Lake Agnes Tea House
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise area
Popular hike to a tea house by a beautiful alpine lake.
Plain of Six Glaciers
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise area
Fabulous (but crowded) hike to views of multiple glaciers amidst excellent alpine scenery with a tea house near the top.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Natural thermal mineral spring which gave rise to Banff National Park, the first Canadian National Park.
Keane Wonder Springs and Cyty’s Mill
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Follow the pipeline from the Keane Wonder Mill to find the Keane Wonder Springs and ruins of Johnnie Cyty’s mill.
Montezuma Hot Springs
Location: New Mexico, East of Santa Fe, Montezuma
Historic hot springs in a natural setting.
Avalon Wreck Dive
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Palos Verdes Peninsula
Nice wreck of a late 19th century steamer with some interesting visible machinery remnants.
Keane Wonder Mine
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Hike to the ruins and (closed off) mine shafts from one of Death Valley’s most successful gold mines.
⊗ Keane Canyon ♦
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Technical canyon descent through an area with lots of great mining ruins
Victoria Beach Pirate Tower
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Laguna Beach
Iconic 60 foot tower built on Victoria Beach in 1926 – the tower encloses a spiral staircase which provides private beach access for the property owner.
Old Highway 80
Location: California, San Diego area
Travel the once-thriving Route 80 to see historic road side attractions, abandoned buildings, railcars, and modern day ghost towns
Hagia Sophia ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Iconic Byzantine-era cathedral turned mosque and now a museum; characterized by spectacular architecture and decorative elements including numerous mosaics
Blue Mosque ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Breathtaking Classical Period mosque, particularly notable for its stained glass windows and decorative tiles
Basilica Cistern ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Impressive Byzantine-era cistern supported by marble columns, two of which are notable for having Medusa heads carved into the bases.
Topkapi Palace
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
15th century Ottoman royal palace with extensive grounds and courtyards, a harem, treasury, arms collection, and more.
Grand Bazaar ♦
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
One of the oldest bazaars in the world and featuring over 4,000 shops – a wonderful combination of history, culture, and modern wares.
Great Palace Mosaic Museum
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Museum housing the excavated remains of spectacular mosaics from the 4th century imperial palace
Gülhane Park
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Former palace garden turned into a lovely public park with various historic features
Phaselis
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region, Kemer
Picturesque ruins of an important ancient harbor city sacked by pirates
Chimaera
Location: Turkey, Antalya Region
Mountain used by ancient sailors as a lighthouse, due to flames burning there for centuries because of gas vents in the limestone rock
Machu Picchu
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
One of the wonders of the modern world, the beautifully located ruins of this Incan citadel feature outstanding ruins and nice trails to more remote sites in the complex
Cruzmoqo ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Checkpoint and outlook for the Incan city of Tipon, with beautiful views, ruins of the city walls, and ancient petroglyphs
Pikillacta
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Ruins of a large, pre-Inca cultural site
Saqsaywaman
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Ruins of an Incan fortified citadel complex overlooking Cusco featuring huge, precisely cut stone blocks
Cusco
Location: Peru, Cusco Region
Former capital of the Inca Empire and general tourist Mecca; home to numerous Inca and Spanish colonial historic sites
Hiram Bingham ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Beautifully appointed train offering a luxury travel experience to and from Cusco and Machu Picchu
Tipon ♦
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Large, less visited Incan archaeological site characterized by huge terraces and an extensive canal system
Ollantaytambo
Location: Peru, Sacred Valley
Former royal Incan estate turned stronghold of the Inca Resistance
Choquequirao ♦
Location: Peru, Cusco Region, La Convención Province
Backpacking through spectacular Andean scenery to the ruins of a remote and extensive Incan city
Xunantunich
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Compact, significant Mayan sites with numerous ruins including the notable “El Castillo” with friezes on its upper walls
Pacbitun
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Site of largely unexcavated (and possibly significant) Maya ruins
Caracol
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Major Mayan archaeological site with numerous ruins and structures to explore, including Caana (the Sky Palace)
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) ♦
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Swim into a beautiful cave notable for its excellent cave formations in addition to remarkable Mayan artifacts
Tikal
Location: Guatemala, Northern, Tikal National Park
Famous Mayan archaeological site with numerous temples and complexes; site is also interlaced with trails and provides nice wildlife viewing opportunities
Yaxha
Location: Guatemala, Northern, Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park
Less visited Mayan archaeological site picturesquely located on the banks of a lake
Lake Louise
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise area
Site of an excellent historic hotel on the banks of a beautiful lake that creates excellent ice skating in the winter and is the gateway to numerous hikes in the summer; also home to a large ski resort.
