Central america travel guide
The Central American countries stand out from the rest of Americas. There rich history and breathtaking scenic beauty makes them the favorite place to visit all the year round. With a blend of south and North America the countries like Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama etc. give the continent the finishing touches and add to the diversity of the Americas. The area is always buzzing with activity since ages. The natural and tectonic activity used to shake the place in the ancient times. The rich history of the place reminds the people of the numerous settlements that took place in the region and today the political scene in these countries is ever dynamic. Thus the over all profile of the place is quite versatile and inviting.
On of the main features of the place are remains of the historically important Mayan civilization. It made a substantial part of the Central American history and still the reminiscent of the past stand as majestic as they might have been. The tourists are filled with a gush of adrenaline when they walk through the corridors of the ancient Mayans. The central markets of the city stand in all their grandeur majesty. The ruins show that the city was an urban hub and the people were pursuing agriculture as their main occupation. They were socially advanced people and their urban centers were the venues for dancing singing and many recreational activities. One can hear the echoes of the past standing in the middle of the large citadels.
The advancement in the Central American region is mainly due to the buzzing political scene and the awareness about the rights. The people are highly conscious about the protection of environment and great efforts are put in to preserve the rich environmental heritage. The Central American countries have entered in to a free trade pact as per which they are to let the others allow certain facilitations of trade in their trade. Popularly known as the CAFTA, it has proved to be a boon to the countries economies.
The Central American region is known for its volcanic abundance. Each country homes many volcanoes and many of them have erupted in the recent past. The tectonic rumblings are commonplace and it creates a lot of alarm in the peoples minds. The volcanoes are one feature that distinguishes the region form the rest of Americas and it adds to the mystic and magical image of the Central America.
But theres one threat that has caused a lot of trouble in the region. The trade of drugs has entangled the region in to the grip of heavy crime. The worlds greatest drug trade can be found in this region. The roots of this criminal activity are deep seated and it has caused a lot of disturbance at the local level. But the comforting fact is that the regions attraction is overpowering on the drug threats. And the travelers are not threatened by these and keep on coming to the place with all zeal. And in the years to come this region will catch up with the rest of the world.
Now, An Easier Way To Visit China
China’s popularity as a vacation destination is booming. Not only is China a new World Trade Organization member and host to the 2008 Summer Olympics, the country is also projected to soon be the number-one travel destination, according to the World Tourism Organization.
City Tourist Attractions
This fascinating country has much to offer travelers. China’s capital of Beijing is home to the mysterious Forbidden City and some of the best-preserved sections of China’s Great Wall. The city of Xian hosts one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures, the Terra Cotta Warriors; and Shanghai offers gleaming skyscrapers and designer boutiques side by side with the historic Old Town.
Yangtze River Wonders
Although many tourists come to China to see these key sights and shop, travelers who limit themselves to the cities miss one of China’s most amazing treasures-her life blood, the mighty Yangtze River. Flowing 3,964 miles, the Yangtze is the world’s third-longest river, carving its way through the stunning “Three Gorges” on its way to the world’s largest dam. By combining a land trip with a river cruise along the Yangtze, tourists can witness the misty mountains and sheer cliffs of these famed Three Gorges, the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam and turquoise waters of the Lesser Three Gorges, as well as catch a glimpse of China’s traditional culture, from farmers plowing with water buffalo to colorful pagodas clinging to the cliffs.
Language Barriers And Food
Many potential travelers to China are concerned about the language barrier and “fried rice syndrome”-day after day of the same, poor-quality food. With the combination of a Yangtze river cruise and key city tours in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai in one package, however, a cruise-tour solves these concerns while offering the best of China’s attractions. The leader in the industry, Viking River Cruises, offers four different China cruise-tours for the traveler. Each is all-inclusive with intra-China air, English-speaking guides who escort travelers from airport arrival to departure and hotel stays in five-star/best-in-city properties. The company has operational offices in both Beijing and Chongqing that ensure the menus offered during the tours are of high quality and variety, and regularly reviews all aspects of the land tours, from hotels and restaurants to their own team of experienced guides.
