Travel Tour to Australia
Tourism culture and History tour

Australia overview

Many harbor a very particular image of Australia as the Sydney Opera House or Ayers Rock, despite these famous icons render honor to the low abundance of natural treasures of the country and its cultural diversity and its immensity. Australia offers all kinds of experiences, from the extraordinary desert area and the spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef to the cosmopolitan character of Sydney and its vast beaches, considered the best in the world. Australia is a huge country, so that those who harbor the idea of going to the opera in Sydney one night and visit Crocodile Dundee the next day had better review their knowledge of geography. Its extension, adjacent to the friction between the ancient land steeped in Aboriginal tradition and Western culture subsequently adopted, gives Australia much of its character

When to go to Australia

Any time is suitable to visit Australia. Summer (December to February) is extremely hot everywhere, except Tasmania. During these months, the southern states are transformed into beach destinations. Farther north, they live a really wet season when the sea is full of jellyfish. At this time the top is a green sublime, and receives few tourists.
June-August, things have cooled toward the South and have been very dry north. It is a perfect time to visit Queensland or the field. For those who prefer to ski, it's time to go to the stations of Victoria and New South Wales. The best seasons are spring and summer because the climate is softened in the spring, you can enjoy the wildflowers in the countryside, while autumn is particularly beautiful in Canberra and the Australian Alps. It is better not to travel to Australia at Easter, to avoid chaos on the roads caused by the holidays

Australia festival and holidays

Christmas is part of the long summer school holidays, so in December and January is Australia half holiday. At this time, almost no accommodations are available. Among national holidays include the Australia Day (January 26), evoking the arrival of the first fleet, and Anzac Day (April 25), which commemorates the attack by military forces in Australia and New Zealand Gallipoli in 1915.
The great Sydney Festival, which takes place mainly in January, hosting a series of outdoor concerts, street theater and fireworks. The Adelaide Arts Festival takes place in early March in even-numbered years. In the odd, Womadelaide, the Adelaide festival (which celebrates outdoors) for music and dances of the world, takes place in February. Held at the Melbourne Comedy Festival (festival of humor) in February, the Writer's Festival (the largest festival of writers from the world) in September and the fabulous Melbourne International Festival in October. A couple of festivals are art and Aboriginal culture: the Stomper Ground Festival, being held in Broome in October and the Barunga Wugularr Sports & Cultural Festival, which takes place in June near Katherine.
As for sports, takes place in August in Darwin's Beer Can Regatta, a race in boats built with cans of beer in Alice Springs, the Henley-on-Todd is a race boat that is' run 'in the dry bed of a river. Other career highlights include the Sydney to Hobart Sailing (on December 26), Open Australia (Melbourne in January), the Grand Prix of Australia (Melbourne in March), Australian Rules Football (in the field of March to September) and the Melbourne Cup horse race, the first Tuesday of November.
In February or March we celebrate the festival multitudinous and extravagant Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and Melbourne, also emphasized the gay Midsummer Festival, which takes place in January or February

Australia attraction

Sydney

The first city in Australia is its oldest settlement, the center of economic power and the nation's capital in everything but name. Built on the banks of the mighty Port Jackson and is now a vital city, egocentric, full of casual urbanity and a slavishly obsessed with all manner of fashions. The magnificent Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 have increased the fame of the city as a civilized city, hospitable and  entertaining.

To prove that he has visited Australia, there is nothing better than a drawn picture of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge in the background.

Melbourne

Australia's second city is a contradictory place, full of hidden charms, a residential community near the Bay of troubled Yarra River, a city cosmopolitan, educated, conservative lover of football and ... A paradise for art. It is full of shops, restaurants, nightlife and sporting activities. Many people think living in Melbourne, one of the most active in the world.

From Melbourne it is worth leaving on a trip to Phillip Island with its penguins, the pristine Wilsons Promontory and the Great Ocean Road, a route that runs along the southwest coast of Victoria.

