so you will see huge 3,000-year-old trees and equally ancient glacial lakes. Head for the outskirts of town as, by the fi shing port of Angelmo, there is one of the best fl ea markets in South America. Stall after stall stacked with alpaca shawls, Lapiz Azul jewellery and other local craftware are all on show at bargain prices – especially if you indulge in the local sport of haggling.
NEW FOR 2012 PULA Croatia Found on the heart-shaped Istrian peninsula, it’s easy to fall in love with the 3000-year-old city of Pula. Its history starts with the myth of the Argonauts’ search for the Golden Fleece and the infl uence of successive civilisations can be seen throughout its streets. Standing inside its splendid amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world, you can almost hear the clash of swords. Other reminders of Roman rule include the Temple of Augustus and the Gate of Hercules. Fine examples of 19th Century Austrian architecture date from its time as the main naval port of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
PUNTA ARENAS Chile The small Chilean port of Punta Arenas is set against the rugged, mountainous landscape of Patagonia. The town itself boasts several good museums (one open air) recording its early history and the wool boom years. But easily the most popular tours are to nearby penguin reserves. The largest is along the coast where 50,000 Jackass Penguins come to breed every year.
QUEBEC Canada Quebec City is a living testimonial to the grace of Old Europe. Its steep cobbled streets make an atmospheric counterpoint to the trees blazing crimson, yellow and gold and creating one of the most dazzling spectacles on earth. Artists display their wares in its tree-lined squares and Europhiles can shop for fi ne antiques and savour fi ne coffee, croissants and La Vie Francais in Parisian-style pavement cafés. Do not miss the magnifi cent view from the turrets of medieval-style Chateau Frontenac, which dominates the city.
RABAUL Papua New Guinea The inside of a large collapsed, volcanic crater is an unusual place to house a town, but this is exactly where you will fi nd Rabaul. The natural curve has created a sheltered harbour, mostly fi lled by Blanche Bay. Enjoy a journey along Tunnel Hill Road and traverse the slopes of an active volcano above Simpson Harbour. If you are interested in the history of this island, tour the Kokopo War and Cultural Museum or the Bita Paka War Cemetery.
NEW FOR 2012
RAPALLO Italy Overlooking Rapallo harbour is a small castle originally built to defend against pirates, today it welcomes visitors from all over the world to this pretty Italian resort. Situated in a sheltered spot on the Golfo del Tigullio, the town, which is famous for its lace-making, is a year-round destination thanks to its temperate climate. The ancient Saline Gate leads from the attractive palm- lined promenade to Rapallo’s historic centre and many interesting buildings such as the church of Santi Gervasio e Protasio. Reached by cable car, the Sanctuary of Montallegro is the area’s most important religious centre.
Built in 1558 to honour a picture left by the Virgin Mary when she appeared to a local farmer, it offers views of the sea and surrounding countryside.
RECIFE Brazil Sometimes called the ‘Venice of Brazil’ because of its numerous waterways and many bridges, Recife was named after the coral reefs that line its coast. The waterfront area, Boa Viagem, has the city’s fi nest beach and from Gracas you can explore the old city. Recife’s deep cultural roots are notable and it is one of Brazil’s richest places to explore folk art and craft. Its traditional handicrafts can be found at the Casa da Cultura de Recife, originally a 19th century prison, and at the many markets and festivals dotted around the city. Don’t miss the charming narrow alleyways of nearby Olinda, a colonial city founded in 1534 and now a UNESCO world historical monument.
REUNION Madagascar Located in the Indian Ocean just east of Madagascar is the island of Reunion – a haven of French culture and home to a wildly mountainous countryside. Highlights include the peaks of the still-active Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges, the island’s highest point. Visit the capital Saint-Denis and enjoy its brassieres, bistros and continental café culture or swim in the lagoons of St-Gilles-les Bains. Garden lovers will delight in the village of La Petite France which is the centre of the geranium growing district.
REYKJAVIK Iceland The name means ‘Smoky (or Steamy) Bay’ and Reykjavik’s reputation as a truly cultural, cosmopolitan city, with great restaurants and lively nightlife, has made it a hugely popular destination. Reykjavik – and most of Iceland for that matter – is not actually icy at all. It may be the most northerly capital in the world and in the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’, but if you want ice, you have to travel away from the capital on one of the exciting glacier safari tours. But the most popular destination remains the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, where minerals bubble up from 1,520 metres below the earth’s surface.
RHODES Greece You may feel as though you have stepped back in time when you arrive in Rhodes’ magnifi cent walled Old Town – the largest inhabited medieval town in the whole of Europe. This historical place has made the island the most popular tourist destination in the Dodecanese. Visit the 14th century Palace of the Grand Masters and Hospital of the Knights of St. John, the pink- domed, 16th century Mosque of Suleyman and the Byzantine Museum, housed in an 11th century church. Make time too to visit Lindos, with its ancient Acropolis.
Reykjavik
RIGA Latvia Latvia’s capital, Riga, dates back to the 1100s, and since then it has been controlled by the Swedes, the Poles and most recently the Russians. Now it has regained independence, the locals are embracing western culture with enthusiasm while still retaining its historic heart. A stroll through the narrow streets of its walled Old City is a must; take time to view the magnifi cent organ and medieval wall mountings of the Dome Cathedral. Shop for fabulous amber jewellery, fi ne linen and beautifully made wooden toys at the shops and street markets and look out for the city’s Freedom Monument, which depicts Milda, the spirit of Riga, reaching for the stars.
NEW FOR 2012 RIJEKA Croatia Famous for its annual carnival, Rijeka’s theatres, museums and abundant history make this cosmopolitan coastal city an intriguing destination at any time of the year. The unique Baroque rotunda of St Vitus Cathedral, dedicated to the port’s Patron Saint and protector, is in the old town. He appears again in a relief on the early 16th century city fl agpole outside the Municipal Palace close to the Church of St Jerome, once part of an Augustinian monastery complex. Further stone decorations, this time of fi sh and molluscs, are found in the city’s Great Market. Energetic visitors climb the 500 steps to reach the ancient district of Trsat and the Church of Our Lady of Trsat, the oldest Croatian sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
RIO DE JANEIRO Brazil Rio de Janeiro has much more to offer than sun and sand. You can enjoy breathtaking views from the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, or take a taxi up Corcovado Mountain to view the city’s most famous landmark, the 30 metre-high statue of Christ the Redeemer. Make time too, to visit Praca Floriano, the vast square at the heart of the city which is home to its exquisite Teatro Municipal opera house and close to the city’s best art gallery, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Floriana Square is also the place to catch Rio’s social life at its best – grab a beer at a pavement café and tap your feet to the rhythms of the Samba.
ROATAN Honduras Roatan is one of the three beautiful Bay islands located off the north coast of Honduras. Set on a coral reef and beholding scenic reserves, botanical gardens and some of the fi nest beaches in Latin America and the Caribbean, the eco-tourism sector here is blossoming. Visit Carambola Botanical Gardens and the Roatan Butterfl y Gardens or take a canopy tour to appreciate its natural charms.
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