by PATRICIA WORKMAN
PUBLISHING"
SCHULTZ NEV
YORK
Ax nnnPoRTANTNorE To
RnADERS
hough every effort has been made to...
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by PATRICIA WORKMAN
PUBLISHING"
SCHULTZ NEV
YORK
Ax nnnPoRTANTNorE To
RnADERS
hough every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information contained in this book, it may change at any time for many reasons, including market forces, political and economic conditions, and weather. Readers should be sure to call, fax, or e-mail ahead for confirmation of information when making any travel plans. The author, editors, and publisher shall not be responsible for any travel conditions experienced by readers resulting from changes in information provided in this book. If you discover any out-of-date or incorrect information in the book, we would appreciate it if you would let us know via our website, www.workman. com/l 00Oplaces. Copyright @ 2003 by Patricia Schultz Ail rights reserved.No portion of this book may be reproduced-mechanically, electronically, or by any other means,including photocopying-without written permission of the publisher. Published simultaneouslyin Canadaby ThomasAllen & Son Limited. Design by Paul Hanson Library of CongressCataloging-in-PublicationData Schultz,Patricia. 1,000 Placesto SeeBefore You Die / Particia Shultz.
rsBN-r3: szl-o-7 6tr-*€;:il'Ist* -r0:o-76rr-04n-4 l. tavel-Cuidebooks. I. Title. Gr53.4.53852003 200,3041146 9IO'.2'O2-4c21 Workman books are availableat special discount when purchasedin bulk for premiumsand sales promotions as well as for fund-raising or educationaluse. Specialeditions or book excerptsalso can be created to specification. For details, contact the Special Sales Director at the addressbelow. Wbrkman Publishing Company,Inc. 7OBBroadway New York, NY 10003-9555 www.workman.com Printed in the United Statesof America First Printing: September2003 40 39 38 37 3635343332
Lrnfu notrneasured, by the nurnberof breathswe take but by theplacesand rnoments that taheour breathawa)t. -ANONYMOUS
DuDncATnoN How important it is to pick the right parents. For their unconditional love, support, and encouragement, enabling me to make my life One Great Adventure, to Leonard and in special memory of Mary
And to the late Sally Kovalchick, whosespirit, integrity, and editorial expertiseare still very much felt at WorkmanPublishing
AcKNoN/tEDGN/nENTS irst and foremostI want to thank my publisher, Peter Workman, whosevision and commitmentto 1,000 Placesare the only reasons a project of this magnitude made it from concept to print. His enonnous love for books and travel was the foundation upon which the Workman family created the best imaginable home for this guide. Sharing his enthusiasm was the late
refused nor questioned
Sally Kovalchick, a much-loved and
requests, no matter how silly or time-
any of my
highly respected editor and a kindred
consuming. Copyeditor Dan Geist helped
adventurer (she had sailed up Papua
keep my prose from veering into gram-
New Guinea's Sepik River and camped
matical wildernesseso and Barbaralynn
out in the Sahara Desert with Bedouin
Altorfer and Barbara Peragine worked
guides, for examplQ. Completing the trio
miracles with the layout and typesetting.
of enormous talents was Paul Hanson,
With a keen eye and fierce determina-
whose tasteful design and sensitivity
tion, my dear friend Giema Tsakuginow
made beautiful visual sense of the
hunted down photography for some of
reams of material put before him.
the most obscure destinations, as did
On a more daily basis, I must thank one thousand times my diligent and untiring
editors Margot Hemerao Liz
Carey, and Matt Hannafin. Professionally and emotionally, I turned to them again and again for coaching, for focus, and to slowly but surely make
it
through a project that confirmed to me just how huge the world is. Anne Cherry spent more than a year shepherding the book through many stages; Katherine Adzima's editorial
talents were also
indispensable. Cindy Schoen is anyone's idea of the bright and un{lappable assistant from heaven. She never once
Aaron Clendening at Workman. Manv
thanks
also
to
Nicki
Clendeningfrom Workman'scrackerjack publicity department. She is determinedthat every travel-inclined individual on the planet knows about this book. Doug WoHf, in the production department,did a wonderful job in making the book a reality. Special thanks to the conscientious team of researchers and factcheckers (Kelli Bagley, Brian Flegel, Yosefa Forma, Brad Plumer, Arielle Simon, and Jenny W.hitcher) who learnedmore about patience,currency
conversions, time zones, and language
in their support, nor did any of my long-
barriers than they knew existed.
