To discover a city's charm is to see where it came from. Like many travelers, I enjoy setting out on foot in order to get face-to-face with the ways of a city – to see how it ticks, how the people walk and talk and work. 

But, to really get a feel for the destination, there's nothing quite like visiting the old town where you can get a glimpse of the changes that have led to the destination of now.

For visitors boaring flights to San Juan, that journey would lead you to Old San Juan, the historical neighborhood dating back 465 years. It is within these eight or so blocks that visitors get a chance to view the streets cobbled with stones brought over in Spanish ships some 400 years ago. 

You can wander here through narrow streets in between restored Spanish colonial buildings. Where else can your feet take you?

Perhaps to one of the many plazas of Old San Juan, each of which has its own special significance.  The Plaza del Quinto Centenario was built to commemorate the founding of this side of the world by Christopher Columbus, marked with a giant sculpture.  The Plaza de la Rogativa is one that tells the story of an event where a naval seige of San Juan by the British was broken when a procession of women (asking the saints for assistance) made so much commotion that the British thought reinforcements arrived, scaring the off!

Or, maybe you'd like to see the final resting place of a world-renowned explorer?  Visit the San Juan Cathedral on Calle Cristo for a glimpse of the burial ground of Ponce de Leon (too bad he never found that fountain of youth, right?).  You can also visit his family's old home at Casa Blanca, which is now a museum.

More historical sites in Old San Juan include the San Jose Church, Fort San Felipe del Morro, the San Juan Gate (original entrance) and La Fortaleza.

And, even though it is recommended to wander by foot in Old San Juan, do be sure to be prepared with proper walking shoes to combat all the hills and cobblestones.  To make matters just a little more difficult, the heat and humidity is sometimes brutal and can put a damper on any walking tour.  So remember, try to head out early in the day and always carry a bottle of water.

Otherwise, you can choose to see Old San Juan on a segway!

Flickr: cogeto ergo imago