The first country in Europe to establish national parks, Sweden set aside nine noteworthy landscapes in 1909. The country now has 30 national parks protecting everything from remote Arctic and alpine wilderness, old-growth forest and ancient bogs to wildflower meadows, windswept sand dunes and unique underwater environments.

While some parks are rather remote and require some effort and backcountry experience to explore, others are within easy reach of major urban areas and accessible to just about anyone. Here, from north to south, are some of the very best of Sweden’s diverse and beautiful national parks.

Abisko

Located well above the Arctic Circle, Abisko draws visitors year-round with gorgeous mountains framing a broad glacier-sculpted valley on the southern shore of Scandinavia’s largest alpine lake, Torneträsk. In summer, the midnight sun provides nearly endless hours of daylight for hiking, birdwatching and admiring blooming alpine meadows.

As autumn arrives, bothersome mosquitoes disappear and the landscape turns to glorious red and gold. In winter, snow adds a new layer of beauty and opportunities for backcountry skiing and ice skating on Torneträsk. With frequent clear skies and almost no light pollution, Abisko is also one of the world’s best places to see the Northern Lights.

Sarek

One of Sweden’s wildest parks, Sarek is a land of untamed rivers rushing through deep U-shaped valleys surrounded by towering peaks including dozens of Sweden’s highest summits, with almost 100 glaciers. The park is a study in contrasts, juxtaposing forests of mountain birch and flowering meadows with stark rock faces with almost no vegetation.

Golden eagles, buzzards and kestrels soar overhead as bear, lynx, wolverine and supersized moose move through the valleys below. Proper equipment and wilderness hiking experience are essential for exploring Sarek, which has few marked trails and almost no infrastructure.

Stora Sjöfallet

Contiguous with Sarek and the remote wilderness park Padjelanta, Stora Sjöfallet was established to protect a great waterfall that tumbled into Langas Lake. Soon afterward, industry won out over conservation, and the borders were redrawn to permit hydropower development. Though the cascade is much diminished, the park is still spectacular, with deep valleys, birch and pine forests, high plateaus, moors and mountains, including 2015m (6610-ft) Áhkká, a 13-peak massif with 10 glaciers.

Unlike its neighbors, Stora Sjöfallet has a road, visitor center and accommodations, providing easy access to hiking trails and panoramic views.

Muddus

Muddus National Park has been called the quietest place in Sweden. One of the country’s few roadless forest areas, it’s a place of ancient trees and broad moors, steep ravines and towering waterfalls. Trails wind through old-growth forest and across ridges, past 10 deep gorges that slope down to the Stora Luleälven river.

Together with the alpine national parks Sarek, Padjelanta and Stora Sjöfallet, Muddus is part of Unesco’s Laponia World Heritage Site. All four parks have been shaped not only by the forces of nature but also by thousands of years of use by the reindeer-herding Sámi people.

Skuleskogen

This bewitching old-growth forest is situated at the heart of Sweden’s Höga Kusten (High Coast), a region recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site for its dramatic and continuing glacial rebound. In Skuleskogen the Ice Age coastline has risen approximately 282m (925ft) above the present-day shoreline, leaving a landscape where mountains, coast and forest meet in a compelling mix unlike anywhere else in Sweden.

The forest itself is a blend of sparse, shrubby pine clinging to rocky ground and tall firs lining rivers and valleys. Hiking trails reveal signs of the region’s unique geology including dramatic Slåttdalsskrevan, a long, deep crevice that’s just 7 meters (23ft) wide.

Sonfjället

Part of Sweden’s southernmost mountain range, Sonfjället ’s distinctive profile is visible from many miles away. Lichens, mosses, lingonberries and heather cover otherwise bare rock and nutrient-poor soils, while mountain birch, spruce and cloudberries proliferate in gentler environments. There’s wildlife galore, including large numbers of moose, which are frequently seen on bare slopes.

Sonfjället also has one of the densest populations of bears in all of Sweden. Though you’ll have to be very lucky to see one, signs of their presence are visible throughout the park. Wolverine tracks are often seen in winter snow. Capercaillie, black and willow grouse, golden plover and various types of woodpecker and owl are among the park’s many resident and seasonal birds.

Fulufjället

In northwestern Dalarna, bordering Norway, lies Fulufjället, a flat-topped mountain that rises steeply from the densely forested surrounding landscape. Here you’ll find abundant wildlife and hiking trails, one of Sweden’s highest waterfalls, Njupeskär, and the world’s oldest known tree root system, Old Tjikko, a Norway spruce that has survived by cloning itself, repeatedly sprouting new roots, trunks and branches in the same place for more than 9550 years.

Färnebofjärden

Sweden’s second-longest river, Dalälven flows from near Avesta to the Gulf of Bothnia, often taking the form of broad, shallow lakes connected by multiple channels. Along its lower reaches, Färnebofjärden occupies a biological transition zone between northern and southern biomes, creating conditions for a tremendous diversity of plants and animals to thrive.

Färnebofjärden is particularly renowned as a birdwatching destination, with 205 species sighted, including approximately 100 that nest here regularly. There’s good viewing from a tower at Skekarbo as well as along various trails through the park. Other wildlife includes moose, bear, deer, fox, beaver and lemming, as well as more than 20 types of fish. Mosquitoes can be a plague during the summer months.

Ängsö

Tiny Ängsö is not a wilderness park, but rather an island where agricultural activity took place for centuries, shaping the landscape into a mix of meadows, pasture and deciduous forest of oak, pine and hazel. Over time, human activity on Ängsö created ideal conditions for the profusion of wildflowers that spreads across the island in spring and early summer.

Particularly striking are the thousands of elder-flowered orchids that bloom in late May, carpeting the meadow in magenta and pale yellow. The island also attracts a wide range of birds including woodpeckers, white-tailed eagles, osprey, ravens, tawny owls and flycatchers. There’s a seasonal passenger boat service to Ängsö from Stockholm and Östanå on the coast northeast of Åkersberga.

Tyresta

Just 20km (12mi) south of Stockholm and reachable by public transportation, Tyresta National Park feels like a different world entirely, a primeval landscape of ancient trees, secluded lakes and a stillness that makes the city feel remote in both place and time. More than 800 types of moss and lichen create a natural carpet in varying shades of green and brown dotted with mushrooms, berries and flowers. Gnarly pines, towering firs and an abundance of dead and decaying trees create a rich environment where a variety of wildlife thrives, including wild boar, beaver, deer and many birds.

Kosterhavet

Kosterhavet is a marine national park that protects a unique underwater environment with a deep subsurface canyon and Sweden’s only coral reef. Approximately 6000 marine species inhabit the park’s waters, including more than 200 found nowhere else in Sweden. Two marked snorkeling trails have been laid out on the seafloor to guide underwater exploration. Kayaking and hiking are popular activities above the surface.

Just two percent of Kosterhavet National Park consists of land. Though protected in large part as nature reserves, the two main islands, Nord- and Sydkoster, are not part of the national park, but they make excellent bases for exploration, with a visitor center, accommodations and regular passenger ferry service from Strömstad.

