Next door to the Ritz Carlton on the Grand Canal, Venetian Village is a fine collection of  Italian, Emirati, Japanese, Indian and International restaurants set on a plaza overlooking the waterfront. From here you can take an abra boat across the canal to Souk Qarat Al Beri and the Shangri La Hotel.

Park at Herring Cove/Beaver Lake parking lot and continue past the traffic gate, down the gravel road for about an hour until you reach Medvejie Hatchery. This part of the trail is relatively uninteresting and can also be easily biked to cut down on travel time. From the hatchery, turn left by a creek and continue into the forest—the trail...

Tradita describes itself as a hotel, a restaurant and a museum… Curious about what that would look like? Think also what that would taste like. Or what it would be like to sleep in such a place… The Tradita concept is the brainchild of its owner, the slightly mad Gjon Duke Gilaj who is usually wearing national costume and is...

You might not expect a Communist-themed cafe to be either so vibrant or so friendly, but Komiteti is a celebration of the best of daily life under the regime. Waiters in Communist era uniforms will be happy to explain any of the clutter of exhibits and framed memorabilia which cover walls and every surface. The cafe also has a wonderful...

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...

If you want to experience rural Albanian life there are very few opportunities as picturesque as the traditional stone house kulla in the village of Shulbater. The Gjini family’s home is just one in traditional style across the little hilltop of this village set in rolling terrain. The accommodation is basic but you’ll sleep in a room decorated with stone...

Lake Komani is not a natural lake but was created by a dam as part of a hydroelectric project in the eighties. Nevertheless, industry seems a century away as you drift in jade coloured water and the journey is deeply peaceful, navigating the dramatic gorge. It was described by one traveller as being ‘like the riverboat sequence in the first...

Set in the rural location which gave birth to Albania’s national poet, Gjergj Fishta, the author of The Highland Lute, the Mrizi i Zanave restaurant is a phenomenon. It is leading the way for a rediscovery of traditional dishes, of local food and of playful combinations of these with modern expectations. There is no printed menu but your waiter will...

This Ottoman-era house is a rare chance to experience Tirana’s history as almost all the city’s pre-independence buildings have been knocked down or are well hidden in private hands. The heritage theme extends even to tablecloths woven in the traditional way, and the restaurant serves both local and international dishes. Try the Tirana speciality dish ‘fergese’ and/ or one of...

Tepelena was the site of the castle built by Ali Pasha – the Albanian warlord who pushed back against the Ottomans and at whose castle Lord Byron stayed on his journey through Albania. The castle is now in ruins with families living within the site, so it is hard – but romantic – to conjure the world of luxury and...

It seems unbelievable that sleepy Voskopoja was once the largest city in the Balkans – bigger even than Athens – or that it had the only printing press in the region outside Istanbul. Seven churches remain as a legacy from that eighteenth century heyday and although they have intricate frescoes, it is not always easy to gain access to them....

The Creator of the Statue of Liberty Everyone knows Lady Liberty who stands in America’s New York Harbor, but most folks don’t know a lot about the man who created her. The house where Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was born in 1834 is now a museum. Spend an hour or two ambling through the home’s exhibits which include an entire floor dedicated to...

Just north of Sélestat, this little village is home to one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in France, Abbey Church of St. Mauritius   The former Benedictine abbey was built in 1727, and the outside is charmingly plain, except for the onion-shaped domes on top of the twin towers. Step inside for a surprise. The bright and white interior is splashed...

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...

René Lalique started making his world-famous glass and crystal creations in 1921 in the little village of Wingen sur Moder. The town is now the site of a modern museum dedicated to Lalique’s life and famous works. More than 600 pieces are displayed and include jewelry, tableware, vases, and chandeliers. The building itself is a work of art designed by the same architects that worked...

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...

Nineteen towns with more than 120 well-preserved Romanesque sites are linked along a course known as Route Romane d’Alsace. Some of the towns also are on other mapped routes, such as the Wine Road or Crest Road. Each year, the Route Romane Festival follows the path of ancient pilgrims through Alsace. The festivities include musical programs held inside the massive walls...

This little village south of Colmar is known for its excellent vineyards, which benefit from the shelter of the Vosges Mountains to the west. Among its interesting tourist sites is the Witches’ Tower, which was utilized up until the 18th century to incarcerate women accused of witchcraft. Find this designated historical monument on Place de la République. Other historical old structures...

Among the wine-route towns, this one is particularly interesting for visitors. Stop at the office of tourism on the town square. It’s in the pink building near the fountain watched over by the Virgin Mary. The office is well stocked with maps and brochures in English, and the staff will be able to tell you about special events in the...