Jamaica
With its reggae music, turquoise water, green mountains, and tropical landscapes, Jamaica has much to offer beyond the resorts. Montego Bay, situated on Jamaica’s north coast, is the capital of Saint James Parish and a major cruise ship stop with tons to see and do. If you’re a fan of Johnny Cash, visit nearby Cinnamon Hill, which for decades was the country legend’s Jamaican escape. On the far west side of the island is Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, consistently ranked among the Caribbean’s best beaches. With 7 miles of white sand and tranquil waters shallow enough for wading, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Adventurous souls can leap into the water from Negril Cliffs, on the south side of the beach, or you can just watch from Rick’s Café. A four-hour drive east of Negril is Kingston, Jamaica’s capital. If you’re a fan of reggae music, the Bob Marley Museum is a must. Learn more about the history of Jamaican music in Marley’s former home and studio on your own or as part of an organized tour. A visit to the capital city should also include the National Gallery of Jamaica, one of the Caribbean’s largest public art galleries. A few miles away is Emancipation Park, a popular place for Jamaican families, and there’s often live music in the evenings. Statues commemorating the end of slavery in Jamaica dot the park—be sure to seek out Redemption Song, the park’s most popular statue. Kingston is renowned for its nightlife, so head to Janga’s Soundbar or Ribbiz Ocean Lounge for live music and a traditional Jamaican dinner of jerk chicken or saltfish. Northeast of the capital are the Blue Mountains, where you can hike and visit a coffee farm. Jamaica’s coasts are lined with resorts and hotels. Stay at Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall near Montego Bay, Ocean Cliff Hotel on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, or the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston.
Toronto
With more than 250 ethnic groups calling the city home, Toronto is a place with incredible diversity. Through exploring its many neighborhoods, each offering a distinct feel, you’ll begin to understand the city’s motto: “Diversity, Our Strength.” A visit to Toronto should begin in Old Town. The retail district boasts many restaurants and shops, but the real draw is the St. Lawrence Market, which dates back to 1803 and was recently recognized by National Geographic as one of the world’s best food markets. With 120 specialty food and craft vendors, it might be difficult to decide what to eat, but you can’t go wrong with a peameal bacon sandwich, a local favorite. At the nearby pedestrian-only Distillery District, there are more than 40 boutique shops and restaurants (serving wood-oven pizza, Spanish tapas, and Mexican cuisine), many in restored Victorian industrial buildings. Grab a cup of coffee from Balzac’s, one of the city’s best roasters. Head to Mill Street Brew Pub for a pint or visit Spirit of York Distillery Co. for a cocktail made from local liquor. In the Entertainment District, you’ll find the famous CN Tower—a visit to the top is a must for expansive views of the city. Hockey fans shouldn’t miss the Hockey Hall of Fame, where interactive exhibits and memorabilia provide an overview of Canada’s favorite game. Packed with arts organizations, coffee houses, restaurants, bars, artisan shops, and boutiques, Kensington Market is as diverse as the city is. Just to the south is Chinatown, where you can tuck into Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese food. The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest museums in North America. It holds approximately 90,000 pieces of art, including work from Picasso, Goya, and Rembrandt. Awash in avant-garde details, Gladstone House is the city’s oldest continually operating hotel and makes for a great stay. The Annex has replaced its traditional reception desk with a digital check-in and a lobby wine bar. The rooms are minimalist in design and embody the slogan, “Everything you need and nothing you don’t.”
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Cancun
Best known for its powder-white sand and turquoise waters, Cancun is home to some of Mexico’s most popular resorts and beaches. But it’s also an entry point to the Yucatán Peninsula, where you can explore ancient Mayan ruins, swim in cenotes, and sample the region’s enticing flavors. If you’re staying in Cancun and looking for more than lounging at the beach, head to Xoximilco Cancun by Xcaret, where you can enjoy a floating fiesta on colorful Mexican gondolas, along with dinner, an open bar, and the occasional mariachi band. The Mayan Museum of Cancun holds Mayan artifacts that have been excavated from the region, and your ticket also grants access to the archeological site on the grounds. Although there are nearly 200 Mayan ruins throughout the Yucatán Peninsula, Chichén Itzá is among the largest and most popular Mayan cities; in 2007, it was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It’s an easy day trip from Cancun. Other notable ruins include Tulum, Cobá, and Muyil. If you make the journey to Chichén Itzá, the nearby colonial city of Valladolid is worth a stop. The colorful city is home to the 16th-century convent of San Bernardino of Siena. At night, video mapping lights up the convents, conveying stories about Mayan history. At Casa de los Venados, you will find an impressive display of Mexican folk art; tours begin daily at 10 a.m. An hour south of Cancun, Playa del Carmen’s Quinta Avenida is a two-mile shopping district that runs parallel to the coastline bursting with souvenirs, restaurants, and bars. The all-inclusive Moon Palace Cancun is located just outside the hotel zone and has a full water park for those traveling with children. For an adults-only option, head to Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun, a luxury property known for its hospitality and daily churro cart.
Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt is one of Europe’s major financial hubs, but there’s plenty to see beyond the skyline of its business district. Begin in Römerberg, a quintessential German public square. Bordered by picturesque timber houses, this town center has been a hub of merchant activities since the Middle Ages. Today, you’ll find local artisans and farmers markets. Head to Mainkai Café for a cup of coffee and a traditional German breakfast, then to the nearby Goethe House, where poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born and spent his childhood years. Experience a true German market at Kleinmarkthalle, and stock up on sausages, cheese, chocolate, and wine. Climb the tower at Frankfurt Cathedral for scenic views of the city. Cross the Main River on the Iron Footbridge. There’s no shortage of museums in Frankfurt, and many are conveniently located along the riverwalk. At Städel Museum, see paintings by artists including Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Cranach. Other area museums include the Museum of World Cultures, Frankfurt Historical Museum, and Senckenberg Natural History Museum. (Note: The Museumsurfer ticket provides two-day access to 39 museums in the city.) At Zum Gemalten Haus, try a mixed platter of sausages and sauerkraut, and wash it down with more apfelwein. With black-and-white murals, wooden tables and chairs, and floors covered in a layer of sand, Im Herzen Afrikas serves dishes from Eritrea, including meat and vegetarian options, and sharable mixed platters. Palmengarten is the largest of Frankfurt’s three botanical gardens and has several greenhouses, a small lake for paddle boating, and a special building for butterflies. Every other Saturday, flea markets fill the riverbanks at Sachsenhausen between Eiserner Steg and Holbeinsteg. Consider staying in the Altstadt, Innenstadt, or Bornheim neighborhoods.
Read More: Want to get a taste of Europe without leaving the Midwest? Here are a few internationally inspired destinations within driving distance.