Fairmont Banff Springs
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Fabulous historic hotel that’s great for exploring and has great swimming pools
New Year’s Eve Party
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Excellent New Year’s Eve party in a historic hotel
Miramar Air Show
Location: California, San Diego, Miramar
Great air show featuring historic planes, explosions, and the Blue Angels
Julian
Location: California, San Diego area, Julian
Adorable historic mining town that offers apple picking in the fall and nice hikes
Eagle and High Peak Gold Mine
Location: California, San Diego area, Julian
Historic gold mine restored to its 1870’s appearance with old mining equipment and memorabilia
Daley Ranch
Location: California, San Diego area, Escondido
3,000 acre reserve of historic ranch land featuring numerous hiking trails and historic barns and buildings
Doane Valley
Location: California, San Diego area, Palomar Mountain
Hike through pretty scenery including a pond, creek, rolling hills, and the ruins of a 1920’s dam and gauging station
The Huntington
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Pasadena
Historic large estate with numerous excellent gardens, an art collection, and library housing rare books and manuscripts
Mt. Lowe Railway
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Hike the route of the historic Mt. Lowe railway, exploring the ruins of the two major stops along the route
⊗ Rubio Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Canyoning through a historic area with multiple waterfalls and a few ruins
⊗ Little Santa Anita Canyon
Location: California, Los Angeles area, San Gabriels
Nice beginner canyon with a straightforward approach, lots of rappels, and an occasional keeper pothole; optional extension on the approach through a historic area with a few ruins
Crystal Cove State Park
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Laguna Beach
State Park with hiking and a historic seaside colony with cottages from the 1930’s
Wayfarers Chapel
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Palos Verdes Peninsula
Lovely chapel designed by Lloyd Wright in a picturesque setting
Santa Rosa Plateau
Location: California, Los Angeles Area, Temecula
Large preserve with woodlands, wetlands, prairie, and vernal pools
La Brea Tar Pits
Location: California, Los Angeles
Famous ice age fossil site with ongoing excavations and a museum
Zzyzx ♦
Location: California, South Central Desert, Northeast of Los Angeles
Abandoned buildings and infrastructure of a 1940’s era Health Resort on the edge of the Mojave Desert
Calico Ghost Town
Location: California, South Central Desert, Northeast of Los Angeles
Commercialized ghost town with some authentic buildings that’s a fun tourist stop between LA and Vegas
Tahquitz Canyon
Location: California, South Central Desert, East of Los Angeles
Quick hike through a canyon previously inhabited by the Agua Caliente band of the Cahuilla Indians to a nice (largely seasonal) waterfall
Avalon
Location: California, Channel Islands, Santa Catalina Island
Resort community originally developed in the early 1900’s and retaining much of its historic charm
Mission San Antonia de Padua
Location: California, East of Big Sur
Mission founded in 1771 with a mission church, garden, museum, and extant ruins of equipment intended to support a community around the mission which never materialized
Stöng
Location: Iceland, Southern, Thjórsárdalur
Excavated remains of a 12th century longhouse
Thingvellir
Location: Iceland, Southwest Iceland, Golden Circle
Interesting National Park with a storied history and set between tectonic plates creating a picturesque landscape above ground and the famous Silfra Fissure, which can be explored via either snorkeling or diving
Biltmore
Location: North Carolina, Asheville
Late 19th century country estate of the Vanderbilts, offering various options to tour the house and grounds, all of which are very nice
Judaculla Rock
Location: North Carolina, Tuckasegee
Large soapstone boulder covered in mysterious petroglyphs that pre-date the Cherokee
Hemingway Home
Location: Florida, Key West
The home of Ernest Hemingway and his family for ten years, and home to a large population of adorable six-toed cats descended from Hemingway’s favorite cat
Shipwreck Treasures Museum
Location: Florida, Key West
Museum highlighting the wreck salvage business that flourished in the 1800’s due to the large number of shipwrecks occurring in the area
Fort Jefferson ♦
Location: Florida, Key West area, Dry Tortugas National Park
Awesome historic island fort (complete with a large moat!) turned prison which held the Lincoln assassination conspirators
Pioneer Saloon
Location: Nevada, South of Las Vegas, Goodsprings
Still operational saloon built during the boom period of the Goodsprings mining town in the early 1900’s
Salem
Location: Massachusetts, Salem
Historic town famous for the 1692 Witch Trials and home to The House of the Seven Gables
Castle Hill ♦
Location: Massachusetts, Ipswich
Historic estate with extensive grounds and various outbuildings – perfect for exploring, particularly if you’re here in the off season and have the place to yourself
Gibbet Hill
Location: Massachusetts, Groton
Picturesque ruins of small castle built in 1906
Mount Washington
Location: New Hampshire, White Mountains
Classic hike to the summit of Mt. Washington, famous for its unpredictable and remarkably bad weather
Covered Bridges of Bath
Location: New Hampshire, Bath
