Florence, Italy

Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2011

AN AFTERNOON IN FLORENCE

When we travel, my husband and I enjoy the half day city sightseeing tours to get acquainted with a destination.  However, rather than choose another tour for the afternoon, we enjoy getting to know the ambiance, local shops and people.   After a visit to the Academy to see the famous Michaelangelo’s David as well as the artist’s numerous unfinished and fascinating sculptures, we went to the Arno River.   The only bridge to survive World War II was the Ponte Vecchio and it is a must!  It’s a short walk actross the Arno with lovely little open air jewelers and other shops and when you arrive at the south end of the bridge, there are charming outdoor dining venues with incredible pasta.   After relaxing over a leisurely lunch, walk just a few steps to the fabulous Pitti Palace.  This was originally owned by a Pitti but is famous as the residence of the infamous Medici family.  It’s a small art museum and the Boboli Gardens behind the museum are also well worth a look.   Besides lush plantings, there are waterfalls, reflecting pools, sculptures and an amazing view of Florence itself as it is up on a hill.  Great photo ops…

Written by: Laura U
laura@atlastravelweb.com

Places to Visit in Peru

Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009

Peru is full of wonderful things to discover...whether it's the mysterious and fascinating Nazca lines, or the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. The warmth of Peru's people, the stunning scenery and diversity of landscape make any journey to Peru unforgettable.

Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail:  The "Lost City of the Incas," amongst the towering peaks of the Andes, is Peru's most famous and dramatic archeological attraction. Travel by train is feasible, however the trek along the 4-day Inca Trail is the insipration choice of tested travellers. For many tourists to Peru, this is the purpose for their trip.

Cuzco:  The ancient capital of the Inca Empire is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent. Stonewalled cobblestone alleys wind through a town filled with arcaheological wonders and local culture.  Surrounded by the majestic Andes, Cuzco is full of opporunities to go hiking, biking or rafting.

Nazca:  Along the southern cost of Peru lays a stony desert in which an ancient mystery is set.  The Nazca lines, a series of enormous geometric shapes and animal figures etched into the ground, are a compelling draw to many travellers.  The origins of these mystical formations are still unknown.

The Amazon:  Some of the best preserved and least expired parts of this massive rainforest lie in Peru.  It contains the origins of the Amazon River and thousands of unique plants and rare animal species.  The biodiversity is unmatched anywhere in the world.

Places to Visit in Costa Rica

Posted on Saturday, October 31, 2009

Costa Rica is a nature lover's dream.  One of the first true eco-destinations, this tiny country gives you almost unlimited wildlife viewing and many other activities.

Central Valley Region:  Home to the capital city of San Jose, this is a region of coffee plantations, rolling hills, towering volcanoes and rainforest reserves.

Tortuguero:  Also called the "Amazon of Costa Rica," for its unique eco-system, this remote area is a place for eal nature enjoyment.

Arenal Volcano and Lake:  There's a lot to do and see in this area: the erupting Arenal volcano, the Tabacon hot springs, the La Fortuna waterfall, the Venado Caves and Cano Negras Biological Reserve.

Southern Pacific Coast:  This is an area of popular beache spots full of action. The Manuel Antonio National Park is a lush blend of jungle and beaches.

Caribbean Coast:  Home to Limon, this is a unique region of the country with beautiful palm-lined beaches, coral reefs, national parks and an Afro-Caribbean flavour.

Monteverde: Monteverde is famous for its cloudforests and incredible biodiversity.  A highlight of the region is the famous Skywalk Canopy tour.

Guanacaste:  The most popular beach area in the country.  Home to Tamarindo. Guanacaste is blessed with hundreds of miles of pristine, sandy beaches.

London Changing of the Guards

Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009

"Changing the Guard dates to Henry VII (reigned 1485-1509) and was designed to show military discipline as well as ceremony. The tall bearskin hats were introduced in the 18th century to make the soldiers look taller and thus more frightening, and they were adopted for ceremonial use in 1832. The ceremony we know today started in the late 1800s and involves real soldiers who fulfill all military duties, guarding the Queen being just part of their service."

Popular Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii

Posted on Sunday, October 11, 2009

The beaches of this magnificent island run the range from white to black – and are all bounded by beautiful emerald seas that offer a full variety of watersports.

Green Sand Beach – If you’re looking for something adventurous, try a 5-mile round-trip hike across various terrains to see this rare, green-sand beach. Because of its relatively remote location at the very southern tip of the island and the hike it takes to get there, this beach is usually less crowded than others.

Hapuna Beach – One of the best white-sand beaches on the island, Hunpa is great for snorkeling, swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding. It’s about 1 mile long, and it can get a bit crowded on weekends.

Punaluu Beach – If you want to see a black-sand beach, this is your spot. The rich, dark sand glistens in the sun, giving it an otherworldly feel. An if the black sand gets too hot, just scoop up the beach and sit underneath the many palm trees. Huge green sea turtles often lumber ashore to sun themselves there.