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Posts Tagged ‘south america’

Casa Andina Classic Cuzco Catedral Hotel: A Prime Hotel in a Prime Location

April 29th, 2009 No comments

If you wish to immerse yourself to the rich tradition and history of Peru, you need to visit Cusco, the archaeological capital of the country, as it is called. Staying in one of the best hotels in Cusco, the Casa Andina Classic Cuzco Catedral Hotel an ideal option, as the hotel is situated in the heart of the vibrant town, a ten minutes drive away from the airport.

The Casa Andina Classic Cuzco Catedral Hotel is a three star hotel; it used to be a traditional chapel of the Andes, but was turned to a hotel that offers a wonderful accommodation to its guests who flock here from all over the world so as to visit and admire the world known monuments and dive in the mystic Andean atmosphere. Needless to say, the main strength of the hotel is its convenient location, since it is in close proximity to all the major tourist attractions, as well as the main commercial and entertainment outlets of Cusco. The Cusco Catedral hotel belongs to the leading hotel chain of Casa Andina which provides its guests with warm and hospitable atmosphere and accommodation.

The Casa Andina Classic Cuzco Catedral Hotel features an authentic Inca wall, a fascinating detail for those who are interested in history. The wall adds to the Andean touch that has always been the trademark of the Casa andina hotels, and makes this Cusco hotel stand out from all others of the area. The hotel features an around the clock reception and shuttle transport to and from the airport, and forty three very well appointed and spacious guestrooms.

All the rooms are equipped with latest conveniences and amenities, so as to meet the expectations and needs of all guests. There are four smoking rooms. The guestrooms feature heating, private bathrooms, cable TV, feathers comforter, direct dial telephones for local and international calls in the room and bathroom and safe deposit box in the room. The Cusco Hotel offers also Wi-Fi internet service and computer with multitask printer for the guests needs. There are smoke detectors in all rooms and public areas, while the well trained personnel can assist the guests with several requests, offering foreign currency exchange, laundry and taxi service on site.

The prime location of the hotel is its most crucial characteristic of course, since the guests can access easily the most well known attraction in Cusco. The Cusco hotel Catedral offers direct access to the Cathedral of Cusco, which dominates the Plaza de Armas, built on the original foundations of the Viracocha palace. The Cathedral was completed in 1560 and is constructed is such a way that reminds a Latin Cross. It contains more than four hundred colonial paintings, among which is the very well known Last Supper by Marcos Zapata. The Cathedral is surrounded by smaller chapels, among which are the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and the Chapel of the Lord of the Earthquakes ( in Spanish, El Senor de los Tremblores).

The guests of the Casa Andina Classic Cuzco Catedral Hotel have the chance to pore over the magic and the spirit of the Andes, exploring the town of Cusco. Most visitors who arrive here are mostly eager to get to Machu Picchu, which is by far the most renowned sight of the South Americas. Machu Picchu lies relatively close to Cuzco, four hours by train, but in any case, the town itself has a lot to offer to the numerous visitors. It is a very vibrant and lively small town, which is the main reason that makes most of the travellers come back.

The Casa Andina Classic Cuzco Catedral Hotel is one of the best choices if you are planning to visit the archaeological capital of the Americas, and become familiar with the indigenous style of Cuzco. The Casa Andina Cusco Peru Hotels are known for their quality and the state of art services provided at all times.

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Inkaterra Machu Picchu Luxury Hotel

April 28th, 2009 No comments

Situated deep in the cloud forest, next to the train station, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu enjoys one of the most exclusive locations in Peru; right next to one of the most iconic landmark of South America, the Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incan Empire, this Machu Picchu luxury hotel is an astounding and unique place to stay in Peru.

The Machu Picchu Hotel is constructed exclusively from local materials and rudiments. Based on conservation and preservation of the natural habitat as well as ensuring the preservation of the Incan culture, the Machu Picchu Hotel is built so as to integrate fully to the natural environment. The single or two- storey cottages of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Luxury Hotel features eighty five guestrooms constructed to create a lovely Andean village ambience.

The Machu Picchu hotel brings, features stone pathways, large patios and one- or two-story whitewashed cottages. Every room boasts local artifacts and colorful elements that reflect the traditional culture of the Incan Era, as well as pre colonial crafts that remind the diversity and richness of the multi-cultures. Guests have the chance to take enjoyable strolls amidst lush gardens and dazzling waterfalls, through a forest that was restored and well preserved. The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel is the only hotel in the world that features a large collection of orchids ” 372 different species in their natural habitat. Moreover, the guests have the chance to see some of the protected and endangered species of South America, such as the endemic birds and butterflies.

