Students on a break sitting on the duomo stairs in Urbino (Photo: Alain Rouiller via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

There is a direct correlation between ancient universities and historic towns in Italy. As the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance marked the golden age for many reigns, and duchies and city-states patchworked across the pre-unified country, a host of educational hubs proliferated. They promoted the scientific and humanistic advances of the time while reflecting local wealth, often in fierce competition with each other. Those that still exist today still define the towns they belong to, telling stories of architectural marvels, internationally-reputed scholars and prestigious legacies.

Our article focuses on towns and small cities with less than 100,000 population. We’ve selected them by taking into account the reputation of their universities, with particular regard to historical prestige and international outlook. Le Marche claimed the title of the most represented region in our list, which is ordered from north to south and features a mix of popular and lesser-known destinations. Each presents its own combination of student lifestyle, cultural vibrancy and rich artistic heritage.

Udine

Udine makes for a surprising find in northeastern Italy. Its small and well-kept historic centre is nothing short of a jewel, adorned with porticoes, loggias and other testimonies to the town’s Venetian past. The rural location of the surrounding Friuli region permeates the streets and piazzas, mainly in the form of hearty culinary delights and a staunch local culture. The university has enjoyed an increasingly good reputation in recent times, and a noted international outlook makes it all the more appealing.

Peeking onto Piazza della Libertà, Udine (Photo: Stefano Merli via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Vercelli

A riverside town in East Piedmont, Vercelli has become known as the rice capital of Europe. Back in its 13th-century heyday, however, it was cultural and artistic prominence that defined the city. Its first university was founded in 1228 but disappeared within a century, though many Medieval landmarks have survived. Ancient towers and churches blend harmoniously with piazzas and boulevards dating to Napoleonic times, making this one of the most underrated hubs on the Via Francigena pilgrim route. It was perhaps via this route that the famed Vercelli Book, one of the oldest-known manuscripts in archaic English, travelled here. Founded in 1998, the university is split between Vercelli and the nearby towns of Novara and Alessandria.

Piazza Cavour, Vercelli (Photo: Stefano Merli via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Pavia

The University of Pavia consistently ranks as one of the most reputable in Italy and is particularly praised for its international outlook. It was officially founded in 1361, but its history dates back to the 9th century. Back then, this riverside town was a well-established capital, which only later yielded in importance to neighbouring Milan. What remains today is a charming historic centre of red bricks and cobbled roads. Some of its landmarks form part of the university complex, including the Botanical Garden and the famed History Museum. Frederick Barbarossa was crowned Emperor at the San Michele Basilica in 1155, while the magnificent Certosa di Pavia sits 10km north of the centre.

The snow-covered riverside of Pavia (Photo: Università di Pavia via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Pisa

While tourists visiting Pisa flock to the Leaning Tower, scores of students populate the narrow streets meandering off the Arno river. This former maritime republic has been home to a university since 1343, and the more recent Scuola Normale is today synonymous with elite education. A collection of Romanesque and Gothic gems highlight the town’s Medieval glory, while later Renaissance landmarks also grace the city centre. It all amounts to a bright and tranquil riverside town, whose less obvious attractions are often overlooked by visitors.

Piazza dei Cavalieri watched over by the Clock Palace and the Scuola Normale Superiore (Photo: Ed Webster via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Urbino

The birthplace of Raphael, Urbino is a Renaissance town whose extraordinary architecture speaks eloquently of the cultural stature it held between the 15th and 16th centuries. The oldest university dates back to 1506. Its scattered campus includes some of the town’s finest buildings, such as the Convent of Saint Augustin and Bonaventura Palace. The more recent institutes of higher education – Fine Arts and Industrial Design – are also housed at prime historic locations. A university town at heart, Urbino is home to more students than its nearly 14,000 residents. They quickly become familiar with the distinctive piole and volte, brick alleys and vaulted passageways cutting through a harmonious blend of Medieval and Renaissance architecture.

Porticoes leading up to Piazza della Repubblica, Urbino (Photo: Alain Rouiller via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Ancona

One of the main ports of the Adriatic Sea, Ancona is the regional capital of Le Marche. It was founded by Greek settlers in 387 BCE, then the Romans made it their maritime gateway to the East. The historic boroughs lie on a promontory topped by the ancient Duomo, originally a 4th-century temple dominating the gulf. Hilltop viewpoints, boulevards and urban parks set the tone of this often-overlooked town, as well as historic landmarks such as the Arch of Trajan and the 16th-century Citadel. A marked international outlook contributes to the university’s good reputation.

The port of Ancona (Photo: Enrico Matteucci via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Siena

Quiet and liveable, Siena is one of the most celebrated art towns in Italy. Its exceptionally-preserved Medieval centre rolls time back to the age of comuni, when the town thrived as a cultural and economic hub. The Duomo is a majestic, out-of-scale symbol of the rivalry at the time with nearby Florence, whose ambitious extension plans were only halted by the economic crisis of the 14th century. A famed tourist attraction, Piazza del Campo is also a favourite hangout for many students, lending a vibrant note to the local lifestyle. The main university dates to 1240, while the University for Foreigners offers state-of-the-art education on Italian language and culture.

Tourists and locals alike populate Siena’s Piazza del Campo (Photo: Hervé Simon via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Macerata

Another hilltop town home to an ancient university (1290), Macerata combines a provincial mindset with notable cultural liveliness. The scores of students populating it certainly contribute to the latter, and so does a variety of outstanding museums and theatres. The Neoclassic-style Sferisterio is among the best Italian venues to see opera en plein air, while historic palaces such as Palazzo Buonaccorsi and Palazzo Ricci display remarkable art collections. The Clock Tower dates back to the town’s Renaissance heyday. Alongside the main attractions, a network of cobbled lanes and stairways spreads out within 16th-century city walls, unveiling an array of picturesque sights to visitors willing to explore.

The Sferisterio by night (Photo: courtesy of Ufficio Tursimo Comune di Macerata)

Camerino

A small hilltop town counting just above 6,000 residents, Camerino still bears visible scars from the violent earthquake that shook the Marche region in 2016. When approaching from afar, depending on the viewpoint, it might appear as a perched castle or a sloped settlement, pitched on cliff-side walls dating back to 1384. Its artistic and architectural heritage signals the prosperity it enjoyed between 1200 and 1500. Medieval churches, monasteries, fortresses and two ancient gates are some of the town’s landmarks. The prestigious 14th-century university has its headquarters at Palazzo Ducale, which is being restored along with a large section of the historic centre.

Viterbo

Known as the ‘city of popes’, Viterbo preserves a distinctive historic centre encircled by nearly-intact Medieval walls. Its epithet derives from its time as a papal seat in the late 13th century, which left in a grand palace dramatically perched atop a cliff in its wake. The duomo mixes Romanic and Renaissance styles, while San Silvestro Church is where English nobleman Henry of Almain was murdered in 1271 (a case much discussed across Europe at the time). The stone buildings of the old town display peculiar, yet charming, features, such as outdoor stairways running along the facades. A 13th-century complex houses the headquarters of the university.

L’Aquila

Abruzzo is a rather undiscovered destination in central Italy, and so is its main town L’Aquila. The devastating 2009 earthquake was just the latest of a long series recorded in the town’s chronicles, and frequent rebuilding has resulted in a distinctive juxtaposition of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque heritage. The exquisite Collemaggio Basilica brings together Gothic and Romanic elements, while San Bernardino is an example of post-earthquake restoration. Other landmarks include the ‘99-spout fountain’, the Spanish Fortress and the many gates punctuating the ancient walls. The peaks of wealth and prestige reached by the town are further testified to by its university status, which dates back to the 15th century.

Lecce

The architectural style of Lecce is so recognisable that it named a whole movement – Barocco Leccese. This distinctive character developed in the late 16th century, adorning the city with dazzlingly-decorated churches, facades, gates and balconies. The opulence of details might come across to some as slightly overwhelming but it creates a unique urban environment populated by symbolic decorations and creatures of all sorts. The university adds vibrancy to this pearl of Salento, southern Puglia, which sits equidistant from the Ionian and the Adriatic Seas.

Piazza del Duomo, Lecce (Giuseppe Milo via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

The post The Most Charming University Towns in Italy appeared first on TravelMag.

Frisco cable car near Fisherman’s Wharf (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

San Francisco’s reputation precedes it. The internationally recognized landmarks, along with its movie-backdrop hills, vistas, bay and buildings, create a special place for the city in the global consciousness. But when it comes to finding a good place to stay in Frisco, the selection is surprisingly threadbare for a city of such stature. Luxury travelers are well catered to with many top-of-the-range hotels, while the better value hostel options are often located in the city’s less salubrious corners.

Less positive is the city’s “dangerous after dark” reputation. But how is the security situation in San Francisco at night, really? The honest answer is: it’s fluid and complicated but mostly safe. For the most part, in the daytime you are safe wherever you are in the city. Naturally, this comes with the caveat of respecting all the usual common-sense precautions regarding your possessions, and of avoiding overt displays of wealth et cetera.

Golden Gate Bridge (Photo: Ernest McGray, Jr. via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

But the truth is, there are neighborhoods where many people without fixed residence – in need of the kind of help the American system simply doesn’t care to provide – tend to amass with little intervention by the authorities. The resulting extremes of poverty and deprivation, and their associated vices, can be alarmingly prevalent in parts of the Tenderloin, SoMa, and Mission District neighborhoods. Within the space of a few blocks, the vibe can change quite significantly in these areas. For anybody keen to explore after dark, staying in a safer neighborhood is advised.

Neighborhoods

Here’s a selection of San Francisco’s five best and safest neighborhoods (some of them coupled up for better coverage), celebrating its diversity, its important place in social history, and providing access to the city’s top sights. Each one makes for an ideal base during your stay, while the range of accommodation options ensures you’ll find the right hotel for your trip.

Union Square / Nob Hill for a well-connected base

Petite Auberge (Photo: Booking.com)

Union Square is among the more recognizable parts of San Francisco, having featured in movies by Coppola and Hitchcock. This key downtown meeting point remains vital thanks to being the epicenter of various transport networks. These days, areas to the west and south of Union Square are sketchier at nighttime, although to the north, as the land slopes upward forming Nob Hill, you’ll still find a genteel and historic district packed with theaters, such as the century-old Curran, and upscale restaurants.

While Union Square is the ideal area to stay if you’re looking for good transport connections to get elsewhere, Nob Hill is the kind of place to explore. But prepare to climb because the streets are rarely flat in this area. It’s a great workout, if you’re willing to take it on, and the views from the top around Grace Cathedral are textbook Frisco.