Great Barrier Reef

One of the greatest assets of Australia is the reef that runs the coast of Queensland, as an estimate of the natural wonders of the planet, is the largest barrier reef and the largest structure made by living organisms on Earth. In the north, the reef, located just 50 km from the coast, runs on an almost continuous in the South, rather individual reefs can be seen in some places more than 300 km from the coast. Hundreds of islands dot the reef area, and about twenty have tourist facilities, while in many others it is possible to camp.

Cairns

Cairns is the tourist capital of the north end and one of the most popular destinations for travelers. Until recently, it was just a tropical backwater lethargic, much of its charm and languor disappeared with the explosive growth of tourist infrastructure, but it is an ideal base for exploring the wealth of Queensland. From Cairns it is feasible to organize excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island, Fitzroy Island, the Atherton Plateau, the market of Kuranda, the 50 km strip of beach that stretches north to Port Douglas, and the jungle and the coastal landscape of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree River.

Darwin

The capital of Northern Australia is closer to Jakarta than Sydney and Melbourne to Singapore, so it is not strange to remember that most of Asia to the rest of Australia. Such proximity to the northern neighbors is reflected in the tranquil atmosphere, the tropical cosmopolitan city.

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru is an enclave of great cultural significance to the Anangu Aboriginals and the best-known symbol of the Australian landscape. The pilgrimage to Uluru and the ascent to the summit of infarction became a ritual Australian Aboriginal owners but always preferred that visitors climbed the rocks, and now many respected their wishes. The gigantic rock 3.6 km in length rises to 348 m from the surrounding bush, absolutely flat, situated in the middle of the field, especially impressive at dawn and at dusk, when the rock changes from red hues. Some tours around the base of the rock gives several caves, sacred sites and Aboriginal rock paintings. At the nearby Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), 32km west of Uluru, there are other monoliths of comparable beauty, and Mt Olga is actually much higher than Uluru. The Valley of the Winds is a 6 km circuit highly recommended.

Brisbane

Brisbane is the third largest metropolis in Australia and the capital of Queensland. Regarded by Australians as a city neglected zafado has this bad reputation and has become a thriving center to accommodate a range of major international events in the eighties, including the Commonwealth Games and Expo 1982 Universal 1988. Brisbane has been awarded the role of cosmopolitan and lively city, with interesting neighborhoods, a street of cafes, a great riverside park, a full cultural calendar and a vibrant nightlife.

Perth

Perth, the Western capital, is vibrant and modern, located between the Swan and Canning rivers, with Cerulean the Indian Ocean to the west and the Darling Range to  the east. His state is the sunniest of Australia, but the really striking is its isolation from the rest of the country, as Perth is closer to Singapore than Sydney.

Canberra

Canberra is a fascinating creation of the twentieth century that has struggled to establish itself as the epicenter of history, pride and national identity of Australia. Canberra is proud to have long been a city of politicians and bureaucrats who live at the expense of the hard work of rural people. Today this has changed: the politicians go home on weekends and many bureaucrats have lost their jobs because of recent cuts in public services. Canberra has moved from a federation of city adult babies with all the problems and benefits involved.

Adelaide

When the first settlers founded Adelaide, a city built with stones and solid looking solemn, quiet and civilized as any other state capital of Australia. The firm goes beyond the architecture, since there was a time when that was considered the city of the blessed, or uncompromising Puritans, gaining fame for its disproportionate number of churches. Currently, pubs and nightclubs outnumber the churches. This town sits on an excellent site, with the center surrounded by green areas and the metropolitan area surrounded by the hills of the chain of Mount Lofty and the Gulf of St. Vincent.

Hobart

South Hobart is the capital. The fact that it is small (129,000 inhabitants) is what gives it its particular charm. It is a coastal town with an active port and mountains which offer views of residential areas that are crowded slopes. Its beautiful Georgian buildings (stores up to the docks of the picturesque Port), relaxed atmosphere, its abundance of parks and their houses make Hobart one of the most attractive towns of Australia. Neighboring towns may consider that Hobart's interior is conservative and parochial, but it really has a thriving art scene and craft, coupled with a true historical sense, certainly, this is the place to stroll, eat and soak up the atmosphere.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs (20,000 inhabitants), built on the banks of the Todd River, usually dry, is a modern and pleasant city in the heart of Australia. May cause disappointment to those who wait on every corner saloons and genuine individuals of the desert, to explore the area but you can see the charm of this desert community. The city was founded as the scale of the telegraph line overland in 1870, but began its growth over the past 30 years. The road that runs south towards Adelaide, was not completely paved until 1987.

Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is the wine-producing region known more for Australia. The slightly sloping valley of southern Australia, which was colonized by Germans in 1842 fleeing religious persecution in Prussia and Silesia, still reminiscent Germanic. This is an area that houses primarily cared about fifty wineries, most of whom would gladly accept the visit of tourists to sample and buy wine. To fully appreciate the scenery, it is advisable to leave the main road and diverted by a secondary crossing different peoples. The main town is Tanunda. Adelaide is just one hours drive to the Southwest. The worst time to walk around this area is between July and October, because during the winter months the vines are pruned. The best months are March to May, the season of harvest.
There are other wine regions in the state, especially in the southeastern around Penola, Coonawarra and Padthaway, in the Clare Valley, north of Barossa and McLaren Vale around in the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Broome

The atmosphere of this cosmopolitan metropolis apart, its languid pace of old village collector of pearls and its relaxed tropical charm make magnet for travelers and an alternative to big cities and their lifestyle. Broome keeps Asian influences, in part because of its history as a collector of pearls enclave and partly because Perth, the capital, is twice as distant Indonesia that. Cable Beach, near here, is one of the most famous beaches in Australia, to promote the tourism sector between the category, the city has escaped the Australian rude masses that flood most of the western towns. Broome points out the tiny district of Chinatown, the Sun Pictures Cinema, an outdoor cinema for 80 years, the Japanese cemetery and dinosaur footprints in Gantheaume Point. Broome also appealing to the observers of birds as the Broome Bird Observatory, located in Roebuck Bay, is one of the best way points of migrating waders in the Arctic. Bathers are advised that between November and March the waters are full of jellyfish.

Flinders Range

Flinders mountain range rises from the north end of Spencer Gulf, east of South Australia and extends northward along the 800 km and for many is the epitome of rural Australia, an excellent area for walkers, because of the colorful wildlife and the countryside. In the north the mountains are surrounded by salt or salt lakes. The defining feature of the range is the huge natural pond called Wilpena Pound, gorges flanked by 1,000 m. Alligator gorges are interesting, in the Mount Remarkable National Park, and the summit crowned Brachina porcelain known as Great Wall of China. The time advisable to approach this area in winter, though the mountains tend to be more green and flowery spring. Quorn and Hawker are two people who deserve to visit.
Freycinet Peninsula

On the east coast of Tasmania, the mainland is part of Freycinet National Park, is known for its beaches and caves, unusual plants and wildlife. Encourages all hikers. A representative is the road trip back to Wineglass Bay. The park contains a number of places for camping and lodging, but is famous for its drinking water shortage, so it is advisable to stock up in the nearby town of Coles Bay.
Great Ocean Road

This route by the south-west coast of Victoria is very spectacular winds through steep cliffs, windswept beaches and towering cliffs, through a lush forest and enormous eucalyptus. The most captivating is the Port Campbell National Park, where there is a curious collection of sculptures in limestone, including the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge. Another focus of interest lies in the mountain forests Otways, between Lorne and Apollo Bay. The coastal towns are indispensable Lorne resort and the historic Port Fairy, west of Warrnambool. The road officially starts at Torquay and ends at Warrnambool, but continues along the coast to Portland.

Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park is one of the natural wonders of Australia. Covers a range of magnificent scenery, is home to a diverse fauna and contains some of the best  examples of Aboriginal rock art. The park, a World Heritage Site for its cultural and natural significance, has an area of over 200 km from north to south and 100 km from east to west and is a 153 km road from Darwin in the Northern Territory. A strip of the park is Aboriginal land, and there are three conflicting lease contracts for uranium mines operating in the East.