time
Despite complications and detours down a road that seemed to have no
friends
at
Manhattan building
the
Adlon,
the
that is my nur-
turing base and the reason I always
endo everyone involved at Workman in
enjoy coming home after any trip. I
this herculean collaboration was un{lag-
hope that Despinao Michael, Nancy,
ging right up to the time we shipped our opus off to the printer. I thank them
Itzik, Jeannie, Nelson, and John and the doormen and neighbors who saw
one and all, wholeheartedly.
me always running to Federal Express
I wouldn't know where to begin to
or Kinko's minutes before closing time
thank everyone in the travel world for
know the importance of their quiet sup-
the impact they have had on me and,
port, small favors, and regular promises
as a result, on this book. From the
to help me celebrate when the book
hotel owner in Bath who showed me
finally appeared. I intend to take them
the hidden corners of Somerset's coun-
all up on that.
tryside to the professional boards of
There are a few other friends to
tourism who patiently helped me make
whom I'd like to give special thanks:
sense of their countries' countless pos-
Teddy Sitter Danilo, whose intelli-
innumerable people shared
gence, integrity, humor, and strength
love and appreciation of the
have always encouraged me to be and
sibilities, their
world's wonders with me. All those who
do the best I can; Elizabeth Ragagli,
opened their homes and hearts helped
whose gung-ho road-warrior spirit and
shape the impressions and opinions
love-the-country-you're-in approach to
presented in these pages.
travel probably most closely reflects
But at the end of seven years made
my own; Nick Stringas, because he is
up of very long days, those I really need
like a Rock of Gibraltar in any storm;
to thank are my family in my home-
Annie Brody, a fellow Manhattanite
town, Beacono New Yorko and my friends
I met in Florence years ago, with whom
both here and abroad. Without
the
I later co-authored Made in ltaly. A
knowledge that they were at my side to
psychic once told me a lady with red
cheer me on, sympathize, and never
curly hair would have a great influence
question my resolve (though sometimes
on my career. That's Annie.
questioning my sanity), I could never
Finally, to Bob Gilbert and Tad
have completed the project. They made
Gast-although
they're no longer here
1,000 Places possible. My sister, Roz;
on earth, their spirit never leaves me.
her husband, Ed; and their children,
And to Giovanni, whom I continue to
Star, Corey, and Brittany never wavered
see in every corner of ltaly.