Chelsea Inn (Photo: Booking.com)

This area enjoys the city’s densest cluster of hotels. For a charming escape from the bustle of the city, Petite Auberge (863 Bush Street) is ideal, with its period furnishings, including an open fireplace and millefleur wallpaper. Service is jovial and amenities are shared with sister hotel the White Swan Inn (845 Bush Street), which plays the Anglophile to the Petite Auberge’s Francophile. If you opt for one of the many upmarket hotels around Union Square try the Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street), which has an indoor rooftop pool and a great location close to Powell Street Station. On the budget end, each private room at Music City Hotel (1353 Bush Street) is dedicated to a musical legend, such as Queen or Janis Joplin.

North Beach / Chinatown for great dining

The Green Tortoise (Photo: Booking.com)

There’s no sand or open water at North Beach, but what you will find are loving odes to the Beat Movement. Landmarks that played a crucial role in the literary movement’s formation, such as City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, sit cheek by jowl with both North Beach’s Little Italy cafes, and the restaurants and markets of Chinatown. The combined force of social history and great dining options make this area a popular place to stay in San Francisco.

While North Beach is by no means a flat area, it is not blighted quite so much by the steepness of the hills surrounding it. For example, the Telegraph and Russian hills neighborhoods loom over North Beach, whose central artery, Columbus Ave, connects the Financial District to Fisherman’s Wharf. Despite the attractive nature of North Beach to visitors, it’s slim pickings when it comes to finding a quality hotel room in the area. The largest cluster is around the intersection of Columbus Ave and Broadway.

Hotel Bohème (Photo: Booking.com)

The Green Tortoise (494 Broadway Street), has been a reliable budget option for nearly 50 years. Dorms and private rooms are available. Breakfast is included with both options. Touches of East Asian design flair and Chinese art remind guests at the SW Hotel (615 Broadway) that they’re in Chinatown. Rooms are refined yet simple. A little deeper into North Beach, Hotel Bohème (444 Columbus Avenue) is in a Victorian building typical of the city, sometimes known as painted ladies. The 15 rooms of this pretty hotel exude the style of the Beat Generation, with visual motifs and artwork nodding towards the literary movement throughout.

Fisherman’s Wharf for Frisco landmarks

Hotel Zephyr (Photo: Booking.com)

Many of San Francisco’s most celebrated sights are located in, or are best accessed from, the Fisherman’s Wharf region of San Francisco. The sea lions are a major draw at Pier 39, which is packed with restaurants, gift shops and attractions, such as the Aquarium of the Bay, that are common to this area. The emphasis is mainly on family fun, but the assortment of historic steam and warships, plus boat tours around the Bay or to Alcatraz Island, make it a popular spot with all visitors.

Hugging the shoreline, the Fisherman’s Wharf mostly occupies flatter land. This, combined with the tourist infrastructure, places it among the best hotel regions for those who wish to find plenty of top amenities and sights, while avoiding steep climbs at the end of a long sightseeing day. As such there are many excellent hotels, although most are targeted towards the pricier end of the market. It’s worth noting that a larger concentration of budget accommodation is located further along the northern coast of San Francisco in the Marina District (see below).

Argonaut Hotel (Photo: Booking.com)

For rooms with great views, Hotel Zephyr (250 Beach St) is tough to beat in this part of Frisco, where the nautical theme with porthole style windows and buoy ceiling lights smartly steers clear of tacky. Nearby Hotel Zoe (425 North Point St) enjoys crisp rooms decorated in lighter earth tones and an on-site Italian seafood restaurant. Meanwhile, over on the western side of the neighborhood, the Argonaut Hotel (495 Jefferson St) is an impeccable four-star property located a block from Hyde Street Pier, where the maritime theme is subtly woven in with a painted wood and bare brick motif.

The Castro / Haight-Ashbury for effortless cool

The Hotel Castro (Photo: Booking.com)

Nobody is going to hold the US up a beacon of equality any time soon, but you can’t deny that the country has produced some brilliant social warriors through the years. And many of them emanated from two small, connected regions of San Francisco: The Castro and Haight-Ashbury. That heritage continues today, with the Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ movements proudly represented and spearheaded by the newest generation of locals around here.

This broad swath of central San Francisco consists of mostly residential neighborhoods, broken by the occasional high street, where you’ll find some great shopping and dining options. The Haight-Ashbury high street is one of the best areas in the States to find vintage clothing, and both areas are laden with cafes, bars and restaurants. Castro also benefits from being linked in on the city’s metro network on the K line, while the N line runs a few blocks south of the Haight-Ashbury high street. Haight-Ashbury is also a great access point for the sprawling garden-, lake- and museum-filled Golden Gate Park.

Stanyan Park Hotel (Photo: Booking.com)

Hotels in this region are hard to come by, but the few that do exist are charming and stylish. Take The Hotel Castro (4230 18th St) for example, where modern floor to ceiling windows and photo collage walls of gay icons make this a truly unique design highlight. Facing Golden Gate Park, Stanyan Park Hotel (750 Stanyan St) is in a Victorian building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During weekday evenings guests are treated to a wine a cheese hour. Twin Peaks Hotel (2160 Market St) has nothing to do with the TV show of the same name, rather it’s named after a Frisco neighborhood nearby. But this downhome budget option is handily located near the metro line, bordering The Castro, Lower Haight and Mission District.

Marina District for budget-friendly motels

Hotel del Sol (Photo: Booking.com)

West of Fisherman’s Wharf, the bayfront becomes fragmented by genteel communities, fancy marinas and former military and world expo sites repurposed for modern, civilian usage. A burst of classical architecture belongs to the Palace of Fine Arts. It’s all that remains of the Panama–Pacific International Exposition of 1915, which was held to inject new life into San Francisco after around three quarters of the city was leveled by the 1906 earthquake.

The Marina District may not hold many top sights, but its pleasant location, good access to the Golden Gate Bridge (to the west), and to the major sights further east has turned this urban stretch of Highway 101 into prime motel territory. Staying in the Marina District is easier for those with their own transportation who are looking to combine a free parking spot with lower-priced accommodation than the other neighborhoods on this list.

Chelsea Inn (Photo: Booking.com)

No hotel sums up the sunny San Francisco disposition like the Hotel del Sol (3100 Webster Street), which then packages it up neatly in a 1950s-inspired veneer where everything is bright and designed with care and positivity down to the tiniest detail. Please note, parking is not free here. The tone over at the Chelsea Inn (2095 Lombard St) is a little more reserved, with cozy earth tones and wooden furniture bringing a touch of elegance and free parking. Spacious rooms and competitive prices are the hallmarks of Cow Hollow Inn and Suites (2190 Lombard Street), and all of that comes with free parking and friendly service.

Stylish San Fran transport (Photo: Bernard Spragg. Nz via Flickr / CC0)

Getting Around San Francisco: When getting to and from San Francisco International Airport, nothing beats the BART, the city’s metro system that connects it to the city center, as well as the wider Bay Area. For ease of access to the BART, consider staying around Union Square, which also links with the historic San Francisco cable cars that rattle up and down some of the city’s steep hills. Those still in operation connect to Fisherman’s Wharf and are covered by the Muni Pass, a public transport card that also covers Frisco’s buses, metro and trolley coaches.

The post Where to Stay in San Francisco: The Best Neighborhoods for Different Travel Tastes appeared first on TravelMag.

Snappers Tor in Dartmoor National Park (Photo: Jean Fry via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)

Home to some of the UK’s most picturesque coastline and countryside, Devon is a particular magnet for water sports enthusiasts who come in their droves to enjoy the exceptional surfing conditions found in the choppy Atlantic waters. But whatever your predilections, you’re guaranteed to find an almost unending choice of wonderful things to see and do in Devon. Here are 20 of the best.

Hike across a world-renowned National Park

Comprising almost 400 square miles of moorlands, forests, rivers, wetlands and craggy granite tors, Dartmoor National Park is a hiker’s paradise, offering some of the most natural dramatic scenery to be found across the entire British Isles. A huge network of walking trails and footpaths wind through valleys with Neolithic tombs, Bronze Age stone circles and abandoned medieval farmhouses. Trails vary in length, allowing visitors to pick a route that best suits their fitness and energy levels.

Marvel at a magnificent cathedral

One of the UK’s oldest and most beautiful cathedrals, Exeter Cathedral dates back nearly 1,000 years and is testament to the engineering and design skills of the era. Among its most eye-catching features are what is said to be the world’s longest stretch of unbroken Gothic vaulting, stunning stained glass windows, and a 15th-century Astronomical Clock. There are guided tours of the cathedral that run several times a day and you can also book onto roof tours that takes you high above the structure’s Nave.

1 The Cloisters, Exeter / Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm Sat 9am-4.30pm Sun 11.30am-3pm

The stunning interior of Exeter Cathedral (Photo: JackPeasePhotography via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Go wildlife spotting on an unspoilt island

Situated off the coast of North Devon, where the Atlantic ocean meets the Bristol Channel, Lundy Island makes for a hugely popular day trip. As well as its picture-postcard scenery, the unspoilt island is also home to an exotic array of wildlife, with its name deriving from the puffin – Lundy meaning ‘Puffin Island’ in Old Norse – a species of bird once abundant on the island. Among the animals you’re likely to spot here are sika deer, wild goats and the only native mammal, the pygmy shrew.

A wild animal is snapped on Lundy Island (Photo: Nick Stenning via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Hit the ocean waters on a sea kayak

With its secluded beaches, sheltered estuaries, spectacular cliffs and sea caves, the South Devon coast is a mecca for sea kayakers. Whether you’re a veteran or novice, there’s no substitute for local knowledge and expertise and there are several companies offering guided kayak tours on this stretch of coastline. Catering to individuals, groups and families of all abilities, full or half-day adventures invite you to discover the majestic scenery, with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities along the way, including seals, dolphins, basking sharks, and birdlife.

An intrepid kayaker navigates the Devon coast (Photo: Sea Kayak Devon)

Hunt for dinosaur fossils

Stretching 95 miles from Devon to Dorset, the Jurassic Coast is home to endless walking paths, stunning views and historic landmarks. But the area is perhaps best known for its exceptional fossil hunting opportunities, with cliff exposures providing an almost continuous sequence of rock formations spanning some 185 million years of the earth’s history. Everyone from curious kids to scientists scour the coast for dinosaur fossils, with one of the most popular spots being the beach at the idyllic seaside village of Charmouth. As the area is a World Heritage Site, visitors are asked only to collect loose fossils and to avoid digging them out of cliff faces.

A scenic stretch of the Jurassic Coast (Photo: sagesolar via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Walk in the footsteps of an iconic Devon author

Born in the Devon seaside town of Torquay in the late 19^th century, the late legendary author Agatha Christie is one of the county’s most famous daughters. This two-hour Life of Agatha Christie Tour allows guests to learn about the famous writer while visiting many of the places in Torquay that influenced her life and writing. Among the stop-offs are the Princess Pier, the Italian Gardens, the Pavilion, and Torre Abbey, many of which helped stir Christie’s creative juices, giving rise to many of the plot-lines and characters that remain loved and cherished by literary fans around the world to this day.