For the cruise portion of Viking River Cruises China itineraries, travelers sail on Viking Century Sky or Viking Century Sun, the newest, most luxurious ships on the river. Both ships feature all-outside cabins, each with a private balcony. The company is unique in China in offering onboard Swiss management to oversee operations, plus Western food alternating with Chinese menus by celebrity chef Martin Yan.
Towns of south eastern Spain
Almunecar
Almunecar is known as the capital of the Costa Tropical and forms part of the province of Granada. The Costa Tropical is a less well known part of the coastline and is found between the Costa del Sol on the west and the Costa de Almeria to the east.
There are some beautiful beaches along the coastline and a good selection of hotels, villas and apartments. The average temperature here is 20C with around 320 days of sunshine per year.
Almunecar has a Moorish castle, the Castle of San Miguel and there are also several churches and museums which can be visited. Near to the castle is the Loro Sexi Bird Park which has over 1500 birds and nearby the botanical garden, the Parque del Majuelo is home to Europes largest collection of subtropical plants.
Motril
Motril is the largest town on the Costa Tropical and the second largest town in the province of Granada with over 55,000 inhabitants.
Motril has a busy commercial port as well as a fishing port and a marina. The two main beaches are the Playa Granada and the Playa Poniente. On the coast road to the west of the Playa Poniente is Casa Astrida which is one of the Kings residences. A little further along is the popular golf course, Los Moriscos.
The production of sugar cane was the main industry in the town for centuries and there is still a 16th century sugar mill, Casa de Las Palmas.
Salobrena
The old whitewashed town of Salobrena which is built upon a large rock, has steep, narrow streets which are centred around the 10th Century Moorish castle and the town is surrounded by lush sugar cane fields and the last sugar factory in Europe can be found in the village of La Caleta to the west of the town.
Salobrena has been inhabited for over 6000 years and the old town is lovely with great views of the landscape beyond, if you can make the climb to the top of the old town.
Salobrena has lots of bars, restaurants and tapas on offer and is ideally situated just 45 minutes from Granada and little over an hour to the Sierra Nevada mountain range so it is also an ideal location to combine winter sun and skiing.
Mojacar
Mojacar is in the province of Almeria and just 50 minutes drive from Almeria airport. It is an old whitewashed mountain village and only a couple of kilometres from the coast. There is a tourist resort just to the south called Mojacar Playa.
It has over 3000 hours of sunshine per year and has almost no winter season at all. Mojacar has retained most of its original character and is home to a Moorish fortress called El Torreon.
The beaches are the main attraction to visit the area as well as the many other picturesque villages to be visited.
Puerto de Mazarron
Puerto de Mazarron is an attractive holiday resort which has been popular with holidaymakers for many years. Fishing and agriculture are still the most important industries in the area but the economy is boosted each year by the influx of tourists in the summer. The coastal area of Mazarron has some of the loveliest unspoilt beaches in Spain and provides a peaceful environment for those choosing to vacation here. It is also a popular destination for Spanish families in the peak season but is ideal for a quieter holiday out of season.
There is an attractive promenade which gives access to the beaches and there are many bars, restaurants and cafes to try.
Costa Rica San Jose and Tamarindo
Over the last ten years, the reputation of Costa Rica as a travel destination has grown leaps and bounds. Good places to visit include San Jose and Tamarindo.
Costa Rica
Located in Central America, Costa Rica is a country with a lot to offer. The country is unique because the costal areas present some of the nicest beaches in the world, while a few hours inland you can find towering mountains with volcanoes, pristine rivers for white knuckle rafting and a rain forest par excellence. Costa Rica is a hot bed of ecosystems and I wont even try to describe it. Just pull up some pictures on the net and youll get the idea.
The people of the country, Ticos, are exceedingly friendly and youll find more than a few ex-pats populating the country. With no military, Costa Rica has invested heavily in education and has the highest literacy rate in the Americas. Yes, the rate is higher than the United States.
