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Machu Picchu, Home of the Ancients...

2007-08-04T11:33:00.000+07:00

Destination: Peru

Virtual Tours and travel information on Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Cusco, Lima, Lake Titicaca, and the coastal desert - take the trip with us and see why 600,000 people visit Peru each year.

The ruins of Machu Picchu are located in the Urubamba province. Nested on the eastern slopes of the Vilcanota mountain range, a chain of mountains stopped by the Apurimac and Urubamba Rivers, it stands at an altitude of 2,350 meters above sea level. Machu Picchu’s climate is subtropical with dense rainforests. The temperature is mild, warm and damp. The heaviest rainfalls are from the months of November through March, the months from April through October bring drier with hot temperatures. Typical plant life includes plaonayes, qientas, alisos, puya palm trees, ferns and more than 90 species of orchids!

There are several legends about the origins or the Inca and the emergence of Manco Capac, who was the founder of the dynasty of princes of Cuzco and the Inca Kings. One such legends tells of strangers or new tribes that came from unknown lands across the sea in rafts or boats and landed on the coast, later either settling there or trekking further into the highlands. Other legends tell of the wandering of a clan in search of a permanent place to settle. This clan took up residence at the island sanctuary on Lake Titicaca. Subsequently, Manco left his 200 companions there with the assurance that they would find him again if they asked for the "Son of the Sun and Moon." He reportedly wandered slowly in a northwesterly direction to a shrine of Pacaritampu, about a two day walk from Cuzco. According to legend, Manco Capac had been prepared by a magician for his future as king.

Pacific Harbour - The adventure capital of Fiji

2007-07-26T20:27:00.000+07:00

"After a while we had reached a small village on a hillside which almost seemed to be untouched by civilisation"

The small community of Pacific Harbour was supposed to be the tourism hub on the Coral Coast, when developers started their project several years ago. There are hotels, a golf club, a marina, a residential area and the Fijian Cultural Centre and Marketplace. But still it all seems rather quiet and there are vacant house blocks everywhere. Therefore marketers thought it would be great to make Pacific Harbour the adventure capital of Fiji. And there are actually some quite interesting activities you can undertake from here. The two islands Bequa and Yanuca, famous as the origins of Fijian Firewalking, can be seen from the shore. The Bequa Lagoon is supposingly one of the world's great diving spots, where shark sightings with up to eight different species are almost guaranteed. There are several golf courses around and the nearby Navua River is one of Fiji's best places to go rafting. The Pearl Resort, located on Pacific Harbour's prime location, is an upmarket design hotel with a nice stretch of beach and easy access to the marina. When we visited Pacific Harbour we had the feeling we were the only people out here. Even the Cultural Center closed early that day.

One day we did River Kayaking in the Namosi Highlands with Discover Fiji Tours, which does pick-ups from the Coral Coast. The small lively community of Navua is the point of origin for several tours the company offers. The tour, which was accompanied by two competent and funny guides, started off with a 1-hour inland drive to the Namosi hinterland. After that a 1.5 hour intermediate track took us along some stunning landscapes, lakes and rainforest. The guides explained flora and fauna whenever anything interesting came up. After a while we had reached a small village on a hillside which almost seemed to be untouched by civilisation. Our tour operator seemed to provide some sort of income to the friendly locals as they had prepared our inflatable kayaks already and served us some bread fruit and sandwiches.

We boarded our kayaks and started the adventure. The scenery was just amazing as we passed gorges, rainforests, waterfalls and wide green fields. There were several rapids along the way which complimented this totally fun experience. A longboat accompanied us the whole time and carried our backpacks as well as water and fruits. Another highlight was the stop at a waterfall, where we could go for a refreshing swim. The guides pointed out several locations on the way that have appeared in the movie Anaconda 2, while we were running down the river for almost three hours. We had a really pleasant day and can only recommend Discover Fiji Tours as a proffessional tour operator.

Ischigualasto - Talampaya Natural Parks

2007-07-05T21:42:00.000+07:00

CUYO

Cuyo - “desert country” in the Indian language - is the region of the high peaks, the snow-covered volcanoes, and the large wilderness spreading from the Andes mountain range and foothills to the steppe.
The visit to Ischigualasto - Talampaya Natural Parks, is a true journey to the dinosaurs era. Ischigualasto, also known as “Valle de la Luna” (Moon Valley) because of the amazing diversity of forms and colours of its landscape shaped by erosion, is one of the world’s most important paleontologic sites. The Talampaya River Canyon reveals amazing multi-shaped layers in its high red walls.
Pink flamingos, Andean ducks, “vicuñas” and “guanacos” cohabit freely in parks and natural reserves, while condors fly over the area.
The region displays the full splendour of the Central Andean Range. The Aconcagua (6.959 m) is the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, and its steep slopes are renown and respected by mountain climbers from all over the world.
In the valleys of La Rioja, Mendoza and San Juan, among leaves of grapevines, farms and wineries, visitors can go along the Wine Road, an attraction of international renown.

related..
see : http://www.turismo.gov.ar/eng/atra/tour/REG3/PR.HTM

Montreux-Veytaux: Château de Chillon

2007-07-05T20:10:00.000+07:00

Montreux, Lake Geneva Region

The Château de Chillon is the thrilling culmination of centuries of human ingenuity and labour. Initially the Counts of Savoy wanted a fortress, first and foremost; later, a residence. While they erected dozens of castles over their territories, Chillon is in a class of its own. Here the builders had to respond to the unique challenge of the terrain – a rocky island off a precipitous lakeshore, a dreamlike setting – by creating appropriate forms and spaces: Chillon is unique.

Visitors can see the famous prison, the chambers of the lords of the castle, the feasting hall and the chamber of coats of arms, as well as the chapel. Throughout the year there is a busy programme of events, from guided tours and concerts to theme weekends and children’s storytelling.

Open:
all year around, except Jan 1 and Dec 25

Château de Prangins

2007-07-05T19:53:00.001+07:00

Prangins , Lake Geneva Region

The Château de Prangins was built in the 18th century by Louis Guiguer, a Swiss banker living in Paris, and has hosted illustrious guests from Voltaire to Joseph Bonaparte.

This national historical monument, standing on an elevated position above Lake Geneva, is now a historical museum, presenting the history of Switzerland from 1750 to 1920 in around 40 rooms. Displays cover a variety of themes from economy and education to health, tourism and emigration, with exhibits ranging from a Bréguet wall clock and a hail cannon to a reproduction 19th-century grocer’s shop of colonial goods. The castle is set in a romantic park, and boasts the largest traditional kitchen garden in Switzerland.

Open:
Tue–Sun 11am–5pm

Le château de Grandson - Switzerland

2007-07-05T19:38:00.000+07:00

Grandson, Lake Geneva Region

Magical medieval atmosphere!

This medieval castle (11th to 14th century) occupying a commanding position over Lake Neuchâtel is home to an extraordinary collection of weapons and armour, as well as models of the castle and of the celebrated Battle of Grandson (1476), in which Swiss soldiers defeated the army of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. The castle also houses a car museum, whose highlights include the Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 belonging to the actress Greta Garbo, and Winston Churchill’s Austin Cambridge Saloon.

Above all, don’t miss the 150-metre parapet walk dating from the 15th century; those with steady nerves should also take a look at the dungeons and torture chambers.

Open:
daily, 8.30am–5pm (Apr–Oct until 6pm)

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/travel/timetravel