Book at GetYourGuide

Learn about Devon’s rich history on a guided tour

Select South West Tours offer bespoke trips that take in a number of Devon’s classic tourist hot spots, as well as lesser known gems, immersing guests in each area’s diverse scenery and rich history. Among their most popular excursion is the Plymouth and Dartmoor Combined Tour, which combines a visit to the historic port city of Plymouth with the vast, brooding moorland of Dartmoor. Offering a unique contrast between city life and the Wilderness of the National Park on the same day, this tour takes in Plymouth’s unparalleled maritime heritage before making the short journey northwards by car to Dartmoor to round off your adventure.

A riverside stop off during the Plymouth and Dartmoor Combined Tour (Photo: Select South West Tours)

Attend a fun-packed festival

The beautiful Regency coastal town of Sidmouth in East Devon plays host to the 2023 Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival each May. Headline acts include the likes of multi–award-winning American singer and saxophonist Curtis Stigers, British Acid Jazz giants, The Brand-New Heavies, Chicago Blues  giant Mud Morganfield and the legendary multi–award-winning British Jazz Saxophonist, Courtney Pine. Music takes place at venues across the town with free music presented over three days on the outdoor performance stage. You can expect to hear the absolute best Jazz, Swing, Blues, Roots, Soul, Funk, Latin, and Cuban music.

Venues across Sidmouth / May each year

A promotional shot for the Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival (Photo: Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival)

Devon is well established as one of the UK’s foodie capitals. Once described as ‘a feast for the senses’, the Dartmouth Food Festival, which takes place in the beautiful estuary town of Dartmouth, has been going strong since 2004, bringing together a diverse selection of celebrity chefs, notable speakers, and other food experts who fill the three-day event with culinary-themed talks, demonstrations, tastings, seminars and workshops. Free to enter, there are also parties, markets featuring local food purveyors, and plenty more.

Royal Avenue Gardens, Dartmouth / October each year

Ride a scenic steam train

There are few more genteel experiences than travelling aboard an old-fashioned steam train. In Devon, one such antiquated train to have been preserved is the Dartmouth Steam Railway, which takes in seven miles of the South Devon coast, including the beautiful village of Kingswear, the picturesque stations at Goodrington and Churston, and the wooded slopes of Long Wood. As well as soaking up the scenery, passengers can also look out for a variety of wildlife including dolphins, seals, kingfishers, pheasants, herons and egrets.

A Dartmouth steam train makes it way along the South Devon coastline (Photo: Dave_S. via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Explore labyrinth-like prehistoric caves

An officially designated geological Site of Special Scientific Interest since the middle of the 20th century, Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves are among the world’s most important Stone Age caves. As well as being investigated routinely by scientists, all year round joe public can come and explore the extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns and passageways, accompanied all the while by an experienced and knowledgeable guide who will entertain you with fascinating tales and facts about the unique landmark.

91 Ilsham Road, Torquay / Mon-Sun 10am-4pm

Check out the UK’s largest aquarium

One of Devon’s most popular family attractions, the National Marine Aquarium, located in Britain’s self-styled ‘Ocean City’ of Plymouth, is a guaranteed hit with kids of any age. It boasts the honour of being the UK’s largest aquarium and teems with over 4,000 fascinating underwater creatures for visitors to enjoy. As well as being home to a array of marine life, the aquarium also functions as an education, conservation and research facility. Visits typically last around three hours.

Rope Walk Coxside, Plymouth / Mon-Sun 10am-5pm

A visitor admiring underwater life at National Marine Aquarium (Photo: Tanya Hart via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Connect with nature at an enchanting garden

Set in a steep wooded valley between Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, the RHS Garden Rosemoor is spread across 65 acres of stunning flowers and fruit gardens, plus a variety of seasonal displays. Horticulture enthusiasts can explore the gardens at their own pace while breathing in the sweet-smelling scents of over 250 varieties of blooms, and admiring an abundance of produce ripe for picking in the Fruit and Vegetable Garden. Other highlights include the Hot Garden, famed for sizzling reds, oranges and yellow-coloured flora, and the Cool Garden, a tranquil Eden laid out around a teardrop-shaped pond.

Torrington / Mon-Sun 10am-6pm

Book at GetYourGuide

Visit a historic woollen mill

Thanks to technological innovation, textile manufacturing has evolved dramatically over the past couple of centuries, but nonetheless there remain living reminders of how the ancient trade was once performed. One such testament to the past is Coldharbour Mill in the small Devon village of Uffculme, which is widely considered one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes anywhere in the UK. Still operational today, people can come and see craftspeople making traditional textiles, knitting yarn and hand-woven rugs, while the mill has also retained many of its original features including an impressive chimney that dominates the village’s topography.

Uffculme, Cullompton / Weds-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm Closed Sun-Tues

A scenic waterside view of Coldharbour Mill (Photo: Coldharbour Mill)

Stroll around a scenic honey farm

A family-run business first established in 1949, Quince Honey Farm is now in its third generation and with over 1,500 hives its owners are always refining their beekeeping techniques and growing in knowledge. Set in over 40 acres, the site’s beautifully landscaped Nectar gardens are planted with millions of bee-friendly plants. Wander through the hexagonal plots, and take in the seasonal display of colours and textures. When you need a break, head back to the Visitors Centre where  a restaurant serves up home-made meals, drinks and special honey cream teas.

Aller Cross, South Molton / Mon-Sun 9.30am-5.30pm

Blooming flowers at Quince Honey Farm (Photo: Quince Honey Farm)

Discover a magical miniature village

Model villages tend to exude a level of charm that has an almost therapeutic effect, making visiting them – even with kids – a positively tranquil experience. One of the best attractions of its kind that you’ll find in Devon is Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay, a miniature village and railway that’s spread across some four acres of gardens and features hundreds of quaint model scenes, vehicles and figurines, all designed to depict quintessential English scenes from the past, present and future.

Hampton Avenue, Babbacombe, Torquay / Mon-Sun 10am-3.30pm

Enjoy a horse-drawn barge on a historic canal

Meandering through more than eleven miles of idyllic mid-Devon countryside, the Grand Western Canal is home to England’s last horse drawn barges. Offering sublime views of the surrounding countryside, the ‘Tivertonian’ barges are pulled by a shire horse as they traverse a mix of agricultural land and small pockets of woodland, with opportunities for eagle-eyed visitors to spot a wide variety of birdlife including swans, ducks, kingfishers and reed warblers along the way.

Spend the day at an animal & attractions park

A hugely popular day trip for families, there’s enough to do at World of Country Life to keep you and your little ones entertained for days. A quintessential countryside attraction, animals take centre stage, with the chance to hand feed a Deer or Llama, walk a pygmy goat, or bottle feed a lamb As well as its eclectic mix of animals, there’s also a daily programme of activities, trampolines, a full size pirate ship, adventure playground, and Maize Maze. For more adult interests, The Hall of Transport houses one of the largest collection of vintage vehicles, motorcycles and steam engines in the country.

West Down Lane, Sandy Bay, Exmouth / Mon-Sun 10am-5pm

Wander through a beautiful country house

There’s no shortage of historic landmarks in Devon and one of the finest is Buckland Abbey, an ancient gem nestled amid the picturesque Tavy Valley landscape. Dating back over 7,000 years, the fully restored National Trust building is now part museum, part house, and is awash with significant trinkets that help tell its long and distinguished story. Highlights include the Great Barn, virtually unchanged since its construction, and the stunning Elizabethan gardens.

Yelverton / Mon-Sun 10am-5pm

An exterior shot of Buckland Abbey (Photo: Mark AC Photos via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Immerse yourself in the world of gin

Devon is considered one of the gin capitals of the UK and among the most renowned purveyors of Devon gin is the Plymouth Gin Distillery, a historic company that’s been in operation since the late 18th-century. Fans of the juniper berry-based drink can come and discover the history of the distillery and learn about the centuries-old gin-making process, by joining official guided tours of the site’s production facilities. Tours also include a short tutored tasting session of the home-grown gin.

60 Southside Street, Plymouth / Tues-Sat 11am-5.30pm Sun 12pm-5pm Mon 11am-4.30pm

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Portland Head Lighthouse (Photo: Eric Kilby via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

No matter where you travel in the US, be it through the country’s coastal regions or along the shores of the Great Lakes, you’ll encounter stunning lighthouses which have captured the imagination of sailors and landlubbers alike for generations. From the rugged coasts of Maine, to the sun-drenched shores of Florida, to the remote wilderness of Alaska, America’s lighthouses shine a light on a rich maritime history, the artistic and architectural inspiration behind them, and some of the most breath-taking natural scenery the nation has to offer.

Each of the lighthouses listed below were selected based on a specific criteria, but primarily for the beauty of the structures themselves, including their architecture (taking into account features such as winding staircases, crenellated tops and multi-prismed light). But also considered were their natural surroundings, so often set against spectacular, rugged cliffs and ocean waves. Furthermore, all are open  to the public for self-guided or guided tours. Geographically, an effort was made to include lighthouses from all corners of the country, ordering them from Maine in the northeast, south along the coast, west to the Pacific, north to Alaska, and then to the interior of the country around the Great Lakes. More than anything, it serves to invite you, the reader, to imagine how you might embark on an adventure to visit these remarkable beacons of light for yourself.

Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine

One of the oldest and most recognised lighthouses in America, Portland Head Lighthouse was commissioned by the nation’s first President, George Washington, and its beauty is said to have inspired the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. First lit in 1791, the lighthouse’s white clapboard tower stands 80 feet tall, some 101 feet above sea level. The former Keeper’s Quarters have been converted into a museum open all-year-round and the tower itself can be climbed once a year on Maine Open Lighthouse Day. Surrounding it is a 90-acre park open for hiking and picnics.

Nauset Lighthouse, Massachusetts

Nauset Lighthouse (Photo: Dave Montiverdi)

Such is the exquisiteness of the Nauset Lighthouse that it has become nothing less than the iconic symbol of Cape Cod. The subject of Edward Hopper’s famous painting The Lighthouse at Two Lights, Massachusetts residents can even get the red and white tower on their license plates. But many more recognize it as the famous lighthouse that shows up on potato chip and popcorn bags. Over the years, the cast iron, brick-lined tower and its companion oil house have been moved due to erosion threatening to cause it to fall off the cliff’s edge at Nauset Beach. The lighthouse is open to visitors year-round for free tours.

Stonington Harbor Lighthouse, Connecticut

Stonington Harbor Lighthouse (Photo: Tom Warner)

A New England gem, the Stonington Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1823 and then rebuilt in 1840. It stands out among its peers thanks to its fanciful stonework, with ornamental cornices around the tower and weighty granite lintels above its doorways. Sitting atop a rocky bluff, the lighthouse overlooks a picturesque harbor and houses the country’s first ever lighthouse museum, which is open to visitors together with the rest of the tower. It’s 29 circular steps and a short ladder climb to the top of the tower, from which you’re rewarded with views of three separate states. The lighthouse and its vicinity are also popular for picnicking, dinner dances, concerts and holiday celebrations.

Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island

Rose Island Lighthouse (Photo: Ron Cogswell via Flickr / CC by 2.0)

Dating back to 1870, the Rose Island Lighthouse takes its rightful place among the most beautiful in the country thanks to both its picturesque setting and unique architecture. Built on Rose Island in the Narragansett Bay, the lighthouse sports a red brick exterior and white trim in a classic, New England-style that’s both charming and elegant in equal measure. Adding to the visual spectacle is the octagonal tower that rises from the center of the keeper’s house. Visitors can tour the lighthouse, which is run off solar-powered electricity and a rainwater collection system, with many also taking time to explore the nearby gardens, beaches, hiking trails and naval ruins.

Montauk Point Lighthouse, New York

Montauk Point Lighthouse (Photo: Tom Warner.)

Perched on the easternmost point of Long Island, New York, Montauk Point Lighthouse is notable for both its historic architecture and the natural beauty of its surroundings. Built in 1796 and standing 110 feet tall, the brick and stone structure evokes wonder and awe in all who behold it, with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding coastline adding to the experience. Tourists can climb the 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse and take in the majestic views, as well as visit two museums – one that celebrates the tower’s place in the region’s maritime history and a second that honors the first peoples who lived here before European settlers arrived.

Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey

During the 19^th century, Dr. Jonathan Pitney, sometimes called the Father of Atlantic City, was determined to erect a lighthouse on Absecon Island, even after the government rejected the application. It would eventually be built in 1857, after 64 ships sunk near the island in the intervening years. The tower is 171 feet, the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey and the third tallest masonry lighthouse anywhere in the US. The red and white striped tower pairs with the keeper’s house and other historic buildings to create a picturesque scene replete with eye-catching charm. Visitors are invited to climb the 228 steps to the top of the lighthouse to take in the views of the Atlantic City skyline and nearby coastline.

Drum Point Lighthouse, Maryland

Drum Point Lighthouse (Photo: GPA Photo Archive, U.S. Department of State, Harry Pherson via Flickr / CC by 2.0)

The dedication and passion of the Calvert County Historical Society saved the Drum Point Lighthouse in Maryland from destruction and transformed it into a popular tourist destination. Having moved from its original location, it now sits on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, where its striking red and white exterior ensures it stands out against the blue ocean waters. The lighthouse design also features a hexagonal tower that rises from the center of a two-story keeper’s house. Inside, a museum hosts daily tours and showcases Chesapeake Bay’s long history as well as the area’s maritime culture and ecology.

Assateague Lighthouse, Virginia

With its tall red and white tower, the Assateague Lighthouse sits on an island belonging to both the states of Virginia and Maryland. Built on the Virginia side within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, it is still operational and open for public tours. A popular tourist destination, thousands travel here every year to take in this Civil-War era lighthouse and explore the refuge, a popular site for birdwatching and outdoor activities. For a unique viewing point, visitors can embark on boat or kayak excursions that let them marvel at the 142-foot tower from as far as 19 miles out at sea.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, North Carolina

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (Photo: National Park Service)

Overlooking one of the most hazardous sections of the Atlantic Coast, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has a storied history which includes overcoming Confederate raids and hurricanes, not to mention faulty lights and understaffing. Constructed in 1870, replacing an 1803 structure that was too short to aid mariners, the 198-foot structure is the tallest brick lighthouse in the country. The black and white spiral-striped tower is built on an octagon-shaped brick and granite base and topped with an iron and glass lantern. Visitors can climb the 269 steps to the lens room of the lighthouse.

Tybee Island Lighthouse, Georgia

When construction on the Tybee Island Lighthouse fell behind schedule in 1736, General James Oglethorpe threatened to hang the head carpenter, who swiftly began working faster. It would thereafter get rebuilt several times, suffering damage from war, hurricanes and a cholera infection that killed workers. Today it stands 145 feet tall and features a distinctive black and white striped exterior. Visitors can climb the 178 steps to the top of the lighthouse or explore the museum that offers insight into the area’s long history and the key role the lighthouse played in maritime navigation. A small 1812 Summer Kitchen displays archaeological finds, while other exhibits offer fascinating details about the Euchee tribe, Fort Screven and Tybee’s Golden Era.

St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida

St. Augustine Lighthouse (Photo by Watts via Flickr / CC by 2.0)

Exuding character and charm, the St. Augustine Lighthouse draws large numbers of visitors to Anastasia Island in the nation’s oldest port. Those who make the trip can climb 219 steps to the top or visit the museum where they’ll learn that the lighthouse’s origins stretch back to a 1589 watchtower built by the Spanish. The current lighthouse was rebuilt with brick in 1874. While you have to be at least 44 inches in height to climb the lighthouse, kids who don’t quite make the cut are consoled with a children’s play area and puppet theatre at ground level. There are also daily sailing, navigation, and underwater archaeology demonstrations.

Puerto San Juan Light, Puerto Rico

Puerto San Juan Light (Photo by Roger W via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Also known as Castillo San Felipe del Morro Lighthouse, or Faro de Morro Port San Juan Light, this famous lighthouse is perched atop the walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan, and is the first ever lighthouse to have been built in Puerto Rico. A beloved landmark and major tourist attraction, the three-story structure has a Spanish-influenced brick design, and the top includes a crenellated parapet accented by ornamental guardhouses at each corner. The light itself has eight flash panels and is installed in a helical bar lantern room.

Port Isabel Lighthouse, Texas

Port Isabel Lighthouse (Photo: Billy D. Wagner via Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International)

Boasting a distinctly pale-coloured façade, the Port Isabel Lighthouse dominates the southern tip of the Texas Gulf Coast. Having served as both an aid to seafarers and a military lookout station during several armed conflicts, it has been rebuilt and restored several times, and is today a modern steel structure that stands 72 feet tall with a 75-foot spiral staircase. It is the only Texas lighthouse open to the public, in part because the adjacent town purchased it to help promote the area. The square block surrounding the lighthouse has the distinction of being Texas’ smallest state park.

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, California

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse (Photo: Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association)

Situated on 270 acres of coastal bluffs in Mendocino County, California, the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse sits as testament to the beauty and history of the area. Built in 1909, it is set amid picturesque cliffs and rolling hills, offering magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can explore the lighthouse, three restored keeper’s houses and other historic buildings spread across the grounds, including a restored blacksmith and carpentry shop in which there is a 240-gallon saltwater aquarium. They can also climb the tower and see the lens first-hand. For those who want to extend their visit, overnight stays at any of several of the historic Keeper houses and surrounding cottages are available.

Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon

Heceta Head Lighthouse (Photo: John Fowler via Flickr / CC by 2.0)

Located on an awe-inspiring 1,000-foot high bluff on the Oregon coast, Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the nation’s most-visited lighthouses, offering a mix of history, an aura of romance and a spectacular setting. The 56-foot tall masonry tower houses one of the most powerful lights on the Oregon coast projected through a lens arranged in eight bulls-eye panels. The former assistant lighthouse keeper dwellings were converted into a bed and breakfast complete with seven-course gourmet breakfast. The lighthouse viewpoint invites visitors to spot migrating whales, sea lions and birds, while a special trail meanders for seven miles replete with ocean views and wildlife.

Five Finger Lighthouse, Alaska

Five Fingers Lighthouse (Photo: Skipper Erickson, Five Fingers Lighthouse Society)

It takes determination and time to visit the remote Five Finger Lighthouse, Alaska’s first lighthouse, in the Frederick Sound of southeast Alaska – but once you get there you won’t be let down. Visitors can tour the lighthouse or even stay overnight. Set on a collection of rocky islets, the closest community is nearly 40 miles away. With all the rocky, natural navigational hazards, it was quickly identified as a place where a lighthouse was needed. Those who stay on the three-acre island can take in the rugged beauty of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, witness humpback whales (the waters are their summer feeding ground) and take photos.

Two Harbors Lighthouse, Minnesota

Two Harbors Lighthouse(Photo: Pete Markham via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

A highly distinctive octagonal structure, the Two Harbors Lighthouse was built on a rocky promontory separating two bays on Lake Superior, where it guided iron ore shippers in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A charming two-story redbrick, gabled dwelling is attached to the 48-foot tall tower. In danger of being demolished after it was decommissioned in 1969, the Lake County Historical Society intervened and it now hosts tours and rents rooms out as a bed and breakfast. During summer months, visitors can climb the 40 steps to the lantern room and tour the other two historical structures on the site.

Cana Island Lighthouse, Wisconsin

Cana Island Lighthouse (Photo: Jim Bauer via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)

For more than 150 years, the Cana Island Lighthouse has stood guard on the shore of Lake Michigan. Standing 89 feet tall, the cream city brick sentinel is built on an island in Door County peninsula. Now under the management of Door County Maritime Museum, the area’s most iconic lighthouse has 102 steps in its spiral staircase leading up to a gallery deck. Visitors ride a haywagon over a causeway to the island and on ascending to the top are rewarded with vistas of Lake Michigan, the rocky shoreline and tall evergreen trees.

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Michigan

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse (Photo: Mackinac State Historic Parks)

In the treacherous straits of Mackinac, many ships sank to their doom before the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse was built in 1892. The magnificent, castle-like lighthouse remained in service until the building of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957. The tower was built from red bricks and stands 50 feet tall with a distinctive conical shape. Today it serves as a museum that welcomes tourists to the far northern part of Michigan’s lower peninsula, with those who climb to the top greeted by unparalleled views of Lake Huron and the straits. The lighthouse is one of nearly 120 lighthouses in Michigan – making it the most lighthouse-heavy of all US states.

Marblehead Lighthouse, Ohio

Marblehead Lighthouse (Photo: Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

Drawing large numbers of visitors from far and wide, the Marblehead Lighthouse on the Sandusky Bay is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. Built from local limestone and covered in stucco, the tower with its multiple windows lays claim to having been featured on a U.S. postage stamp and on Ohio license plates. It was built in 1821 and is now part of the Ohio State Parks system where it welcomes eager travellers who come to climb the spiral staircase looking out over Lake Erie.

The post The 20 Most Beautiful Lighthouses across the United States appeared first on TravelMag.

The Life at Sea cruise liner out on the ocean (Photo: Life at Sea)

Offered by world cruise operator Life at Sea, the epic journey has been designed to allow passengers extended stops in each port destination, sometimes stretching to several days, giving them ample time to explore at their leisure with no rush to get back on board. We spoke to Kari Tarnowski, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, to find out more about this unique travel opportunity, the kind of people it’s attracting, and what to expect from your three-year life at sea.

TravelMag: Could you start by telling us a bit about the origins of this cruise idea?