Tiveden

Situated between Sweden’s two largest lakes, Vänern and Vättern, Tiveden is another biological transition zone that attracts abundant wildlife. Though the forest feels timeless, it has actually burned repeatedly over the centuries, sometimes naturally and sometimes due to human activity.

The national park is allowing the landscape to develop naturally into something very close to what existed here more than 400 years ago. There’s a sense of magic in this hilly, mossy forest with its secluded lakes, moody bogs and randomly scattered giant boulders that seem as though they could have been deposited by trolls rather than glaciers.

Store Mosse

The word “mosse” means bog, and that’s what you’ll find in this national park in Småland : the largest bog in southern Sweden, 78 sq kms (30 sq mi) of it. Resembling environments more commonly found in the far north, but without the mosquitos, the landscape includes marshes, lakes, swamp forest and tree-covered sand dunes rising like islands from the fens. In spring and summer wildflowers add bright bursts of color to the landscape.

Moose are commonly seen throughout the year, and otter, deer, fox and badger are also present, as well as many bird species. One of the best spots for birdwatching is Kävsjön, where there’s a viewing tower. Bats can often be seen hunting around Södra Svanö on summer evenings.

Söderåsen

About 40 km (25mi) east of Helsingborg lies Söderåsen, which contains one of northern Europe’s largest expanses of deciduous forest and one of Skåne’s most dramatic landscapes, the 8-km (5mi) Skäralid rift valley. Here, the river Skärån has carved deeply into an ancient ridge formed by the collision of tectonic plates 400 million years ago and shaped by the freezing and melting of water trickling through the stone. More than 50 km (30mi) of trails, most of them relatively undemanding, wind through the park, around small lakes and up to scenic overlooks with outstanding views of deep valleys and thickly forested slopes.

Stenshuvud

Located on Skåne’s east coast, Stenshuvud is Sweden’s southernmost national park and also one of the smallest. Its centerpiece is a mountain with three peaks, with the northern one the highest at 97 meters (318ft). Hiking to the top provides panoramic views of Hanö Bay, with the Danish island of Bornholm visible on clear days. The park is also known for its fine-grained white sand beach, sandy heaths, beech forests and meadows that burst into bloom in summer with numerous types of orchids and other flowers. With luck, you might spot a deer, fox, badger or marten, as well as a variety of birds.

Sweden's most stunning national parks: from Lapland to lowlands

History has given Sicily over two dozen centuries worth of things to do. The experiences, attractions and even tastes span the millennia.

Who knew that there are more world-class ancient Greek sights here than in most of Greece? Architecture from across the ages makes the towns and cities captivating places to visit. Then there’s hiking and swimming, volcano-spotting, festival-going and simply eating. Add in art and culture and Sicily astounds with its abundance of experiences. Here are 15 of our favorite things to do when you get there.

Marvel at Sicily’s most perfect ancient temple

Crowning an isolated, windswept hillside, Segesta’s perfect Doric temple is among Sicily’s most magical spots. Dating from around 430 BCE and standing in splendid isolation amid fields of wildflowers and grasses, it has retained all of its columns. They are topped by a perfectly intact entablature and pediment – though the missing roof and lack of fluting on the columns indicate that it was never completed.

Feast on Sicilian pasta

Like the rest of Italy, Sicily has a bevy of signature pasta dishes. Hit Catania for pasta alla Norma (pasta topped with eggplant, basil, fresh ricotta and tomatoes). In Palermo, try pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines, pine nuts, raisins, fennel and breadcrumbs). Celebrate the Southeast’s earthy flavors with lolli con le fave (hand-rolled pasta with fava beans), ravioli di ricotta al sugo di maiale (ricotta ravioli with a pork ragù) and cassatella di Montevago (fried, ravioli-like pastries filled with sweetened ricotta, honey and lemon zest).

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Take the plunge at Venus’ Pool

Swimmers couldn’t ask for a more idyllic spot than Piscina di Venere (Venus’ Pool), a natural pool at the Mediterranean’s edge. Out at the very tip of Capo Milazzo, this gorgeous rock-fringed waterhole makes an idyllic spot for swimming and sunbathing. Accessed by a 15-minute walk through a landscape of olive groves, cactus and stone walls, its tranquil turquoise waters are separated by a small ring of rocks from the ultramarine sea just beyond.

See Scicli, Sicily’s sleeper hit of a town

Southeastern Sicily’s baroque towns, from Noto to Modica to Ragusa, form one of the island’s most captivating string of sights. The most authentic of the lot, Scicli has long been overlooked, but these days it’s finally getting its close-up. Scicli is compact, with a quickly gentrifying historic center awash with cultural sights, from beautiful churches and aristocratic palazzi to eclectic museums and shooting locations for the TV series Inspector Montalbano.

Feel volcanic heat on Stromboli

Recent eruptions have put the summit of Stromboli’s volcano off-limits, but you can still get close to action on a climb almost halfway up the slope to the Sciara del Fuoco Viewpoint. From this 400m-high vantage point, you can see the blackened lava scar running down the northern flank. In the distance, you can still see the same explosions of lava that guided the way for passing ships in ancient times.

Go with the flow in Catania’s fish market

Catania’s raucous fish market, La Pescheria, which takes over the streets behind Piazza del Duomo every workday morning, is pure street theatre. Tables groan under the weight of swordfish, prawns and trays full of clams, mussels, sea urchins and all manner of less familiar sea life. The bargaining, the filleting, the clamor, it’s absolutely riveting. Surrounding the market are seafood restaurants dishing up ultra-fresh delicacies like the locally beloved zuppa di pesce (seafood soup).

Bask in the glow of Noto’s cathedral

Dominating Noto’s skyline, Basilica Cattedrale di San Nicolò ’s golden-hued dome is one of Sicily’s baroque masterpieces. It had to undergo extensive renovation after its dome collapsed during a thunderstorm in 1996 . The ensuing decade saw the cathedral scrubbed of centuries of dust and dirt while other renovations undid centuries of benign neglect. See how many architectural styles you can identify in this grand pastiche of design.

Dive into one of the Med’s best sites

The fabulous Area Marina Protetta di Ustica, a marine reserve off Ustica’s western shore, is one of the Mediterranean’s top dive sites. It’s divided into three zones, of which Zone A is the most spectacular, extending along the west flank of the island from Punta Spalmatore to Punta Megna. Fishing, boating and diving are prohibited. All the better as two of the island’s most beautiful natural grottoes – the Grotta Segreta (Secret Grotto) and the Grotta Rosata (Pink Grotto) – are located here.

Hike to a beautiful beach on lonely Lampedusa

One of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches is also one of the hardest to reach. Cala Pulcino is the most remote beach on Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost island. There may be little sand but the pebbles are fine and the cove’s dramatic and lonely setting between two rocky headlands make it a wonderful place to linger. Lampedusa’s prettiest hiking trail leads here (30 minutes one-way). Alternatively, you can get a boat from elsewhere on the island.

Catch Greek drama in a stunning 2500-year-old theater

Watch classic Greek dramas at the Festival del Teatro Greco, in the same Syracuse theater where Aeschylus once sat. From early May to early July the theater hosts live performances of Greek plays (in Italian), attracting Italy’s finest performers. Constructed in the 5th century BCE and rebuilt in the 3rd century, the 16,000-capacity amphitheater is an essential sight even when the stage is empty.

