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Getting your future holiday plans in order and have Europe on the mind? Here are some recommendations for a European vacation you won’t soon forget.
Any holiday in Europe is not complete without a trip to London. It is by far the largest city in the European Union, but, like with most things, quality is more important than quantity. London follows this mantra. It houses an extensive array of famous landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, and just minutes away from the massive green space of Hyde Park in central London, you can see any musical or play your heart desires at Piccadilly Circus’ theatre district.
If you’ve never been to Rome, you’re missing out on one of the most famous, historically rich, influential cities in the world. Not only is Rome home to historical structures like Castel S. Angelo and the Colosseum, it is also a very contemporary city. In one visit to Rome, you can uncover thousands of years of history on a crypts and catacombs tour and take a tour based on Dan Brown’s best-selling novel, Angels and Demons. Rome hop on hop off bus tours offer a comprehensive tour of Rome, allowing you to disembark the bus as you please to further explore the attractions at any of the over 15 stops. One thing is for sure: there are tons of sights to see in Rome and a hop on hop off Rome bus tour will show you all of Rome’s can’t miss attractions.
Head to Milan’s Santa Maria delle Grazie church to experience Da Vinci’s Last Supper for yourself. There is something unforgettable about witnessing the world-renowned Last Supper painting in its authenticity. However, tickets for the Last Supper are limited and Dan Brown’s best-seller, The Da Vinci Code, has resulted in more and more demand for Last Supper tickets. It is a good idea to reserve Last Supper tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Image taken on 2008-01-07 10:15:23 by Luiz Felipe Castro.
To be honest with you, before going to Ceara, Brazil, my husband and I did not know what to expect there. We were conscious that it could be both, unbelievably good or bad. To our surprise, what we discovered for ourselves was a very pleasant weather, lots of sun, and superb beaches. All of the above make Ceara one of the main tourist destinations of Northeast in Brazil. It is located right below the line of the Equator, and has 573 km of coast along the Atlantic Ocean. The sea breeze softens the temperature, making the air to be about between 23C at night and 30C during the day all year around, and has a typical tropical climate.
Based on some dates and historians, Spanish expeditions arrived in Ceara in 1500, at Ponta Grossa Cape, but for some reasons the discovery was never officially recorded. Ceara’s occupation began in 1603 with Pero Coelho de Sousa’s expedition. In 1649, the Dutchman Matthias Beck built fort Schoonenborch, that some years later would be called Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora de Assuncao, initial landmark of Fortaleza, which in 1823 was elevated to a city status by the Imperator Dom Pedro I. Later, when Province of the Ceara was separated from the Province of Pernambuco, Fortaleza became Ceara’s capital city, which now a days is the fourth biggest city in Brazil, with a population more than 2400 000 people.
Our firs stop was in Fortaleza. What can I say about the city? Fortaleza is the city of contrasts. Modern Metropolis has beautiful beaches, green bluish sea, and wind is always blowing. Most people are friendly, usually laughing and having fun. The most famous to see there are Iracema, Futuro and Beira-Mar beaches. Every beach has its own charm and unique things to see and enjoy. Beira-Mar beach for example, during the evening and at night turns into a place for the practice of jogging, biking, cultural manifestations, and shopping at the artisanship open-air market. On the other hand, close to the Porto das Dunas beach you will find the Beach Park, which is the biggest water park in Sough America.
I have to say that artesian art there fascinates, it is very diverse and includes rendas (lacework), embroidery, braided work in straw and lianas, ceramic, wood, leather, and many other inventive and beautiful handmaid works. The cuisine in Fortaleza is International; you can dine from Japanese restaurant to Italian gourmet restaurants, but the main flavors that can be tasted all over Ceara are typical seafood dishes that are truly delightful, such as panelada, buchada, carne de sol (which can be found only in this province), baiao-de-dois and tapioca.
City of Fortaleza is beautiful, but you do not have to stop there, because it is much to see on the east and west coast from Fortaleza. SolNascente Coast (east) awaits you with amazing smaller cities, fishermen’s villages and superb beaches as Caponga, Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes, with their fresh water fountains and the beautiful craft done with colored sand from the colorful sand cliffs that surround those spectacular beaches. The surprises continue at Aracati, an historical city, considered National Patrimony, that every year at the end of February and beginning of March attracts thousands of people to its colorful and joyful carnival. It also has the Majorlandia and Canoa Quebrada white sand beaches, known and famous all over the world. Along the way you will enjoy scenery of coconut trees, more beaches with lots of wind ideal for the practice of surf and regattas.
SolPoente Coast (west) is the route of sun, cashew fazendas, sea and magic.
The west coast from Fortaleza has in its dunes, cliffs, ponds and lagoons some of its most significant features. Wide beaches, many of them still in primitive condition, and generally inhabited by fishermen communities that preserve their traditions. You can see moveable dunes between sea, river, and green bluish lakes which is a unique landscape in the world. Some of the most popular stops there would be Cumbuco, Taiba, Paracuru and famous Jericoacoara, considered one of the most beautiful beaches of the world, find some great properties at www.holidayhomes.ca/search/brazil.html. It is a perfect place for windsurf, and for its beauty and uniqueness was taken to the condition of an Environmental Protection Area.