Kari Tarnoswki: Well, the idea really originated with our founder and managing director, Mikael Petterson. He conceived of it before the pandemic and really wanted to turn the concept into a reality for travellers, with a particular focus on retirees – the demographic that you usually find on world cruises – and the increasing number of remote workers, or digital nomads as they are often called, around the world. And an extended life at sea really promises the opportunity to slowly travel the world with minimal planning on the traveller’s part.

How did you determine if there would be sufficient demand?

It’s really over the last few years that we’ve started to see extended world cruise that promise the opportunity to slowly travel the world with minimal planning on the traveller’s part. When I first started in the industry, a world cruise was considered something that began in January ended in April – with many travellers based in the northern hemisphere using a cruise almost as a winter home. But in recent years, you’ve seen this increase from four months to six, to nine, to several months at a time. I’ve even known of a traveller who would go home for a month and then come straight back on board.

Combine that with the way COVID has changed working patterns so that you can work from pretty much anywhere, and you can see where this market has emerged. And the technology has really advanced the concept, too. Foe example, we’ll have Starlink WiFi [a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX] on board and available to all of our guests. And so the idea of working and living on a cruise just makes sense now that you don’t have to sit in an office, or even at home, in order to be connected.

One of the cruise’s high-spec cabins (Photo: Life at Sea)

What would you say really sets this offer apart compared with a more traditional world cruise?

Let’s take a typical example from a traditional cruise. Say you’re docking in Beijing for 12 hours, the chances are for seven of them you’ll be stuck in a queue trying to get onto the Great Wall. That barely leaves time for anything. With us, however, you’ll be in Beijing for six whole nights, which makes it a far more leisurely experience. And that will be the case at all of the ports we visit. Quite simply, we give you the time that you just can’t get with our competitors.

Can you give us a taster of some of the experiences residents can look forward to?

Where to start! The whole journey will encompass 130,000-mile journey, stopping at 375 ports, with travellers able to spend multiple days in some destinations. Some of the experiences that might whet the appetite include visiting the ancient Mayan ruins of Mexico and Belize, the beaches of Fiji, the mountains of New Zealand, and the rainforests of Papua New Guinea. Or how about spotting big game on an African safari, eating world-class Sushi in Tokyo, and discovering the unique landscapes of Alaska? In a nutshell, the entire world will be at your fingertips.

How was the vessel chosen for the voyage?

It was selected partly on size, as we wanted to make sure there’s plenty of space for everyone on board as well as enough space for the level of amenities that we’d planned, such as an extensive business centre. The priority is fostering an atmosphere in which you don’t feel you need to shout to be heard because it’s so crowded. So it was really about finding a vessel that lent that sense, not just of luxury per se, but of the luxury of space.

A meeting room in the on-board business centre (Photo: Life at Sea)

How does cabin pricing work?

So, the price  a traveller – or ‘resident’ as we are calling them – pays for the trip depends entirely on the cabin they choose. Our starter cabin, which is about 130 square foot, is $36,000 per person per year. That then rises all the way up to our 210 square foot cabin, which includes a balcony, and costs $121,000 per person per year.

But what’s included in that is access to all of our on-board services and amenities, including three meals a day (plus beer and wine at dinner), WiFi, wash-and-fold laundry, plus all entertainment and leisure facilities, a lecture series, learning and volunteering opportunities, and even your port charges and taxes.

Do you have to sign up for the full three years?

Yes, you do. But cabins are completely transferable with a few weeks notice. So, say, for example, after two years you were lucky enough to have a grandchild and you wanted to go home, the option will be there to transfer your cabin. And once you’ve determined who’s going to take on the final year from you and worked out the finances, we’ll help you finalise the rest.

Can you sublet your cabin?

While we do encourage residents to complete the three years, there is the option to divide up the cost of your cabin with other people and we’ll be offering ‘friends and family’ policies for this purpose. Once again, while the financing and other arrangements are the responsibility of the resident, we’ll be on hand to assist in facilitating the process.

Cruise reception staff at your service (Photo: Life at Sea)

Can you elaborate on what the business facilities will look like?

Many of our residents will either be working or have business interests to attend to while on board,  and so optimising our business facilities was a huge focus for us. We’ll have a first of its kind business centre complete with meeting rooms and offices and a business library. All of them will be kitted out with everything you need to be as productive as possible, such as conference equipment, printers and scanners.

What about entertainment and leisure?

To start with, we know this isn’t a normal vacation where people will be happy to let indulgence run free. So we’ve made sure people will be able to take care of their physical and mental health. There’ll be a state-of-the-art wellness centre, a spacious sundeck, an outdoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, fitness and yoga classes, and more.

One thing we’re also really excited about is that we’re going to be introducing a Golf around the World programme with a PGA golf pro – to be announced soon – who will accompany you to courses in some of our stop-off ports. So, whether you want to learn from scratch or simply improve your game, this will be a great excuse to do so.

As for entertainment, there’ll be lively bars and lounges where you can listen to live music, including performances that often specific to the region we’re in at the time. Or you can socialise, dance, try your hand at karaoke, or pretty much whatever takes your fancy.

Finally, in ports with beaches, there’ll also be motorised and non-motorised water toys, including paddleboards, snorkelling gear, kayaks, and jet skis available for the use of residents. We’ll also be working with local operators to offer bike rentals at a number of destinations.

A hot tub on the vessel’s outdoor decking (Photo: Life at Sea)

Let’s turn to food and beverages – what can you tell us? 

All residents will be offered three meals a day, plus snacks, with every preference catered for. You might be an early riser that wants a quick buffet selection first thing in the morning before heading onto land to explore, or you might be someone that wants to sit down and be served a relaxed three courses at breakfast.

There’ll be a choice of two restaurants, one a buffet and the other a sit-down venue. One will also be a little more regional, based on where in the world we are, and the other will feature many of the common staples that most of us are familiar with back home.

How will it work when it comes the re-stocking of provisions?

In that respect, it’ll be just like an ordinary cruise liner. As we’re coming into certain ports and people are disembarking, the provisions will arrive at the same time. The nice part of this is that residents will have the chance to sample produce from all over the world over the course of the trip.

One of the cruise’s sumptuous dining rooms (Photo: Life at Sea)

I understand there’ll be concierge services too?

Absolutely. Concierge staff will be available to help you plan your time onboard, make spa bookings, tell you what events and activities are going on, etc. And there’ll also be a dedicated shore excursion team that can offer tips on what to do when we’re in port, whether its restaurant or excursion recommendations, or anything else.

Will there be any self-catering facilities?

There won’t be any self-cooking areas onboard, but each cabin will have its own refrigerator so you can keep your own perishables nice and fresh at all times.

A stylish on-board communal area (Photo: Life at Sea)

Are there any plans to allow residents to meet each other prior to the voyage in order to help foster a sense of community among those who will be living together for three years?

Yes, indeed. It’s really important to us that we build a community at sea. We’re planning a resident familiarisation cruise sometime in South Florida in July, which will allow residents to meet and get to know each other, if they wish to do so. We’ve also created an online portal for residents with all kinds of social interaction, matching services, and so on.

What’s the typical profile of those who have signed up so far?

I would say the majority of residents so far are aged 40 to 50, with a mix of single and married people. And I think the reason we’re attracting this demographic is because our offer is designed to really facilitate their preferred lifestyle which allows them to work, but also travel, explore and discover new places and people.

One other thing to mention is that the offer is exclusively for adults, so we don’t allow any children under the age of 16.

In a way, the concept seems tailor-made for a reality TV show – have you had any enquiries?

Firstly, we’re very aware that we don’t want this to be seen as a kind of ‘social experiment’. But yes, it’s fair to say we’ve had a lot of interest and we’ve had talks with a few production companies about some opportunities that could be workable. It’s no surprise really, because it’s just such an unusual concept. But needless to say that, if anything like this was to take place, no resident would be required to be a part of it.

And the majority of residents so far, where are they from?

Right now we’ve sold approximately half of the available cabins and about 75% of our residents are from North America. Saying that, we’re finding a growing percentage are from the UK. But there’s still many months until departure, so we’ll see how those numbers evolve!

Finally, when does the vessel set off and where does it start its journey?

The exact itinerary is still subject to change, but currently we’re planning on a departure out of Istanbul, Turkey on November 1^st. And to any of your readers who might be tempted, we’d absolutely love to see you onboard!

The post Interview with Life at Sea: The Three-Year Cruise of a Lifetime appeared first on TravelMag.

Liver Building and the famous statue (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

On a drizzle-kissed waterfront promenade, a steady stream of visitors files past bronze statues of four men with mop-top haircuts. Despite the downcast weather, the mood is upbeat as the queue politely inches forwards and each person has their photo taken with the statues.

Sun pokes through the cloud, gleaming off the copper Liver Birds atop the Royal Liver Building. Somebody breaks into a rendition of Here Comes the Sun. And if it’s the first time you hear a Beatles song in Liverpool, you can guarantee it won’t be the last.

Odes to The Beatles are all around Liverpool (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

As with the waterfront statues of Paul, George, Ringo and John, The Beatles shoehorn their way into practically every aspect of life in Liverpool. In fact, you would be forgiven for thinking that they are the city’s only musical legacy.

But those Liver Birds tell a different story. As an official symbol of Liverpool since the early 13^th century, they represent the city’s individualism, the kind of mindset that gave rise to many revered musicians and bands through the years, such as Echo & the Bunnymen, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Lightning Seeds, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Atomic Kitten and The La’s.

Museums on the waterfront

Museum of Liverpool with its unmistakable frontage (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

A great way to begin any musical pilgrimage to Liverpool is by visiting the waterfront along the River Mersey, where you’ll find many museums (which double as a convenient escape from any inclement weather). There’s a handful of options boasting Beatles exhibitions:

Behind The Beatles Statue is the Cunard Building, former headquarters of the vast shipping and cruise line company. This piece of Liverpudlian heritage now houses the British Music Experience (open daily), a museum charting the history of music in the country through the decades. There’s also a small Beatles exhibit at the nearby Museum of Liverpool (open Tue-Sun), an unmissable modern building. You’ll also find displays charting the city’s social history and heritage.

The Beatles Story at Albert Dock (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

If that doesn’t sate your Fab Four appetite, two separate museums are dedicated entirely to the band. The Beatles Story (open daily) is located at the stunning Royal Albert Dock. This interactive experience recreates many of the 60s-era places that had a key formative impact on the band and includes a walk-through yellow submarine.

The world’s most musical street?

Mathew St before the live music kicks in (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

Mathew Street is a ten-minute walk away in Liverpool city centre. The opportunities to see live music here, from buskers and bands alike, seem endless throughout the day. Liverpool Beatles Museum (open daily) offers a fourth archive of the seemingly inexhaustible supply of Fab Four memorabilia. Highlights include original instruments and costumes from the Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band era.

