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"> Small summary of Rio de Janeiro ´s discovery and foundation. Everybody is aware that this year we are celebrating 200 years since the Portuguese Royal family arrived in Rio, but how did Rio de Janeiro become what is known for today? Follows below a small summary of Rio de Janeiro historical events: The Guanabara Bay was first discovered by explorers from Portugal in January, 1502, which is how the January River, as 'Rio de Janeiro' translates, gained its name. At that time, 'river' was used by the Portuguese for any larger body of water. Soon after, Europeans from all over were coming there, with French smugglers already taking advantage of the bay by 1519. The first permanent[..]

 There is no denying it. Vacations are no fun when people are inwardly cringing at entrée costs or dreading cab fares as meter numbers go up. What was supposed to be a trip of rest and relaxation, a chance to get away, turns into a stressful situation because of limited funds. Still, this is not to say that thrift and pleasure are permanently mutually exclusive. There is no denying it. Vacations are no fun when people are inwardly cringing at entrée costs or dreading cab fares as meter numbers go up. What was supposed to be a trip of rest and relaxation, a chance to get away, turns into a stressful situation because of limited funds. Still, this is not to say that thrift and pleasure[..]

-link"> This article rates the surf beaches on the island of Florianopolis Brazil. I live in Florianopolis part-time so I know the island well and I begin this article with my input on some of the beaches I am most familiar with. Please see the bottom of this article for ratings of all the other surf beaches in Florianopolis. Florianopolis is an island and the capitol of Santa Catarina state in south Brazil. Florianopolis has 42 beaches. Most of the beaches are beautiful and surrounded by jungle. Over half of them have great surf. This article gives a brief review of each surfing beach, giving its name, rating for surf, the direction of the surf break, and the type of surf break, such as[..]

The Katrina hurricane, the Central America tropical storms and their lethal effects, the intense drought in the Amazon basin with abnormal and not entirely known consequences... The gods of nature seem angry with the Americans. America is under pressure. Perhaps we should remember some radical words expressed by an eminent climatologist, some years ago: «Climate is an unpredictable wild beast, and we are poking at it with sticks» (W. Broecker). I am not trying to suggest that all those natural catastrophes are just a direct consequence of man's action. But who dares to say that there is no connection? Who dares to say that the infuriated El Nino and all these disasters have[..]

"> Travelling in the Amazon, the world's most famous river, is a typical dream. But... the Amazon world may be rather different to that which you expect. You may end up disappointed. You should plan your Amazon trip correctly, and shape it to your style and to the time you have to enjoy the Amazon. There are different ways of visiting the Amazon rainforest. If you are pressed for time, or if you think you would not like to live for four, five, six or more days in a beautiful and calm, but repetitive world of water and trees, then avoid a long river trip. In that case, a quick flight to Manaus (a city in the very heart of the Amazon, 1,000 miles upstream from the river mouth) is[..]

Brazil has the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest and river; Brazil has the Iguassu Falls, the biggest waterfalls in the world; Brazil has the Pantanal, the hugest concentration of wild life in America; Brazil has the longest tropical beach coast in the world, with internationally unknown paradisiacal beaches. Brazil has the biggest popular street festival in the world (the Carnival)... Those are objective and statistically verifiable phenomena. But I would dare to add another one: Brazil also has the world's most genuine set of musical traditions and expressions. An assertion too bold? Undoubtedly. And a risky one, too... I should explain myself better. I do not contest the[..]

Bangalore, India’s Silicon Valley, has much more to offer than beingthe IT hub of the country. A glorious past and scenic beauty make Bangalore one of the much sought after holiday destinations too. Trulyknown as the “Garden City”, Bangalore is a picturesque land what withits temperate climate, vibrant culture, beautiful gardens and eatingjoints that provide the perfect ambience for a great holiday. Some ofthe places that you can visit in Bangalore include the beautiful Vidhana Soudha (Sunday evenings is the perfect time to see it, allilluminated); the lovely Cubbon Park which runs through the heart ofthe city; the Government Museum on Kasturba Gandhi Road which houses agreat[..]

Brazil is slightly smaller but the most important country in South America. It's truly an exciting experience to explore Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Bahia and Pemambuco, Amazon, Iguaçu Falls, football tradition, and vibrating music.  It all adds to Brazil flights. Brazil is famous for spending summer vacations here. And flights to Brazil increase dramatically during summer season, it becomes difficult to get cheap flights to Brazil; however a few search engines offer the facility of getting cheap flights like is the search engine which offers travelers the cheap flights to Brazil from UK. Summer season is considered as peak season, the hottest tourist spots like, Sao Paulo, Rio de[..]