Swim Sicily’s clearest waters

Slip into the electric-blue waters at Cala Rossa, an untamed sandless cove on Favignana’s north shore. It’s an exhilarating spot for a seafaring dip. Flop out afterwards on the rocks to dry – there is no sandy beach. A highlight of the Egadi Islands, which are known for their good swimming, you reach the cove on a dirt path with a steep scramble down to the crystal-clear water.

Experience 2500 years of history in one cathedral

Built on the skeleton of a 5th-century BCE Greek temple to Athena (note the Doric columns still visible inside and out), Syracuse’s 7th-century duomo (cathedral) became a church when the St Paul passed by. Its most striking feature is the columned baroque facade (1728–53) added after the 1693 earthquake. The original temple was renowned throughout the Mediterranean, in no small part thanks to Cicero, who visited in the 1st century BCE.

Get your art on in a gorgeous palazzo

One of Palermo’s grandest aristocratic palaces, the 16th-century Palazzo Branciforte, is now an impressive, cultural center. Tours take in the library as well as the Monte di Santa Rosalia, a spectacular, timber-framed exhibition space that houses an important collection of traditional Sicilian pupi (puppets). The ground-floor archaeological collection boasts over 4750 objects.

Check out 2000-year-old monsters and chariot races

Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina is home to some of the world’s finest Roman mosaics. Buried for centuries under a layer of mud, they stand out for their scale, use of color, and scenes of mythological monsters and bikini-clad women working out with weights. Don’t miss the chariot race which is right out of Ben Hur.

Save room for Sicilian desserts

Sicily has two signature desserts. Cassata siciliana is a concoction of ricotta, sugar, candied fruit and chocolate, flavored with maraschino liqueur, encased by sponge cake and topped with green icing. Cannoli are crisp tubes of fried pastry dough filled with creamy ricotta and variously decorated with a maraschino cherry, candied fruit, cinnamon, chocolate and/or nuts. You’ll find both on restaurant menus and at pasticcerias (pastry shops).

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The UK is the latest country to consider COVID-19 booster shots for travel. As the government rolls out the booster program to the under-50s, prime minister Boris Johnson said three shots, rather than two, could soon be the requirement of the COVID pass that allows people to travel and bypass self-isolation.

The UK is joining the US and several other countries by offering booster shots to more adults amid fears of waning immunity. At a press conference this week, Johnson said that rolling out top-up doses is key to avoiding domestic restrictions and will make "life easier in all kinds of ways," for those who are eligible, including for international travel.

“It’s very clear that getting three jabs—getting your booster—will become an important fact," Johnson said via the Guardian. "As we can see from what’s happening, the two jabs sadly do start to wane, so we’ve got to be responsible and we’ve got to reflect that fact in the way we measure what constitutes full vaccination."

Read more: How will Europe's new COVID-19 restrictions affect your travel plans?

As the effects of the second dose gradually wear off, more countries are requiring a third shot for improved immunity and aspects of daily life and travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC) reports that about 15% of adults in the US have received a top-up dose as it widens its booster program, though the US is not currently requiring one for travel.

What countries require booster shots for travel?

In August, Croatia became the first country in the EU to add an expiry date to vaccine passports in line with when the holder was inoculated. According to the government, travelers need to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Croatia if more than 270 days (nine months) have passed since their last dose of an approved vaccine. Austria also placed a 270 day maximum validity period on their vaccination certificates for travelers, while Switzerland has an 12-month time limit and Israel has a six-month limit in place.

In France, where the booster shot is being rolled out to the over-65s, it has become a requirement of the health pass that people use to visit restaurants, museums and to board long-distance trains. How the UK will enforce a similar requirement is not yet clear. The NHS app does not currently display booster shots on the COVID pass but Johnson said the government was "making plans" to add that function before the jabs are a requirement for travel (which the BBC reports may not happen until spring 2022).

If this trend continues, it's possible that travelers will need to stay up-to-date with their vaccines before planning any international trips. "There are currently recommendations for regular boosters for many vaccines, particularly for international travelers, including influenza, hepatitis A, yellow fever, typhoid, etc.," Dr. Bob Bollinger, a professor of infectious diseases at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, tells Lonely Planet. "Since travelers already should review their vaccinations prior to their overseas trips and get boosters as needed, it would not be a major issue to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list."

When should you get a COVID-19 booster shot?

In the US, the CDC has said that people who were initially vaccinated with a Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna vaccine can get a booster as soon as six months after their second dose. Any adult who got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine is eligible for a booster at least two months after the single-dose shot. The CDC has approved mix-and-match vaccines for boosters too. This timeframe and application is widely applied across other countries.

Will booster shots become a regular requirement?

It's likely that people will continue to have vaccines administered on a seasonal basis, particularly as more COVID-19 strains emerge. But according to Dr. Bollinger, we'll have to wait and see. That's because there's still much uncertainty about how often boosters might be required. "It is certainly possible that boosters will be needed periodically for COVID-19. But we don’t yet know how frequently boosters might be needed. We also don’t yet know if, like flu vaccinations, we might need booster vaccinations that are periodically modified to protect against new SARS-CoV-2 strains," he explains.

In the meantime, if you're planning to travel and are concerned your destination may no longer consider you to be fully vaccinated if you're not yet eligible for a booster, check the local embassy or tourist board website for information on entry requirements. There may be alternative solutions such as the option to present a negative COVID-19 test result instead.

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The UK is the latest country to consider COVID-19 booster shots for travel

London is a sprawling city of around nine million people. With its combination of Roman walls, Victorian development, post-WWII rebuilding and pockets of ongoing regeneration, it's a jumble of roads, Tube and train lines, and definitely not the most intuitive city to navigate. However, together with apps, good mapping, signage and a bit of patience, it's possible to visit almost all of the city via public transport. From private train companies, to Transport for London, here's everything you need to know about each mode of transport and the all-important ticketing system.

Tips for taking the Tube (the London Underground)

The London Underground or "the Tube" is the city's subway running across 11 different color-coded lines, with only about 45% of the Underground network actually operating underground. Despite the never-ending upgrades and engineering works requiring weekend closures and escalators out of action, the Tube is overall the quickest and easiest way of getting around the city. It is also usually the warmest place to wait for your transport, except on those rare overground Underground stations.

Beware though the some stations, most famously Leicester Square and Covent Garden, are much closer in reality than they appear on the map, and going underground to travel between them will take much longer than simply walking between them.

The Tube runs roughly 5am to 1am, but when your last train departs varies by line and the day of the week. Several lines (the Victoria and Jubilee lines, plus most of the Piccadilly, Central and Northern lines) run all night on Friday and Saturday to get revellers home (on what is called the "Night Tube"), with trains every ten minutes or so. Fares are off-peak.

Tip for taking the Tube: The Piccadilly Line stops at some of London’s key sights and neighborhoods – Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge – and also runs from all Heathrow airport terminals.

