In spite of the negative reviews given by the US government, the number of tourists coming to the city have been increasing considerably. Colombia is one of the few nations, which is hugely affected by the ongoing drug wars between mafias and cops. However, the capital city has become very safe in the recent years and hence tourism has gained momentum. For people who plan to visit the capital city, here are some fun things to do in Bogota.

La Candelaria
It is one of the most historic and famous neighborhoods in Bogota, Colombia. The neighborhood is filled with beautiful old houses, churches and various educational buildings. Tourists will find graffiti almost on all walls of houses. Travelers can visit the Botero Museum (contains some amazing work of painters – Botero, Monet and Picasso), Luis Ángel Arango Library (the most famous library in Latin America and it houses more than 1 million books. The library has its own parking, cafeteria and concert hall), Colón Theater (it is a very famous theater which was established in 1892 and has a sitting area of 2,400 square meters) and Gold Museum (it is one of the most important museums in Latin America and it houses more than 36,000 pieces of gold). During the day, this neighborhood becomes a famous market place in which people can find almost all famous brands. However, travelers are not advised to roam on the streets during the night time as there are high chances of getting mugged.

Monserrate
Bogota is a city which is already situated almost 8,000 ft above sea level and hence it is bound to have some amazing mountainous regions. Mount Monserrate is one mountain that dominates the capital city and it stands almost 10,341 feet. Travelers can visit this mountain through cable cars, funicular rail or they can enjoy this experience by walking with thousands of people that make this trip on foot every month. There are only two restaurants on the mountain; Santa Clara (only Colombian cuisine) and San Isidro (French cuisine).

Plaza de Toros Santamaria Read the rest of this entry »

Mauritius offers you much more than you can think of. A country so small, will surprise you with a lot of things. From the flora to the fauna, you will have a good time experiencing the different gardens and beaches in this country. Mauritius is also a perfect example of the phrase unity in diversity. A lot of religions are practiced here in perfect peace and calm. Mauritius vacation ideas also include short trips, where you can see almost all the places mentioned below.

Port Louis
One of the first places to visit in Mauritius, you have to, have to see in Port Louis, is the second oldest race course in the southern Hemisphere. It is called the Champ de Mars, built in 1812. Also worth visiting are the museums in this city, namely the Mauritius Natural History Museum, the Mauritius Stamp Museum, and the Blue Penny Museum. The Signaux mountain is another sight from where tourists can enjoy the beautiful view of the entire city. This city will offer you some of the best colonial buildings, with Fort Adelaide needing an important mention. Tourists are also said to love the Central market here. The temples, mosques, cathedrals, and pagodas throughout the city, are also a must visit.

Royal Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousse
This botanical garden is globally famous and a must see for all tourists. It has some 600 or more different types and species of plants and trees. The best part is, it hosts some 80 different amazing species of palms. This botanical garden was established in 1770 and has been structured beautifully. Some of the palm species available here are the Brazilian Queen Palm, Chinese Lady Palm, and the Royal Palm. The huge water lilies in this garden complete the mesmerizing beauty it has to offer. People who visited this botanical garden swore that they had never seen such big water lilies before. Also visit the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, once you are in Mauritius.

Ile aux Cerfs
Ile aux Cerfs is an offshore island that is situated near the country’s east coast. Most tourists choose Mauritius as their holiday destination to enjoy some of the best beaches in the world. If you are amongst them, Ile aux Cerfs is what you should look for. The island offers breathtaking views that include turquoise water and amazing white sands. The beautiful lush green palm trees complete the picture perfectly. You can arrive at this island with the help of a jetty, some 3 hours would be sufficient for a complete tour. Near the main beach, you can find some amazing coves to relax. However, the south-west beaches should be avoided as they aren’t safe for swimming. There is also an 18-hole golf course designed by Bernhard Langer on this island, for those who love golf!

Chamarel Read the rest of this entry »

The list presented below is not an exhaustive one. You can however, find some of the best places to visit near Rio de Janeiro and surrounding areas. The Buzzle article on Brazil vacation spots should provide some useful information on this topic.