The villas of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu hotel are built with the traditional Colonial Style, blending Andean elements so as to create a unique environment. The Machu Picchu Hotel is more than a luxury hotel, it is a natural cloud forest destination that boasts a great number of attractions. The Villas are situated in a secluded area, overlooking orchid trails and the Vilcanota River.

The whitewashed bungalows is nestled amidst of the cloud forests of the Andes, with a variety of facilities at the guests disposal at all times. The UNU (water in Quechua) Spa offers body and mind treatments following the healing approach of the mountains and natives, using exclusively natural and local products derived from herbal extracts.

The Machu Picchu Hotel boasts one of the most unique restaurants in Peru; a glass walled dining outlet that overlooks the Vilcanota River and the mountain chain of the Andes. A palm thatched roof and Andean architecture that creates a romantic spot in Machu Picchu, catering novo Andino flavors. The quinotto is an absolute must taste.

There is no better way to prepare yourself for a visit to the lost Incan city, but a natural and secluded paradise, such as the Machu Picchu Hotel. Once in the hotel, you can feel the mystic and magic power of the mountains and valleys and the spiritual energy of the ancient culture. Luxury meets tradition, culture blends with mysticism and the enigmas of a lost civilization.

Inkaterra Association, is Inkaterras NGO, a non profit organization that is created to promote the conservation of Perus natural environment and its cultural and archeological resources. It develops scientific, technological, social and cultural research designed to manage and protect the biodiversity of Perus Andes and Amazon Rain Forest.

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10 Things You Must Know If You Are Traveling To South America

April 4th, 2009 1 comment

Seeing a new nation, it is only innate that you are interested in observing museums. Still, visiting South America you might be taken off balance by the hours the museums are open.. Tourists are frequently astonished at the schedules of respective museums, the state of affairs being the worst in the township of Buenos Aires. Once you make it to the city, you will have to determine which museum you want to see. Many museums, including the Art Museum, run at late hours and frequently concurrently. It is most beneficial to settle on one, rather than run from museum to museum trying to see as much as possible.

South America has some wonderful holiday destinations. While this may actually be true, keep in mind that not even five star hotels offer extras. This means you will have to take care of all necessary items, except for bath soap.

You might not think that toilet paper would ever missing from a public restroom but this is the case in South America. The only place you have a probability of finding toilet paper is at the airport restrooms. It might be in your best interest to bring such a vital element with you. And remember to tip the individual working as a supervisor of the public toilet. Small change will be essential.

The best water to drink is bottled. Sure, you can drink regular water, but you are at your own risk. In most parts of South America, bottled water is mostly indicated, that is if you want to stay safe. There are many infectious diseases contracted through drinking water so beware of such potential threats.

Tourists are often ripped off by taxi drivers and store owners. When it comes to taxis, it is best that you find out about the current rates. As for the shops, compare prices and you will have a smaller chance of being deceived. There is another issue with taxis that you should be aware of. Don’t take just any taxi. Some are driven by illegal people, who are robbers in reality. Make sure that you choose a reputable taxi company.

Pick pocketing is one of the major troubles South Americans and foreign vacationers have to face. Visitors are urged to stay watchful at all times and take care of their valuables. Thieves have gotten habitual to pulling a fast one on tourists, using sometimes children to throw something at them while they rob their bags or personal property. Some say that in South America a watchful traveler is one stays away from thieves.

If you are accustomed to paying with traveler checks during your trips, in South America you may have troubles. One instance is in Buenos Aires where travelers often face difficulties when it comes to exchanging their traveler checks for the national currency. And most currency exchange offices do not take traveler checks, so keep this in mind.

Regardless of the country you are visiting in South America, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a busy nightlife. Do not accept any drinks from people you don’t know, even if they are wonderfully colored. Take your drink with you, as there are suspicious individuals dropping ‘date rape’ drugs all the time. This is also valid for cigars or any food.

Watch out when you stop at red lights. If you are not careful, you might wake up with someone robbing you in a quick second.

If you are accustomed to giving the ‘OK’ signal all the time, don’t do it while you’re visiting South America. Why? Because South Americans believe it to be a highly offensive gesture and they are simply appalled when they see it. Is it a rip off? It depends on how you look at it. Just avoid it or you might get beaten up!

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Cruise Tours – Travel On A Resort Hotel To Exciting Destinations

March 17th, 2009 No comments

A luxury cruise vacation can really enrich your life. Not only will you be traveling with like-minded people who love cruising, you will develop great, lasting friendships among your many cruising companions.

When you cruise you can sail to fabulous ports of call anywhere that cruise ships visit. Not only are there mega cruise ships which everyone is familiar with, there are a number of sizes and types of ships. The medium, and especially the smaller size cruise ships can navigate further up inland waterways to historic cities and famous landmarks where larger ships cannot go.