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London's red buses (and the best bus route)

London's ubiquitous red double-decker buses afford great views of the city, but be aware that the going can be slow, thanks to traffic jams and dozens of commuters getting on and off at every stop. There are excellent bus maps at every stop detailing all routes and destinations served from that particular area (generally a few bus stops within a two- to three-minute walk, shown on a local map).

Bus services normally operate from 5am to 11:30pm. Many bus stops have LED displays listing bus arrival times, but downloading an app such as Citymapper to your smartphone is the most effective way to keep track of when your next bus is due.

Top tip for taking the bus: Bus Route 15 is no longer served by heritage Routemaster buses, but is still a useful route for tourists, connecting the Tower of London, St Paul's, the Strand and Trafalgar Square.

Getting around London by foot

London is too large to realistically cover on foot, but once you're in an area of interest, you can't beat walking for proper neighborhood exploration. A good map or GPS is recommended, as London's winding streets can quickly disorientate. Bridges cross the Thames at regular intervals, and there are two pedestrian tunnels beneath the river: one at Greenwich and one at Woolwich.

If you're exploring London in winter, rug up with a warm hat, gloves and scarf. In central London an umbrella is a liability on narrow footpaths, you're better off wearing a waterproof coat. Ice and snow is not uncommon in the depths of winter so watch for slippery streets in the mornings.

Another key hazard for walkers in London can be cyclists, or rather pedestrians are a worry for them. Looking out for cars when you cross the road goes without saying, but in London many streets allow cyclists to ride against a one-way driving system on "contra-flow" lanes. This means you need to look both ways before crossing roads, especially as you won't hear a bike coming!

Cycling is a surprisingly quick way to cross London

Cycling is generally a great way to get around the city, although city traffic can be intimidating for less-confident cyclists, it is important to keep your wits about you. The city has tried hard to improve the cycling infrastructure, by opening new "cycle superhighways" for commuters and "quietways" which are back street cycle lanes for leisure cyclists. The public bike-hire scheme Santander Cycles is particularly useful for visitors with bike-hire docks throughout the city. It costs £2 for unlimited journeys up to 30 minutes and £2 for each additional 30 minutes. Download the app to find the closest bikes, and where there are spots available to drop back your bike near your destination. Cycling is also an excellent option for exploring parks, along the Thames and canal towpaths.

Better on a boat on the Thames

Several companies operate along the River Thames; only Uber Boat by Thames Clippers really offers commuter services, however. It’s fast, pleasant and you’re almost always guaranteed a seat and a view. Thames Clippers boats run regular services between Embankment, Waterloo (London Eye), Blackfriars, Bankside (Shakespeare's Globe), London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Greenwich, North Greenwich and Woolwich piers. Tickets can be bought at the piers, or pay-as-you-go with your Oyster or Contactless card (see Transport passes, tickets and fares below for more info).

London's black-cabs and other taxi options

Licensed black-cab drivers have the Knowledge, acquired over three-to-five years of rigorous training and a series of exams. They are supposed to know 25,000 streets within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross/Trafalgar Square and the 100 most-visited spots of the moment, including clubs and restaurants.

Cabs are available for hire when the yellow sign above the windshield is lit; just stick your arm out to signal one. Fares are metered, with the initial charge of £3.20 rising by increments of 20p over distance-traveled or time-taken, which varies depending on the tariff being used. You can pay via for your journey with a credit or debit card.

Minicabs are cheaper alternatives to getting a black cab, but they must be booked in advance through a cab office or an app and cannot be hailed on the street. Fares are set in advance rather than metered.

Ride-share apps are also in operation in London, although their introduction and impact on the city from undercutting traditional black-cabs to accusations of increased car congestion is still hotly debated by locals.

Top tip for taking a black cab: Despite the name, not all of London's black cabs are black! They are broadly all shaped the same, though, and will have a yellow sign above the windshield that says "Taxi".

Driving a car in London

As a visitor, it’s very unlikely you’ll need to drive in London. Much has been done to encourage Londoners to get out of their cars and onto public transport (or on their bikes), and the same disincentives should keep you firmly off-the-road: the additional Congestion Charge (CC) and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fees, extortionate parking costs, the high price of fuel, fiendishly-efficient traffic wardens, and ubiquitous CCTV cameras recording cars parked (even momentarily) on double yellow lines or not giving way when they should... it's probably not worth it.

Riding above the Thames on a cable car

The Emirates Air Line is a cable car linking the Royal Docks in East London with North Greenwich some 90m above the Thames. The journey is brief, and rather pricey, but the views are stunning. The Air Line is step-free and the cable cars can accommodate most motorized wheelchairs.

The DLR (Docklands Light Rail)

The DLR, or Docklands Light Railway, is a driverless train network operating in the eastern part of the city. It's likely you'll take a ride on it if you're heading to the Emirates Air Line cable car.

London Overground and suburban train network

The Overground train network is part of Transport for London and operates beyond the center of London (mostly outside Zone 1). There are various private train companies too, which also run out to the suburbs. The train network is particularly good for any day trips out of London.

Accessible transportation in London

For travelers with access needs, London is a frustrating mix of inconsistent user-friendliness. All tram stops, the Emirates Air Line (cable car) and DLR stations have step-free access, as do all Thames Clippers and most piers (the exceptions are Cadogan Pier, Wandsworth Riverside Quarter Pier and London Bridge City Pier). However, only around a quarter of Tube stations and half of Overground stations have step-free access. This means that if you need to go through an interchange on the Tube network, you may find yourself facing an unexpected flight of stairs. There is often a gap between the train and platform to contend with, as well. Careful planning and notification of a staff member are recommended before you board a train.

Buses are a much better bet: all can be lowered to street level when they stop, and wheelchair users travel free. Wheelchair users enter through the middle doors and have priority use of the wheelchair space over stroller users. All black cabs are meant to be wheelchair-accessible, but power wheelchair users should note that the space is tight and sometimes headroom is insufficient.

Guide dogs are universally-welcome on public transport. Pavements are generally in good repair, pedestrian crossings relatively frequent and well-placed, and kerb cuts sufficient not to leave you stranded. The further you get from the center of London, the more likely it is that you'll have the occasional issue with a missing kerb cut.

Transport passes, tickets and fares

Transport for London operates the integrated transport network in the city and is the best source for up-to-date travel information, including timetables and fares. Children under five travel free with a fare-paying adult. Use the larger automatic gates to pass through with children, strollers, wheelchairs or luggage.

How to pay

You can buy tickets for single journeys at ticket offices and self-service machines at most stations, but it's cheaper and much more convenient to either use Contactless, an Oyster card, or a mobile payment with a smart phone.

Contactless: This is any credit or debit card that allows for contactless payment. You hold it near the yellow card readers at ticket barriers for the Underground and rail systems to mark the start and end of your journey. This is referred to as "touch in, touch out". The cost of the journey will automatically be deducted from your account, although beware that overseas transaction fees may apply.

Oyster cards: These are pre-paid reusable cards that can be topped up with funds. They are sold at most stations and many newsagents (£5 charge) and follow the same "touch in, touch out" system.