Kimberley

The rugged Kimberley in the far north of Western Australia, is one of the last frontier, remote and little explored, with major rivers and beautiful landscapes, the quintessentially Australian landscape: red earth, rocks, rubber trees and blue skies. The fauna includes freshwater crocodiles, giant kangaroos and the rare Black-footed uallabí. Among its attractions include the throats of the Fitzroy River, the Wolfe Creek meteorite crater, the Gibb River Road and National Park Bungle Bunge. Halls Creek is the largest metropolis of Kimberley. Derby, 220 km, at the mouth of the Fitzroy River, is a good base for excursions in the practice area. The best time to visit is between April and September. Although the wet season (rainy season in the northern area) provides a carpet of storms and wild flowers. The rains make many channels impassable.

Snow Mountains

Located on the southwestern extremity of New South Wales, the snow-capped mountains are the highest mountains of the great divide of Australia. Kosciusko National Park, the largest of New South Wales (6,900 km ²), stretching from the border with Victoria to the Federal Capital Territory, covering almost all these mountains. Here are all ski resorts in the state, the most rugged mountain scenery, numerous caves, glacial lakes and forests. Despite its reputation as a place for winter sports, is also famous among hikers in summer, due to its high mountain wildflowers. Among the ski resorts, Thredbo contained, Perish Valley, Smiggins Hole and Mt Blue Cow. Mount Kosciusko, with 2228 m, is the highest peak. The principal city of the region is Jindabyne, situated on the edge of the park, beside a beautiful lake.

Australia ACTIVITIES

With more than 7,500,000 km of sparsely populated territory, it is not surprising that Australia is a favorite place for lovers of adventure. It is possible to travel the country in a 4x4, on horseback or even riding a camel. They are also good for cycling on paths, although the center, very dry, is reserved for very experienced. Fantastic routes for walkers in MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory; Finders Ranges, in the south, in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales and the Snowy Mountains (on the border with Victoria), and wide and wild territory of Tasmania. The best place to ski and board show-practice are the Snowy Mountains, during the warmer months you can explore the excellent horse riding in the Snowy.
In Australia there are numerous beaches for surfing, some of them in cities (Sydney and Perth), other coastal cities (Lorne in Victoria, Byron Bay in New South Wales and the Gold Coast, Queensland) and in other areas more isolated (southwestern South Australia and northwest Western Australia). Apart from diving mecca of the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea, there are other places for sport in Kangaroo Island in South Australia (where there are several affordable prices) and at Esperance, Rottnest Island, and Carnarvon in Western Australia.
Whale watching is possible in many places, the most famous are Eden in New South Wales, Warrnambool in Victoria, Western Australia in Albano and Fraser Island in Queensland. You can go rafting and canyoning in the rough waters of the river Nybdodia in Coffs Harbor in New South Wales in the Murray near Khancoban, also in New South Wales in the Tully and North Johnstone rivers in Queensland between Cairns and Townsville, and in Tasmania.