CoNTENTS ilNTRODUCTION' xi T H E S r o n v o r T u r s B o o x x i o H o w r H E B o o r l s O n c l r u r z g Dx n
EUROPE " I From Windsor Castle to the Highland Gamcs of Scotland, Vezelayin Burgund,y to Auila in Spain, Count Dra.cula's Castle in Romania to Santa's Village in Finland
Gnnnr BRtrnrN AND IRELnruo3 . ENcLANDo Scorrexn o Wetrs . IRELAND o No RTHE RN I RE LA ND. W n s rn n ru Eu R o p n 9 0 o AusrR r.r o B srcrun[ . FR e N cu . M ouec o o G E R MA N y. G R n e c r . Ite ty o N etutR LA N D S . Ponrucer. Sperx. SwTTzERLAo ND BlstERw Eunopn 290. Czncm Rn p u n rtc r Hunc eRy . Po re n n o R o u e n l e . R u s s I A . S cnnuIuA vIA 312 . DnnueRr . FTNLRNIo IcnL.q,nt. NoRwey . Swennn
AFRNCA " 34[3 From the Great Pyramids of Ciza to the Imilchil Betrothal Fair in Morocco, Kenya\ Masai Mara to Namibia's Skeleton Coast, South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains to Stone Town in Zaruibar
o BASTERN NonrnnRNAFRTcA 345 o Ecypr o Monoccoo TuNrsIA AND SourunRru Annrcl 361 o Borsweue o Ernroprl . Ksr{ye o MADAGASCAR o Matewl . MALI o MIURIIIUS o NeMIsIe o SeycHsttns o S o u t H A r n r c e . T A N z e N r e . U c I w D A . Z A M B T A. Z l M g e n w e
i
vllt
1,000
Plecns
ro
Str
BnronE
You
DtE
THE NNilDDLEEAST " 397 From the Dead Sea to Jerusalem's Old City, Petra in Jordan to Krak des Cheualiers in Syria, Dubai's Gold Souh to Yernen'sOld Sana'a
Isnenr o JoRoen o OMIN o SAUDI AReetn . SyRIA o UNITEDAnes EutRerus o YnunN
ASNA " 4L7 From Beijing's Forbidd,en City to Xi'an's Tbrra-Cotta Warriors, Japan's Sapporo Snow Festiual to Calcutta's Marble Palace, TLrhey's Whirlirug Deraishesto the Meltong Deha in Vietnarn
E l s r A s l e 4 1 9 . C u r x e o J e e e N . M o N G o L T Ao S o u r H A N D C E N T R A L Asln 440 . BHUTAN . INDrA . IRAN . NEpAL o SRt Lexre o TURKEy . TURKMENTsTAN o U z B E K T s T A N. S o U T H E A S T A s t n 4 7 5 o C e M s o o I e . I N D o N E S I Ao L e o s o M A L A y s I A . M y A N M A R . P H I L I p p I N E So S t x c e p o R e o TuetteruD . VIETNAM
AUSTRALNA, NEN/ V,EALAND, AND THE PACIFIC ISN,ANDS" 5]13 From the Sydney Opera House to ,4yersRoclt, New Zealand's Tasman Glacier to the Cook Islands' Dance Festiaal, the Sepik Riaer in Papua New Guinea to Tbnga'sHeilala Festiual
A u srn l u n A ND Nnw Z n e l n n o 5 1 5 o T H B Pn crntc Isl nN ns 540 . CooK Isr.eNos . FrJr . FRENCH PorvNnsIe . MICRoNESIA o Pe p u e N E w G ut Nue . T o N G Ao WE ST E R S NAMo A
l,OOO PLACES
TO
SEE BEFORE
YOU DIE
lIHE {JNITED STATES OF'AMIERilCA AND CANADA " 56]L From Alaska's lrcide Passage to Saaannah's Historic District, the Art Institute of Chicago to the French Quarter in New Orleans, the l,os Vegas Strip to New York's Finger lnkes Regi.on, Monticello in Virginia to Jachson Hole in Wyoming, Skating the Rid,eauCarnl in Ottawa to Heli-Skiing in British Columbia
Tun UxrrED STATESoF Aunnrcl
56J o Ctrxl.nt T4T
TATNN AN4ERNCA " 777 From the Ma,yan Ruins of Palenque in Mexico to Belize's Barrier Reef, the San Blas Archipelago of Panarna to Bucnos Aires's Tango Bars, Chile's WirrcRegion to the Otaoalo Market in Ectndor, Marhu Picchu in Peru to the Penguin Rookeries of Antarctica
Mnxrco AND CENTRATAmnruce 779 . MExrco . BELTZEo cosrA Rrce . GUATEMALA o HoruouReso PANAMA. SourH AMERICAAND Arrlr.lncrrcl 804 o AR c E NUUAo B oLr v IA o B R A a T L. c u rre . c o L o MB IAo E cuA D oR o PERU. URUGUAy o VENEZUELA . Anrencrlce
I,000
PrecEs
ro
SEr Bnronr
You
DIn