Bus journeys: Buses are all cash-free, meaning you must either have a ticket in advance or pay with Contactless or an Oyster card when you board. You only need to "touch in" at the start of your journey. You will pay a flat-fee no matter how long you are on board.

Travel Zones for Tube and rail

The city's Tube and rail systems are divided into zones, radiating outwards from Zone 1 in the very center to Zone 9 as the outer section in Greater London to the north (it goes as far as Zone 6 to the south). Fares are capped, so providing you use the same card/device through your day and travel within the zones system, you'll pay a reduced Travelcard rate. If you're taking a train beyond the zones, perhaps for a day trip to the coast or farther afield, you will need to buy a train ticket.

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Many of the best things to do in Sicily are not expensive, as prices are low even by Italian standards. But better still, there is a multitude of great things to do that are completely free.

From art-filled churches to historic markets, spectacular walks to religious processions and ancient sights to modern art, you’ll find wonderful things to do on the island that won’t cost a thing. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Browse Palermo’s street markets

Palermo’s historical ties with the Arab world and its proximity to North Africa reverberate in the street life of the city’s ancient center and nowhere is this more in evidence than in its markets.

Each of the city’s four historic quarters has its own daily street market. Of these, two are highly recommended. Mercato di Ballarò is the most vibrant, filled with stalls peddling household goods, clothes and foodstuffs of every possible description – this is where many residents do their daily shopping.

The Mercato del Capo extends through the warren of lanes and alleyways of the Albergheria and Capo quarters and is the most atmospheric of all. Here, meat carcasses sway from metal hooks, glistening tuna and swordfish are expertly dismembered, and anchovies are filleted. Long lines of stalls display pungent cheeses, tubs of olives and a huge array of fruits and vegetables.

Get wowed by Palermo’s street art

The side streets of Palermo’s centro storico (historic center) pop with bold street art such as playful depictions of fantastical creatures and bold, political murals about immigration and the mafia. You’ll find works in all four of the city’s old quarters.

La Kalsa is home to impressive large-scale murals occupying the walls of a row of apartment blocks on Via Dello Spasimo. One celebrates cultural diversity with a vibrant depiction of a young woman of African descent. For more insight into the city’s ever-changing, ever-expanding street art offerings, check out Street Art Palermo on Instagram.

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Gaze out from Enna’s castle

One of Sicily’s most formidable castles, Castello di Lombardia guards Enna’s highest point, which is at the easternmost edge of the historic center. The original castle was built by the Saracens and later reinforced by the Normans.

The defensive curtain wall is still intact, but only six of the original 20 towers remain, of which the tallest is the Torre Pisano. Accessible from the Cortile dei Cavalieri (one of the castle’s well-preserved inner courtyards), the tower delivers spectacular views over the valley to the town of Calascibetta and to Mt Etna in the northeast.

Be one in a million and follow the Fercolo

On Catania’s Festa di Sant’Agata, more than one million celebrants follow the Fercolo (a silver reliquary bust of St Agatha) along the main streets of the city to honor the city’s patron saint. It’s one of Italy’s largest religious festivals and it takes place February 3–5 every year. A literal highlight is the huge fireworks displays.

St Agatha is venerated for her purported ability to protect the city from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions (that big shadow is Mt Etna) and even the plague. During the festival, the most devoted of followers wear body-length white tunics.

Wander historic Ragusa Ibla

Sicily has plenty of atmospheric old city centers, but Ragusa’s magnificent old town, Ragusa Ibla, is easily one of the most evocative and pedestrian-friendly. It's a joy to wander the labyrinth of lanes weaving through rock-grey palazzi to beautiful, sun-drenched piazzas. It’s easy to get lost but you can never go too far wrong, and sooner or later you’ll end up at Piazza Duomo, Ragusa’s sublime central square.

At the top end of the sloping piazza is the town’s pride and joy, the mid-18th century Duomo di San Giorgio, which boasts a magnificent neoclassical dome and stained-glass windows. Its extravagant convex facade rises like a three-tiered wedding cake.

Join the procession of the misteri

Since the 18th century, the citizens of Trapani have begun a four-day celebration of the Passion of Christ on the Tuesday before Easter Sunday by parading a life-sized wooden statue of the Virgin Mary through the town’s streets. For the following three days, nightly processions of the misteri (life-sized wooden statues) make their way through the old quarter and port to a specially erected chapel in Piazza Lucatelli, where the icons are stored overnight.

The celebration climaxes on Friday afternoon when the guilds carry each of the statues on a 1km-long procession up to Via Giovanni Battista Fardella; the procession returns the following morning. The massive crowds that gather for the processions often reach a peak of delirious fervor.

Go for baroque in Modica

The high point of a trip to Modica – quite literally as it’s up in Modica Alta – is the Duomo di San Giorgio, one of Sicily’s most extraordinary baroque churches. It stands in isolated splendor at the top of a majestic 250-step, 19th-century staircase, its sumptuous three-tiered facade towering above the medieval alleyways of Modica’s old town.

The lavish interior, a sunlit kaleidoscope of silver, gold and eggshell blue, encapsulates all the hallmarks of early 18th century Sicilian baroque. One of the two chapels flanking the central apse houses the equestrian statue of San Giorgio, which is carried through the town during the saint’s annual festival in April.

Hike to one of Sicily’s best views

Jutting dramatically out of the high mountain pastures at the northern edge of the Parco Regionale Dei Nebrodi, the Rocche del Crasto are soaring pinnacles of rock. A favorite hiking destination, the three-hour trail to the summit rewards with views stretching far out over the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Aeolian Islands.

Encompassing the Nebrodi Mountains of northeastern Sicily, the Nebrodi Regional Park is the largest forested area in Sicily. It’s dotted with remote and traditional villages far off the tourist trails.

Count the tombs at the Necropoli di Pantalica

Situated on a huge plateau, the Necropoli di Pantalica is a significant Iron Age and Bronze Age necropolis. The site is surrounded by the wild and unspoiled landscape of the Valle dell’Anapo, a deep limestone gorge laced with walking trails.

More than 5000 tombs of various shapes and sizes are honey-combed along the limestone cliffs. The Unesco World Heritage-listed site is ancient, dating between the 13th and 8th century BCE, and its origins are deeply mysterious. The site is about 25 miles (40km) northwest of Syracuse.

Climb 142 steps in one flight

Caltagirone’s most evocative sight is Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, a monumental staircase that rises from Piazza Municipio to the old church, Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte. Built in the early 17th century to connect the old hilltop center with newer developments around Piazza Municipio, it was originally divided into several flights of steps separated by small squares. These tiers were eventually unified in the 1880s to create the 142-step heart-pounding flight that stands today. The hand-painted majolica tiles are a relatively recent addition, only added in 1956.

It’s all very impressive, although, by the time you get to the top, you’ll probably be more interested in having a sit-down than admiring the tile-work. Fortunately, the grand views will quickly restore your will to move.

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While deserts may be more closely associated with barren, dry characteristics, Palm Springs and the broader Coachella Valley are flush with things to do.

Whether you’re wanting to slow down and unplug with a rejuvenating sound bath or race something fast, southern California ’s Palm Springs and surrounding cities have got you covered.

