Complete Index

Harsh winter air and the cloying cold of January and February call for special treatments and nourishing natural remedies. In New York City, try a visit to the Juvenex Spa, tucked away in Little Korea and offering a variety of soothing treatments. Use the Web sites below to learn more and plan your winter spa getaway.

Berlin heats up in January and February, with several different cultural events to keep visitors and locals entertained, curious and busy. Despite much attention for its cultural achievements and elusive cool over the past year or two, Berlin still pulsates with energy. The city’s artists, musicians and café scene remain invigorating, say travel experts, who’ve called Berlin a must-visit place in 2009.

We all know that Washington, D.C. will be mobbed on Inauguration Day. Wouldn't it be great to see the nation's capital without all those people in the way? Become a virtual tourist with help from the sites below.

The city streets may be clogged with foreign revelers, but Reykjavík is not old news just yet. Due to the fall of the Icelandic krona, 2009 is an affordable time to visit Iceland’s pulsating capital city, which offers plenty of options beyond partying for travelers who know where to look.

Mexico caters to any wintertime traveler, whether your ideal getaway involves lazing at a beach resort, experiencing authentic culture or city life, or getting up close with nature. Learn where the choicest, yet cheapest, all-inclusive resorts are found, find out why butterflies are synonymous with one particular Mexican state, and discover two under-the-radar locales where the quiet life prevails over commercial development.

Hot springs have long been intrinsic to Japanese culture, initially used for medicinal reasons, and now offering residents and visitors a steaming respite from the outside world. A winter getaway to an onsen, which literally means “hot spring” in Japanese, is a perfect way to experience snowy scenery while keeping toasty warm.

Like many countries in Asia and the South Pacific, Japan seems remote and exotic to many Americans—it's around 14 time zones and as many hours away by plane. But you can bridge the distance by reading blogs written by people who have intimate knowledge of Japan: those who live there or who frequently travel there. This is where you’ll find the juicy details that other Web sites leave out: the honest opinions and quirky insights of people of all ages, interests and backgrounds.

Montana’s expansive ski slopes draw families and celebrities alike, drawn by the state’s quiet, adventurous spirit. The state offers two big-name resorts, Big Sky and Big Mountain, but also boasts several other small ski areas where it’s not hard to trek off the beaten path into the Montana backcountry.

Japan boasts centuries of exquisite fine arts and crafts, impressive Buddhist temples and sophisticated garden design, as well as some of the most advanced technology and architecture in the world. With so many aesthetically pleasing sites to visit, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Use the links below to get a virtual sampling of Japan’s unique accommodations and attractions.

Japan, the beautiful island nation in the Pacific Ocean, feels ancient and modern at the same time. Think of Tokyo, the bustling city known for its bright screens of advertisements covering the sides of buildings and people moving in a dozen directions. Less known are the hundreds of islands scattered off the coast of mainland Japan, providing an opportunity for quiet contemplation and discovery. Get a taste of Japan's apparent contradictions through gorgeous photos available online.

Whether coated in white snow or shrouded in stark winter gray, Yosemite National Park takes on a serene identity from December through February. Without summer crowds or hot sun, the park is prime for skiing, skating and quiet hikes to majestic sequoia trees—weather permitting. Suit up in waterproof attire, equip your car tires for icy conditions and prepare to be awestruck by the winter scene at Yosemite.

South Africa has a tumultuous history of colonization and apartheid; a mix of cultures, including English, Afrikaans and Zulu; a variety of wildlife; and several bustling cities. The country provides fertile ground for travelers to explore how these disparate cultures intersect, and the Web provides ample opportunity for travelers to share their discoveries through photos, blogs and videos.

The adventurous city of Carbondale, Colorado, presents an enviable array of outdoor pursuits, but with a lower profile than neighboring Aspen. Laid-back but high-energy Carbondale offers skiing at Mount Sopris, lauded organic food restaurants, and snowy Rocky Mountain scenery.

The next best thing to a South African safari is photos from a South African safari—and lots of them. Through Web cams and abundant uploaded photos, you can take a virtual safari through South Africa's natural wonders and marvel at the resident wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and picturesque cultural centers.