THE CARItstsEAN,]EAHAMIAS, AND tsERNflLTDA " 849 From CapJulura in Anguilla to the SharkRodeoat Walker'sCay in the Bahamas,Cuba'sJazzFestiaalto Sailing the Grenadincs, Old San Juan in Pu,ertoRicoto SabaMarine Park o A i l c U l t r e . A N T I G U A . B A H A M A S. B A R B A D o S ' B A R B U D A B E R M U D A . o I S r e w n S o CUsl . BONAIRE CAYMAN Bnlttsu VInCtn ISreNnS ' o o D O M I N I C A . D O M I N I C A NR n p u n r t C GnnN,q,oe THE Cnnneotilrs o G u A D E L o u p E o J e u e t c e o M A R T I N I Q U Eo N n v t s ' P u E R T o R I c o o S e s e o Sr. BenrH6lnnty . Sl. KIrrS o ST. LUCte e Sr. Me,nrti'l ' TOBAGO o TRINIDADo U.S. VtncIN IsLeNos
NNDEXES " 895 A N D A D v E N T U R Eo A N C I E N T W o n l o s : P y n e u t t s o R U I N S , A N D L o S T C t r t n s o C U L I N A R YE X P E R I E N C E S o FESTTvALSAND SpeCter EvEurS . GLORIESOF NATURE: G,t'RlrnS, PenrS AND WtLlnRNnsS PRnSonvnS, AND Nerunel WoNlnRS ' GORGEOUS
Spncler
lltonxns
895 .
ACTIvE Tnlvrl
' BnecHns AND GETAvAy Isrenls o GREAT Horels AND RESORTS Ltvtt'{c ' U N R I v A L E DM U S E U M S , I S T o R I c A LS t r n s HrsrOny: Cesrrss AND PALACESH o R o A D S . R o u r e s " A N D B Y w A Y S . S A c R E DP L A C E S' G B N E R A T l u n n x 9 1 8
ilwTRoDUCTnoN The Story of This Boolt s it nature or nurture that sends a person out onto the Road-that whispers in one's ear that it's time to take off and make for the horizon, just to see what's out there? The urge ts tlsys[-1o
open our minds
and move beyond the familisl-is
sg
old as man himself. It's what drove the ancient
Romans to visit
Athens's
Acropolis and Verona's amphitheater. It's what sent Marco Polo off on his momentous journey easto and what moved St. Augustine of Hippo to writeo "The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only one page." Whether
we go to London for the
weekend or to a place thatos utterly alien, travel changes uso sometimes superficially,
sometimes profoundly.
It is a classroom without walls. I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you about my own wanderlust. Family legend (never proven) has it that weore somehow related to Mark Twain, America's great storyteller and also one of the preeminent globetrotters of his day. How then to explain my mother's reaction when I had my own first Great Adventure? It was the late 1950s, and Atlantic City was as exotic and unknown to me
as Shangri-la-all sand and seaohotels and boardwalkoand the intimation of greaterthingsjust beyondwhat I could seefrom the family beachblanket. I set off at the first opportunity but after what seemedonly a few preciousminutes of intoxicating discovery (in fact several hours), I was snatched up by my apoplectic mother and a cadre of relieved lifeguards and brought back to the roost. This is my earliest memory: I had heard the siren call of the great, global beyond, and I had answered. I was hooked. I was four. Fast-forwardto college graduation. Campusbuddies were headingstraight for Wall Street apprenticeships,international banking programs,and family businessobligations,but I made a beeline for the airport and my own private Grand Tour through the marvels of Italy and its neighbors. Could one make a Iiving off la dolce uita? I was amazed when my first articles got published, but then I realized: one could. Many guidebooks and innumerable anicles
I.000
PlecEs
ro
Snn BEFoRE You
Dto
facing publisher Peter Workman and
o'W.hat place would you advise me to 'oThe planet visit now?o' and was told,
his right-hand editor, the late Sally
Earth. It has a good reputation.o'
later, I found myself at a round table
Kovalchick, who told me about their
In the final analysis, the common
desire to compile the world's most enticing and intriguing treasures between
denominator I chose was a simple one: that each place impress upon the vis-
two covers, and their belief that I was
itor-and,
up to the challenge. I was on board.