Hike through culturally rich desert canyons

Explorers of all levels will find a trail to love in culturally significant Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyons. Indian Canyons has more than 60 miles of walking and hiking trails that include encounters with native plants like honey mesquite and yucca (once used by the Cahuilla Indians— the region’s original inhabitants — for food, medicine, and dyes). Tahquitz Canyon features a strenuous hike to get to a 60ft-tall waterfall. There’s room to picnic, meditate, and ride horses, too.

Daily admission fees range from $7–15, and daily interpretive hikes led by park rangers depart from the visitors' centers.

Unplug with a sound bath at the Integratron

Tap into resonant, live sounds of quartz crystal singing bowls while sprawled face up in the acoustically impressive, dome-like structure of the Integratron. The wooden dome was built in Landers in 1958 by George Van Tassel using the joinery technique – without nails or screws – and features views of the desert from its windows. Supposedly, the structure also sits at the center of geomagnetic vortices.

Van Tassel believed in the metaphysical and built Integratron as an attempt to extend human life. These days, the dome is owned by three sisters. Their Sound Bath experience attracts curious and enthusiastic folks chasing relaxation and reflection most Thursdays through Sundays – head here for a brief pause to your frantic daily realities.

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Book a Warbird flight at Palm Springs Air Museum

Reserve a seat on WWII, Korea, and Vietnam War–era aircraft at Palm Springs Air Museum. The museum is arranged across four hangars, and many of its docents once flew the planes exhibited there, including the B-17 multi-engine combat plane and C-47 Skytrain used in military transport.

Palm Springs’ aviation history includes Palm Springs International Airport’s former life as an airbase. During WWII it was used for military training and aircraft maintenance before it was sold to the city following the war.

Buckle up at the BMW Performance Center

If you prefer your machinery on land, head to BMW Performance Center in Thermal. Its driving experiences range from two hours to full-day group or private instruction and time on the track. The Performance Drive experience gets you behind the wheel of several vehicles, such as the X and M series, to navigate tight corners and zippy straightaways, plus an opportunity for an accelerated lap with an instructor – drifting included.

Explore a desert-wide outdoor art exhibition

Local and international artists use the Coachella Valley’s desert landscape as inspiration to create oftentimes large-scale works as part of the biennial outdoor art experience Desert X — from billboards to a completely mirrored ranch-style house, plus towering cubes fashioned out of yellow plastic water gallons. These commissioned pieces aim to challenge our past and future possibilities across universal themes like climate change and the interpretation of home.

Most of the dozen or so installations are free, and typically on display between February through May.

Cruise up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Ascend 8500ft in a rotating tram car to the top of Mount San Jacinto via Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which claims to have the world’s largest rotating tramcars. From above, check out expansive desert views and walk or hike more than 50 miles of trails.

The ride takes 10 minutes, travels 2.5 miles and temps drop nearly 30°F compared to the valley floor. Looking for snow? During winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow camping (permit required) are possible.

Stay at a clothing-optional resort

When it comes to public nudity, American culture skews more conservative than others, which makes clothing-optional hotels and resorts that much more of a novelty. Palm Springs is well-known among the naturist community and is home to a number of clothing-optional boutique hotels and resorts. For example, Desert Sun Resort hosts three swimming pools, a tennis court, a full spa, fire pit areas, and a restaurant. Its original building was constructed in 1943 by actor Errol Flynn. Other options include Tuscany Manor, which opened in 2019, and Desert Paradise Resort for gay men located in Warm Sands neighborhood.

These secluded retreats (both clothed and clothing-optional) became a go-to for the Hollywood crowd in the 1950s, where actors could escape without breaching their studio contracts, which often prohibited travel more than 100 miles from Hollywood without permission. Palm Springs clocks in at 99 miles from Hollywood.

Explore desert tiki culture

America’s tiki (a Maori word for a carved figure) culture dates back to the 19th century. The rise of vaguely Polynesian-themed bars encompasses an exaggerated perspective of Oceania that became an escape for Depression-era Americans following WWII, especially among US soldiers returning home from the South Pacific.

And while the movement isn’t without criticism of cultural appropriation, Palm Springs establishments such as Bootlegger Tiki, Tonga Hut, and Toucans Tiki Lounge and Cabaret – that also offers weekly drag shows – celebrate the cultural phenomenon with kitsch and tropical layered-rum drinks (though rum was originally a Caribbean thing).

Party at Palm Springs Pride

What began as the LGBTIQ+ community's nationwide organization for social equality and acceptance during the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s and '90s has grown to one of the most widely recognized celebrations around the world.

Palm Springs’ Pride is no exception. Its initial iterations began as song and dance performances as part of the “Sizzle” event at the Riviera Hotel. Now in the fall revelers can expect a full week packed with a parade, parties, and events from a golf tournament to rainbow art installations, and a children’s garden hosting arts, crafts, and games.

Similarly, Dinah Shore Weekend is arguably the world’s largest lesbian and queer women event. The music festival began in the early '90s and has since hosted a number of famous musical acts like Salt-N-Pepa, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry. It’s also held in the fall.

If you’re planning travel in the fall, book accommodations well ahead and expect to make restaurant reservations as well.

Feed giraffes at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Feed a towering, gentle giraffe, observe zebras, jaguars and more at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. Its Rhino Savanna habitat is expected to open in 2022, which will include space for two African black rhinos, antelope, and a variety of birds across four acres. Parking is free, and the last admission is at 1pm during summer months, and 4pm all other months.

The zoo’s partnership with KultureCity offers resources for guests with sensory needs such as bags filled with fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones and weighted lap pads. “Headphone Zone” and “Quiet Zone” areas are also located throughout. The Zoo requests a two-week notice for guests who require extra accessibility.

Get yourself in hot water at Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza

When it opens, visitors to Downtown Palm Springs will have more opportunities to experience indigenous history and culture at Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza. Relax at The Spa at Séc-he (meaning boiling water), where geothermally heated water from nearby, magnesium-rich Agua Caliente Hot Spring is pumped in for various treatments. These waters have collected underground for more than 12,000 years and were originally used by the Cahuilla Indians for bathing, healing, and communicating with spirits.

A 48,000-sq-ft museum will also house cultural artifacts, an art gallery, education center and garden. The Plaza is still under construction and expected to open in 2022.

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With 33 amazing beaches, Anguilla is an island where one can really work up an appetite and thirst. For vacationers who gravitate toward the label of “foodie,” Anguilla is a proper slice of paradise.

The range of dining options found on this 16-mile-long Caribbean retreat is nearly endless. You’ll find 5-star oceanfront dining, custom meals by private chefs, eclectic cafes, roadside BBQ stands, food vans, bakeries, and some of the best beach bars in the world. During a stay on Anguilla, you can sample international cuisine one night, authentic local fare another, and then round it all out with a romantic gourmet dinner on the beach. Let’s see what makes the most northern of the Leeward Islands the Caribbean’s undisputed capital of cuisine.

Anguilla’s best in breakfast

Locals and vacationers alike will tell you that French bakery Le Bon Pain is the best way to start your morning. From their Café au Lait to their quiche and fresh croissants, this street-side café, located in Anguilla’s Island Harbour area, is a can’t-miss breakfast winner.

