Traveling in Santa Marta, Colombia

Located in northern Colombia, Santa Marta is on the Caribbean and is a popular tourist attraction for the country. Here in Santa Marta you can also find the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, which are quite a beautiful sight for anyone in the area to check out. This is a very important maritime port with rich history and culture. This wonderful city was the first city to be founded in Colombia and the second city founded in all of South America, which is another reason it is a great place for tourism, due to its extensive history. However, like most major cities in Colombia, it has been affected by the Colombian Armed Conflict. Fortunately, it has only been moderately affected unlike cities like Bogota which have been largely affected.

Santa Marta may very well be the biggest hot spot for tourism in the country of Colombia. It has quite the array of historical and modern sights to see as well as many sights for the eco-tourist. Every year Las Fiestas del Mar, or The Festival of the Sea, is celebrated here in Santa Marta. This festival is held around the months of June and July and serves as a large tourist attraction during the midyear vacationing season. One of the most anticipated events here every year is the jet ski show organized by the Santa Marta Esqui. Like most other South American festivals there are parties, music, beauty pageants, and parades throughout the city. People here in this part of the world are very serious about their celebrations! This particular festival even has its own slogan: Santa Marta, la magica de tenerlo todo, or in translation, Santa Marta, the magic of having it all!

Of course you can find other museums, monuments, and parks within this gorgeous city. The last home of the city's founder, Simon Bolivar, was made into a museum for his honor. Here you will find many artifacts that are important to the history of this city and to South America. One of the oldest Cathedrals in South America may also be found here. This Cathedral is a national monument and also held the remains of Simon Bolivar until 1842. Here you will also find the oldest house of America, built in 1530; it is called La Casa de la Aduana or simply the Customs House. Today it is actually known as the Tayrona Museum, and is one of the more popular tourist sights. Here in Santa Marta you can also find the building which is known as the jewel of colonial architecture. This building is known as the Madame Augustine House. Close outside the city you will find the San Fernando Fort which is another great example of colonial architecture. It was built to protect the city from pirates and the like. Of course, a trip to Santa Marta would not be complete without visiting the Tairona National Park, which is located about thirty four kilometers north of Santa Marta. This reserve is by far the most important one inside the country of Colombia and holds vast beauty for the locals and the traveler abroad.

Theme Parks in France

There comes a point when you have seen enough restaurants, monuments, and other typical tourist attractions. Children especially may not find these too exciting. France offers quite a few theme parks to keep families happy. They can be located throughout the country and differ in size and themes.

You do not have to be in North America to enjoy Disneyland. Disneyland Resort Paris includes two theme parks. It opened in April of 1992 and was the second Disney resort to open outside of the United States. It is one of Europe's biggest tourist destinations. The first theme park is based off the original park in California. It is the largest based on the original with more than 140 acres. Walt Disney Studios Park is another spot to visit. Other than the theme parks, there is an entertainment district that has many restaurants, shops, and other venues. This stays open after the park closes, so your fun does not have to end until you want it. There is also Golf Disneyland which offers 9 hole and 18 hole courses.

You may not want to see Disneyland since you could see it in the United States whenever you wish. Another fun theme park to visit is Parc Astrix. The theme park is based on the stories of Astrix. Astrix is a series of French comic books. The park is located 20 miles north of Paris, in the city of Plailly. If you enjoy roller coasters, this is the park for you since it is known for its large variety of roller coasters to choose from. Other features of the park include a swinging ship, a rapid river ride, and a haunted mansion that has special effects. It used to be open only from April until October, but since 2007 the park is also open in the winter.

Puy du Fou theme park is the second most visited attraction in France after Disneyland Paris. Puy du Fou is a historical theme park that is located in Western France in the city of Les Epesses. The theme park has five attractions to choose from. One of the attractions is known as The Vikings. It is a set reconstructed from a 1000 year old fortress. Gladiators are another part of the park. It takes place in a replica of a coliseum in Rome. The show consists of traditional parades, chariot racing, and executions. There are many other shows to be entertained by when visiting the park.

One other park that can be fun for the whole family is located in Lower Normandy, France. Parc Festyland has a theme that is both in its rides and restaurants. A lot of the park has to do with Vikings. You will find roller coasters, bumper cars, and a water slide.

Theme parks are opened throughout the year, so when planning your trip, make sure it is open when you will be there. There is usually a park in every area of the country so they will be easy to find. It will not only be a fun time for your children, but for you also!

Traveling in Santiago de Cali, Colombia

Santiago de Cali is also referred to as Cali for short here in the country of Colombia. This city is the main municipality and capital of the Valle del Cauca, which is a department in western Colombia. Cali is the third largest city in Colombia with a population of over two million. It is home to the fastest growing economy in the country and is a very significant reference point because of its geographic location. The first part of this great city's name is in honor to the apostle Saint James. Just as in many South American cities it has many cathedrals and important religious temples. A humorous side not for this now notoriously large city is that its beginning population, for quite some time, was no more than seventeen people.

This is another great South American city to find yourself visiting if you are a sports fan. As a matter of fact, it is the sports capital of Colombia. In the same year that this great city was named the sports capital of Colombia, they also finished the construction of the second largest building in Colombia. This building is known as the La Torre de Cali, or the Cali Tower. This gigantic building houses a hotel, offices and even apartment complexes. It stands forty two floors above the city and is a wonderful stop on any vacationing trip here to Colombia. You can even reserve a room in the hotel here at this great tower, but plan ahead because it becomes booked for months in advance!