some sense of the earth's magic, integrity, wonder, and legacy. That was
When it came time to actually do it, though-to
choose from the nearly
bottomless grab bug of the worldos possibilities, unsung-I
both
legendary
and
realized I was in for a
I hope, upon the reader-
the standard I applied, across every continento from the conspicuous and predictable to the small and humble, spiritual spots like Bagan in
from
and
Myanmar to temporal ones like Hong
methodology and all the questions
Kong's shopping districts, from natural
anyone who flips through this book is
wonders like the Grand Canyon to man-
bound to ask. How did I arrive at these
made ones like Petra, Jordan's fabled 'olost city"-life experiences all. To
Iengthy battle with
particular
philosophy
destinations and events?
What were my criteria? How to explain the wide range, from undeniably glorious far-flung mysteries to apparently mundane backyard
beauties? The
compile my list, I drew uPon the decades of insatiable travel that followed my epiphany on the sands of Atlantic City. I pored over hundreds of
Sistine Chapel makes sense, but why
travel books and glossy magazines and spoke to scores of tourism boards and
give the Pork Pit in Montego Bay the
PR agencies effusively loyal to their
inclusion of the Taj Mahal and the
same weight
as Paris's legendary
Taillevent? Am I really implying that an agritourist
on a Tuscan estate is just as
B&B
clients-then
I sleuthed out the real
story on my own. I picked the brains of colleagues and peripatetic
travel
worthy as Bangkokos storied Oriental
friends, and queried anyone stepping off a bus, train, or plane who was
Hotel, where Somerset Maugham and
smiling. At countless dinner parties, I
Rudyard Kipling were regulars? Does
listened
the weirdness of Roswell hold up
scribbled the names of magical places on cocktail napkins, or swore me to
wine-producing
against the magic of Tikal? Antoine de Saint-Exup6ry's Little
Prince had it
easier when he asked the geographer,
while
complete
strangers
secrecy and then whispered their favorite destinations in mY ear.
INTRODUCTION
In the seven years it took me to research and write
this formidable
is stretched like that, it can never return to its original state.
project, I was reminded time and again
The world today is a smaller place
that travel is always personalo and that no two people walk away from the same
than it was even twenty years ago, and
experience with the same memories.
Thule-what
What it came down to, in the end, is
"any far-off, unknown
that each of the places in this book is truly, completely, and undeniably
landscapes of Namibia, the Himalayan
inspiring-through
kingdom of Bhutan, and the timeless
the ages or to the
modern world-often
both-to
while the romantic concept of Ultima
still
Webster's describes
be found
as
region"-may
in the otherworldly
the
Nadaam horse games of Mongolia's
simply curious traveler as well as to
Ulaanbaataro the fact remains that these
poets, adventurerso painters, pilgrims,
places all lie only a day or two's journey
scholars, and travel writers.
away, thanks to today's monumental
"Tfavel," wrote my maybe-ancestor
travel infrastructure. What does this do
Thain inThe Innocents Abroad,,"is fatal
to our sense of adventure, of exploring
to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mind-
the Other? For meo it comes down to a
ednessoand many of our people need it
matter of viewpoint: As the Sherpa said
sorely on these accounts." Travel dispels many of our bad impressions, con-
to Edmund Hillary
firms
the
positiveo and
on the slopes of
Mount Everest, some people travel only
promises
to look. while others come to see. Some
innumerable surprises. It opens our eyes to exotic places like Zanzibar,
to L.A. without registering a thing; I
Katmanduo
can walk around my mid-Manhattan
Machu
Lalibela-names
Picchu,
and
road warriors can speed from New York
familiar to us through
block and come home with a carton of
films, books, and tales, but whose
milk and stories to tell. In the end, the
reality is so much more than they could
number of miles covered has nothing to
ever explain. In the flesh, it shows us
do with the real pleasures of travel; the
why even the most clich6d travel expe-
inherent beauty of the world and the
riences-riding
discovery it promises are all around us.