The larger cruise ships generally have one or possibly two organized shore excursions at each port of call. If there are two sightseeing shore excursions scheduled the same day, one may happen early in the morning and the second one in the afternoon. Most shore excursions at take place in the morning normally get back to the ship in time for the people to dine on a fantastic lunch buffet.

Occasionally, on a second excursion, you may arrive back at your cruise ship late in the afternoon or early evening. This could possibly make you a bit late for dinner if you’ve been scheduled for the first sitting.

It is also your prerogative to explore the city, town, or island attractions and landmarks on your own. Please remember that it is your responsibility to get back on time or your cruise ship could sail without you. However, if you choose to book a shore excursion with the cruise ship, they will not sail until everyone is back on board.

Take full advantage of the time you have in port by using it wisely. Some vacationers decide to disembark and go it alone by hiring a car and driver to take them to see and explore the sights. Usually taxi drivers charge by the carload and not per person so if you want to save some money you can split the cost with a few other fellow passengers. If you leave early in the morning you may be able to get back in time to enjoy the lunch buffet.

When you cruise you should bring a detailed guide book that covers each of the destinations you know that you will be visiting. Even if the weather is inclement for your shore excursion, always take your camera as the weather can improve very quickly.

And don’t judge a port by the dock and its surrounding area. It is usually a freighter loading and unloading area and the major warehouse and industrial district of a city or town. You may have to travel out of the port area and into the city or town to really see the unique tourist attractions and historical sites as well as experience the local culture.

What is the difference between a river cruise and a barge tour?

Although they have similarities, there are major differences between these two types of sightseeing tours. Firstly, the ships that sail the rivers can accommodate approximately up to one hundred and eighty people, while barges usually only can accommodate five to twenty-five people. The second big difference is that the river cruises can visit a number of countries and cities in a week, while barges travel on man-made canals from town to town moving at a much slower, walking pace, and can only cover approximately fifty miles in a week. Thirdly, river cruise ships have a restaurant, lounge, and entertainment, while barges are essentially first-class, floating hotels, and have a dining room and lounge as well as a sun deck. The most popular river cruises and barging tours are located in Europe.

What is a luxury cruise tour package?

A cruise tour land package is similar to a cruise that stops for half-day or full day shore excursions but gives you the best of both a luxury cruise and a land holiday combined in one. The main differences between the two is the land part of your vacation includes transportation by train or motor coach travel to a quality hotel accommodation at your inland destination. You will be accompanied by an expert tour guide for the land segment of your itinerary. These combo packages are generally longer, lasting from approximately ten days to three weeks or even a month or more. On most cruise land tours you can decide to take the land part of your holiday either before or after your cruise.

Besides Europe, you can book a cruise tour for South America, Australia, Asia and the United States. Alaska is one of the most popular cruise tour destinations in the world.

If you would like to enjoy the best of both worlds – an incredible dream cruise holiday and a land tour adventure – a luxury cruise tour is the ultimate vacation experience.

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Gringo Guide to Speaking Spanish – Instantly know what to say!

December 2nd, 2008 1 comment
by Dr Jay Polmar

My Story: I had a challenge. I needed to move to Mexico for my health and to retire, and I spoke English; I also knew a few words of French from high school, about 12 words of Spanish which could wind me up in fight or jail, yeah – mostly curse words.

I was in trouble and when I arrived I needed help. Luckily I met Reuben Varela, a well known Restauranteur from Lake Chapala, and Gerardo Tolentino, an English teacher from San Juan Cosala.

I was the gringo — and I sure needed a guide to get me through the experience of living in Mexico.We searched the internet, and books on Spanish, and listened to conversations in the English speaking sections of restaurants in Ajijic and San Miguel de Allende where most of the gringos hang out.

We searched the internet, and books on Spanish, and listened to conversations in the English speaking sections of restaurants in Ajijic and San Miguel de Allende where most of the gringos hang out and we figured out what was needed.

By the time we were finished, so was the book and we had part of it recorded so that pronunciation would be no problem for anyone to learn. The book was finished and put up on our site speedread.org

Now, you can speak like native in Spanish speaking countries/Mexico. It’s that easy.

The audios cover every pecularity of pronounciation in the Spanish language. The printed book will fit in your shirt pocket for use whenever you want.

The electronic pdf will fit on pocket devices to help you communicate on the spot with electronic support. So, when someone says: Que quieres tomar?

So, when someone says: Que quieres tomar? You’ll immediately know the answer — una marguarita, por favor. Or, una coca, limonada, cerveza, or whatever you want!Fulfill all your needs to communicate in Spanish for Spain, Mexico or Latin America?

The book comes with a full guide, by sections to learn, use, and get answers to all your questions. It’s guaranteed to make your vacation — fantastic.

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