Ouro Preto
This town is declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ouro Preto was a colonial town and came into focus due to the gold rush of 18th century; this place is 513 km away from Rio de Janeiro and lies to its north. The highlights of Ouro Preto are its churches (famous for their Baroque architecture), cobblestone streets and whitewashed mansions. You get the feeling of entering an 18th century city by visiting Ouro Pretpo. School of Mines and Metallurgy and Museum of the Inconfidencia are the important monuments that you can visit in Ouro Preto.

Brasilia
The capital city of Brasilia also is listed as one of the World Heritage sites. It is said to be the only city built in 20th century. It is one of Brazil’s famous places known for the futuristic buildings and other monuments. The architecture therefore, presents a great look to this city. Important places to visit in Brasilia include the Catedral Metropolitana, President Kubitschek’s Memorial, Three Powers Square and the TV tower.

Pantanal
It is the largest wetland area in the world. Situated on the western border of Brazil, Pantanal is the best place to see different animal species in their wild habitat. The total area of this wetland is 54,000 sq miles. A place called Corumba is the starting point for organizing tours to the Pantanal. Corumba is connected by air with cities like Cuiaba and Campo Grande. The jaguars, caimans and capybaras are main attractions for tourists visiting the Pantanal. The period between June and November is best to spot a jaguar in the Pantanal region.

Marine National Park of Abrolhos Read the rest of this entry »

Lake Louise
Canadien Rockies and glaciers that overlook lake Louise, the glacier lake, make the place perfect for relaxing and breathing in fresh air. This lake is located in the heart of Banff national park. The turquoise water is so soothing to eyes and mind that you would love to sit on the shores of the lake for hours. The lake is spread over an area of 0.8 square kilometers. It is surrounded by grand luxury hotels which try to make your stay comfortable and unforgettable. You can visit other lakes like Mirror Lake, Moraine Lake and Lake Agnes, which are in the vicinity of Lake Louise. You can select the way you want to spend your time around the lake. Various options are available, for example, horse riding, mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and many more. You can visit nearby spots like Big Beehive, Little Beehive, Devils Thumb, Saddleback Pass, Mount Whyte, Fairview Mountain and Mount Niblock. You can rent a canoe and can gently glide across the lake, being totally at peace with yourself. In winter also, you can enjoy ice skating, ice climbing, ice fishing and various other activities. The glistening ice sculptures presented in the Ice Magic Festival are worth seeing.

Calgary
Calgary is 294 km away from Edmonton. It is a favorite tourist destination, popular for winter sports and eco-tourism. Sprawling green parks and the river Bow in the city make the city cool and beautiful. If you are planning a family vacation, then this is the best place for recreation and family fun. You can enjoy eating out in restaurants and shopping in markets. You can plan your daily program after deciding the places to visit. You can visit Glenbow museum, military museum, gardens, zoo, spas, art galleries and performing arts centers, as per your liking. The heritage park is a historical village, developed over 127 acres of land, surrounding the beautiful Glenmore Reservoir. Even the tree-lined river paths in the Calgary city can take you away from the hustle bustle of the city. Olympic plaza and Bowness park are the places of tourist attractions. You can enjoy winter skating, motor sport racing, horse racing, football, ski jumping, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, anything….As Calgary is situated at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it is one of the most favorite destinations of winter sports lovers.

Elk Island National Park
This national park is Canada’s first federal wildlife sanctuary. It is the best site for camping. You can reach the park by car within 30-35 minutes if you are in Edmonton. Hiking, cross country skiing, camping and snowshoeing can be enjoyed here. Those who are interested in seeing a lot of wildlife must visit this park. It is one of the best places to see in Alberta. You will enjoy site seeing as you will be able to see herds of wood bison and plains bison, moose, elk, deer, white tail and mule deer, beaver, porcupine, Canadian lynx and so many other animals. This park is referred to as bird watchers paradise. Over 250 species of birds have been noticed in the park. You will be able to see pelicans, great blue herons, various types of ducks, bald eagles, great horned owls, osprey, etc. Because of the special efforts taken, Trumpeter Swan, an endangered species, is now growing in numbers in this area. Read the rest of this entry »