taking
a gondola in Venice,
a Turkish
bath in Turkey,
In this time of global uncertaintyo
braving Times Square on New Year's
even the intrepid might feel inclined to
Eve-are
perennially
popular. With
stick closer to home base, or to retreat
travel, our minds become more curious,
into armchair
our hearts more powerful, and our spirits more joyous. And once the mind
can be rewarding. I can shut my eyes
travel-and
even this
and hear the sound of loons again on
1,000
Plecss
To
SEn
Squam Lake, or the flutter of prayer flags outside a Tibetan monastery in Llasa. I can smell the spices of the market in the ancient medina of Fez, or the floating aroma of fritto misto in the cobbled backstreets of an Italian Riviera village. This is my moveable feast, the memories that sustain me until my next ticket is in hando my next Great Adventure about to begin. 1,000 Places to See Before You Die is my own personal short list of dream trips. While the number daunted me at first, I came to realize there were a thousand times a thousand possibilities. . . . Perhaps I'll save them for a sequelo or for another life. Not every entry is for everybody, but show me someone who
won't
find
enough
between these two covers to keep busy for the next few decades. Never a travel snob. I confess Iove never understood the appeal of certain must-do's (though Iove happily playing
included
the finest
them),
like
golf courses in
Scotland or going bungee-jumping in New Zealand, but these activities may well figure into your own game plan. I know I'll raise eyebrows by including unconventional Calcutta
destinations
such as
and Madagascaro arduous
choices that some travelers
might
avoid, but I consider them deeply moving and insightful windows into the human experience. The same goes for Chicago's landmark Superdawg hot dog
BTTORE
YOU
DIT
stand, whose inclusion will be questioned only by those who have never been there. The number of hotels I've included might also need a brief explanation.A longtime hotel buff, my opinion about cities both large and small is always greatly inlluenced by where I hang my hat and unpack my bag. Can one even think of visiting London without enjoyinghigh tea at the Ritz? Or, when having a SingaporeSling in Singaporeo where it originated, at the legendary Raffles Hotel? Isn't Singita safari lodge on the periphery of Kruger National Park as inspirational as the game viewing?And isn't Sweden'sIce Hotel the ultimate hoot? Other unforgettable memories I have not been able to re-create for this book, like the day my driver in Casablancatook me to his mother's home for Saturdaylunch when I asked him who served the best couscousin town, or the time I somehowbecame the guest of honor at a stranger'sfourday wedding celebrationin Cairo. From experienceslike these I learned that camel meat'snot bad, and serendipity really is the best tour guide. Any trip can be fraught with disappointment: Expectations are always high, and anything can go wrong. Here are a few suggestionsfor both first'time and inveterate travelers: More important than packing a bag full of money'
I N T R O D U C T I ON
pack a b^g full
of patience
and
understand the ways of others, the more
curiosity; allow yourself-encourage
you'll understand yourself. The journey
yourself-to
abroad reflects
be sidetracked and to get
lost. There's no such thing as a bad trip, just good travel stories to tell back
most
the one within-the
unknown
and
foreign
and
unmapped landscape of them all, the
home. Always travel with a smile and
ultimate tema incognita. As Mr. Twain
remember that youore the one with the
said, "Twenty years from now you will
strange customs visiting someone else's
bermore disappointed by the things you
country. Relying on the kindness of
didn't do than by the ones you did. So
strangers isnot naive-there
are good
throw off the bowlines. Sail away from
people wherever you go. And, finally,
the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds
the more time you spend coming to
in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
How the Boolc /s Organized or the purposes of this book, I've divided the world into eight regions, which are then further subdivided geographically: o EuRopE: Great Britain and lreland.