Australia history

Aboriginal Australians have the largest continuous cultural history of the world: their seeds back to the last ice age. While many aspects of Australian prehistory are veiled in mystery, the theory that its first inhabitants crossed the sea from Indonesia about seventy thousand years ago is a significant acceptance. For the first visitors, called robustus austrolopithecus by archaeologists because of its powerful skeleton, twenty thousand years after they happened more stylized another race called the gracilis, the ancestors of Aboriginal Australians.
The Europeans made their entry into Australia during the sixteenth century, Portuguese sailors first arrived, followed by Dutch explorers and the enterprising English pirate William Dampier. Captain James Cook sailed along the coast east in 1770 and stopped at Botany Bay. After surrounding Cape York, claimed the continent on behalf of the British crown and named it New South Wales.
In 1779, Joseph Banks (a naturalist on Cook's trip) suggested that Britain could solve overcrowding problems in its prisons where the convicts transported to New South Wales. In 1787, he left the first fleet to Botany Bay under the command of Captain Arthur Philip, who became the first governor of the colony. The fleet comprised 11 ships, 750 convicts (men and women), four companies of sailors and provisions for two years. Philip arrived in Botany Bay on January 26 1788, but soon moved north to Sydney Cove, where land and water are best. For newcomers, New South Wales was a truly terrible and inhumane, and 16 years on the cologne hung the threat of hunger.
During the following decades, other free settlers were attracted by Australia, but what really changed the appearance of the colony was the discovery of gold in the 1850s. The influx of immigrants and some important findings re the economy and irrevocably changed the social structures of the colony. Aborigines were forcibly evicted from their lands as new settlers enabled land for agriculture or mining. The Industrial Revolution in England required plenty of time for raw materials and agricultural and mineral resources of Australia were able to meet demand.
Australia as a nation built on January 1, 1901, when he established the federation of independent colonies, but kept many of the legal and cultural ties with England. Australian troops fought alongside Britain during the War of the Boers and the two world wars. However, the role played by United States to protect Australia from Japanese invasion during World War I marked the beginning of a change of loyalties. Australia supported the United States during wars in Korea and Vietnam.
Immigration after World War II brought an influx of European immigrants, not just of Britain, who have since contributed greatly to the development of the country, turning its culture and broadening your horizons. In the 1980s, Australia accepted large numbers of Asian refugees, especially from Vietnam. From a socio-economic, Australia still tries to assume its position in Asia. Among the current issues, republicanism is the universal acceptance of the Aboriginal land rights law, enacted in 1993, and demand an official apology from the government for the injustice and theft suffered by generations of aborigines, many of whom still living in appalling conditions.
In the 1996 elections, Prime Minister Paul Keating was defeated by the conservative coalition led by John Winston Howard.
In the late 1990s, republicanism was the protagonist in the Australian political landscape, the idea of replacing the figure of the British monarchy by an Australian president as head of government was provided by a growing number of people, especially the most young population, which considered the constitutional links between Australia and United Kingdom of little significance and supported the declaration of Australia as a republic. Finally, the national referendum of 1999 gave victory to supporters of the monarchy and the continuation of Australia as a member of the Commonwealth.
In the 2001 election, John Winston Howard was re-elected prime minister.

Australia culture

Australia is a society of multiple cultures. Until WWII, Australians were mainly descendants of British and Irish. Then came huge contingent of immigrants from Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, Lebanon and Turkey, to which must be added more recent flows of immigrants from Asia. There are about 230,000 Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. Many Australians speak Italian, Greek, Lebanese, Vietnamese or Turkish as their first language. Anglo Australians use a hodgepodge of slang words and abbreviations that indigenous becomes incomprehensible language.

Australia has an important artistic heritage and a fascinating panorama of contemporary art. The carvings and paintings made by Aboriginals in the rocks have an age of at least 30,000 years. European settlers began to develop their own forms of Australian art at the end of the nineteenth century. Various artists from the mid-twentieth century achieved world renown (Sydney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, Patrick White), his followers have emphasized in modern painting (Brett Whiteley, Fred Williams), literature (Peter Carey, Thomas Keneally), opera (Joan Sutherland) , films (Peter Weir, Bruce Beresford, George Miller, Gillian Armstrong), Comedy (Barry Humphries), dance (Graeme Murphy, Paul Mercurio), popular music (Nick Cave, INXS, AC / DC, Jet, Midnight Oil, Silverchair, Kylie Minogue) and actors (Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Mel Gibson). Contemporary Aboriginal art has resurfaced throughout the last decade, its representatives have explored ways to preserve their traditional values and share them with the wider community.
The sport is the religion of Australia, world champion in cricket, the rugby league from rugby union, swimming and cycling. Other sports that are of great interest are basketball, sailing, soccer and Australian football or Aussie Rules, Australia characteristic of a sport similar to Gaelic football. The 2000 Olympic Games held in Sydney, were considered by the then president of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, the best to date.

Australia Map .

Travel Tour to Canada

Tourism Culture and History tour

Canada Overview

The perception is that most of Canada is based on its vast distances, its rich natural resources and its flag. It is indisputably associated with Niagara Falls and its current maple paradise. However, their ethno-cultural diversity provides an added value to its natural wonders.
The contrasts between the indigenous and European traditions endow the country with a complex character, which also receives the constant influence of American culture and customs of all imported from Asia and Latin America of skilled immigrants. The result is a heterogeneous society thriving in the process of forming their own identity. Those who feel that Canada is merely a replica of his more moderate southern neighbor, they should revise their prejudices before entering the country: its sparsely populated northern frontier, which has gradually been forming in the soul of the nation, its mix of people and led to an area that has little to do with United States.

