Popular Sights

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.

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.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The vastness of the Land Down Under is hard to imagine and it is filled with so much to see and do. The possibilities are endless. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef, catch sunrise over majestic Ayers Rock, shop and dine in urban sophistication in Sydney, witness the magic and scenic splendor of mystical lands... Every moment of every day in every location is a travel experience that will exceed your expectations.

Each tour itinerary on our site is an expertly crafted for an exceptional travel experience and offers unparalleled insights into the culture, history and people in every unique region. Your Travel Director will introduce you to places you would never find on your own and will make every experience come alive as only a Trafalgar travel professional can. Combined with luxury coaches, legendary trains and breathtaking cruises to the Great Barrier Reef every detail is handled to ensure that you have the ultimate vacation. You will also have ample free time to discover and enjoy those things and places that are most special to you.

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."

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Tower of Pisa, one of Europe's most famous towers and designed by Bonanno Pisano, is a freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. The Tower of Pisa was a work of art, performed in three stages over a period of about 177 years. It stands 183.27 feet tall from the ground on the shortest side and 186.02 on the highest side. 

Construction of the first floor of the white marble campanile began on August 9, 1173. This first floor is surrounded by pillars with classical capitals, leaning against blind arches.

The tower began to sink after construction progressed to the third floor in 1178. This was due to a mere three-meter foundation, set in weak, unstable subsoil and the construction was halted, allowing time for the underlying soil to settle, otherwise, the tower would almost certainly have toppled. 

The construction resumed in 1272. Trying to compensate for the tilt the engineers built higher floors with one side taller than the other. This made the tower begin to lean in the other direction. Because of this, the tower is actually curved. Construction was halted again in 1284.

The seventh floor was completed in 1319. The bell-chamber was not finally added until 1372. There are seven bells in the tower, one for each note of the tuned musical scale. 

After a phase (1990-2001) of structural strengthening, the tower is currently undergoing gradual surface restoration, in order to repair visual damage, mostly corrosion and blackening.

After 2001, the tower reopened to the public. However, the number of visitors is strictly controlled via compulsory 35- to 40-minute guided tours where you are able to climb to the top. There are 294 stairs with no hand rails and the walls are worn smooth. The stairs are slippery and were built in a very tight spiral. You may think it was harder getting down than going up.