the symphony of lights in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's skyline lights gleam against a dark night.

Photograph by amanaimages, Corbis

101 Reasons to Travel Now: Urban Finds

We've scoured the globe in search of hidden gems to experience around the world. Check out this list of insider finds in the world's great cities.

ByJennifer Barger and Amy Alipio
August 20, 2015
4 min read

From the October 2015 issue of Traveler magazine

Reasons to Travel Now: 67-84

67. CAR-FREE SIENA:

Less flashy than Rome or Florence, always innovative Siena was first among Italian cities to ban cars from most of its old-town center.

68. SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS:

This synchronized sound-and-light show illuminates buildings on both sides of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour each night at 8 p.m.

69. MEXICO CITY SUBWAY TICKET:

At many subway stations in Mexico’s capital, do ten squats at a special machine and you’ll get a free ticket to ride.

70. KENNEDY CENTER'S MILLENIUM STAGE:

Nightly at 6 p.m., this Washington, D.C., temple of culture hosts performers such as steel-pan drummers and dance groups.

71. 'WEEKDAY WANDERLUST"

San Francisco’s monthly travel-writer speaker series packs the Library Bar of the Hotel Rex with a collegial mix of trip tales and cocktails.

72. SPIFFIER ROME:

The Pyramid, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Domus Aurea (Emperor Nero’s villa) all show off much needed—and tasteful—touch-ups. Next: the Spanish Steps.

73. REAL MEXICO:

The revived colonial mining town Real de Catorce offers 17th-century churches and buildings (some converted into hotels and restaurants) and horse rides into peyote country.

74. MOTOR CITY MIDTOWN:

Detroit’s Midtown hood lures “eds and meds” from the nearby college and hospital with made-here watches and high-end bicycles (Shinola), quirky crafts (City Bird), and local beer (Motor City Brewing Works).

75. MUMMERS PARADE, PHILADELPHIA:

Greet New Year’s Day with brilliantly feathered pageantry, now in its 116th year.

76. REST LIKE ROYALTY:

London’s fourth-generation, family-owned Goring Hotel features not only a complete designer revamp but also a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth II for hospitality services.

77. BLISS OUT, MOROCCAN STYLE:

With its orange-blossom-scented massages, Les Bains de Marrakech provides a luxurious respite from dusty streets and souks.

78. RAISE YOUR GLASS:

Szimpla Kért started Budapest’s “ruin bar” trend in Hungary when it opened in 2002, and it remains cool as ever with its good food and beer in dilapidated open-air courtyards.

79. RICHARD III's NEW GRAVE:

The mortal remains of the infamous English king were recently reinterred at Leicester Cathedral.

80. CANADA'S ELLIS ISLAND:

Genealogy buffs have a field day at the newly expanded Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, in popular port of call Halifax.

81. HIPSTER JOBURG:

Maboneng Precinct, in Johannesburg, South Africa, fills converted warehouses and onetime factories with galleries, cafés, and the best people-watching in town.

82. QUINTESSENTIAL JAPANESE TEAHOUSE:

Near Kyoto’s Kodaiji Temple, sit and sip at ultratraditional Rakusho, with its garden, lanterns, and pond of koi fish.

83. ALPACA APPAREL:

Cloud-soft sweaters go for cheap at San Telmo market in Buenos Aires, where Argentine dealers in knitwear set up every Sunday.

84. TRIBAL TEXTILES:

In riverside Luang Prabang, Laos, watch skilled women weave, tie dye, and batik fabric at the Ock Pop Tok workshop, then take a half-day crafting class.

More from 101 Reasons to Travel Now: Cultural touchstones that inspire us to travel (#85-101) >>

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