San Jose
San Jose is really the only big city in Costa Rica. Located in the center of the country, the city has taken a beating over the years from the occasional earthquake. Youll understand when you visit. The city is surrounded by mountain ranges populated with a number of volcanoes. Every so often, this combination of geography leads a good shaking.
For a city in Central America, San Jose is surprisingly organized and lively. You can spend an evening in the cafes or just walking about. Crime isnt much of a problem. There isnt much to see per se, but this is where most of the international flights land. In traversing the country, you can expect to pass through San Jose a few times, so enjoy yourself.
Tamarindo
Not long ago, Tamarindo was a quiet little beach community on the western coast of Costa Rica. Over the last 15 years, the town has become a hot spot for ex-pats with accompanying development not far behind. Although some of the luster is gone, Tamarindo is still worth a visit if for no other reason than to compare it to the rest of Costa Rica.
Tamarindo is as good a place as any to experience Costa Rica beaches if you need a little civilization. The beaches are clean and tranquil, but lined with cafes, restaurants and hotels. The water is warm and good surfing can be found in certain locations. To the north, one can occasionally see rare sea turtles laying eggs on the beaches late at night. Unfortunately, turtle watching has become such a rage that you may be standing with a lot of people. There is definitely a voyeuristic feel to it and one can help but feeling sorry for the turtles.
If youve never been to Tamarindo, youll love it. If youve visited in the past, you might be disappointed with the development.
Off the beaten track in Spain
Castilla y Leon
Castilla y Leon is the largest region in Spain. It is known for its vast expanse of plains and its many castles
Valladolid is the capital of the region and although it has now become quite industrialised it has one of the most important sculpture museums in Spain and some of the best architecture.
Salamanca is also a great architectural city and is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, which was founded in the 13th Century as well as having two cathedrals.
Castilla y Leon is a beautiful rural region of Spain near to the Portuguese border and not far from the capital of Spain, Madrid. Look at our selection of rural rentals in Castilla y Leon.
Galicia
The area of Galicia “Green Spain” is in the far north west of the country. It is known as the ‘land of a thousand rivers’ and is the greenest region in Spain.
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia and its’ main tourist attraction. The supposed tomb of St James the Apostle is to be found here in this beautiful city.
Many Spaniards are now visiting this area to get away from the heat of the south in the summer and to spend a peaceful holiday in sheltered coves with lovely beaches and to visit some of the rural areas where time seems to have almost stood still.
Vigo is the most populated city in Galicia and has the most important fishing port in all of Spain.
Asturias
The area of Asturias is found between Galicia and Cantabria. The coastline, the Costa Verde, is a popular attraction and has many sandy coves and numerous fishing villages. It is a very picturesque region. Inland there are forests and mountains and nature reserves with rare species of flora and fauna.
Oviedo (the region’s capital) is a lively university city and culturally well worth a visit.
The temperatures here are much more pleasant in the summer than the hotter south of Spain, so if you want a holiday that has something different in a beautiful location, look no further than a vacation rental in Asturias.
Cantabria
Cantabria and Asturias are divided by the Picos de Europa, ‘the Peaks of Europe’, a beautiful mountain range and now Europe’s largest national park.
In contrast with the mountains are the green valleys and wonderful coast with pretty fishing ports and sandy coves for sunbathing.
Santander is the capital of the region and is a busy port and an elegant resort. It has a modern town centre, after being destroyed by fire in 1941. The Cathedral was rebuilt in Gothic style. Just a short distance inland from Santander is the very pretty, medieval town of Santillana del Mar which is centred around a monastery, La Colegiata.
Extremadura
Extremadura is the ideal region for those wanting to get away from the traditional Spanish holiday and visit the real, old Spain.
The regional capital is the city of Merida, where one can find some of the best Roman ruins in the country, the Roman Theatre and the Amphitheatre should be included in any itinerary. T
he old walled city of Caceres has a well preserved Jewish quarter as well as Moorish walls and watchtowers.
