own Plaza Mayor, which is punctuated by the baroque Iglesia Santo Apostol rising up from the square. While there aren’t a lot of formal sights, Surco becomes a sight unto itself whenever it hosts a festival. The Vendimia festival in the second week of March is an ode to the district’s wine harvest, when downtown Surco becomes festively punchdrunk on music, drinking, and song. Other than the plaza, churches, and festivals, the museums in Surco—while small in scale—are refreshingly free of crowds. For a look at centuries of riches and warfare, stop at the privately owned Gold and Weapon Museum and its 20,000 pre-Columbian artifacts. You can also find weapons from the days of the conquistadores, and even look at a gleaming sword that was used by Francisco Pizarro. 

The oldest shrine complex in the Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhunath Temple was said to have been built over 2,000 years ago. Situated at the top of a winding staircase, “Monkey Temple” has one of the city’s best panoramic views. The complex, containing multiple shrines and a stupa, is considered holy to both Buddhists and Hindus.

 

According to legend, UNESCO-listed Swayambhunath sprang up spontaneously from a lotus, a sacred water flower revered both in Hinduism and Buddhism. The iconic stupa—a gold, gilded spire jutting up from a prayer wheel-surrounded white base—is one of the site’s most popular attractions, but also not to be missed are the ornate temple interiors, filled with icons of Buddhist and Hindu deities. Many guided tours offer combination packages with other must-see sites—like Boudhanath or Pashupatinath—making it an ideal option for first-time visitors.

 

It takes only a minute to realize how “Monkey Temple” earned its popular nickname. Playful and high-energy, the temple’s furry residents have become one of the site’s additional attractions (although watch your food).

 

 

Swayambhunath is easily reached by most parts of Kathmandu by foot or taxi. However, you’ll have to climb up 365 steps to reach the hilltop temple complex. Many guided tours offer private pickup from your hotel, but vehicles can only park at the base of the staircase.

 

During the full moon in either April or May, Buddha’s birthday is celebrated at Swayambhunath and other Buddhist sites in Nepal. Losar, or the Tibetan New Year, takes place in February and March, and is a popular time for pilgrims to visit. Spring and fall are the mildest times temperature-wise, although Kathmandu is a year-round destination.

 

Swayambhunath temple complex was damaged during the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal, but reconstruction efforts are underway. Fear not, there is still much to see. The rebuilding effort has engaged a fleet of traditional artisans, and visitors can support local renovations by touring the site and showing interest in ongoing projects.

One of Delhi’s biggest, newest, and most grandiose attractions, Swaminarayan Akshardham is a gorgeous temple complex. The vast grounds house not only a place of worship, but also an animatronics experience, an IMAX-style theater showing a film about the temple’s namesake, and a theme park–style boat ride.

 

Opened in 2005, Swaminarayan Akshardham is a sprawling complex featuring a 108-foot-tall (33-meter) main temple made from 6,614 tons (6,000 metric tons) of pink sandstone and full of intricate carvings. Along with the temple, there are all sorts of facilities here, including a sprawling food court serving vegetarian food, a gift shop selling books and religious paraphernalia, and a variety of Vedic-themed exhibitions and attractions. 

 

Many operators offer private and small-group temple tours to the complex, which can be particularly useful for visitors looking to learn about Hinduism. Some more general Delhi city tours stop here as well.

 

 

Akshardham is just off the NH 24 on the eastern banks of the Yamuna River, making it less convenient for independent travelers to visit than many of the more centrally located attractions located west of the river. That said, it’s only a 15-minute ride on the metro’s Blue Line from Rajiv Chowk station in Connaught Place to Akshardham station, right in front of the complex. If driving, on-site parking is available for a fee.

 

The main temple (mandir) and various Indian culture exhibitions and attractions are open 9:30am to 8pm (last entry at 6:30pm) Tuesday through Sunday year-round. Prayer ceremonies (aartis) are held daily at 10am and 6pm, and there’s a water show just after sunset every night.

 

This impressive temple was named after Swaminarayan, also known as Neelkanth, an Indian yogi born in the late 18th century. He became an ascetic at the age of 11, and spent seven years traveling throughout the country before going to study with a guru and later becoming a prominent Hindu leader in his own right. Neelkanth was radical for his time in that he believed that women, like men, deserved education and a life free from abuse or oppression.

