Lovers' Factfile | Away.com

Home > Lovers' Factfile

Most Popular

Travel Resources

ShoulderSeason

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

Screensavers

From Away.com

Lovers' Factfile
Resources & information

By Ethan Gelber

INTERNATIONAL FACTFILE
Ilha Grande, Brazil
When to Go: Year-round, although Rio and all points south can be intolerably hot from December to February and rainy from June to August.
How to Get There: Costa Verde buses run down the Green Coast between Rio and both Angra dos Reis and Mangaratiba, from which ferries run to Abraão. There, local boats can be hired for direct travel to other destinations.
Where to Stay: Comfortable and affordable pousadas abound.
Visas: U.S. citizens must acquire a Brazilian visa before arrival. A year-long multiple-entry tourist visa currently costs $110.

Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
When to Go: May, June, and September are the best months, avoiding the European summer crowds, although May and October are cheaper, if not a little chilly.
Getting There: Accessible via Zagreb, Sarajevo, Trieste (Italy), and other eastern coastal Italian cities. Buses run the length of the coast. Ferries work the Adriatic from Ancona, Pescara, and Bari (Italy).
Where to Stay: Hotels in all Dalmatian cities, or look for "sobe" signs to comfortable, economical, discrete rooms in private residences.
Visas: Not required for U.S. citizens for stays of up to 90 days in Croatia and 30 days in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Inle Lake, Myanmar
When to Go: November to February, when rainfall and temperatures hit seasonal lows. Kalaw and Inle Lake, both at higher elevations, are best from March to May, although the rest of the country will be stiflingly hot.
Where to Stay: Both Kalaw and Nyaungshwe can be reached by hired car or bus from Yangon and Mandalay.
Getting There: State-run hotels swallow up most of the package tours. If possible, stay in private, locally owned guesthouses.
Visas: U.S. citizens need a Burmese visa before arrival. A four-week, single-entry tourist visa currently costs $20.

Zanzibar, Tanzania
Subject of a U.S. State Department travel advisory, those interested in visiting Zanzibar should check the State Department website for up-to-date information.
When to Go: Year-round: rains are heaviest from March through May; tourist high season from June through September; official dive season is from March to September, but good diving is available year-round.
Where to Stay: Island-wide guesthouses and hotels to suit all budgets.
Getting There: Daily ferries (the largest operator is Azam Marine) and flights (Precision Air) run from Dar-es-Salaam to Stone Town.
Visas: U.S. citizens need a Tanzanian visa before arrival. A six-month single-entry tourist visa currently costs $50.

Cappadocia, Turkey
When to Go: The mountain-ringed Anatolian plateau experiences cool (and very busy) summers and bitter winters.
Where to Stay: A full range of hotels and pansions available, particularly in Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçisar, and Avanos.
Getting There: Nevşehir is the provincial capital and major travel hub. Long-distance buses to and from Istanbul and Ankara stop here. Local shared taxi/minibus service (called dolmuş) runs to all points in Cappadocia.
Visas: U.S. citizens will be issued a 30-day tourist visa upon arrival or may acquire a 90-day visa in advance. Current cost for either is $100.

DOMESTIC RESOURCES
Prescott, Arizona
When to Go: Year-round, plan for the season.
Resources: www.visit-prescott.com

Eureka, Arkansas
When to Go: Year-round, plan for the season.
Resources: www.eurekasprings.com; www.eurekavacation.com/waterworld/

Catalina Island, California
When to Go: June to November (warm yet busy). Moderate daytime temperatures average between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where to Stay: www.campingcatalinaisland.com; The Inn on Mt. Ada

Baxter State Park, Maine
When to Go: Maine's summers, although warm during the day, can be chilly at night, especially at higher elevations. Springs are wet, and autumns awash in brilliant color. Winters can be brutal, so think carefully about your outdoor skills before attempting a mid-winter Baxter hike.
Resources: www.baxterstateparkauthority.com

Door County, Wisconsin
When to Go: Generally, milder but still very snowy winters and cooler summers than nearby inland communities. Autumns are brilliantly vivid once the foliage changes color.
Resources: www.doorcounty.com