Places to Go This Summer - FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Croatia – AARP History and Culture
10 Places to Go This Summer
10 Places to Go This Summer
Looking to get away this summer but not sure where to go? Our 10 can’t-miss destinations for summer 2014 span the globe, from the World Cup in Brazil to the Vienna Jazz Festival. Or, if you’re looking for something closer to home, we’ve got the scoop on the Aspen Ideas Festival, the new Glacier Skywalk in the Canadian Rockies and hot restaurant openings in Nashville. But with several new hotels on the horizon, including an Aman Resorts property in Croatia and Istanbul’s Raffles Hotel, you might not even want to leave your room. Brazil
Soccer fans flocked to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where matches took place in 12 cities. Brazil’s national football team has taken the Cup home five times (the most in the sport). Check out the art of coffee cultivation at historic Nossa Senhora da Conceição Farm. In Bahia, explore the colonial African/European city center of Salvador, and make time to relax on one of the lovely coastal beaches, such as Trancoso. If you prefer to head a bit more off the beaten path, Manaus, deep in the jungle, reveals the history of the "rubber barons." End your trip with a river cruise aboard the Amazon Clipper. Aspen Colorado
The Aspen Ideas Festival (June 24 - July 3), an open exchange among the best and brightest journalists, politicians, artists, entrepreneurs, musicians and many more, celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer with various programs, seminars and tutorials. The end of June also sees the kickoff of the Aspen Music Festival (June 26 - August 17). This season celebrates the New Romantics with performances of such greats as Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin and Philip Glass’ “The American Four Seasons.” Later in the summer, the Cooking School of Aspen will open, when Chefs Club by Food & Wine will feature the cuisine of Matthew Gaudet of Boston’s West Bridge and Chris Shepherd of Underbelly in Houston. The brand-new, environmentally sustainable Aspen Art Museum, designed by Shigeru Ban, unveils 12,500 square feet of gallery space on August 1. Cavtat Croatia
Let the crowds battle for hotel rooms in Dubrovnik during the 65th Annual Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which includes music, Shakespeare performances, dance and much more (July 10 - August 25). The quiet coastal town of Cavtat, just 10 miles away, offers easy access to the Dalmatian hub along with an under-the-radar art scene, waterfront restaurants, beaches, and boating activities. The grand opening of the Aman Resort this summer is reason alone to visit Cavtat. Istanbul Turkey
The opening of the Zorlu Center brings a fresh new face to the banks of the Bosphorus. The complex includes a performance arts venue, an upscale shopping center and a brand-new Raffles Hotel opening at the tail end of summer. Concerts at the annual Istanbul Music Festival take place at the Zorlu, wrapping up June 27, while the harmony continues into the summer with the Istanbul Jazz Festival starting July 1. AARP Offer Explore Your World
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Quito and Guayaquil Ecuador
Summer 2014 marks the maiden journey of the revamped Tren Crucero, which crosses the Andes by rail from Quito to Guayaquil along the scenic Avenue of Volcanoes. And there’s plenty to do in each city before boarding the train, as the season includes many holidays. In Guayaquil, June 29 marks the San Pedro and San Pablo fishermen’s festival all along the coast, kicking off with a bonfire and continuing with food, music and celebrations. The birthday of national hero Simón Bolívar is celebrated all over the country on July 24 with military parades, music and dancing in the streets. Melaka Malaysia
A busy summer in Melaka, dubbed "the historic state," in the southern Malay Peninsula begins with the Melaka River Invitational Festival, a June celebration of water sports that includes a Float Parade and the Melaka Parade Competition. On July 7, history is the focus when the city celebrates its anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a food and culture festival in the middle of town. Melaka also celebrates its Portuguese heritage during the San Pedro Festival, June 23–29. Nashville Tennessee
Yes, it’s known for its music scene, but this summer Nashville is poised to become a hot food destination, too, as celebrity chefs swoop in. Charleston chef Sean Brock started the trend last year with his Husk Nashville, and now Food Network’s Chopped judge Maneet Chauhan is on the verge of opening Chauhan Ale & Masala House in July. Legendary chef Jonathan Waxman of New York City’s Barbuto will expand with Adele’s in early summer. What’s spurring this influx? The opening of the half-billion-dollar Music City Center last year, for one, as well as the resurgence of neighborhoods such as East Nashville and Hillsboro Village. Vienna Austria
"The Imperial City" is a wonderful place for a summer visit. The Sisi Museum, located inside the Imperial Palace, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special look (continuing through the end of the year) at the divine clothing of Empress Elizabeth. The Vienna Jazz Festival brings performers to various venues all over the city, with headliners such as Sinead O'Connor, Dr. John and Al Jarreau. Beginning June 28 and running through the end of August is the open-air Vienna Film Festival, on Rathausplatz, which doubles as a food festival and is expected to draw some 700,000 people. Glasgow Scotland
This year, Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games, the third-largest multisport event in the world, July 23–Aug. 3. The games have spurred the redevelopment of the Pacific Quay and Clyde Waterfront near the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Center, with a brand-new arena, park expansions and new riverboat cruises that shuttle visitors to the Glasgow Science Centre and the Riverside Museum — named the 2013 European Museum of the Year. Alberta Canada
There’s no special equipment needed to walk the just-opened Glacier Skywalk, smack in the middle of the Canadian Rockies. The walkway leads to a transparent cliff-edge promenade with stunning views of the alpine terrain. The nearby Glacier Discovery Centre shows off its new renovation and is the starting point for the Glacier Adventure, which leads visitors onto the Athabasca Glacier. Access via the Icefields Parkway is considered one of the more scenic drives in the world. Also of Interest
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