Sit at Le Bon long enough, and you’ll notice a slew of customers ordering their delicious whole-baguette sandwiches to bring back to their hotel for lunch. The occasional chicken or rooster flitting by and clucking a chorus of “see you tomorrow” adds to the ambiance.

Since 1999, breakfast-goers have flocked to Tasty’s restaurant in Anguilla’s South Hill district. The breakfast menu features American, Caribbean, and French fare. Many breakfast customers go for a taste of France with Tasty’s Grand Marnier French Toast, but if you’re in a more savory, New York state of mind, you can’t go wrong with Tasty’s Eggs Benedict.

Cap Juluc a, A Belmond Hotel is one of Anguilla’s longest-running hotel success stories. One reason for their legion of admirers is the breakfast buffet at onsite restaurant Cip’s by Cipriani. Your morning windfall begins with a parade of pastries, fresh juices, fruit, smoothies, and Johnny Cakes, a popular Anguillian baked good. And while at most breakfast buffets, the food is the star, the main event at Cap Juluca just might be the ocean views.

Best restaurants for lunch with a view

Anguilla has the most beautiful beaches in the world, and there are restaurants aplenty that take advantage of the island’s stunning scenery. Straw Hat Restaurant on Meads Bay Beach is all about the view of the strikingly turquoise ocean. Since 1996, Straw Hat owners Peter and Anne Parles have been serving up great food, great drinks, and that incredible scenery. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting Anguilla, your noontime gaze from your table toward the Caribbean Sea may include a mega-yacht stationed on the calm water, a dolphin frolicking in the distance, or a rainbow showing off after a brief Anguilla shower. As for your lunch choice, a wise selection would be a trio of blackened shrimp, mahi-mahi, and lobster tacos.

Sunshine Shack owner/bartender/chef Garvey Lake does business on an almost-too-beautiful-to-be-real stretch of white sand on Rendezvous Bay Beach. The expanse of beach is enormous, the views of neighboring St. Maarten are amazing, and the atmosphere is all-around unforgettable. The beach is ideal for a walk if you want to get in some cardio before you eat. After your stroll, enjoy Sunshine’s Caribbean fare, including chicken, ribs, snapper, and lobster. If you want something completely different to quench your thirst, ask for the “BBC,” a Banana Bailey’s Colada.

Anguillian dinners that are winners

For a truly unique setting, consider Veya Restaurant’s treehouse-style surroundings and visuals. The fun begins as soon as you enter through their lush garden and walk under a wooden arbor. Veya’s signature starter, a shrimp cigar, bursts with Moroccan spices, tomato chermoula, and apricot jam. Thanks to its incredible Caribbean flavors, the jerk tuna with poached pineapple, plantain chips, and red pepper is another favorite.

Some Anguilla vacationers choose to stay in the multitude of private houses, villas (such as Patsy’s Seaside Villa or Shoal Bay Villas), suites, or condos available on the island. A great way to make the most of these accommodations is to hire Private Chef Tyrone Hughes for a day or even the week. Chef Hughes offers 10 menus to choose from, with each including at least three courses. His “Anguilla Way” menu begins with local pumpkin and ginger soup, followed by an entrée of pan-seared blackened mahi-mahi or snapper with sweet potato mash and assorted vegetables flavored with tarragon, mango, and tomato salsa. Dessert features cinnamon and nutmeg pineapple, along with coconut ice cream.

If a craving for authentic island barbecue strikes you during your Anguilla trip, head over to B & D’s BBQ in Long Bay Village. This second-generation, open-air restaurant serves up mouth-watering barbecue chicken, lamb, lobster, fish, and ribs. Some say the secret to their success is mastery of the coal kiln for cooking. Others might say that it’s their Johnny Cake and plantains. But most would probably agree that B & D’s welcoming atmosphere has a lot to do with it, too.

This is just a sampling of Anguilla’s top dining experiences. What’s truly amazing is that on an island that’s tip-to-tip shorter than most work commutes, you’ll find a thriving culture of local cuisine alongside restaurants that draw on flavors from every corner of the globe, with new dining concepts opening frequently. Anguilla’s reputation as the Caribbean capital of cuisine is certainly well-deserved.

Discover why Anguilla is the Caribbean’s capital of cuisine

The island of Anguilla is more than just a pretty face. Beyond the beautiful beaches, travelers can make a connection with the essence of the island and explore what makes Anguilla unique. Converse with locals, explore unexpected spots that aren't on your itinerary, and savor every memory.

Where does one start to scratch beneath Anguilla's pristine surface? There's no exact science as to how to make your Anguilla connection. We can begin by exploring the island's long and storied history, people, culture, food, drink, traditions, businesses, and favorite diversions.

Anguilla: How it all got started

As gorgeous as Anguilla's 33 beaches are, you would think you'd be elbow-to-elbow with tourists. Part of what makes Anguilla so appealing is the ability to step out on a beach and discover that you are enjoying this exquisite moment all by your lonesome.

When considering the appeal of Anguilla's modern-day solitude, it's possible to comprehend the Arawak Indians arriving from South America and realizing this place was something special. The Arawaks called the island Malliouhana, their word for serpent, describing Anguilla's thin, eel-like shape. It wasn't until 1650 that the British arrived and colonized Anguilla.

Next, there was a period in which Anguilla was caught in a power struggle between Great Britain and France. After Britain gained control, Anguilla was placed under the administrative authority of St. Kitts. Finally, in 1980, Anguilla officially separated from St. Kitts, and the island has since thrived as a British overseas territory.

Anguilla's best history and wildlife tours

Anguilla is lucky enough to have an organization that preserves the island's past. The Anguilla National Trust is the voice for Anguilla's national heritage. Their tours offer visitors the chance to explore 1000-year-old petroglyphs carved into the rock walls at Big Springs and visit the Wallblake Plantation House, which dates back to 1787 and has witnessed much of the island nation's history.

Through the Trust, outdoor-minded vacationers can even go on a Turtle Patrol to observe the nesting sea turtles at 15 different beaches. Birders will leap at the Sombrero Island Tour, which offers a chance to spot rare native birds and reptiles.

If you're looking to stay at a tropical resort that is drenched in history, consider Carimar Beach Club on Meads Bay. This landmark hotel opened in 1985 and offers one and two-bedroom suites. The staff at Carimar graciously share island history at their oceanfront setting.

Anguilla's favorite food

Food can bridge generations with recipes and traditions handed down over the years. The one food that captures Anguilla's essence and heritage for many would have to be Johnny cakes.

This biscuit or flatbread comprised of flour, cornmeal, and baking powder is a wonder that goes with anything and everything: Breakfast, lobster, ribs, chicken, even shrimp. You can find it on the menus at Palm Grove Bar and Grill, Tasty's, and Veya's.

A rum lover's paradise

Rum is the spirit of choice in the Caribbean. That is certainly the case at Elvis' Beach Bar on Sandy Ground.

Since 2007, customers have flocked to the bar for Elvis's famous Rum Punch. Behind his rustic bar crafted from an Anguillian racing boat, Elvis pours a delicious concoction of rum, orange and guava juice, amaretto, and fresh nutmeg.