It’s not just the people who are celebrated on Mathew Street either. Overshadowing every venue in Liverpool is Cavern Club (open daily), the legendary subterranean palace of popular music, where The Beatles cut their teeth. These days its alcoves and walls contain exhibitions of music memorabilia, yet it also remains a venue for live music, giving the future stars of the city’s music scene a chance to rack up stage experience, as long as they’ve got a couple of good Beatles covers on their set lists.

Posters in Cavern Club (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

The venue opens at 11am and closes late, attracting people from all over the world. One regular performer is Jon Keats, the current director of the Cavern empire, who runs the venues along with International Beatle Week each August. When Jon, capable of playing any song from The Beatles’ oeuvre on request, takes to the stage for his daily set, it is only mid-afternoon. Just two songs in, visitors from New Zealand, USA, Argentina, France and South Korea are all dancing to Eight Days a Week.

Surprisingly, although The Beatles could live off the royalties earned from spins of their music in Liverpool alone these days, they were not always loved here. Despite playing 292 gigs at Cavern Club, they were considered traitors for moving to London in 1963. There was even a popular saying “what did The Beatles ever do for Liverpool?”

“People disliked The Beatles because they left,” says Jon “but Lennon’s assassination in 1980 made people re-evaluate.” No doubt the money pouring in from visitors occasioned a change of heart, too.

Decades on, Beatles songs ring around Cavern Club (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

Back outside, it’s 3pm and the first band of the day takes to the stage at Eric’s Liverpool (open daily). It’s one of over a dozen other live music pubs and clubs on this tiny pedestrianised street, besides Cavern Club. Eric’s was a crucial epicentre of Liverpool’s musical revival in the late 1970s. Struggling to find new directions in the wake of The Beatles’ split, The Teardrop Explodes and Big in Japan began shaping the sound of the 80s here. Liverpool’s music has come a long way from the Merseybeat.

Opposite Eric’s stands a statue of Cilla Black, beloved singer-turned-television presenter. The message to the musicians young and old here is that if you make it to the big time, the city will laud you forever.

Landmarks beyond the city centre

Strawberry Field forever (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

Many other famous Beatles landmarks are dotted around the city. These include houses where the members spent their childhoods, such as Mendips – the home of John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi – or 20 Forthlin Road, whose bathroom has a mythical quality; Paul McCartney wrote many of the early Beatles songs there because it had the best acoustics in the house. You can see both from the outside on guided tours (see below). Alternatively, because the houses are National Trust properties, it’s also possible to tour the interiors (Wed-Sun or daily in summer).

Then there are the parts of Liverpool immortalised on vinyl. Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, and even the grave of one Eleanor Rigby, who may or may not be the subject of the eponymous song (according to McCartney it’s mere coincidence), all list high on a Beatles fan’s wish list.

Penny Lane in your eyes (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

The homes and song locales are dotted across the southern part of Liverpool, slightly too strung out to walk between. As a result, guided tours offer a great way to get around, with spirited tour guides and a Beatles-heavy soundtrack played in the coach between stops. Popular, long-running examples are the Magical Mystery Tour (multiple daily, £20 per person), which is a group excursion by bus, or a private, three-hour taxi tour (multiple daily, £190 for groups of up to five), if you’d prefer a more personalised itinerary.

The Magical Mystery Tour bus (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

Modern muso hangouts

Neatly spanning a decade from 1960-70, The Beatles crafted an international stardom that seems unrivalled. In the process, the four lads from Liverpool put their home city on the map for devotees of their work. But the modern scene, while drawing inspiration from The Beatles, is making its own Mersey waves.

Lately, The Mysterines, Circa Waves and Clean Cut Kid are making the transition to international recognition. But it’s all just part of an established pattern in Liverpool. While Cavern Club will always be a legendary club to play for any band, if you’re looking to tune into the best new Liverpudlian music, there are some other great venues to check out.

The Jacaranda (open daily), in the Ropewalks district, is one of the most exciting venues for up-and-coming music. Naturally, it has pedigree, having hosted The Beatles in its storied history that begins in 1958.

Lennon takes a break on Mathew St (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

Genre-wise, Liverpool’s offerings ae surprisingly broad, from the legendary house music at nightclubs across the city (although Cream is still waiting to be resurrected) to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (Hope St), which hosts the city’s internationally acclaimed orchestra and touring artists. EBGBS (82 Seel St, daily) and Jimmy’s Liverpool (130 Bold St, Tue-Sun) are among the other top live music venues worth checking out.

Eurovision 2023

In 2021, the Maritime Mercantile City, as the old dockland region of the Liverpool Waterfront is known, was delisted from the UNESCO World Heritage. Some of the newer developments had reportedly caused “irreversible loss of attributes conveying the outstanding universal value of the property.” Despite this adjudged mismanagement, the area’s former degradation seems to be long past. One of the area’s newer venues is the M&S Bank Arena (aka Liverpool Arena), opened in 2008, which will host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of 2022’s winners Ukraine.

Entrance to Cavern Club (Photo: Paul Stafford for Travelmag.com)

The Eurovision Song Contest takes place from May 9^th-13^th 2023. All tours, venues and museums mentioned in this piece are open throughout the year. The Magical Mystery Tour runs hourly during the summer months.

The post A Short Guide to Liverpool’s Musical Landmarks appeared first on TravelMag.

Visitors look around an exhibition room at the Pensacola Museum of Art (Photo: Pensacola Museum of Art)

The first European settlement in the US back in the 1550s, Pensacola’s heritage is evinced in the Spanish-era architecture and historic buildings that now house museums, shops and restaurants across the city. But natural attractions are by no means in short supply here, either, with a large number of walking trails that take you from the city fringes, through forests and  parks, and often ending on the city’s sandy shoreline. Here are 12 of Pensacola’s most unique things to see and do.

Take in some arts culture

Positioned in the heart of downtown Pensacola, the Pensacola Museum of Art has served the community as an arts centre for more than 60 years. This intimate, two-story museum hosts rotating exhibits of modern and contemporary art throughout the year in its four galleries. The PMA also offers children’s programming, adult art workshops and artist discussions. The museum is one of the sites in the UWF Historic Trust, which spans nine acres in downtown Pensacola. The art museum building is a historic landmark in Pensacola, serving as the Pensacola City Jail until 1940. Some of the original jail doors stand in the museum as a testament to its history.

407 South Jefferson Street / Tues-Sun 10am-4pm Closed Mon

One of the biggest arts events anywhere in the United States, the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival draws more than 200 painters, potters, sculptors, jewellers, graphic artists, craftsmen and other artists to Pensacola each year for a three-day juried art show. First held over half-a-century ago, the festival also features live music ranging from bluegrass to Cajun and blues to jazz and classical, as well as performing dance schools and community groups, traditional arts and crafts, woodcarving and weaving demos, foodie treats, and tons of hands-on activities for kids.

Seville Square / November each year

Climb a historic lighthouse

Dating all the way back to 1859, the still operational Pensacola Lighthouse is one of the city’s most historic – and distinctive – landmarks. Visitors who climb the 177 steps are rewarded with panoramic views of the Gulf coastline, as well as access to a Maritime Museum which exhibits the quarters where the lighthouse keepers and their families once lived, as well as a number of other interesting displays that shine a light on the building’s long history as well as the area’s rich naval history.

2081 Radford Boulevard / Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm Fri-Sat 10am-5pm Closed Sun

A ground view of the Pensacola Lighthouse (Photo: Rob Bixby via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Discover Pensacola’s rich cultural heritage

Part of Historic Pensacola Village, Pensacola Museum of History is spread across three floors within an eye-catching Mediterranean Revival-style building that dates back to the early 1900s.Visitors can discover the city’s rich cultural heritage, which includes Spanish, British and American influences, through an assortment of exhibits. Highlights include the City of Five Flags exhibit which chronicles the story of Pensacola as it was discovered through archaeology and preservation efforts, and Trader Jon’s Bar, a recreation of a once-famous downtown bar that attracted everyone from military personnel to movie stars and local politicians.

University of West Florida, 330 South Jefferson Street / Tues-Sun 10am-4pm Closed Mon

Embark on a dolphin watching adventure

The waters off Pensacola Beach are inhibited by a sizeable number of dolphins and visitors can see them for themselves by joining a dolphin watching tour. During the excursion, you’ll cruise around the bay aboard a 52-foot vessel looking for dolphins and other marine life, while the crew provide interesting facts about what you see. Passengers can choose their vantage point from walk-around decks, seating on the bow, or a covered mid-deck towering high above the water line. Music from a surround sound stereo system adds to the experience and there are also snacks and drinks to purchase while onboard.

Book at GetYourGuide

Guests aboard a dolphin watching tour boat (Photo: Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Tours & Boat Rent / Courtesy GetYourGuide)

Escape the city at a forest park

A 26-acre forest park nestled above Pensacola Bay, Bay Bluffs Park attracts large numbers of visitors keen for respite from the hustle and bustle of the more built-up areas of the city. Among the most popular activities is strolling the one-mile boardwalk trail that meanders through oak woodland and the stunning Florida red chalk landscape, winding over steep slopes before gradually ending up at the beach where you can take a breather while soaking up the ocean views

 3400 Scenic Highway

Learn how to surf

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at surfing, then Pensacola Beach is a great place to start. There are a number of local companies offering small-group surf lessons for beginners, during which you’ll be taught all of the basics, including water safety and etiquette, on the beach before heading down to the water to put your new-found skills and knowledge to the test accompanied by an experienced instructor. Lessons are open to both children and adults and last for around two hours.

Book at Viator

Explore a 19th-century fort

For over a century, Fort Pickens watched over Pensacola Bay, guarding it from enemy troops who had their beady eyes on the naturally sheltered harbor. Decommissioned in 1947, today the fort is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore Reserve and remains open to visitors who come to explore the historic coastal defenses which comprise five sides, four looking out onto the ocean and one facing land.

1400 Fort Pickens Road

A cannon sits menacingly atop Fort Pickens (Photo: faungg’s photos via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)

Take in a theatre show

First opened in 1925, the grand Spanish Baroque style of the Saenger Theatre makes it a tourist attraction in its own right. But the venue is more than simply easy on the eye – it also plays host to a top class programme of acclaimed Broadway shows and productions, as well as music, orchestral concerts, dance, comedy shows and talks. There’s something on here most night of the week, so visitors can simply check the schedules for when they’re in town – though it’s advised to book in advance.

118 South Palafox Street 

Go wildlife spotting

Take a coastal drive west of Pensacola and you’ll soon arrive at Perdido Key State Park. Located on a thin strip of land, the park offers rolling, white-sand dunes and sublime views of the Gulf waters. It’s also a bird lover’s paradise, with native nesting birds such as herons and gulls, as well as rare migratory species like gannets and black skimmers, calling the area home, while sea turtles are frequently spotted here during breeding season too. For swimming, Johnson Beach is a popular spot, and hikers can traverse the Discovery Nature Trail which runs along a coastal boardwalk.