Other historic sights are the monasteries of Guadalupe and Juste.
So if you fancy a get away from it holiday in this lovely inland region, why not book a vacation rental in Extremadura.
La Rioja
La Rioja is a small region in size but is very well known for its wine, vineyards and bodegas. It is, in fact, one of the most important wine growing areas in Europe. It does, however, also have an abundance of market gardens and wonderful countryside, ideal if you love walking, climbing, hiking or fishing.
The capital of the La Rioja area is Logrono, which is also at the centre of the region’s wine production. Another town very popular for sampling the wine of the region is Haro, which also has an old town worthy of a visit.
The cathedral at Santo Domingo de la Calzada is an historic sight, the town is named after the 11th century saint who built roads and bridges to assist pilgrims. Much information be found about him in the cathedral.
Cambodia – The Blind Masseuses
Cambodia has seen far more than its fair share of tragedy and misery. The blind masseuses offer a glimpse of the true Cambodian heart and will to carry on.
Seeing Hands Massage
With the onset of the genocidal rule of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia took a serious turn for the worse from the late 1970s through the early eighties. When the Khmer Rouge were finished killing or starving as much as twenty percent of the population and finally thrown out of power, the land turned into a lawless morass with all that implies. During this time, numerous people were left disabled. A particularly significant disability was blindness, which arose from torture or muggings undertaken by throwing battery acid in the face of victims.
As the country recovers, a unique and heartening development has occurred with Cambodians that are blind. The Association for the Blind in Cambodia, along with international backers, has been training the blind to be masseuses. Their motto is, The blind can see with there hands.
Members of the association travel the country to find potential masseuses. The individuals are then trained until they are masters of the art of massage. The Association has even gone one step further. In Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the Association for the Blind has opened massage businesses known as Seeing Hands, which solely employee the blind masseuses.
I heartily and enthusiastically recommend you get a massage at Seeing Hands if youre traveling in Cambodia. Driving anywhere in Cambodia is a bone jarring experience. There is no better way to get out the knots than one of these massages. The masseuses are friendly and seem to be able to find every little knot. I guarantee youll feel like a new man or woman after getting one.
Each Seeing Hands location has slightly different prices, but all are cheap as is typical for Cambodia. You can expect to spend between three to five dollars for the best one-hour massage youve ever had.
On top of it, youll feel good to know youre helping people help themselves. In fact, many of the masseuses make more money a month than people who can see!
North Cyprus – the new face of the Mediterranean
Long neglected in comparison to its well-know neighbour to the south, North Cyprus has come into its own in recent years and now stands proudly as one of the most up and coming Mediterranean holiday destinations. The islands history has seen it under the rule of most of the worlds powers; from the Romans, ancient Greeks and Lusignans, to its more recent past as a British colony. In the 1970s, the island was subject to international dispute again, culminating in an invasion by Turkish forces to protect the interests of their compatriot Turkish Cypriots. The result was the green line. Under the control of the United Nations, this border separated the two parts of Cyprus and also effectively isolated the north, both politically and economically. The island remains divided, and of the worlds powers, only Turkey technically recognises the state of North Cyprus. However, recent history has seen changes and it is now possible for visitors and residents to freely cross between the parts of the island.
Regardless of the politics, the effect of this isolation is a bonus to tourists. Whilst the recent relaxing of restrictions has meant growth in development in many areas, much of the country remains all but untouched by the hand of modern life. There are still many places where farmers use donkeys in preference to tractors and there is a feeling that the 20th century, never mind the 21st, has had little impact. North Cyprus is also home to some of the most important archaeological and historic sites in this part of the world. The remains of Salamis, the capital of Cyprus in Roman times, include a massive amphitheatre and other important remains. Though much remains to be excavated, the sheer scale of the site is breathtaking. Equally breathtaking are the views from St Hilarion castle! An important crusader castle, St Hilarion is in a remarkable state of preservation and an abiding testament to the skill and fortitude of its builders. A few miles away, in the peaceful mountainside village of Bellapais, is the remarkable Bellapais Abbey. Dating from the 13th century, this monument to an older civilisation still exudes a palpable atmosphere of peace. Famously the setting of Lawrence Durrells novel, Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, the village is a must see for visitors. As is the sea-front town of Kyrenia. With a castle and many delightful, bustling alleys, the heart of Kyrenia is its ancient harbour, described by the Mail on Sunday as one of the most beautiful places in the world. Originally warehouses for carob and other of the islands products, the water-side buildings are now home to a range of delightful restaurants and shops.