Suntec City Mall is one of the largest shopping complexes in Singapore, boasting 380 retail outlets and more than 100 dining options across four floors. This vast mall was carefully 

designed with a strong emphasis on feng shui and is split into four zones: the Galleria, the Tropics, the Fountain Terrace, and the Entertainment Center.

The Suntec City Mall offers a lot more than just shopping, and is connected to the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Center. It features brand names and department 

stores offering regular sales and discounts, plus a number of leisure and entertainment facilities, including a movie theater, fitness center, and a games arcade. It even plays host to 

regular events and shows, including the odd sporting tournament.

Don’t miss the Suntec City Mall’s Fountain of Wealth; this is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest fountain in the world.

Sunwapta Falls are a set of Class 6 waterfalls that originate from the Athabasca Glacier and the Sunwapta River in Jasper National Park, Alberta. The falls are easily accessible by car during the summer months, located a short drive off the Icefields Parkway that connects Banff and Jasper National parks.

Sunwapta is a Stoney (Assiniboine) word meaning “turbulent water.” Over time as the Sunwapta River changed its course, a deep gorge was caused in the limestone rocks. Today, the two sets of falls that make up Sunwapta Falls are over 75 feet tall. They have a total drop of 60 feet (18 meters) and a width of 30 feet (9 meters). The upper waterfall flows through a narrow canyon and drops into three lower falls. The waterfalls are at their peak in late spring and early summer when glacial melt is at its highest, and in the winter, you can ice climb, snowshoe, and admire the ice formations created by the falls.

The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is a colonial-style villa in Singapore that played a crucial role in the Xinhai Revolution in the early 20th century. Today, the hall is a museum commemorating Sun Yat Sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. It serves to highlight the influence Dr. Sun’s revolutionary activities had on Singapore, as well as Singapore's own contributions.

Ideal for history fans, this two-story museum is divided into five galleries and features around 400 artifacts, including paintings, statues, photographs, books, and calligraphy works. Highlights include a bronze wall mural spanning some 60 meters depicting Singapore's history over a 100-year period, from the 1840s to the 1940s. The bronze statues in the hall’s gardens are also particularly impressive.

The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is included in the Singapore ultimate attractions pass, which allows you to explore the city’s top attractions at your own pace with a pass that is valid for two, three, or five consecutive days.

Insider’s Tip: Regular guided tours are available for free at 2pm on weekdays and 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. These tours need to be booked in advance via the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall’s website.

See how the elites of Barbados lived in luxury on their sugar plantations at the Sunbury Plantation House, the only great house on Barbados with all of its rooms open to the public and often visited by coach buses of travelers looking to explore the area.

The beautifully restored great house dates from the 1660s, and it changed hands many times over the centuries. Today it serves as a period museum, furnished with elegant antiques, prints and furniture made from Barbadian mahogany, including a 200-year-old banquet table where the museum hosts dinners. There's also a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages behind the house.

Sundarijal is not only a village about 15 kilometers outside of Kathmandu, but it is also a village development zone, which encompasses big parts of Shivapuri National Park. Accordingly, the area is especially popular with trekkers and nature lovers and many people start their hikes here, one of the most popular routes leading to Chisapani, a village at over 2,200 meters, from where spectacular sunrises and sunsets can be observed. Sundarijal offers several temples, the Sundarimai Mandir, dedicated to the goddess after which Sundarijal is named, the Ganesh Mandir and the Krishna Mandir. These cultural sites are not only fascinating for tourists, but also attract many locals from Kathmandu during Buddhist and Hindu events, such as the Dashahara festival, one of the most important Hindu celebrations. 

Many attractions within Sundarijal have something or other to do with water. Interesting to see is the hydropower plant and dam, which provide electricity to Sundarijal Village. But the main attractions are without a doubt the waterfalls, the tallest of which is cascading and splashing down 45 meters of rocky, overgrown cliffs. The falls are especially beautiful during the monsoon season, when the rivers carry more water and aren’t only a popular spot for photographers, but also attract groups of canyoners who want to don a harness, helmet and ropes and descend down the dashing, narrow falls for a little bit of an extra thrill. 

The most important island on the lake, according to pre-Columbian tradition, is the Isla del Sol, “Sun Island.” It is the largest of the lake islands (14.3 square kilometers, or 5.5 square miles), and considered sacred to the Andean Sun God and Inca patron deity, Inti. Today, its dramatically sculpted terrain is home to some 800 families, 180 pre-Columbian ruins, and several kilometers of ancient trails to explore.

