Cuba Country Guide Cuba swings to a different rhythm, and at first it can be hard to get the beat. Opinions are divided on the effect of Castro, 40 years of US blockade and the collapse of the Soviet Union. They have health care, education, food and work but Cubans are still not free to say what they think. Fortunately, the country has undergone a transformation since it opened its doors to global tourism i ...

Madrid Travel Guide Swashbuckling Madrid celebrates itself and life in general around the clock. A vibrant crossroads, Madrid—the Spanish capital since 1561—has an infectious appetite for art, music, and epicurean pleasure, and it's turned into a cosmopolitan, modern urban center while fiercely preserving its traditions. The rapid political and economic development of Spain following the arrival of democrac ...

Boston Travel Guide There's history and culture around every bend in Boston—skyscrapers nestle next to historic hotels while modern marketplaces line the antique cobblestone streets. But to Bostonians, living in a city that blends yesterday and today is just another day in their beloved Beantown. And though you might be tempted, it's difficult to fit a stereotype to this city because of Boston's many layers ...

Kyoto Travel Guide You walk through 11 centuries of Japanese history when you walk through Kyoto. Of course, the city has been swept into the industrialized, high-tech age along with the rest of Japan—plate-glass windows dominate central Kyoto, and parking lots have replaced traditional town houses. But magnificent temples and shrines, perfect gardens, and the pursuit of traditional arts bring to life Kyoto ...

Marrakesh Travel Guide Pearl of the South, Jewel of the South, The Rose City—just a few of the nicknames Marrakesh has acquired over the years. The pearl and the jewel symbolize its importance as the center of Morocco ever since it was a trading and resting place on the crossroads of ancient caravan routes from Timbuktu. The rose attests to a city still painted entirely in salmon pink, in keeping with the r ...

Jerusalem Travel Guide Jerusalem is a city suspended between heaven and earth, east and west, past and present—parallel universes of flowing caftans and trendy coffee shops. For some people, Jerusalem is a condition, like being in love; for others, it is a state of mind, a constant tension between rival flags and faiths, or members of the same faith. You may feel moved, energized, or swept into the maelstro ...

Bangkok Travel Guide Bangkok's endless maze of streets is part of its fascination and its complexity—getting around a labyrinth is never easy. Although the S curve of the Chao Phraya River can throw you off base, it's actually a good landmark. Most of the popular sights are close to the river, and you can use it to get swiftly from one place to another. Also look at the Skytrain and subway to help you navig ...

Florence Travel Guide Florence, the city of the lily, gave birth to the Renaissance and changed the way we see the world. For centuries it has captured the imagination of travelers, who have come seeking rooms with views and phenomenal art. Florence's is a subtle beauty—its staid, unprepossessing palaces built in local stone are not showy. They take on a certain magnificence when day breaks and when the sun ...

Moscow Travel Guide Moscow is an in-your-face metropolis that can often overwhelm with monstrous-sized avenues, unbearable traffic jams, and a 24-hour lifestyle à la New York or London that seems to exclude any peace and harmony. But behind that brash facade is a city that has been built up and knocked down and built up again for centuries and where, with a little guidance, a visitor can find those quiet mo ...

Acapulco Travel Guide The center of Acapulco is on the western edge of the bay. The streets form a grid that's easy to explore on foot. Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, a wide coastal boulevard, runs the length of the bay and is lined with hotels, restaurants, and malls. You can explore the strip by taxi, bus, or rental car, stopping along the way to shop. You'll also need a vehicle to get to Acapulco Diamant ...