Sao Paulo - the heart of industrial, commercial and entrepreneurial Brazil - is also the main reference for Brazilian golf. Sao Paulo has more golf clubs and players than the rest of Brazil put together. So, if you are planning a tourist or business trip to Sao Paulo, consider using one of its many golf greens. Any reputed hotel will give you the answers you may need for access to local greens. But... just because Sao Paulo is prominent in the Brazilian golf panorama doesn't mean that there aren't other opportunities to play. The number of Brazilian golf greens is increasing rapidly. You can even play golf in the middle of the Amazon basin. If interested in grasping the grandeur of the[..]

"> The elephant is a synonymous symbol in Sri Lanka, for a variety of reasons and in a myriad of forms. Elephants are used as a representation of the country, part and parcel of religious events and cultural events. Although smaller than its larger African counterparts, the Sri Lankan elephant has been part of this nation’s history for centuries. It is also one of the few animals to grace the local currency, hence placing greater emphasis on its majestic appeal. It is not an uncommon sight to see elephants partake in major cultural festivals such as the Kandy Perahara in August, where they are beautifully adorned in traditional clothing whilst carrying religious relics in[..]

The natural untouched beauty of the mighty Andean mountain range, the majestic Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca Islands that are barely affected by the modern world. Street markets and Andean culture in Bolivia, sand-boarding in the Atacama Desert and 4x4 drives across the Bolivia salt flats. All this can comfortably be experienced in around a month travelling through this awe-inspiring corner of South America. Below is a suggested one month backpacking itinerary, starting and finishing in Peru and travelling by bus throughout. Fly into the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, Peru. With Machu Picchu on its doorstep, Cusco is a tourist hot-spot where you can organise tours into the[..]

The culture of Brazil is rooted in the culture of Portugal. The Portuguese settlers & immigrants brought the Catholic faith, the Portuguese language and several traditions & customs that however determine the modern-day Brazilian culture. As a multiracial country, its culture likewise absorbed extra determines. The Amerindian peoples shaped Brazil's language & cuisine and the Africans, brought as slaves, largely acted upon Brazil's music, dance, cuisine and language. Italian and German immigrants came in prominent numbers and their influences are felt closer[..]

In South America at the southern tip of the continent sits Argentina. Surrounded by Chili, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay. This country has emerged as one the leaders in South America for wine quality and production. With the help of the diversification that the weather provides plus the micro climates that the Andes mountains provide, these Argentina wines are making their mark in the world. Case in point... recently while shopping some different mega wine stores I noticed that Argentina, Chili and Spain all had about the same number of wines available. I was actually surprised. I thought Spain would have twice as much or more than both countries combined. After doing a little[..]

Imagine a region almost twice the size of England; imagine it as an African savannah, at the height of the summer, and as an infinite water lake, with no signs of human presence and very few signs of vegetable life, most of the year. Imagine a place with 650 species of birds, 260 species of fish (such as the catfish, weighing up to 260 pounds), an unknown number of species of butterflies, and caimans, anacondas, capybaras (the largest rodent in the world), agoutis (other rodent), tapirs, peccaries, jaguars, pumas, giant anteaters, ocelots, giant otters, armadillos, several species of monkeys, including the capuchins, and dozens of other unusual species of animals. This world is not[..]

Due to the potential toxicity and unknown long term consequences of using artificial sweeteners, it is good to know that there is a safe alternative. Stevia is a slow release sweetener that can be used by those who don't want to use sugar or artificial sweeteners and who are sensitive to either. It is wonderful for diabetics as well. The Indians of Paraguay have used Stevia for centuries. Europeans learned of Stevia when the Spanish Conquistadors of the sixteenth century sent word to Spain that the natives of South America had used it. Stevia comes from a shrub native to the northern regions of South America. It is now also grown in Brazil, Uruguay, Central America, the U.S., Israel,[..]