I recommend everyone to see my few favorite places if visiting Brazil. Number one in my heart will always be Jericoacoara. It is a little village with amazing people and settings, views, spectacular sunsets, sunrises, and its famous Pedra Furada. Second was Canoa Quebrada, and third I liked Morro Branco, about which I will be talking more in my next review.
Image taken on 2007-12-03 22:42:35 by wili_hybrid.
The expression “It takes two to tango” is an idiom meaning that the subject cannot be done without more than one person and is often used with a slightly negative or at least mischievous connotation, referring to infidelity or conspiracy. This phrase was originally coined in a song composed in 1952 by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and since then it’s been used in political situations and in the media making its way into popular language. Some of the song lyrics are ‘You can sail in a ship by yourself, Take a nap or a nip by yourself. You can get into debt on your own. There are lots of things that you can do alone. (But it) Takes two to tango’ …etc.
So we are confident about the number of people it takes to dance the tango, but how many people does it take to Samba? Referring to expert sources on the web, the answer is evidently two. So Samba is a two person dance as well as the Tango. If popular culture had been so inclined, the phrase could have been coined ‘It takes two to samba,’ though it lacks the same ring.
To learn more about the Samba and the Tango it is recommended that you visit Brazil and Argentina respectively. While the internet can be a great ‘How to’ resource, when it comes to dancing the Samba, you really need to do it for yourself, and what better place to do that Rio de Janeiro, the exciting and lively coastal city in Brazil. Rio claims to have a musical soul and with beautiful beaches bumping up against this vibrant city, the samba is a popular activity day and night, all through the year. Visit Rio during Carnival and you are likely to experience a lifetimes worth of Samba in one week.
The Tango, however can best be explored in Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina and home to arguably the best Tango dancers in the world. Buenos Aires has been dancing the Tango for over a hundred years, carefully molding it into the professional and powerful dance it is today. They dance so much Tango they’ve even declared a national “Tango Day” on December 11 where the whole country takes a day to really consider the special meaning and cultural significance behind this dance.
These neighboring countries are separated by the Iguazu River and Iguazu Falls, the most amazing waterfall in the world that is actually a collection of 275 individual falls. The powerful water of the Iguazu River cascading over scaling cliffs and enormous boulders is an immense and spiritual experience. The falls can be visited from both Argentina and Brazil offering very different and equally awesome perspectives.
If you’re like me maybe you are wondering if Samba dancers ever dance the Tango or Tango dancers every dance the Samba. Iguazu Falls would be a good place to go to find out because of it’s location on the border. Rio de Janeiro may be the suggested location for dancing the Samba and Buenos Aires for dancing the Tango, but one can’t help but wonder what people dance at Iguazu Falls. Perhaps some sort of Samba-Tango fusion, likely called the Tangba. Why not a vacation to find out?
A suggested South America travel itinerary that includes Argentina and Brazil includes Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires. All three travel destinations have many exciting sites and activities to offer its visitors, some of them are obvious to the average traveler and others may not be.
One option for a day in Rio de Janeiro, once you’ve visited Sugarloaf Mountain and taken photos of Christ the Redeemer, is to take a full-day tour of the tropical islands near Rio. This trip is generally considered to be one of the most charming and delightful activities to do from Rio and involves an hour and a half drive through fields of banana plantations and tiny villages until you arrive at Itacurussa, a coastal village.
From Itacurussa you can embark on a schooner from the northeast of Brazil, known as a Saveiro, to explore the cool and calm waters in Sepetiba Bay. The boat stops on a deserted island where you can go for a lovely dip before continuing on to a private island to enjoy a delicious lunch buffet, served in a tranquil and rustic atmosphere. There will be time to explore this island further after lunch, either strolling along the beach, swimming is the Atlantic waters or stretching out on the beach to work on your Rio tan. Treasure hunts, Olympic games, snorkeling, and water skiing can all be arranged to enhance the fun of the tour. You’ll depart on your return cruise to Itacurussa just in time to see the beautiful, pristine sunset away from the hustle and bustle of Rio city.
Iguazu Falls, located on the border between Brazil and Argentina is your next recommended stop on your way to Buenos Aires. You won’t regret visiting this awesome natural phenomenon. While you are in Iguazu check out a Dinner and Folk Show featuring a full service buffet with a wide variety of salads, hot and cold dishes, desserts and an ice cream bar. While you are enjoying your dinner, you’ll appreciate a live show with folk songs and dances from Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.