15301 Perdido Key Drive

The vast expanse of a beach at Perdido Key State Park (Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)

Catch a baseball game

Like most US cities, baseball is a seriously big deal in Pensacola, and the local Minor League Baseball team is the quirkily-named Pensacola Blue Wahoos, who play their matches at the Admiral Fetterman Field. As well as being home to the Blue Wahoos since 2012, the multi-use arena also features a waterfront public park and amphitheatre, with events such as Halloween festivities and athletics tournaments taking place here regularly throughout the year.

351 West Cedar Street

Attend a jazz festival

Pensacola has a lively jazz scene and at its heart is the annual Pensacola Jazz Festival. A free-to-enter event, the springtime festival is held over two full days in the historic surroundings of Seville Square and features  music festival a mix of local school bands, regional acts, and national headliners who perform on the gazebo stage. In addition to the music line-up, there’s also food and drink by local vendors, arts and crafts and plenty of jazz merchandise to take away as souvenirs.

Seville Square / April each year

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Vichy’s Palais des Congrès (Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Drinking sulphurous water that tastes like rotten eggs, being pummelled under the jets of seven-headed showers, salt scrubs and even cryotherapy (a treatment which exposes the body to extreme cold for a short period of time): a spa experience at Vichy in the Auvergne region of central France is nothing if not varied.

For me, a spa is the perfect luxury. Were time and money no object, I’d get a daily massage, but I’ve tried some questionable treatments in my time: hot oil dripped rhythmically onto my forehead like slow torture, a floating salt bath in a dark room designed to mimic a womb, a bell rung with loud enthusiasm in my ear as I enjoyed a ‘relaxing’ shoulder massage. In comparison to treatments that have been offered in Vichy over the years, though, these are mainstream.

The grand Belle Époque stylings of a typical Vichy spa (Photo: Zenith via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

People have been using mineral waters for healing since prehistoric times, and the birth of Vichy as a spa town can be traced back to 52 BC. Spas were already popular in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, and as the Romans expanded their empire west across modern day France, they came across the pungent, eggy mineral waters of Vichy.

But it would be some time before Vichy became a true spa resort. In 1605, King Henri IV of France created the General Superintendency for Spas and Mineral Fountains. Twenty-five years later, a small pavilion was constructed in Vichy where visitors could drink the water and bathe in it too, and the first of Vichy’s dietary regimes was introduced. Little by little, the wider public began to take an interest in the health benefits of the town’s waters.

During the 19th century, more and more people began to travel, both domestically and abroad. Travel had long been the preserve of aristocrats and a wealthy few, and while it was still only a minority that could afford the luxury of going on holiday, the arrival of the railroad put Vichy firmly on their map. Emperor Napoleon III was a particular fan of the town, visiting no fewer than five times between 1861 and 1866. Meanwhile, spa resorts were opening up across Germany, Belgium, the UK and France. Those who could afford it travelled to Aix-les-Bains, Évian-les-Bains, and of course, Vichy, for their health.

Old fashioned steam treatments (Photo: Courtesy of Vichy Celestines )

So what would did a visit to the Vichy spas of the past look like? Well, you wouldn’t have been eating salad for one thing, as Vichy forbade them, believing that they were acid-inducing. Instead, Vichy’s spas prescribed a diet of cheese and wine to their clientèle. And as spa-goers in Vichy washed down their bleu d’Auvergne with hearty quantities of Côtes du Rhône, were they receiving pedicures and hot stone massages? Not likely. In her book Tourists: How the British went Abroad to Find Themselves, Lucy Lethbridge writes “there were bone doctors, worm doctors, wind and water doctors.” Treatments on offer included “radioactive mud, sweat grottos, salles de pulvérisation, gas injections and percussion douches.” It may sound like a list of torture methods carried out by the Spanish Inquisition, but salles de pulvérisation and percussion douches actually combined pressured jets of water with massages, much like the ‘Vichy Shower’ still offered at resorts today. Treatments using radium, meanwhile, continued for several decades, with radioactive baths believed to cure respiratory illnesses and rheumatism, and even diminish wrinkles. Spa-goers would drink radium too, from specially designed ‘radium cafetières’.

While waiting for a rendezvous with the bone doctor, or recovering from your gas injections, you were welcome to take a bath in the communal dipping pools. “[They] were often described as ‘soupy’, resembling chicken broth [or] Mulligatawny”, writes Lethbridge of the murky water. Despite this, spas continued to grow in popularity and by 1893 France had just shy of 400 spas. Vichy itself grew in size, from a population of 1,500 in 1850 to 15,000 by 1914.

In 1896, the Vichy Shower was perfected. The Belle Époque was in full swing. Guests would be massaged under the seven heads of a specially designed shower, designed to represent Vichy’s mineral springs (never mind that there are actually nine). In 1903, the Grand Établissement Thermal opened its doors. More than a century on, it’s still in operation. Water from Vichy was said to cure rheumatism, arthritis, and even liver disease. Although mineral water may not be lauded to have quite such magical healing powers today, it is still thought to aid bone and heart health, and to lower cholesterol.

Visitors to Vichy at the turn of the 20th century may even have been lucky enough to have their eggy water served by a young girl who would go on to become one of the most influential fashion designers the world has ever seen. Gabrielle Chanel, or Coco, as she would later become known, worked as a donneuse d’eau (water girl) in Vichy in 1906.

The Vichy shower (Photo: Courtesy of Vichy Celestines)

In 1947 the French government introduced social thermalism, meaning that spa treatments could be reimbursed using social security. The full thermal cure lasted 21 days. Interest in Vichy’s healing waters was revived. Even today, French citizens can claim the cost of their spa treatments, if prescribed by a doctor.

Vichy spas nowadays, however, are a more comfortable experience. Ushered into a clean, white reception area, you’ll be confronted with rows of Vichy laboratories skincare products, neatly packaged in blue, the signature V logo in white. You’ll be presented with a fluffy white bathrobe, and a chilled glass of Vichy Célestins water (mercifully, not tasting like gone-off eggs). If you’re anything like me, you’ll be so swept up in the atmosphere of wellness and detoxing, that for a brief time you’ll regard your body as the holiest of temples and nourish it solely with salads and fresh fruit.

Vichy Célestins Spa Hôtel still offers Vichy showers, but gone are the days of wallowing in radioactive mud, although mineral mud is still used as a body wrap at Thermes des Dômes and Thermes Callou. There are plenty of vegetables on the restaurant menus too, so those hoping to be prescribed an exclusively wine and cheese diet are sadly out of luck.

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An imposing view of the Nebraska State Capitol (Photo: Nicolas Henderson via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

The Nebraskan capital is home to an enticing mix of historic landmarks, upscale eateries, welcoming coffee shops, and distinguished arts venues, along with endless opportunities for outdoor adventure both in the city itself and within easy reach. If you’re coming to Lincoln and would like to work on building an itinerary that includes plenty of unique things to see and do, here’s our starter for 12.

Visit an architectural masterpiece

Rising four hundred feet from a giant two-story base, domed with gold-glazed tile and topped with a bronze statue of a pioneer sower of grain, the Nebraska State Capitol is visible from miles away. But the building is not only an architectural masterpiece – it also houses a dazzling array of artwork representing the long natural, social and political evolution of the state. Today both its magnificent exterior and interior can be enjoyed by the public, with the 14^th floor observation open to visitors throughout the week.

1445 K Street / Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 10am-5pm Sun 1pm-5pm

Take in some culture

Lincoln has an impressive sprinkling of cultural venues and among its very best is the University of Nebraska State Museum. Located on the University of Nebraska-Loncoln City Campus, it is widely considered the region’s premier natural history museum, and is best known for its incredible collection of fossil elephants. Through exhibits, displays and interactive wildlife dioramas, visitors can learn all about Nebraska fossils, unusual creatures, minerals and meteorites, evolution, ancient weapons, dinosaurs, monsters of the ancient seas, African and Native American cultures and plenty more.

Morrill Hall, 645 North 14th Street / Tues-Sat 9am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm Closed Mon

Petrol heads with a keen interest in American racing and automotive history are in for a treat in Lincoln thanks to the presence of the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed. Opened in 1992, this remarkable museum is home to a stunning assortment of seminal cars, engines, parts, pedal cars, automotive toys and memorabilia. Among the exhibits are the world’s largest collection of exotic and historic American racing engines from the early 1900s to the present day.

599 Oakcreek Drive / Mon & Fri 10am-4.30pm Sat 9am-1pm Closed Sun & Tues-Thurs

Cars on display at the Museum of American Speed (Photo: JOHN LLOYD via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)

Enjoy some world-class art

Set within an eye-catching modernist building at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the free-to-enter Sheldon Museum of Art contains nearly 13,000 American artworks spanning a diverse range of artistic styles, including 19^th-century landscape and still life, American impressionism, early modernism, geometric abstraction, abstract expressionism, pop, minimalism and contemporary art. Among the works on display also include a prominent sculpture collection, with more than 30 statues by renowned sculptural artists dotted throughout the museum.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 12th and, R St / Tues-Sat 10am-4pm Closed Sun-Mon

If you find yourself in Lincoln during June and have a passion for art then consider yourself lucky, as it’s the time of year when the Lincoln Art Festival comes to town. A regular fixture on the city’s cultural calendar for over two decades, the festival sees Canopy Street and the Railyard in the city’s Historic Haymarket District transformed into a celebration of artistic merit and innovation. With a strong focus on local artists, the event features diverse works of art, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, all set against a backdrop of live stage performances.

Historic Haymarket District, Downtown Lincoln / June each year

Visitors congregate in front of an art stall at the Lincoln Arts Festival (Photo: Lincoln Arts Festival)

Get a taste of the local food scene

Lincoln has a thriving and diverse culinary scene and one of the best ways to discover it is by joining a guided food tour. There are several companies offering food tours across the city, some of which are themed around a particular delicacy or neighbourhood. During the tour, you’ll get to visit several eateries and food outlets where you’ll sample local dishes and treats, meet local chefs and be shown around their kitchens. Meanwhile your guide will be on hand to regale you with fascinating facts and stories about the region’s foodie heritage.

Take a stroll around picture-postcard gardens

An ideal antidote to the hustle and bustle of Lincoln’s urban surroundings, the Sunken Gardens are a haven of tranquillity in the heart of the city. Built at the start of the 1930s, the 1.5-acre site is teeming with picturesque trees, shrubs and foliage, along with ponds, reflecting pools, and a striking geyser fountain that shoots water in the air. Meandering through the gardens are a network of walking trails that allow visitors to gently amble around enjoying the scenery at their leisure.

