Holidaymakers are flocking to Buenos aires April 12, 2009
Posted by janey in : south america , comments closedBuenos Aires is the largest city of Argentina and it is now emerging into a popular holiday destination. Buenos Aires is known as the sector of finance, industry and commercialisation in Argentina. Buenos Aires can offer so much for its visitors. It is well known for its opera house which is called Teatro Colón and many museums related to arts, theatre and history. Buenos Aires is famous for its zoo and public libraries. While in this enchanting city we also recommend that you take the time to visit the famous botanical garden and also enjoy the parks and plazas.
If this sounds like the ideal holiday then you should rent an apartment to really enjoy your stay. All Buenos Aires apartments are top quality and can be compared to the equivalent of a 3 or 4 star hotel. Cleanliness is essential and to ensure this high standard, inspectors will come in before and after your stay to check if it up to the code. They will also check for damage and maintenance to ensure you have no problems with your stay. All of the apartment have there own kitchen and dining areas. Tapas is very popular in Buenos Aires which are small dishes you[/spin] can buy when have a drink fro example. The gastronomy of Buenos Aires should definitely be sampled during your stay.
There are a good selection of different Buenos aires apartments available which are suited for small or large families to business and corporate usage. So you are guaranteed to find an apartment that is right for you. The holiday period, whether it is winter, summer or Easter, can become really busy with people wanting to visit the city. This is why you should book your apartment early to avoid disappointment. If you book sooner rather than later, you may be able to get a good deal and rent an apartment for a good price.
Buenos Aires is attractive with holidaymakers of all ages because there is so much to do and see everyday. A holiday in Buenos Aires will keep you happily occupied for your entire stay. and you may not want to leave at the end of your holiday. So many people fall in love with the city of Buenos Aires that in the end they decide to stay. You may be one of them! Enjoy your stay in the wonderful city of Buenos Aires.
Machu Picchu, Peru January 10, 2009
Posted by admin in : south america , comments closedBuried deep within Peru almost 2,500 meters above sea level, amongst lush, almost virginal landscape, sits Machu Picchu, fortress city of the ancient Incas. Machu Picchu had remained lost for centuries and remained undiscovered by the Spanish conquistadors. It wasn’t until 1911 that lost city was discovered by an American archaeologist and politician named Hiram Bingham (1875-1956), who travelled to Peru on an expedition sponsored by Yale university.
Getting there:
If you plan on a vacation to Peru, there are two methods to travel to Machu Picchu. One is via a 4hr train journey from the Peruvian town of Cuzco. For the more fit and adventurous, you can travel there via a 4 day trek along the Inca trail. If travelling by foot, physical fitness is a must or else you might hold up the rest of your travel party. It demands more than just the ability to walk for 4 days. You will have your gear to carry during the trek (tent, sleeping bag & pad), and due to the high altitude, you will need to do this in the thin air of the Andes mountains. Local porters can be hired, however, to carry your gear if you feel the need.
If taking the trek, make sure to pack some water purification tablets, insect repellent, a flash light, and some local currency in small denominations. Pack clothing for all temperatures, as this can range from very warm days to very chilly nights.
If taking the Inca Trail, and after the fourth day, the first ruins you will encounter will be those of IntiPuncu, known as the ‘Gateway to the Sun’. IntiPuncu is about an hours walk from Machu Picchu, and is located in a notch in a ridgeline which allows the morning sun to stream into the ancient city. It is from here that you will see the first ruins of Machu Picchu in the distance.
About Machu Picchu:
Machu Picchu sits above dense rainforests, and is one of the world’s unique sanctuaries affording great beauty, harmony, and balance. The ruins of Machu Picchu cover an area of 18sq Km (5sq miles), with the Urubamba Canyon and river stretching across some 400 meters below. The name Machu Picchu actually means ‘old peak’. The smaller Huayna Picchu peak is often seen in photographs of the ancient city and this, literally translated, simply means ‘young peak’.
Machu Picchu was built by Pachacuti Inca as a royal estate and religious retreat, probably around 1460-70. It’s remote location was purposely chosen. The only travel to the area was via either the Lucumayo valley road, or the high road near Salcantay, and travel on these roads was restricted except by Inca decree.
When constructed, Machu Picchu was surrounded an outer wall with huge terraces, and an inner wall that had guarded the city with what appeared to be a gate that once had a heavy door, barred closed with a cross-log. Every square metre of space was cleverly used and the mountainside was terraced for agricultural purposes. All parts of the city were connected together by alleys, side streets, and more than 100 stairways carved into the rock. A narrow watercourse about four inches wide enabled water to travel from springs on Machu Picchu mountain and spread throughout the city.
After the death of Pachacuti Inca, the city probably hosted Topa Inca and then later, the Incas last great ruler, Huayna Capac. Each ruler added to the city their own palaces and estates, but few outsiders travelled to or would have known of the existence of the city due to its remote location and the secretive way of life of the Incas at the time.
The climate of the area is subtropical, hence warm and damp. April through to October are the hotter, drier months, with the heaviest rainfalls occurring between November and March. The American explorer Hiram Bingham (mentioned earlier) was said to have encountered a condor with a wing span of over 3.5 metres, but unfortunately these magnificent birds of prey can no longer be found in the area.
For more vacation information on Machu Picchu, see the following website:
Machu Picchu Peru travel and tourist information
Valuable resource for Machu Picchu and Cusco travel, with tours, hotels and Peru tourist information also overview insights and photos.
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