Buenos Aires will be the next destination on your South America travel itinerary. There is so much to do in Buenos Aires be sure to do plenty of research. One suggested activity if you are in good physical shape is a bike tour. There is no more fun way to experience and learn your way around a new place than through an exciting tour on two wheels. You don’t need to bring anything with you more than comfortable clothes, the tour will rent you the bike and a guide will show you around. In the South you can explore the city’s historical, social and architectural contrasts while the north visits Retiro, Barrio Parque and Palermo Woods. If you can’t choose between the two neighborhoods, do both tours. Regardless, make sure and give yourself plenty of time in Buenos Aires to enjoy all the lovely activities this city has to offer.
Now is the time to book your South America vacation to Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, and Buenos Aires.
Summer starts in December and ends in February in this South American country. So before going on a trip to Brazil, one has to have enough information on what to bring. Here are a few tips to help in deciding in what to prepare for a trip to this fine country.
* Protect your photo equipment and other equipment sensitive to humidity.
Humidity is high in Brazil. Sealable plastic bags are also useful, so make sure to bring some.
* Bring your medication and prescription.
If you brought some medication, make sure you declare it at the Customs. There are also some drugs that can be bought from the chemist without a prescription.
* Buy mosquito repellent and sun block when you get there.
These are of good quality and are suitable formulated for the conditions of the country.
* Get Hepatitis shots before leaving for Brazil.
Hepatitis A, B and C cases are prevalent in Brazil. Also, always wash your hands before eating. Use appropriate disinfectants and antiseptics.
* Pack light
Most air carriers have a luggage limit of 20 kilos. Having your clothes washable and mix-matched for different look is more advisable than carrying more clothes. When not on a business trip, pack casual clothes as most Brazilians dress casually.
* Keep copies of all your important documents.
You may leave copies of these with a friend back home, or keep copies in a separate location from the originals. You can also email the copies to yourself.
* Bring a pair of sandals
If the reason for the trip to Brazil is the beaches, then a pair of sandals, together with one’s bathing suit and hat is necessary.
* Bring some deodorant and perfume.
One sweats too here and these essentials are very handy.
* Never leave your belongings unattended.
If you can settle for disposable cameras, then, do so.
* Learn some Portuguese.
Knowledge of Portuguese can help when communicating with the locals. English, Spanish, German, French and Italian are also spoken in tourist areas.
* Have valid entry documents.
One’s passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Foreign tourists are given a maximum of 180 days to stay in 1 year. Renewals for 90 days may be obtained from Policia Federal.
* Have some cash handy.
Major credit cards- MasterCard, Visa, Amex and Diners – are accepted, as well as traveler’s checks. Cash will be needed if you are going outside the major cities.
With these guidelines, one can look forward to having an enjoyable travel to Brazil.
In Fortaleza, Brazil we stayed for a few nights around Beira Mar Ave., were a hand made crafts market was opened every single evening. Along the street, there were many people advertising different travel destinations along coast of Ceara. First that got our attention was a small and charming place called Jericoacoara. Jericoacoara (Jeri, called by Brazilians) as we learned later is the most wanted tourist attraction in Ceara too. It is far away from modern world, and offers a quiet refuge into paradise while staying there. Jeri is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches in the world.
It is also a city in a protected and preserved area, which is kept in its primitive state by the Brazilian government. That is why we decided to go there first, and started to look into different ways on how to get there. The most reasonable and safe way we found, was to take a bus operated by Redencao. A round trip will cost you R$ 35.50 ($1 USD =R$1.81 at the time of our travel) per person. This bus stops every morning at exactly 9:15 am in front of the Praiano Palace Hotel on Beira Mar Ave., and takes all tourists that wish to visit Jericoacoara. It is a bus with comfortable seats and with air conditioner. The trip is about 6 hours along the Hwy.
During the trip, you can watch a video or the views outside the window, and admire and be amazed by the size and the number of the cashew trees, and the greens of the sugar cane plantations. We also stopped along the way and had lunch in a very authentic Brazilian outside cafeteria, with very good Brazilian food. After 5 hours, our bus stopped and we had to change it for another one, which was a 4X4 bus, because the Hwy finished at Praia beach. The rest of the trip was very impressive, along the beach and between white dunes.
When we arrived there, many locals came around to propose different options of the available hotels and posadas (small Inn). It is quiet easy to find and accommodate your taste and pockets to the options that they offer. The most expensive and modern is a hotel called Mosquito Blue the less expensive are little pousadas, they are R$ 35.00 per night and up. We chouse a posada called Jeri Brazil, because I really liked its country style. The owner was a friendly woman called Edna. She was the one to cook our meals too. We paid R$ 50.00 a night including breakfast and internet.
Jericoacoara steals your heart with its simple beauty. Its streets are paved with sand. Everywhere you can see, houses adorned with bushes full of colorful flowers and are shaded by cashew and coconut trees. Jeri has just four main streets, along which you can find the restaurants and small gift shops. There also are a few small supermarkets were you can buy the essentials if you need them, and they offer stuff like fresh fruits, snacks, sunscreen, a variety of drinks, etc…
Jeri is full of things to do for the active and extreme as well as for those who wish to relax and recharge.
Image taken on 2007-12-03 21:03:40 by wili_hybrid.
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