It is said that after a great flood cleansed the Earth, Viracocha, the god of creation, rose from the sacred lake and came to this island. First, he created Inti, the sun, and Mama Quila, the moon. Two large “footprints” in the stone, still visible on the path to the sacred city of Challapampa, mark the spot where Viracocha created the Earth’s first man and woman, Mallco Capac and Mama Ocllo.

While it’s possible to come here on a day trip from Copacabana (but not Puno; Isla del Sol is on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca), it is much better to stay overnight. Most services are in Yumani, also home to an ancient stone fountain that sits atop 206 stone steps; this may be the Fountain of Youth. Boat tours and stone trails lead to scores more ruins, such as the Inca seminary and enormous stone labyrinth called the Chinkana, the ornate Temple of Pilcocaina, and the “Stone Puma,” or “Titi Karka,” thought to have bequeathed upon this lake its name. Sunset is fittingly spectacular, and perhaps best appreciated from the lighthouse, atop the island’s highest point (4,097m/13,441ft).

Nearby Isla de la Luna (Island of the Moon) is another sacred isle, which can be visited by boat tour from either Isla del Sol or Copacabana. The most famous ruins are those of what is thought to have been an ancient convent, called Ajlla Wasi (House of the Chosen Women).

Stories of a nearby lost city, long thought to have been as apocryphal as Plato’s tales of Atlantis, were proven absolutely true in 2000. An international expedition discovered a submerged temple dating to perhaps 700AD, roughly the size of a football field, connected to Copacabana by an undersea road. You can see some of the artifacts uncovered there at the island’s Museo de Oro (Museum of Gold).

Based in the São Paulo neighborhood Vila Madalena, Sunset Square is known for its stunning view of the city’s downtown core. Called Praça do Por do Sol in Portuguese, the official name of is actually Praça Cel. Custódio Fernandes Pinheiros, though you won’t catch the locals saying that.

 

Surrounded by streets filled with nightclubs, restaurants, and street art, Vila Madalena is known for its nightlife and as a center for Sao Paulo bohemian art and culture, and Sunset Square is the epicenter of that counter culture. Come on weekends to join the locals who sit, picnic, read, walk, and play music here.

It’s possible to visit any time of night or day, but it’s best to visit Sunset Square just before sunset. With a name like Sunset Square, it’s no surprise that at sundown, up to 2,000 people congregate on the lawn to watch the sun sink behind Sao Paolo’s towering skyscrapers. The park tends to empty out quite quickly, so visitors are cautioned not to linger too long after dark, in spite of security measures. 

The best known Swedish monument in Riga, the Swedish Gate (or Zviedru Varti) was built in 1698 after the conclusion of the Polish-Swedish War, when the Swedish Kingdom took over the city. Designed to provide access to the barracks outside of the city walls, it is set in the largest remaining section of the old city’s fortifications. According to one legend, the apartment above the gate belonged to the city executioner, who would place a red rose on the window ledge the morning before an execution, while according to another, a rich merchant cut the gate out of an existing house because he didn’t want to pay taxes each time he brought goods into the city.

Restored during Soviet times, the gate today leads to Trokšnu iela, the Old City’s narrowest and quaintest street. It is also popular among tourists as a backdrop for photographs.

The sprawling 80-acre Sunway Lagoon theme park features various themed zones, including countless water rides in the ever-popular water park and plenty of dry activities too.

At the water park, travelers will find the world's largest man-­made beach, a wave pool, a 360-­degree revolving pirate ship and Malaysia's first surf simulator, the FlowRider. Other popular rides in this zone include the six-lane Congo Challenge slide, the African Pythons ride and the Cameroon Climb. Elsewhere, smaller children enjoy Little Zimbabwe, an interactive water playground built to resemble an African village.

And the attractions don't end there. There's also the interactive Scream Park and the Amusement Park, made up of the Wild Wild West and World of Adventure zones, plus Extreme Park for adrenaline junkies, Wildlife Park for animal lovers and the Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon, the first Nickelodeon­-themed park in Asia.

Spread over six islands in the Helsinki archipelago, Suomenlinna Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular destination for picnicking and leisure activities. The fortress is an important historic site with multiple on-site museums, as well as a living community with roughly 900 permanent residents. 

