Posts Tagged ‘city’

An Adventure Around Costa Rica’s Wonders

November 24th, 2011

The wonders of Costa Rica are endless; ranging from the famous canals of Tortuguero to the enchanting wildlife that flourishes throughout the country. In 14 spectacular days and 13 unforgettable nights, it is possible to fully experience all of these wonders.

Where else could a Costa Rican adventure start from, than the lovely San Jose? Within this bustling capital, visitors can enjoy an extensive tour of this beautiful city, immersing themselves fully into the rich Costa Rican culture. Visitors can experience the many sights this great capital has to offer, including the historic National Museum, dating all the way back to 1897, and the monumental Sabana Park, amongst others. These unique attractions contribute to make San Jose the hive of diverse culture it is renowned for today.

A trip in Costa Rica is not complete without a stay in Tortuguero; where guests are presented with the chance to hike, cruise the famous canals, experience the worldly flora and fauna at dawn, try mouth-watering food and delicious cocktails, and to let themselves truly relax and unwind on the warm, sun-kissed beach. The excitement of Tortuguero doesn’t end there though; between July and September visitors will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness green turtles nesting at night; experiencing first-hand why Tortuguero translates to ‘Land of Turtles’.

After the memory-filled days in San Jose and Tortuguero, the next stop is Arenal; a utopia of waterfall-gardens, deep rainforests and crystal-blue sulphur-pools, from the Poas Volcano; one of only four active volcanoes in Costa Rica. This really is a place of the unreal! After experiencing all of Arenal’s unique highlights, the journey continues across its vast lake to Monteverde; home to hummingbird reserves, over 50 species of butterflies and what National Geographic have named ‘the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves’. It is easy to see why it takes this name, as visitors have to make their way through 1.9 miles of treetop walkways that weave throughout the dense forest.

The following morning, the trip continues to Manuel Antonio; the paradise which greets you with an astounding array of wildlife; ranging from monkeys and sloths to reptiles and birds. A guide will take you on a long walk through the National Park so you can see as much wildlife as possible, before rounding off the day with a sumptuous beach buffet; could it get any better?

Well, for marine life lovers, the answer might be a very loud ‘yes’, as the third and final day in Manuel Antonio could include the Catamaran Coastal Adventure, which includes snorkelling along the Pacific coast, whilst humpback whales and dolphins swim from afar. Top this scene off with a luminous orange sunset for the perfect ending!

After hanging up the snorkel and bidding farewell to the wildlife, there is plenty of time to relax and reflect on all of the memories stored from the past 2 weeks. Visitors will return to San Jose for their flight home, leaving behind an adventure that will never be forgotten.

Wild Adventure Vacation Tips in Laos

September 6th, 2011

Many visitors to South East Asia miss Laos out in favor of the more popular destinations of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. It may be true that traveling to Laos is nothing less than an endurance test – but a beautiful, unspoiled wildlife and a sprinkling of exquisite temples should make the trip worth it. With its exciting terrain, well preserved natural ecosystems and numerous waterways, Laos is now emerging as a premier outdoor adventure destination in this part of Asia.

One of the best things about Laos, apart from its rugged beauty and natural attractions, is the low cost of accommodation, food and transportation. Your dollars will take you a long way back and forth. It may not have such world-class cuisine as its neighboring countries, but it is not impossible to find culinary delights in many of its cities.

Notably the French cuisine is the most popular among restaurants catering for tourists and lots of delicious Thai and Vietnamese dishes as well. Laotian cuisine should not be missed, as neighboring Thailand is also generous in its portion of curry and fresh ingredients that will leave you wanting more… that is, if it’s your type of food.

Must be careful with how much money you take with you. ATMs are not readily available outside of Laos’ biggest cities. Credit will not help you either since it is only accepted by a small number of companies. If you have some Thai baht back from a Thailand visit, spend it in Laos because it is very welcome.

You are most likely to land in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Do not hurry to the next more exotic city because Vientiane is a gem waiting to be discovered. It is a quaint and charming city that has exquisite temples and stupas. Note the remarkable influence of the French in this city’s architecture and cuisine. Take a leisurely stroll along the well laid out streets in Vientiane.

From Vientiane, continue to Luang Prabang along the banks of the Mekong River. It is a picturesque and colorful city with the many orange-robed monks and countless temples that adorn the city.

Do not miss an exciting river cruise that takes you to an adventurous trip that will showcase the picturesque montage of local life along the riverbank.

Do not miss the Nam Ha protected area located in northern Laos. For a more exciting way to travel to the Nam Ha, take a short detour to the town of Luang Namtha and take a boat trip to the Nam Ha. This will allow you to catch a glimpse of many birds, and reptiles along the banks of the river and surrounded by a thick jungle of blooming flora and fauna.

Nam Ha Protected Site offers numerous opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts eager for some adventure. Trekking is best in this area with its exciting terrain, abundant wildlife and breathtaking panoramas. Along the way, watch out for small waterfalls where you can rest your feet and cool off in the crystal clear waters. Notice where you are going and follow your guide’s instructions on safe and unsafe areas to the letter. UXOs or small bombs are still present in some areas, so be sure not to remove them.