There are so many more important sites that a good guidebook is as essential as good sun-cream! But amongst all this history, there is a more lively side to North Cyprus too. Many hundreds of restaurants and tavernas can be found here. All at prices that delight the wallet, whilst delighting the palette with a mouth-watering choice of local and international cuisine. The location also makes it ideal for the many operators offering watersports and diving. The coastline, as with many similar places, is protected by statute and items may not be taken from the ocean bed, but there are some challenging and scenic dives here. Indeed, the north coast was the site of the worlds oldest recovered shipwreck. Professionally lifted from the sea-bed some years ago, the remains of the ship, and its cargo, can be found in Kyrenias castle museum.
Despite its languid and old-fashioned aura, North Cyprus is definitely firmly in the 31st century when it comes to accommodation. The many hotels, of all sizes, and holiday villages here are all of a surprisingly high standard. Whilst there are a number of international style larger hotels, brimming with every facility imaginable, there is much pleasure to be had in discovering some of the small boutique hotels and family-run properties that form the majority of the available tourist accommodation. Travel is simple too, with a number of airlines operating into Ercan, the islands principal tourist airport. All in all, North Cyprus offers much for the Mediterranean visitor and now is the time to explore and enjoy, before the 21st century catches up.
The Streets Of London
I sat and watched from my seat in a street caf on Londons Oxford Street as a young man pleaded for loose change from passers by.
Most pretended to be oblivious to the young mans plight and continued their way along one of Londons busiest and thriving shopping streets.
Several minutes passed before an elegantly dressed woman took pity on the youth. Digging deep into her pockets she produced a couple of coins and offered them to the poor guy.
As I sipped my coffee and observed the exchange, it puzzled me how two human beings could take such radically different paths on their journey through life.
At what stage of life do some people make the wrong choice and set off on the road to oblivion.
Or maybe our ultimate destiny is already decided and fate has made our decisions for us.
Whatever the truth, the two exchanged smiles as the woman made her merry way and entered a nearby store.
Oxford Street is the shopping hub of London, a wealth of designer stores that can damage even the most affluent of credit cards.
The cosmopolitan capital city of England, London simply oozes history and culture on virtually every street corner.
Its vast multi-ethnic population makes for a tremendously diverse range of shops, bars and restaurants to cover the tastes of most visiting palettes.
Londons recent history has been dominated by the suicide bombings during the summer of 2005 and the devastating effects suffered by so many families and friends of the innocent victims.
If any good came from these tragic events it was the show of strength from the communities, how people bonded together and formed lasting friendships.
But the events demonstrated how vulnerable we all are, even somewhere as prosperous as London.
In todays world where more and more becomes affordable to so many, its important to remember those not as fortunate as ourselves.
North Spain – Santander, Zaragoza and Vigo
Madrid and the attractions of southern Spain tend to get all of the attention. In the northern part of the country, Santander, Zargoza and Vigo are hidden gems.
Santander
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Santander is a city going about its business. Squeezed between mountains and the harbor, the city is narrow and long. The central city consists of basic amenities you would expect to see in any city, but its charm lies in the atmosphere. Turn of the century buildings are everywhere and there is a certain charming chaos to the design and layout. Search for some pictures and youll see what I mean. If you need a beach day, head to the El Sardinero section of the town to roast in the sun. As with all Spanish cities, Santander has a hopping nightlife scene.
