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If you’re heading to One Happy Island, you probably intend to spend a lot of time on the beach, but there are some excellent reasons to roll out of that surf-side hammock and explore more of Aruba. Remember that all of Aruba’s beaches are public, so you can take a dip wherever you like as … Continued
Paris is a treasure of neighborhoods and history, and a visit to this glorious city is never quite as simple as a quick look at a few landmarks. But if you have only a day to take it all in, there are some icons that you just can’t miss. Over five days, you’ll have the … Continued
New York City in 1 Day In one day, the best way to soak up Manhattan is to start early and mix together a bit of both downtown and Midtown. So grab New York’s breakfast of champions—coffee and a bagel—and prepare yourself for the morning rush hour on a subway to Battery Park. From this … Continued
If You Have 1 Day Stick to Sacramento 1–15. Begin at Sutter’s Fort 14, and then walk down J Street or take a bus to the Capitol 10 for a free tour. Its huge park is pleasant for picnics. Next, head to Old Sacramento, perhaps detouring past the new home of the NBA Kings, the … Continued
The fun and lively city of Asheville is an hour from the national park but makes an excellent base before and after your time in the Smokies. If you’re coming from the Tennessee side, Knoxville is a fine option. Whichever gateway city you choose, remember that traffic jams are often a problem at the most … Continued
The North Carolina Side in One Day Start early, pack a picnic lunch, and drive to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to pick up orientation maps and brochures. While you’re there, spend an hour or so exploring the Mountain Farm Museum. Drive the half mile to Mingus Mill and see corn being ground into meal … Continued
One Day on the Tennessee Side If you have one day and are entering the park from the Tennessee side, start early, pack a picnic lunch, and drive to the Sugarlands Visitor Center to get oriented. Beat the crowds to Cades Cove Loop and drive the 11-mile round-trip route, stopping to explore the preserved farmsteads … Continued
If you have a car, you can cover Coimbra and the coast in three days. Alternatively, you can veer inland and drive directly to the mountains—just don’t underestimate the amount of time it will take to negotiate those winding mountain roads. If You Have 3 Days Spend your first morning in Coimbra, with a stroll … Continued
You can make convenient loops starting and finishing in Lisbon, or you can extend your travels by continuing south to the Algarve from Beja or Santiago do Cacém. You should allow 10 days to get a feel for the region, exploring Évora and visiting some outlying attractions such as Monsaraz, Castelo de Vide, and Mértola. … Continued
If You Have 2 Days Public transportation is preferable if you’re just hitting the main sights, but renting a car is a good way to get a little off the beaten track and pack a lot of experiences into a short time. Start in Lisbon and drive to Estoril, where you can soak up the … Continued