The sea fortress has 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) of walls, 290 buildings, and more than 100 guns and cannons. Main sights include the dry dock, the King's Gate, and the fortress' six museums: the Suomenlinna Museum, Customs Museum, Toy Museum, Ehrensvärd Museum, submarine Vesikko, and the Military Museum’s Manege.

A top Helsinki attraction, Suomenlinna fortress is featured on most city tours. Walking tours of the sea fortress are available from downtown, and a Helsinki Card includes free entrance to the onsite museums. Boat and canal excursions are also a popular way to access the fortress. 

The Helsinki Card includes access to all ferries. HSL ferries depart every 20 minutes from the passenger quay at Helsinki’s Market Square (Kauppatori), while the JT-Line water bus runs during summer and stops at the Visitor Centre pier and King’s Gate.

The Suomenlinna Museum and some shops and restaurants are open year-round, but many attractions are only open from May to September. Summer is the most popular time to visit, when Helsinki’s weather is typically pleasant. 

Suomenlinna was founded by the Swedes in 1748 to protect against the Russians, but following a prolonged 1808 attack it was surrendered to the Russians, who then used it to protect shipping channels to St. Petersburg. After the Russian Revolution, Finland declared independence and took back Suomenlinna, using it for the military until 1973 when it passed over to the citizens of Finland.

Located in central Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is one of the only natural lakes in the country. It’s also the largest and arguably the most beautiful. Lalu Island divides the lake in two, with one part resembling a moon and the other a sun, hence its name. Natural beauty aside, the lake has an aboriginal history dating back thousands of years.

Sun Moon Lake offers myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation, making it a popular day trip from Taipei. A biking and hiking trail encircles the lake, while boat tours affords views of the many temples, pagodas, and aboriginal villages on its shores. The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, the longest and highest aerial tramway in Taiwan, gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the area while transporting them across the lake. 

To get a taste of the area’s ancient aboriginal culture, catch a performance at the Naruwan Theater or Culture Square. Multi-day tours around Taiwan often stop at the lake, as well as Taroko Gorge, Kaohsiung, and Puli.

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Sun Moon Lake is on a guided tour from Taipei. The nearest major train station to Sun Moon Lake is Taichung Station. To get to the lake independently, you’ll need to take a bus or taxi from Taipei, Taichung, Alishan, or Puli.

As one of the most popular day trips from Taipei, Sun Moon Lake gets very busy on weekends and national holidays. For the best balance of good weather and fewer crowds, plan to visit on a weekday between September and April.

Sun Moon Lake is the site of several notable attractions, many of them included on boat tours. Wenwu Temple, one of the largest temples in the area, sits on the northern bank of the lake and provides an excellent example of Chinese palace architecture. The 151-foot-tall (46-meter-tall) Chinese-style Ci-en Pagoda, build by Chiang Kai-shek, sits atop a hill just southwest of the lake. Those interested in aboriginal culture should visit Ita Thao to learn more about the Thao culture.

This five-acre private garden is home to some of the oldest mahogany trees in Grenada, as well as some of the island’s most treasured native plants and flowers. With the ocean bordering one side of the estate and the mountains facing the other, the gardens are particularly scenic and are frequently featured as a top garden spot in the Caribbean.

Some garden highlights include the Japanese area and fish ponds; exotic tropical flowers such as hibiscus and bougainvillea; and the variety of tropical fruit trees such as coconut, mango and banana. Hummingbirds and other small local birds are a common sight, and large tortoises roam the grounds. Of course, the scent of spice plants on the “Spice Island,” as Grenada is known, follows visitors throughout. Nutmeg and cashews are also grown here, and it’s best to visit with a guide who can point out the various exotic plants.

Travelers who make their way to Cyprus don’t have to venture to the coast to enjoy a day on the water thanks to the ever-popular and family friendly Super Aphrodite Waterpark.

This aquatic adventure land is home to a number of thrilling water slides like the Free Fall, Racer and Kamikaze, plus the hilarious Wet Bubble (and Mini Bubble for the younger set). The Lazy River offers laid-back travelers the chance to unwind with a peaceful float along a quiet waterway, while The Raging River proves ideal for those who prefer the wild white water. An active wave pool and a unique family water slide guarantee a day of splish splashing fun for just about everyone!