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weekend breaks | destination San Juan


n GO FOR: Caribbean beaches, with the option of dipping into something more cultural or energetic if desired. n WHY: One of the Puerto Rican capital’s key advantages is it’s a short journey between the airport and the beach. Many resorts line up along the beach at Isla Verde, which isn’t technically part of San Juan but may as well be.


Should something more than two days flopped


on a sunlounger be called for, the short trip into Old San Juan should suffice. Te surrounding fortifications are gloriously photogenic and the rum bars tucked into the atmospheric narrow streets can lead to long, entertaining evenings. If a taste for adventure strikes, the island’s


interior offers rainforest and the Camuy Caves — part of a large network of limestone caves — to explore, while the spectacularly sited Arecibo Observatory is worth a look, too. It’s the largest


radio telescope on earth, and has somehow been built into the gaps between the hills. n WHEN: It’s warm all year round, but humidity is lower between mid-November and late April. n STAY: A few minutes from San Juan airport and with great resort facilities, the InterContinental backs on to one of the island’s finest beaches. Doubles from $297. icsanjuanresort.com n WHERE NEXT: If you want another fly-and-flop weekend, sleepy Tobago fits the bill. Te town of Crown Point is close to the airport terminal.


El Morro fortress, San Juan. Below: Montmorency Falls


Quebec City


n GO FOR: Heritage looks and a European feel. n WHY: Founded by the French in 1609, Quebec City is one of North America’s oldest cities and is remarkably well preserved. Te Upper Town fortifications go back as far as 1620, while the twin-spired Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. If this sounds more like a European city than


a North American one, that’s the general vibe. Quebec City is the best way of getting that Euro dose without crossing the Atlantic. Te Petit de Champlain district is particularly


atmospheric — it’s crammed with restaurants, boutiques and art galleries, as well as hosting the Musee de la Civilisation, arguably the country’s best exploration of its indigenous cultures. Nature-lovers are in luck, too. Te whale watching cruises and ferry trips taking in the


spectacular Montmorency Falls (higher than Niagara Falls) are good options for those not content landlubbing. n WHEN: Aim for the summer months, from mid-May to late September, to enjoy the most appealing weather. n STAY: Dating back to the 19th century, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac — a National Historic Site of Canada — is a genuine icon of the city, and a textbook example of a beautiful and relaxing urban resort. Doubles start at C$260 (US$284). fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec n WHERE NEXT: St Augustine in Florida is the oldest European-established settlement in North America. Numerous sites, including Fort Matanzas and the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, still hark back to the Spanish era. u


summer 2014 | ASTAnetwork | 79


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