Lavish, luxe, indulgent… No one word quite does the gilt opulence of the Emirates Palace justice. If you’re not staying the night in the plush rooms, you should make a reservation at a dining or drinking outlet to enter. The lobby cafe is a favorite for high tea, or you may choose from one of 14 other outlets that include...
The ranks of elegant Ottoman-era houses climbing up the hillside to Berat’s citadel offers a photogenic view which is famous in Albania. The neighbourhood of Mangalemi, just below the citadel, is under protection as a site of cultural heritage meaning that its cobbled alleys have been preserved, and there are a number of great boutique hotels to stay in here....
Korca is a great stop for a gentle overnight stay in a civilised old-style atmosphere ont found elsewhere in Albania. The grandeur has faded but a stroll through town will show some charming buildings with Art Deco features, Socialist Realist monuments and a thriving market of local produce. You’ll not go hungry here – the town is known for its grills...
This charming plaza has been central to the community since Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdez founded Albuquerque in 1706. Today, Old Town spans ten blocks of historic adobe buildings, many of which are occupied by galleries, boutiques, and souvenir shops. San Felipe de Neri Church, the oldest building in Albuquerque dating to 1793, stands on the north side of the...
Colmar is small enough to visit on foot, and large enough to keep you interested for two or three days. Make your first stop the Office of Tourism at Place Unterlinden, to pick up information on special events around town and exhibits at the city’s five museums. Also ask about guided tours in La Petite Venise, a canal laced historic district right out...
Dominican clergy started this church in 1283, but the building has been renovated several times. In the early 18th century the Gothic structure took on a Baroque style, and today your attention will be drawn to the church’s beautiful portals and stained-glass windows. The church is a bit bare and doesn’t have a bell, but the carved doors and stained-glass windows are beautiful. Inside,...
La Grande Île is the historic center of Strasbourg and the most interesting part of the city. This stretch of land is surrounded by branches of the Île River and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, due to its well-preserved medieval structures. Allow plenty of time to stroll along the cobblestone streets, visit the centuries-old buildings, and admire the...
This attractive town sits below the southern Vosges Mountains, surrounded by terraced Grand Cru vineyards, about 25m/40 km southwest of Colmar. Walk along pedestrian-only streets and admire the 16th-century town hall and other ancient buildings surrounding Place Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc Square). Places to visit The artistic abbots of Murbach built much of Guebwiller during the 13th and 14th...
This lovely little place is an honored Flower Village (Village Fleurie), as well as one of the most beautiful towns in France (Plus Beaux Villages). You need only walk the streets to understand why. Flowers are growing everywhere, and the historic steep-roofed houses, town hall, and old fountains are well preserved. The town’s prime attraction is the 14th-century Church of Saint Jacques le...
The vineyards surrounding this pleasant little Villages Fleuris (Flower Village) produce some amazing wines, but visitors are most interested in Eagle Park set tucked into the ruins of Kintzheim Castle. The town itself has some lovely churches and ancient half-timbered houses. Stop by the little Chapel de l’Aigle, just outside the village, to visit the picturesque setting where locals reported seeing the Virgin Mary...
This is the heart of Strasbourg’s commercial district. You’ll find upscale shops lining the central square, which is dominated by a statue of Jean-Baptiste Kléber, who was a general during the French Revolution. He was born in the city in 1753, and his remains are buried in a vault beneath the statue. Notice Aubette Palace on the north side of...
Finished in 1480, this is the oldest public building in Colmar. It was originally a customs house set in the center of the town’s commercial district. The ground floor was used for storage of imported goods, and the upper level was a meeting room for a regional political group. Panorama of Colmar Climb to the top of the stone steps for...
No doubt you’ve seen pictures of this outstanding house. It was built in 1537 in the medieval half-timbered style, and your eye will be drawn to the carved balconies that blaze with red geraniums during good weather. Stand across the street and admire the building’s unique corner design, its angular windows, and painted facade, which depicts biblical scenes and German...
This little village at the foot of Mount Saint Odile well deserves its ranking among the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Flower-decked Renaissance buildings made of local sandstone stand in the town center and half-timbered houses climb into the surrounding hills. Stop at the charming town hall to see a fine exhibit about the area’s vineyards and wine. Vines have grown in...
Reisling wine grapes grow in the nearby vineyards, and prestigious Bugatti automobiles are made in the factory just outside town. If you need more reason to visit, consider the Porte des Forgerons that you pass under to get into the village. The former fortification gate is supported by a tower from the 14th century that holds a bell from 1412....
Around 70,000 visitors per year walk through this museum of Alsatian memorabilia, making it one of the most popular attractions in the region. You may get a back-in-time feeling, as though you’re walking through a house where your relatives have just stepped out for awhile. The three 16th-17th century joined houses are a web of small rooms with wood-paneled walls,...
Located directly across from the Notre-Dame Cathedrale in several old houses, this museum holds art, stained glass, and sculpture from the Middle Ages. Many of the pieces in the series of rooms and gardens are the originals that were salvaged from the Cathedrale during the French Revolution. Allow about an hour to zip through and stop at anything that catches your...
Allow plenty of time to explore the restored historic center of Colmar. Many of the buildings lining the narrow cobblestone streets date back to the medieval and Renaissance periods, and the half-timbered houses seem more German than French. Consider riding the Little White Train around town to get oriented, and then explore the most interesting areas on foot. The quartier...