Two very nice covered bridges in close proximity; also home to what’s reputed to be America’s oldest General Store
Diana’s Baths
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett
Nice series of cascades and pools which are great for swimming in warm weather
Frankenstein Trestle ♦
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett area, Crawford Notch State Park
Hike to the scenic Frankenstein Trestle, which bridges a sheer cliff face along the Conway Scenic Railroad; particularly great during the autumn with fall colors
Kalaw
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Former British hill station with a nice hike through pretty scenery to a hill tribe village
Santa Barbara
Location: California, Southern Pacific Coast, North of Los Angeles
Great coastal city with various sites of historic interest, including the courthouse built in 1929, a mission founded in 1786, a Chumash painted cave, and a stagecoach-era tavern that’s still in operation
San Luis Obispo
Location: California, Southern Pacific Coast, South of Big Sur
Nice town with a picturesque spot for some mediocre climbing, a mission founded in 1772, and a large coastal sand dune system
Cambria
Location: California, Southern Pacific Coast, South of Big Sur
Adorable town for a weekend getaway with several nearby attractions, including the excellent Hearst Castle
Moanalua Valley to Haiku Stairs ♦
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Excellent ridge hike with Jurassic Park-esque views leading to the top of the famous Haiku Stairs (where they can be legally viewed without trespassing) and World War II era top secret military radio station
Rolous Temple Complex
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Siem Reap Area
Lesser visited temple complex a short distance away from the main Angkor Wat complex
Angkor Thom
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Siem Reap Area
Walls, gates, towers, and causeways of the last capital of the Khmer empire
Angkor Wat
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Siem Reap Area
Iconic, well-preserved massive temple structure with three levels, five towers, covered galleries, a moat, and sandstone relief carvings
Prasat Bayon
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Siem Reap Area
Ornate temple in the Khmer baroque style with a multitude of carved stone faces
Prasat Krachap
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Koh Ker
Large complex lying mainly in ruins, notable for the inscriptions covering the doorways and pillars of the western gate
Prasat Krahom
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Koh Ker
Interesting red temple in the Prasat Thom complex, famous for its unusual lion statues
Prasat Pram ♦
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Koh Ker
Site of ruined temple buildings with extremely picturesque strangler fig on-growth
Prasat Thom
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Koh Ker
Koh Ker’s main temple complex, featuring Prasat Prang, a unique seven-tiered step pyramid
Preah Khan ♦
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Siem Reap Area
Excellent ruined temple left in a stabilized unrestored condition, complete with excellent vegetative growth on and around the ruins
Ta Som
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Siem Reap Area
Small temple left in a state of picturesque stabilized neglect
Ta Prohm
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Siem Reap Area
Extremely picturesque temple in a state of stabilized neglect, famous for being featured in Tomb Raider
Beng Mealea ♦
Location: Cambodia, Northern, Kulen National Park region
One of the Khmer Empire’s larger complexes, this site has a great Indiana Jones feel to it and sees few tourists
Cu Chi Tunnels ♦
Location: Vietnam, Southern
War memorial park at the home base of the Viet Cong Tet Offensive, where you can tour the tunnels and buildings used by the fighters
DMZ
Location: Vietnam, Central
Various military sites can be visited in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) including the Hien Lung Bridge and Vinh Moc Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City
Location: Vietnam, Southern
Vietnam’s capital city and home to two war memorial museums (from the war with the US), historic French colonial architecture, and lots of phở
Hue
Location: Vietnam, Central
Early 20th century capital of Vietnam and seat of the Nguyen Dynasty; highlights include the citadel, Imperial City, and Thien Mu Pagoda
Limekiln Trails
Location: California, Central Big Sur
Nice hike through forests to historic limekiln ruins and a waterfall
Partington Cove Trail
Location: California, Northern Big Sur
Tunnel and nice walkways lead to a picturesque hidden cove
Mrauk U ♦
Location: Myanmar, Western, Rakhine State
Former capital of the ancient Arakine Kingdom, Mrauk U is a remote area with a fascinating history and excellent Indiana Jones-esque temples
Yangon
Location: Myanmar, Southern
Largest city in Myanmar, featuring a mix of modern architecture, British colonial buildings, and historic temples and pagodas including the famous Shwedagon Pagoda.
Sunrise Balloon Ride over Bagan ♦
Location: Myanmar, Western Mandalay Region
Balloon ride providing outstanding views of the temples of Old Bagan and the Irrawaddy River.
Bagan
Location: Myanmar, Western Mandalay State
Ancient city and former capital of Myanmar, famous for its historic and picturesque temples and pagodas
Sagar
Location: Myanmar, Western Shan State
Rarely visited ruined royal capital south of Inle Lake, famous for its sunken stupas