Mombasa

You may well find yourself in Mombasa for a few hours or an overnight stop. The city is a strange mixture of culture, religion, and history—it's the second oldest trade center with Arabia and the Far East. Today it still plays an important role as the main port for Kenya. Although it lacks the beautiful beaches of the north and south, it has a rich fascinating history. Visit the Old Town with its Arab influence, narrow streets lined with tiny shops and souks (markets), where you can watch an appealing array of traditions and maybe see a belly dancer performing her rhythmic enticing talents in one of the numerous cafés. The Old Harbour, frequented by numerous dhows, is an ideal place to arrange a short cruise on one of these local boats that have plied the oceans for centuries. Fort Jesus, designed by an Italian and built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century, is a major visitor draw and well worth a visit. In summer there's an impressive sound and light show.