Outside Costa Rica’s capital of San José lies the port town of Puerto Caldera, which serves as the home base for travelers looking to venture into the lush wildlife the country is known for. Gateway to the province of Puntarenas, the port is a short distance away from several national parks, like Carara National Park, a biological reserve with over 400 species of birds, the Tarcoles River and the Poas Volcano.
In the northern part of Costa Rica’s Puntarenas province on the central Pacific coast lies the small booming harbor town of Quepos. With a variety of outdoor adventure and nightlife, the village center composes six blocks of restaurants, bars, art galleries and gift shops all resting beside the main beach and sport fishing fleet. With one of the prettiest and most impressive marinas in Costa Rica, Quepos is known to many as one of the best places in the world for big-game sport fishing.
A gateway to the eastern Tropical Pacific, Marina Papagayo is a year-round yachter’s paradise in the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste. Palm-lined beaches and rocky bays define the coast of this water sports and recreation haven. Relax on white sandy beaches or ride on horseback along the black sand beneath the cliffs at Playa Ocotal. Enjoy a boat ride to the wetlands in Palo Verde and visit the old wooden Hacienda El Viejo. This family-owned estate offers a variety of activities from a cultural tour to a rum-m
Costa Rica’s southernmost port town of Golfito is often referred to as the last frontier, and its only city situated within a declared protection area. In a remote and secluded region of the country, it’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of the more popular tourist-filled destinations.
Sitting on Spain’s glorious Costa Blanca, Alicante is the epitome of Mediterranean elegance. Wander along its palm-fringed waterfront promenade; lose yourself in the narrow streets of the old Barrio de la Santa Cruz district; enjoy some well-deserved beach time at San Juan or Almadraba; or climb up to the medieval Castillo de Santa Bárbara, where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Mediterranean. Peruse the works of Dalí and Picasso in the Museuo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante, or learn all about round-the-world yacht-racing at the Museo Volvo Ocean Race.
Beautiful and bold, Istanbul stands astride the continents of Europe and Asia. Start your day with a silky Turkish coffee before making your way to the Byzantine basilica of Haghia Sophia. With its gold mosaics and awe-inspiring dome, this is one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Follow this with a visit to the Blue Mosque, the grand project of Sultan Ahmet I, and a tour of the harem at the opulent Topkapi Palace. In the afternoon, take a boat trip between Europe and Asia or practice your haggling skills at the colorful Grand Bazaar.
The volcanic island of St. Vincent offers a diverse array of natural wonders. Waterfalls cascade down cliffs into tranquil pools surrounded by lush green interior. Botanical gardens reveal the island’s history and natural beauty. Hike the Vermont Nature Trail in search of the rare St. Vincent parrot, or head to remote Wallilabou Bay, where scenes from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed. Hop the ferry to the nearby yachting paradise of Bequia and relax on the golden sands of Princess Margaret Beach, or stay on St.
Long expanses of golden sand lining crystalline waters welcome visitors to this coastal Caribbean town on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Just offshore from the pristine beaches, colorful coral teems with tropical fish at Banco Chinchorro, a biosphere reserve with a number of shipwreck sites that attract snorkelers and divers alike. Equally enticing is the abundance of ancient Mayan ruins found just inland from Costa Maya.
Sitting on the edge of Europe, Palermo is a glorious mish-mash of Baroque churches, Arabesque domes, souk-like marketplaces and Gothic palaces. You’ll find yourself gazing at glittering mosaics at the Cappella Palatina, sampling cheeses at the bustling Mercato di Ballarò, viewing the largest collection of ancient anchors in the world at the Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonio Salinas, wandering serene subtropical gardens at the Orto Botanico or watching world-class opera at the Art Nouveau Teatro Massimo.
With its sun-dappled Piazza del Duomo, winding alleyways, Byzantine-influenced cathedral and pretty little beach, the town of Amalfi embodies Italian charm. Neighboring Atrani is also well worth a visit, as it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. With its ancient churches and whitewashed alleyways, it’s a lovely place to spend a relaxing day away from the crowds. Alternatively, make your way to the magical Grotta dello Smeraldo, which is named because of the gorgeous emerald color that emanates from the water.