Deep royal purple, amethyst is the birthstone for February. It's also the 6th wedding anniversary stone. If you're a February baby, you have as your birthstone one of the most beautiful examples of crystallized quartz, a description that somehow doesn't have the same allure as the name Amethyst! The deep purple color was considered rare and royal, and the kings and queens of Europe often had amethysts embellishing their clothing, and wore beautiful amethyst jewelry. Supernatural powers have been attributed to amethyst over the ages - supposedly it could prevent drunkenness and protect people from contagious diseases. Rock crystal spheres have been used to foretell the future, and quartz[..]

Each month has its different birthstone that influences the personality of a person. It's a belief that people actually get some magical powers on the basis of their zodiac signs that can be enhanced if you wear the suitable stones as inscribed by the ancient scriptures. Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February. It can save from deceit and protect a person from baldness. It is also believed to improve the condition of skin of a person too. It occurs naturally as crystals within rocks. Basically, the stones are mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Zambia, and Australia and in the mountains of Russia America. Amethyst generally illuminate if exposed to strong[..]

It may have been your favorite video game back in the 1980's, but this iconic video game inspired a unique nickname for the South American horned frog, Argentine horned frog or Ornate Horned Frog. While its real names may be a mouthful, the name Pacman Frog, is certainly easier to remember and actually helps to describe the frog. The Pacman Frog has an unusually large mouth and abdomen which make it look similar to the Pac-Man character in this popular video game. The Pacman Frog's natural habitat is in the rain forests of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina where it spends it time eating and hiding under leaves. This frog is certainly known for it's appetite as it will try to eat anything[..]

Just about every single month of the year there is something going on in Rio and September is no exception. This article will try to summarize only a few of the most important events in Rio this month. We will start with the most important one: “The French Year In Brazil” which is in fact an year-around event. The event started off with an incredible show of pyrotechnics from group F on the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Through the entire year (including September of course) there will be a generous number of shows, spectacles, exhibitions, debates and more. To obtain more information about this worldwide known event please use the following phone numbers: 61 3316-2125 and[..]

You've probably noticed a sign or two at your neighborhood coffee shop promoting yerba mate tea.  Maybe you've asked yourself, "What is this stuff?", looking on curiously as others sip on this unusual cloudy green brew, sitting down with their Mac or a good book, looking completely alert, focused and content. Here's a little background for you as you approach the counter to order your first yerba mate.  Yerba mate tea leaves come from a small evergreen shrub that is native to subtropical rainforests of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.   A blend that consists of the dried leaves and stems of the tree is consumed by millions of South Americans daily.  Yerba mate benefits have earned it[..]

Yerba mate has been a South American herb from Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. The trees of yerba mate tea are found to be grown with the height of 49 feet near the streams and about 1500 – 2000 feet above the sea level. It is a member of the Holly tree family. There are small berries of the colors black, red and yellow are found on the full-leafed branches of these trees. The leathery and stiff leaves of the yerba mate tea are very useful as herbal medicine worldwide. This tree can produce the leaves for about 40 years. The leaves of the yerba mate tea contain good amount of antioxidants, mineral and vitamins. From the research work, it has been found that these antioxidants[..]

I met Pablo at the Canada-US Servas Conference that was held at the beginning of August in Vancouver where I had a chance to spend about an hour and a half with him to find out more about his involvement as a volunteer for Servas, an organization with hosts and travellers in more than 130 countries whose motto is "Travel for peace" to promote greater inter-cultural understanding and tolerance. Pablo is one of those people who always has a smile on his face and he is filled with an incredible amount of energy. Through Servas he has travelled through a variety of European and North and South American countries. As a volunteer for Servas, Pablo has tried to harness the international network[..]

class="MsoNormal">Kerala, this gorgeous land in the southern most tip of India, has one of the most romantic landscapes of the world. Nature is eternally clean here. This narrow strip of a land with the sublime heights of Sahyadri Mountains on one side and the awesome ocean on the other is any sight visionary dream comes true. Kerala, known world over as God's own country is the land of countless pleasures. Selected by the National Geographic Travelers as one of the ten 'Paradises of the world’ and, 50 places of a lifetime Kerala is an overwhelmingly green land. Smooth lands of emerald backwaters, long charming shorelines adorned with palm groves, spice-scented hill tops covered in[..]