. THE CAnrngBAN, BAHAMAS, AtlD
Western Europe, Eastem Europe, and
Bnnuuna
Scandinavia . AIRICA: Northern Africa,
further divided
Within these divisions, entries are Eastern
by country (see the
and Southern Africa
contents for a quick reference), and
o Tnu Mrnnln Easr
within each country they're organized
o AslA: East Asia. South and Central
alphabetically by region or town. In the
Asia, Southeast Asia . AusrnllrA, 1\nw Zn,tt,atrtn, AND
back of the book are special indexes
THE PACIFIC ISI,ANDS . THE Uirmnn Surns
the type of experience, €.g.r Gorgeous
AND c.rNlna:
oF AMERTcA
subdivided
or province o LATIN Aunntca,:
bv state
Mexico, Central
America, South America, Antarctica
that allow you to find information
by
Beaches and Getaway Islands, followed by a general index.
At the end of each entry the text describes practical information that will help you in planning a trip. But
1,000
remember:
ro
Pllcns
Srr
Since travel information
is always subject to change, you should confirm by phone, fax, or e-mail before
Bnronn
walks,
You
Dte
mountain
treks,
and other
activities. o EYENT: covers regularly scheduled and theater
you leave home. Even the contact num-
programming-music
bers we give you have been found at
festivals, Chinese New Year, the
times to vanish or change or merge. Itos
Pushkar Camel Fair, and the like.
all part of the adventure of travel.
WHERE Distance from major cities or land-
Hou the Listings Are Organized
marks, address or general location, and as much contact information as we
Here's a run-through of what you'll see
could get-phoneo
at the end of each entry.
web address.
o Towtl:
WHAT includes small towns as well
faxo e-mailo and
A Noru oN PHoNE NUMBERS:All phone numbers in the book are listed
as cities. . IsI-AND: used for destinations whose
with their country codes, so to call any
being
simply have to dial your international access code (01f in the U.S. and
character
depends
islands-Manhattano
on their
Hong Kongo and
of them from your home country you
in Australia; 00 in the
Singapore donot count. Nor, of course,
Canada; 00lt
does England. o HorEL: from
U.K., Ireland, and New Zealand; etc.),, the world's coziest
then the listed number. U.S. and
country inn to Vegasoslargest resort to
Canadian numbers are listed without
a safari camp on the Masai Mara. . RESTAURANT: encompasses
the country code; to call these coun-
highest haute cuisineo the lowest and
tries from outside their borders, simply ooLoo the at beginning, add the number
most down-home local fare, plus bars,
after dialing your international access
food festivals, and all other things gas-
code. Listings of all world country
tronomic. o Smn: any physical location that's
codes and other dialing
not a town, island, hotel, or restaurant-
including www.travel. att.com/traveler/
such as a templeo museum, or archaeo-
codes/index.jsp.
the
are
available
on
many
information websites,
logical dig, as well as larger destinations
In many countries, you must add a
such as a city's historic district, a wine
0 before the local number when calling
region, or a national park. o ExpERIENCE: this category includes
within the borders. (Naturally, you do
skiing and golf destinations, historic
these instances.)
not need to dial the countrv code in
INTRODUCTION
"How"
HOW includes information on spe-
for two) in high season. Where this is the case, I've listed both prices. :
cific recommended outfitters or oper-
Tnrps/TnEKS/ExcuRSIoNS
ators who offer tours, treksosafaris, and
Trip costs are usually given in total,
other package or customized travel to
per person, based on double occu-
the particular destination.
pancy, with
WHERE TO STAY Hotels and inns listed under this head,
cluded in the rate (accommodations,
notes on what is in-
meals, transportation, amenities, etc.).
though not discussed in the entry text,
If an operator offers several different
are good choices located near the topic
lengths of trip (five-day, one-week,
of the entry and are always of at least
two-week, etc.)o the cost is listed per
acceptable quality.
person, per day, based on double
COSTS I've listed prices for all hotels, restau-
occupancy-just
rants, attractions, and package trips
total trip cost. Note that entries do
discussed in the book, based on the
not include airfare unless otherwise
following parameters:
stated.