Elvis also designed the menu at Anguilla Great House ’s Coconuts beachfront bar, so those who can’t get enough of his flavors can enjoy authentic drinks on Rendezvous Bay.

For vacationers who desire rum in a more upscale setting, travel to Shoal Bay Beach and the Rhum Room at Zemi Beach House Resort. Choose from over 90 rums originating from Antigua, Barbados, Bermuda, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Peru, Trinidad, and Venezuela.

The music men of Anguilla

If music is the soundtrack to Anguillian life, then Bankie Banks Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay is a cornerstone. Banks, who has performed with artists such as Bob Dylan and Jimmy Buffett, oversees his operation while serving savory barbecue, cold drinks, and outstanding live music.

Banks is also the founder of Moonsplash, the Caribbean's longest-running music festival. Reggae acts from around the globe travel to perform on the island.

Michael "Dumpa" Martin is another Anguillian whose Steel Pan music has impacted generations. Martin's Pan Fusion band showcases a mix of soca, calypso, and jazz that regularly plays at school and community events on the island.

Boating: Anguilla's national pastime

One way to get an Anguillian fired up is to ask who will win the Anguilla Day Boat Race, which takes place each year on May 30th. Nearly the whole island shuts down to either participate or watch this national event.

Boatbuilding, boat racing, and the sheer joy of sailing have deep roots in Anguilla. The boat races begin around Easter and then build to a frenzy during Anguilla Day on May 30th and the Anguilla Summer Festival, occurring throughout the first week of August.

A boat tour or charter is a great way for vacationers to feel Anguilla's sporting passion, as well as explore its 37 miles of coastline. Boat captains share Anguilla's geography, history, and culture during leisurely tours to neighboring Dog Island, Prickly Pear, Sandy Island, Little Bay, and Scrub Island. It's the perfect way to appreciate Anguilla's beauty and rich culture, all at the same time.

Experience the island by exploring Anguilla’s heritage and culture

Anguilla as a vacation destination can be described as a "best of both worlds" Caribbean paradise.

For the traveler whose vacation dream is simply walking along a stretch of powdery white sand, Anguilla's 33 beaches are in a class by themselves. Grab a book, grab a drink, and decompress in near-perfect 80-degree temperatures.

For the traveler who likes to take in all that a destination has to offer, Anguilla aims to please. Scenic diversions range from boat charters, island hopping, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, paddle boarding, golf, tennis, ATV routes, horseback riding, and a nightlife scene offering legendary food, music, and drink.

Anguilla By Sea

A day trip to Prickly Pear Cays is one of Anguilla's most popular island excursions. Imagine arriving on an uninhabited white sand beach that is perfect for snorkeling. Swim, birdwatch, sip a cocktail, or go exploring on Prickly Pear. Top off your day with a scrumptious meal at the Prickly Pear Bar & Restaurant. Excursions can be booked through boat charter services such as Calypso Charters Anguilla.

The Gourmet Catamaran Excursion is smooth sailing aboard a luxury cruising boat. You and seven other passengers will enjoy an itinerary featuring ocean views, beaches, and gastronomy. On your trip, you'll view Anguilla's best beaches, islands, and cays, with opportunities to snorkel, paddleboard, and kayak, although the highlight of the adventure just might be the four-course gourmet lunch served aboard.

Since 1984, vacationers have made the half-day trip to Sandy Island an integral part of their Anguilla escape. Departing from Sandy Ground, your arrival at this one-mile strip of sand might feel like stepping into "Robinson Crusoe." Once your toes are in the sand, enjoy drinks, food, music, and chats with the occasional yachtie coming on-site to see what's happening.

Additionally, many accommodation options on the island make exploring the ocean easy. The Carimar Beach Club, for example, has a concierge that can help you book excursions and offers free rentals of snorkeling equipment. Or, simply enjoy the easy beach access offered by most hotels such as Royal Palms Holiday Suites, which also features a secluded pool.

Anguilla By Land

Most vacationers are surprised to learn that Anguilla is home to a world-class golf course. Seven of the 18 holes at the Greg Norman-designed Aurora International Golf Club are along the ocean, with panoramic views of St. Maarten. Aurora's Mediterranean-style clubhouse deck also delivers amazing views after your round.

For tennis lovers, there's the Anguilla Tennis Academy located near Blowing Point. This ultra-modern facility features six courts, a locker room, and a pro shop. Just to remind you that you're playing tennis in Anguilla, the facility is surrounded by palm trees.

Seaside Stables Anguilla is a private ranch, and it's the place to go for anyone who has ever dreamed of riding a horse along a deserted beach. Seaside's Paso Fino horses are said to be some of the most gentle and smoothest riding horses in the world.

Anguilla on wheels

One of the best ways to experience Anguilla is to rent a car and just drive. When you see a photo opportunity - pull over. When you see an exciting restaurant - pull over. When you see an entrance sign for a secluded beach or snazzy hotel - pull over. There is a $25 fee for a temporary driver's license while on the island. Most rental car companies will deliver your desired ride right to your hotel.

If you're a vacationer who likes a bit of flair in their automobile, look into renting a Moke from Moke Anguilla. These open-air vehicles are a cross between a golf cart and a jeep. Mokes display a rainbow of colors and tout colorful names such as "Mango," "Starfish," and "Flamingo."

Malliouhana Resort on Meads Bay sits on 25 luxurious acres. A pedaling tour is a relaxing way to take in the resort amenities, flowers, and landscape. Hop on a cruiser bicycle and make your way along their paved bike paths threading throughout the property.

Trying a new activity on Anguilla

If your children accompany you on your Anguilla vacation, consider signing them up for a sailing lesson with the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club. After checking in on the beach at Sandy Ground, a certified instructor will train your child on one of their Hobie Cat sailboats.

If you've never tried stand-up paddleboarding, then Anguilla Watersports will make a believer out of you. Their instructors teach newbies about technique, balance, and building your core strength. Anguilla's calm waters are the perfect place to learn this fun and relaxing sport.

Wouldn't it be great to bring your favorite Anguilla beach memory home with you? AnguillArts offers painting classes and parties by the Caribbean Sea. Contact owner Karen Vendetti for details on setting up a painting party or attending one of her classes.

Anguilla By Night

For some, an Anguilla island vacation is all about making a magic moment. One of the best places to take in an Anguilla sunset is the aptly named Sunset Lounge at the Four Seasons. Located on dreamy Barnes Bay, this bar and restaurant proposes toasting your sunset experience with one of their vintage rums.

Speaking of rum, discover a new favorite by attending the Rum Master Class at the Aurora Anguilla Resort. Peruse their extensive selection of white rums, dark rums, and premium-aged rums. When in Anguilla, sip as the Anguillans do.

On your final night on the island, go all out at reggae legend Bankie Banx's Dune Preserve. This beach bar on Rendezvous Bay is a tribute to driftwood construction, live music, and all things Caribbean. Order up a plate of delicious barbecue and a refreshing rum punch. Even once you've returned home, there's still Bankie's song "Still in Paradise" to remind you of your Anguillan adventures.

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