Fed up with package deals, all-inclusive boredom or fighting for that stamp-sized piece of beach with towels and dirty looks?  There are other things in this world than holiday resorts.  Take the Galapagos Islands, for example.  The most famous (and least inhabited) islands on Earth, where Charles Darwin first started to formulate the theory that changed the way humanity thinks about the history of life, are open for business.  Galapagos holidays offer visitors a chance to delve into the rich and varied story of life on Earth, all from the luxury of the most incredibly appointed boats available in Ecuadorian waters. Galapagos holidays are a genuine example of that most evanescent of[..]

e probably thinking of a vacation where you can relax and rejuvenate your mind and body. You have already worked for several months without giving any personal time for you and your family. Therefore if you thing of a beach destination then playa del carmen offers a perfect escape from the ordinary. Playa del carmen is a place that offers endless stretch of white sandy beach with a number of tourist attractions to keep you busy all day. However you can just prefer to relax over the sandy beaches just enjoying sun tanning or swimming in the crystal clear waters. When it comes to accommodation hotels playa del carmen offer you a perfect combination of luxury and comforts that suits your[..]

With a population of just over six million inhabitants occupying 37 municipalities, Santiago de Chile is a sprawling urban metropolis. It is also one of Latin America's most up-and-coming travel hotspots. Chileans themselves remark upon the extreme increase of tourists in the past ten years; but they're simply observing, not complaining. 2010 will undoubtedly be one of the best years to visit Chile, as the country is celebrating its bicentennial. Two hundred years have passed since Chile gained its independence from Spain on September 18, 1810, and Chileans are ready to celebrate, especially in Santiago. The thought of trying to catch all of the highlights in a city of 37 districts can[..]

South America has long been a continent associated with exploration and adventure. Geographically diverse and with a fascinating ancient culture, it has attracted dedicated explorers and casual travellers alike for decades. From scenes of outstanding natural beauty to ancient Inca cities, there is plenty to see on a South America trekking holiday. The continent as a whole is huge, and it would take months to see just the one or two major sights of each country. But if you are planning on visiting South America, consider making at least one of the following places the centrepiece of your holiday... Machu Picchu, Peru One of the most famous architectural sites in the world, 'The Lost City[..]

One of the best countries to visit is South America, full of rich culture and a complete world away from the European lifestyle South America is home to many stand out countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Peru.  The thing is that for every article you read on the (very considerable) wonders of Manchu Picchu there are a thousand other equally amazing sights to see in this immense continent.  This article will cover ten secret holiday locations that you should consider if you want to see South America this year. 10. Panama City, Panama This city is likely to see an increase in tourism this year especially for two reasons; firstly since April of this year flight company KLM has new routes[..]

eur Falls in Guyana, small country in South America is one of the most majestic spots on Earth. It also sports one other significant advantage - not many people have heard of Kaieteur Falls. Make Kaieteur Falls your next vacation spot and you will not only travel to see one of the most scenic waterfalls in the world, you will also vacation at a place not known of by many people. Sure, there are things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but everyone and their cousin has already been there. I would bet my Snickers King Size bar (can’t live without them) that your cousin has never heard of Kaieteur Falls or Guyana for that matter. I am willing to bet that even you didn’t know[..]

If you haven't already done so, you may want to consider adding Venezuelan gold coins to your collection. Predictions for this year are that gold prices will continue to rise, so adding to your investment portfolio makes it even more valuable! Some people begin collecting gold and other coins as a hobby, others do it as an investment in their future. For some of you hobbyists, you may find yourself in very good financial shape years from now. As other markets decline and the economy continues to nosedive, gold holds steady or increases in value. There aren't many markets that can boast this claim. Many people begin collecting coins as a hobby. Some may collect quarters from every state,[..]

For most people, the country of France—with its extensive art galleries, quaint sidewalk cafés, and rich literary and artistic history—is synonymous with the city of Paris. But France offers many other exciting vacation destinations. Looking to expand the horizons of your next France vacation? Then why not visit one of these historic cities. Bordeaux The city of Bordeaux, which lies on the Garonne River in southwest France, is known for its lush vineyards and top-rated wineries, where some of the most expensive wines in the world are produced. The city is also home to the Grand Théâtre, one of the oldest wood-frame opera houses in Europe. In general, hotels in Bordeaux are much[..]

No two people are alike and the personality trait of one person is bound to differ from another. There are some of us who are single and want to meet singles who are quite like us. For single people wanting to see more of the world, finding a travel companion has never been this easy. Single people today have both the means and the inclination to see more of the world around. The tours for singles are perfect for people who are alone and want to enjoy their time. There are many single women, men, students, and working professionals who like to travel to exotic locales in different parts of the globe. Many people having family and friends also patronise these vacations and use the time[..]