The picturesque surroundings of the Sunken Gardens (Photo: Sarah 68508 via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Look around a historic downtown district

Sprinkled with delightfully renovated and restored late 19th-century brick warehouses, quaint brick streets, a large water tower, and a unique clock, Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket District is a pleasure to amble around at your leisure. With the University of Nebraska located nearby, it also enjoys a youthful energy, with many of the city’s students congregating here to socialise in the myriad bars and restaurants. Be sure to check out the Lincoln station while here, which was once a railway depot and today houses a visitor centre and a popular eatery.

Explore a nature reserve

Spread over some 668 acres, Pioneers Park Nature Center is one of Lincoln’s most popular family outdoor attractions. Eight miles of hiking trails wind around the site, where herds of bison, white-tailed deer, elk are regularly spotted, along with the more elusive red-tailed hawks, barred owls, and wild turkeys. In the Nature Center building, visitors can get up close and personal with caged animals, including the chance to touch a turtle or a snake while supervised by on-site staff. To let off some steam, there’s also a kids’ play area.

3201 South Coddington / Mon-Sat 9am-4.30pm Sun 12pm-4.30pm

An eye-catching sculpture at Pioneers Park Nature Center (Photo: Sarah 68508 via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Catch a college football game

Across Nebraska, sport is a seriously big deal and in Lincoln the main sports team is the Nebraska Cornhuskers college football side, who play their home matches at the Memorial Stadium. Located on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the 90,000- capacity arena is a cauldron of noise on match days. Tickets can sometimes be tricky to come by, but are available to book online in advance. And if you don’t quite make it to a game, then you can still book on to a self-guided tour of the stadium, which includes the Hall of Fame walk outside.

One Memorial Stadium Drive

Go for a day out at the zoo

With more than 400 animals residing here, including several endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger and Matschie’s tree kangaroo, Lincoln Children’s Zoo makes for a great day out with children. As well as the chance to admire the animals in their cages, the zoo also offers a number of ‘experiences’, including giraffe-feeding sessions, guided horse rides, and an Animal Encounter Stage where you can come face to face with exotic creatures including armadillos, owls, boa constrictors, and an alligator. Kids also love the scale model train that travels around the zoo.

1222 South 27th Street / Mon-Sun 10am-5pm

A West African Dwarf Crocodile snapped at Lincoln Children’s Zoo (Photo: wht_wolf9653 via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Watch some live entertainment

If the rain comes to town and you’re stuck for something to do indoors in Lincoln, then it’s worth checking the programme for what’s going on at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. The state-of-the-art performing arts facility plays host to a busy roster of regional, national and international live stage shows, with a focus on providing a platform for local Nebraska artists to showcase their talents. Tickets can be purchased up to the last minute at the online box office or in person.

301 North 12th Street

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The leafy main street in Middleburg, Virginia. (Photo by Tracy Kaler for TravelMag)

Home to less than 800 people, Middleburg is a small town nuzzled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Loudoun County, Virginia, about an hour’s drive from Washington D.C. Promising leafy streets, brick sidewalks, and quaint storefronts, the walkable, well-heeled enclave feels a lot like a European village, but with a sprinkling of Americana laced in.  

Middleburg has a deep-rooted history. Established in 1787 by Leven Powell, a Virginia statesman and Lieutenant Colonel in the American Revolutionary War, the town was the location of two battles in 1863 as part of the Gettysburg Campaign and a significant site in the Civil War. More than 160 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Jump ahead to the turn of the 20th century, and Middleburg was deemed the “Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital,” eventually attracting public figures such as John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, and Robert Duvall as residents. Nowadays, Middleburg oozes charm that melds with Virginia culture. It’s evident in the town’s historic district, fox hunting meets, steeplechase events, and equestrian lifestyle. Meanwhile, the region offers a spread of lavish estates, acres of vineyards, and dozens of wineries.

Have 24 hours in Middleburg? Here’s what to do, where to stay, and where to eat in this idyllic pocket of Virginia.

The Red Fox Inn in Middleburg dates to 1728. (Photo by Tracy Kaler for TravelMag)

Things to Do 

Less than one mile long, Middleburg’s historic district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982. Much of the 19th-century architecture along Washington Street, the main drag, is well preserved, reflecting the days of yore. It’s home to high-end clothing boutiques, equestrian shops, art galleries, restaurants, and pubs. Spend a few hours browsing stores like Olde Millstones Vintage Thrift Shop (6 W Washington St) and Crème de la Crème (23 E Washington St) after lunch on the main street.

One of Virginia’s burgeoning wine regions, Loudoun County produces Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, and a growing list of varieties. More than 50 wineries lie within a 30-minute drive of downtown, with a handful occupying land in Middleburg, a short trip along John Mosby Highway. So, it’s nearly impossible not to stumble upon a vineyard or tasting room as you explore the area. 

A sprawling property showcasing gorgeous views makes Greenhill Vineyards (23595 Winery Ln) worth the stop, never mind the refreshing Viognier and heady Cab Franc, arguably one of the region’s best. Taste a selection of the winery’s offerings for $20. Down the road at 50 West (39060 John Mosby Hwy), winemaker Jason Burrus brings his California and Europe expertise – he previously made wine in Napa, Sonoma, the Central Valley, Malta and Moldova – to Loudoun County. 50 West produces Vidal Blanc, rosé of Sangiovese, and Chambourcin, among other wines, with tastings available for $22 to $25.

Greenhill Vineyards showcases gorgeous views. (Photo by Tracy Kaler for TravelMag)

Additional wineries a stone’s throw from downtown include Cana (38600 John Mosby Hwy), where winemaker Melanie Natoli puts her spin on Petit Verdot and Merlot, and Chrysalis Vineyards at the Ag District (39025 John Mosby Hwy), known for crafting wine from alternative varieties like Norton: a native grape that produces a dry, full-bodied red. Chrysalis has the most extensive planting of the heirloom fruit in the world.

A visit to Middleburg would only be complete with an equestrian outing. Watch the horses in action at the Middleburg Spring Races in Glenwood Park (Glenwood Park Ln), a circa 1911 Equestrian Center. The April event welcomes the season each year when daffodils and dogwood trees are in glorious bloom. The Virginia Fall Races are slated for the second Saturday in October at the same locale. And if you want to ride yourself, Salamander Resort & Spa’s Equestrian Center (500 N Pendleton St) offers 25 acres for guests and non-guests to participate in a guided trail ride, so saddle up.

Salamander Resort & Spa’s Equestrian Center offers trail rides. (Photo by Tracy Kaler for TravelMag)

Where to Stay

Capturing the essence of historic Middleburg, The Red Fox Inn (2 E Washington St), dates to 1728. The property features 22 individually decorated rooms, suites and cottages in five buildings scattered around the historic center. Perks range from in-room breakfast and house-made cookies to Egyptian cotton bedding and concierge services. If you prefer to stay in for dinner, the inn’s namesake tavern is on the ground floor.

For five-star luxury, look no further than Salamander Resort & Spa (500 N Pendleton St). This sprawling estate perched on 340 acres is about a 15-minute walk from the main street, yet it feels a world away from town. The stunning property captures the essence of Middleburg through its traditional, well-curated interior and upscale appointments alongside tons of atmosphere. Guests should expect hypoallergenic bedding, luxe terrycloth robes, and evening turndown service. Schedule a day of pampering at the on-site spa and relax by the wood-burning fireplaces in the cozy library or sophisticated living room. The hotel hosts several activities, such as hiking, biking, tennis, fitness classes, and more, so one could linger at Salamander for hours and have enough things to do. After a day of outdoor pursuits, sip a dirty martini or glass of Virginia wine at Gold Cup Wine Bar, located off the lobby.

Relax by the fire in the living room at Salamander Resort & Spa. (Photo by Tracy Kaler for TravelMag)

Where to Eat

On-site at Salamander Resort & Spa, Harrimans Virginia Piedmont Grill (500 N Pendleton St) is an acclaimed contemporary American restaurant highlighting local ingredients. Menu frontrunners include the Maple Leaf Farm duck, Long Stone Farms fried chicken with organic collards and buttermilk biscuit, and the shareable 30-ounce Tomahawk steak. Breakfast here is also a hit, providing an extensive selection for a morning meal. Choices range from smoothies and other healthy fare to the extraordinary Harrimans Breakfast (bacon or sausage and eggs with potatoes and toast) to a Chesapeake crab Benedict and buckwheat bananas foster bread pudding for a sweet tooth. Harrimans serves brunch on Sundays.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Harrimans Virginia Piedmont Grill. (Photo by Tracy Kaler for TravelMag)

Fresh ingredients from the Piedmont region transfer to the plate at The Tavern (2 E Washington St), the intimate low-ceiling space on the ground floor of The Red Fox Inn. Marked by scores of stone and dark wood, working fireplaces, and sporting art, the interior reflects the building’s Colonial roots. A four-course experience with optional wine pairings features a diverse lineup of dishes like shrimp and grits, burrata with roasted grapes, lamb Bolognese, and dark chocolate Basque cheesecake for dessert. Choose your dishes, then share family-style sides of crispy smashed potatoes topped with blue cheese and bacon and fried artichokes dressed in chimichurri aioli. Presenting a limited menu, the more casual Night Fox Pub on the second-floor plates Caesar salads, N.Y. strip steaks, and the restaurant’s addictive white truffle parmesan fries.

The interior of The Tavern at The Red Fox Inn reflects the building’s Colonial roots. (Photo by Tracy Kaler for TravelMag)

King Street Oyster Bar (1 E Washington St) offers what the name implies. Find the freshest bivalves from the East and West Coasts – out of the water no more than 24 and 48 hours, respectively – and a spree of seafood starters and main plates. Purists will likely stick with the raw oysters, best ordered by the dozen, and groups of two to four diners should indulge in the “Mermaid Tower,” an assortment of lobster, shrimp, raw oysters, and jumbo lump crab. Don’t miss the daily Happy Hour from 3:30 to 6 p.m, with $1 oysters and $7 small plates served alongside $7 cocktails and discounted beer and wine.

In the historic district, Salamander Resort’s Market Salamander (200 Washington St) is the place for coffee, a quick sandwich, bowl of soup, salad or double dip of homemade ice cream. Try the chef’s chicken and dumplings, the Maryland crab roll stuffed with crab salad and Old Bay mayo, or to nurse a hangover, the hearty Market Salamander poutine: a heaping pile of fries crowned with house gravy, cheese curds, and Virginia ham. The gourmet stop is also an excellent choice for breakfast (some dishes are served all day) before heading out to the wineries. Or opt for a snack, bottle of wine, the eatery’s house-pickled veggies, sauces, spreads, or made-from-scratch bread. Market Salamander offers indoor and outdoor seating, so depending on the weather, dine outside and watch the action on Washington Street, or grab a bite to go before you hit the road.

Grab a bite to go at Market Salamander. (Photo by Tracy Kaler for TravelMag)

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