Santiago de Cali is home to a vast array of historical tourism. There are a great and many attractions here in downtown Cali such as churches like the La Merced and La Ermita, which are very popular sights. These historical sights are so very popular because of the preservation of the old city and other historical land marks. One of the most important zones here in Cali is La Plaza de Caycedo, which is considered by locals and tourists alike to be the center of the city. It is a square surrounded by an array of both historical and modern buildings. Some of the important buildings surrounding this square are the El Edificio Otero, La Cathedral, and El Palacio de Justicia. This Plaza is in proximity to many popular tourist places like the municipal theater, the La Merced Church, and the Saint Francis' church in Spanish Iglesia de San Francisco. All these sights are highly acclaimed by the locals and tourists alike and a re a great place for any foreigner to stop and check out.

Cali is also a city that has many various monuments, parks, squares, and museums that are all very well kept, as this is one of the cleaner cities in Colombia. They are a few very famous sculptures within this city such as the Cristo Rey, which is located on top of a mountain range. There is also the sculpture of Sebastian se Belalcazar, who was founder of the city.

Traveling in Morelia, Mexico

Morelia is known to be one of the colonial jewels of the country. It became a World Heritage Site in 1991. It is the capital of the Mexican state Michoacan de Ocampo. Morelia is one of the cleanest cities in Mexico and is proclaimed for its great city wide beauty. It is surrounded by rolling hills and also renowned for the beautiful country side that surrounds it. This is another great city for eco-tourists. It is a great city for any tourist!

The whole of Morelia's downtown is a historic adventure. It covers about one hundred and fifty city blocks and contains over one thousand historic buildings. There is without a doubt a lot to see here in this city. You will need to take a week or so vacation to be able to cover all the things that there are to see throughout this beautiful city! The city is best known for the magnificence of its monuments which, of course, are mostly colonial. The main buildings of attraction are the Baroque Cathedral, the convent of San Francisco, the convent of San Agustin, and also the college and temple of La Compania de Jesus which is also know as the Palacio Clavijero. There is also the convent of El Carmen and the convent of Santa Catarina. So, if you are a religious type of person who wants to appreciate some of the most beautiful temples ever built in honor of Jesus and the Saints, Morelia is a perfect destination.

There are plenty of other structures and convents which should also be praised for their architecture and design which are only slightly less well known. These buildings include the convent of La Merced, the college of Santa Rosa Maria, the Palace of the Executive, the eighteenth century palaces of the Legislature and Judiciary, the college Primitivo y Nacional de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, the Museum Michoacano. There is, of course, the house where Jose Maria Morelos was born whom was a founder of the city. This house is now used as a museum, library and other cultural events.

If you are interested in seeing high quality art works you will want to visit the Casa de las Artesanias. Along with many other great museums in the town to see. There are also a great and many churches in the other parts of town that are noteworthy and proclaimed by the locals to be a must see. There is the Templo de las Rosas which is annex to the Conservatorio de las Rosas. Both of these buildings are wonderful examples of baroque style of architecture. Then last but not least there is the Templo de San Diego which was built as an interpretation of the Rococo style using indigenous colors and an indigenous technique.

This is a great city for eco-tourism of the city kind. There is also the benefit of the beautiful country side. This is a vacationing spot that is much more laid back than some of the other cities of Mexico. It is also another one of the safe places in Mexico to vacation to. The crime rates are very low here!

Different ways to Travel in Brazil

There are different ways that you can travel in Brazil. People need different types of transportation depending on their circumstances and where they are going. Taking a bus in Brazil can be more economical than other types of transportation. Taking a bus may be cheaper to do but it is more time consuming in the long run. It could take several hours to travel where you want to go. The intercity buses offer comfort and a hassle free experience. They sometimes have different companies that travel on the same bus routes. So you can choose between these companies in deciding which bus you are going to use. Some of the intercity busses offer things such as toilets on the bus, reclining and sleeper seats, air conditioning, and pillows and blankets. These things and more make traveling on a bus very comfortable. A lot of the intercity buses are scheduled during night hours and stop occasionally to switch drivers and to get gas and food. If you are planning on traveling around Brazil with a large group of people then you may want to consider hiring a van driver. Many cities that are in Brazil have van services for your convenience. These vans are comfortable and air conditioned. And can hold up to ten people including their luggage.

Other forms of traveling in Brazil are taxis. Taxi service is available in most all Brazilian cities. This is a very good way of traveling around the cities in Brazil. Some taxis will charge you more then others so check with them what the fare will be beforehand. Independent taxis have been known to be more expensive and could charge you as much as double the fare as other taxis. Moto taxis are often used for short trips and are in many Brazilian cities. So if you are in need of going a short distance then the moto taxi may be just what you are looking for. There are also subway systems if you would like to travel by subway. They offer clean, fast and reliable service. Some people think this is the best way to get around the large congested cities.

Traveling on airlines is another way to get around Brazil. It is important to check ahead for scheduled times and what the fare will cost you in advance. And find out if the airline has fights that will go to and from Brazilian cities. Car Rentals is another way of traveling around Brazil. There are many different car rental services to help you get a rental car. You can also contact a travel agent to help you arrange a car rental reservation. The airport can also offer help to you to get car rental service. When renting a car make sure that you have full insurance so that it will cover any expenses incase of an accident. These are just a few of the ways that you can travel in Brazil. They all offer different services for your pleasure and convenience. And are dependable and convenient ways to travel.