Listed hotel costs are per
Hotnls:
room, for two people, unless noted otherwise.
Where
applicable,
hotel
the number
multiply
this
by
of nights to calculate
Rnsuunl,nrs:
Meal prices listed
are per person and represent the approximate
total
cost of a meal
entries include information for high
(dinner, unless stated otherwise) with-
and low season and for significant
out wine.
room categories discussed in the text. included in the rates are
WHEN For hotels, siteso and restaurants,
though complementary
"W.hen" may not appear if the estab-
Amenities
also listed,
is open year-round. Short
breakfasts are not. Remember, though,
Iishment
that these prices are rack rates, and
seasonal closings are usually
(less than
represent what a hotel charges when
month)
demand is at its peak. Hotels are
package trips, "When"
almost always flexible
with
these
one
not noted. For includes the
months (and sometimes days of the
prices, offering various discounts to
week) that the outfitter offers a partic-
keep occupancy high.
ular trip, or the times when a particular
Some Europe-offer
hotels-particularly
in
room-only rates in low
season and much higher half-board rates (including breakfast and dinner
destination is and is not accessible due to weather conditions, etc. Be sure to contact hotels, restaurants, and target attractions if traveling
1,000
XVIII
Precrs
ro
Srr
BrronE
You
DrE
during holiday monthso and bear in
wealth Office maintains similar infor-
mind large local or cultural holidays
mation on its website, www.fco.gov.uk.
at your destination. The Bank Holidays
On the theory that it never hurts to get
of the World website (www.national
a second opinion, I recommend going
holidays.com) maintains a worldwide
to this site after you've heard what the
database of public holidays.
U.S. State Department has to say about o'Travel" a particular country. Click on under "Serviceso" then on 'oCountry
BEST TIMES For many entries, I've listed the best times to visit,
taking into account
Advice"
to access travel information
weather, sports and leisure opportuni-
on all countries, including warnings
ties, peak tourist crowds, festivalso and
on travel to dangerous areas.
other significant events. When no
Trauel Documents
"Best timesooare listedo the reason is oowonderfu| anytime."
In addition to a valid passport, many
Trauel Safety
that foreign citizens obtain travel visas
countries listed in this book require
This book represents travel opportuni-
in advance of their trip. Competent
ties in an ideal, peaceful world. How-
travel agents will be able to provide
ever, that's not the world we actually
information
live in. Travelers will be perfectly safe
required, but you can also get it ahead
visiting most of the destinations dis-
of time from the U.S. Department of
cussed, but a few places may pose
State, the U.K. Foreign & Common-
some risk, either currently or in the
wealth Office, or the relevant govern-
future. Therefore, before making plans
ment ministry of your home country.
on
where
visas
are
to travel to destinations with which
U.S. citizens can look on-line at
you're not familiar, be sure to do your
http ://travel. state.gov/travel_warnings.
homework. The U.S. Department of State
html, scrolling down the text for each ooEntry Requirements,'o to
country
maintains travel advisories on its web-
which
site at http://travel.state.gov/travel_
required and provides a link to the
warnings.html.
country's embassy. British
Other
information
listed includes a general overview of each country
entry requirements for
U.S. citizens, and information on health, safety, crime, and other travel issues. The British Foreign & Common-
notes
the
documentation citizens
should go to www.fco.gov.ukoclick on ooServicesr" "Travelo' under then on o'Country Advice,ooand scroll to "Entry Requirements," which provides a link to the relevant embassy.
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