Fall 2010

From culture to conquistas, rock-climbing to reggaeton, llamas to piranhas, Peru has something for everyone. Due to its diversity, accessibility, and, above all, affordability, many are familiar with the attractions this country has to offer.

For your next winter vacation, forget Hawaii—and don’t leave the lower 48. Instead, take a “summer” getaway to San Francisco. San Francisco’s winter weather is unique: It’s warmer than it is in the summer. We’re talking coastal city here, so it’s breezy and chilly all year round. But if you’re looking for a warmer option for a winter getaway, San Francisco is the place. Once you’ve left the snow or frigid temperatures of home for San Francisco, get ready to enjoy your stay. Here are four sites any visitor to San Francisco must see:

Your first impression of Frank Eld would probably underestimate him. He’s middle-aged and has graying hair, and his beard reaches his chest. He usually wears suspenders with a flannel shirt and is almost always wearing a hat. He looks like any other country farmer. But if you catch a glimpse of his blue eyes behind those spectacles, twinkling just a bit, you may think twice about who this man really is.

For over 2,500 years, Mongolians have built yurts, transportable tent-like structures made of wood lattice and heavy felt, to protect themselves from the icy blasts of their native steppes. Today in America, yurts are a wonderful, yet little-known, camping amenity provided at many of the country’s state and national parks.

In addition to permanent collections, most museums have special temporary exhibits that showcase one particular subject. These can be anything from a display about the U.S. Postal System during World War II to blown and sculpted glass. You have to pay attention though, because these special exhibits are sometimes open for as short as a few months. Here are some exhibits that are currently on display that you won’t want to miss.

Next time you plan a trip across “the pond,” why not visit Wales? Not the giant swimming mammals that consume plankton, but the green, mountainous country attached to the western border of England.