In November, San Francisco is caught between the warm early fall and the approaching winter months. But while Bay Area weather is notoriously difficult to contend with, San Francisco’s array of activity options makes it easy to plan a stay. 

A late fall visit to Pittsburgh presents myriad opportunities for fun. Area slopes are beginning to buzz with skiers and snowboarders, and a downtown landmark was recently recognized for its greatness. If you’re already wincing at the thought of chilly November air, simply head to a Pittsburgh museum, or hang out at the annual film festival; both offer a cozy cultural respite from the encroaching winter.

South Africa is one of the most storied countries on the African continent. Home to some of the earliest human fossils in the world, this small country on the southern coast has an abundance of beautiful natural features and a variety of notable architecture. Read on to discover how the uniquely manmade complements the pristine natural environment in South Africa.

Gauteng is a highly recommended destination for any trip to South Africa. It may be South  Africa's smallest province, but it's home to some of the country's most spectacular landmarks, such as the National Botanical Garden and Union Buildings in Pretoria, the cultural hub that is the city of Johannesburg, and many artistic and natural attractions. In addition, Sterkfontein boasts the "Cradle of Humankind," the location of some of the oldest human fossils ever found.

November in Montreal is made for festivals and meandering city strolls. Stop along the way for flaky pastries and steaming cups of coffee at streetside cafes, enjoy a film festival or free museum exhibit, and dine on regional cuisine in a relaxed neighborhood restaurant. This week, we highlight Montreal’s distinctly autumnal opportunities.

Not only is Cape Town the third largest city in South Africa, it is also a place of great natural beauty and geographic diversity. Cape Town is located at the tip of Cape Peninsula. Its harbor faces forward to the Atlantic Ocean while the city's backdrop is Table Mountain, rising to more than 3,000 feet. Two almost vertical peaks surround the city while the suburbs are on the Cape Flats, a plain that connects the peninsula to the mainland.

Fall is made for festivals, hikes in the woods, and scenic road-trips, with stops along the way for crisp red apples and stunning photo opportunities. This week, we highlight distinctly autumnal opportunities in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Cities around the world are celebrating the height of the fall season with bright lights, artisan wines and fresh local foods, and plenty of pumpkins. The second half of October is packed with intriguing autumn events, five of which are detailed below.

Fall is made for festivals, hikes in the woods, and scenic road trips, with stops along the way for local produce and stunning photo opportunities. This week, we highlight distinctly autumnal activities in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Fall is made for festivals, hikes in the woods and scenic road trips with stops along the way for crisp red apples and stunning photo opportunities. This week, we highlight distinctly autumnal activities along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

Fall is made for festivals, hikes in the woods and scenic road trips, with stops along the way for crisp red apples and stunning photo opportunities. Two of the best areas for these distinctly autumnal activities are Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge and Hood River Valley.

Fall is made for festivals, hikes in the woods and scenic road trips, with stops along the way for seasonal foods and stunning photo opportunities. This week, we highlight distinctly autumnal opportunities in Sassofortino in southern Tuscany.

This autumn, take a break from your car and try sliding into a kayak. With cool breezes wafting across wide-open water, and colorful leaves decorating the banks of rivers and lakes, there’s no better way to soak up the season. We’ve rounded up a few noteworthy places to kayak in different regions of the United States, from a serene East Coast lake, to Michigan’s turquoise cove, to rushing rapids in the Pacific Northwest.

Fall is made for festivals, hikes in the woods and scenic road-trips, with stops along the way for crisp red apples and stunning photo opportunities. This week, we highlight distinctly autumnal opportunities in Southern Vermont.

As I stepped off an airplane at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kenya, I immediately felt the African breeze and the distinct feeling of stepping into another world. After traveling for over 24 hours across three continents, I eagerly anticipated the adventures that lay ahead, and took a moment to take in the fact that I was on the other side of the earth.

A road trip along Western Australia’s southern coast will bring travelers to Cape Le Grand National Park, home to secluded beaches, including the remote Hellfire Bay. Wear comfortable walking shoes, pack a fishing pole, and prepare for the lengthy but rewarding coastal walk to the Bay’s glimmering turquoise waters.