Zaragoza
Zaragoza is a city that seems to have a split personality. Located in the Northeast of Spain, the city is clearly in Spain but has an Italian feel. This is due to the fact that Roman emperors took a liking to the strategic location of the city and built like madmen. You can find ancient Roman structures similar to those in Rome. If youre debating whether to go to Spain or Italy, a visit to Zaragoza may be your answer.
Vigo
And now for something completely different Vigo is a city located in the far northeast of Spain, just above Portugal and is fairly remote. The city sits on the Atlantic Ocean and offers the usual beach options. A mix of modern concrete structures and historic Spanish architecture, this is one of the less hectic cities in Spain. The real attraction, however, is hiking. Outside of the city, you have an opportunity to hike to vistas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean that offer amazing views. If youve got time to burn in Spain, Vigo is worth a visit.
Northern Spain is definitely unique when compared to the southern attractions. Less of a tourist mecca and madhouse, it is definitely worth a visit if you have the time.
Colonial Williamsburg Revolutionary City
There is nothing virtual about the reality of being asked, in person, face-to-face, to stand up for, or against, freedom. How say ye?
In the Revolutionary City, Colonial Williamsburgs innovative program where guests can interact live with actor-interpreters, you do not have to respond. But just like those who rallied to the side of George Washington and hailed the passion of Patrick Henry, you will be asked. It is that real. You are not looking into a video monitor.
And it is personal to the extent that women visitors may be surprised when they encounter the discrimination every married woman of the period faced: Excuse me, ma am, has your husband approved your participation in these activities? A not-so-subtle reminder of a time when terms like “freedom” and equality were not a way of life.
By connecting visitors to Colonial Americans personal struggles for freedom, we hope guests will reflect on the liberties we have been granted, the benefits of citizenship and our democratic process, said Rex Ellis, vice president of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundations Historic Area. The Revolutionary City, which breaks the boundaries of traditional living history experiences, is scheduled to open March 20, with daily events to run from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. through 2006. Each experience in the Revolutionary City is staged in an open-air streetscape, in the buildings and surrounding grounds located at the eastern end of Colonial Williamsburg.
This extraordinary presentation of these extraordinary times, from 1774-1781, is to be a two-day event, with Day One to focus on The Collapse of Royal Government, and Day Two to be themed Citizens at War.
By way of Colonial Williamsburgs expert actor-interpreters, guests can spend two days at the side of the countless everyday heroes who shaped the American Revolution many with an inescapable connection to history being lived out today.
The streets devoted to the Revolutionary City program will come alive with a variety of spontaneous yet historically accurate events, large and small, allowing guests to participate as if they were, indeed, Americans of the new nation. Guests can choose from an interchangeable lineup of events scheduled each day, and weave together their own roles in history. The range of experiences allows the Revolutionary City program to remain new, vibrant and engaging with each visit. Many of the challenges Colonial Americans faced are similar to the challenges we face today, Ellis said. Families are torn by war, parents and children argue about whats right and wrong and political debates are a daily occurrence.
While guests will be encouraged to join the revolution, participation in events is not required. Visitors with a Colonial Williamsburg general admission ticket may enter and exit the Revolutionary City program area as they wish. Colonial Williamsburgs adjacent Historic Area will continue to operate during presentation hours, offering its highly esteemed attractions, exhibits and experiences. Few who delve into history will want to miss meeting the men and women rich, and poor, free and enslaved who make up the stimulating populace of Colonial Williamsburgs Revolutionary City.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the not-for-profit educational institution that preserves and operates the restored 18th-century capital of Virginia. The foundations subsidiary, Colonial Williamsburg Company, operates a variety of hospitality businesses including the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge, Woodlands Hotel and Suites, 28 individual Colonial Houses and the Governors Inn. Also on site are two conference centers and the 45-hole Golden Horseshoe Golf Club. Williamsburg is located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., off Interstate 64. For more information, call toll-free (800) HISTORY or visit on-line at www.ColonialWilliamsburg.com
This article is sponsored by: www.grouptravelblog.com
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