Denizens of Tjornin, the pond in the city’s center.

THAWING Melissa Tiernan and Bob May at Ten Thousand Waves.

NO CROWDS A setting sun glows above the Sunday River resort in Maine as lights come on for night skiing.

COUNTERCULTURAL Young musicians, above, playing for money on the streets of Haight-Ashbury.

¡Que Bueno! in Denver’s airport was cited for its Mexican fast food, especially the horchata.

As far as some travelers are concerned, making the best of travel means meeting new people.

For business travelers facing sudden illness or acts of terrorism, several companies offer help.

The slopes at Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont.

Some tours are adding Kogelo, Kenya, home of Barack Obama’s step-grandmother, Mama Sarah, above.

The spirit of Murasaki Shikibu, author of “Tale of Genji,” abounds in Kyoto, as at a purification ceremony with period costumes at the Jonengu shrine.

A skier near the Bow Summit in Banff National Park.

The pool area of Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, a central target in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November. Part of the hotel reopened last month.

The Ixchel beach club, also known as Sarah’s place, in Puerto Morelos, 20 miles, but a world away, from Cancún.

Paris winter sales offer discounts of 30 to 50 percent at big department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.

A suite living room at the Donovan House, with views of Thomas Circle in Washington.

Download a printable full-size trail map (pdf) here.

Art shows in New York and London and a Harry Potter exhibition in Chicago.

KNOWING A NEIGHBORHOOD.