Canada best time to travel

The best time for skiing in Canada ends in early spring. Camping or go to the extreme north, is preferable in July and August. The high season begins in June and lasts until September. In spring and autumn, and receive fewer visitors, Canada offers lower prices and a more relaxed atmosphere, but we must bear in mind that some of the attractions and tourist facilities remain closed.

Canada Festival and Holidays

The Winter Carnival in Quebec City, which takes place between February and March, is famous for its parades, dances and music, as well as its ice sculptures and snow slide. In Ottawa Winterlude festivities in February, a festival in honor of the snow. The Montreal Jazz Festival in June and the International Jazz Festival Ottawa in the next month, to gather local musicians and performers of recognized international scene. The two major events in Toronto are the Caravan, cultural music, dance and ethnic cuisine that takes place in mid-August, and in June, the Gay Pride Parade, which runs through the streets of downtown of the city in September highlights its famous International Film Festival. In Calgary, it was organized in July, the popular Calgary Stampede, with its famous race cars and rodeo. The west, the city of Victoria hosts the Festival in August of the first settlers, with crafts, dancing and walks in war canoes.

Canada Best Places to travel

Ottawa

The capital of Canada extends to the southern shore of the Ottawa River at the eastern edge of Ontario. It is the seat of city government, and is characterized by the Parliament buildings, neo-Gothic style. You hear a lot about French, because the staff must be bilingual. There are too many exciting things to do in Ottawa, apart from being in a capital, but the air is clean, the streets are wide, there are many public parks and people seem happy and healthy because people are going to work or walk. In the city there are many impressive buildings, as often occurs in the majority of capital: the War Museum (with an actual size replica of a trench in the First World War), the Royal Mint, several houses inhabited by ministers and museums do justice to the icons of the country, nature, aviation, science and technology, agriculture and skiing. Ottawa also houses the art collection of the most important country in the National Gallery, which displays a selection of American and European works. In summer, the city is full of color with the red uniforms of the Royal Canadian Mounties, the mounted police.

The Rideau Canal divides downtown Ottawa in the east and the west shore. In the east, there are numerous guest houses, many with an important heritage. The motels are clustered in Rideau Street to the east, and Carling Ave on the west bank of the city. Byward Market, east of the canal, focuses cheap places to eat, and in the western part is more expensive restaurants.
Toronto

The largest city in Canada is known for its multiculturalism. In its streets you can hear more than 100 languages and an estimated 40% of the population was born outside the country. The symbol that identifies the city is the CN Tower, the tallest structure independent world. Harbourfront is a good place for a walk or eat in a renovated warehouse. The city has a lot of good museums, from the Bata Shoe Museum (Museum of shoes) until may of Fame Jockey, which is located in a beautiful building. Some of the best preserved buildings can be seen in York Old Town, with an incomparable collection of domestic architecture in Cabbagetown. And just two hours by car is one of the most popular attractions, especially for Americans, Niagara Falls.
Montreal

The passion and pride are so entrenched in this elegant island are bilingual as deep water around it. Founded in the religious zeal and a center for the fur trade, Montreal experienced the struggles between British and French, but, fortunately, today only fought at the polls.

Mont Royal, 232 m, is the highest mountain in the area and it comes from the name of the city. The Old Montreal some architectural jewels of the eighteenth century, as the museum of archeology and history of Pointe-à-Callière. When the weather gets worse (the winter in this city is famous for its inclement weather), the right is the cozy refuge underground maze of restaurants, shops and bars.

Most hotels are located on the west side of the center of the city, but getting a room during the summer or Christmas is almost a battle. The nightlife in Montreal is quite hectic and is defined by two different styles, the English and French. Moreover, this is the city where the clubs closed later. In recent years, the best clubs have been established around the Plateau, the south end of town.
Vancouver

This city, one of the finest American country, won the heart of the traveler without much effort. From the hill on which it is built, or from the many bridges that cross, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the bay and the city itself. The climate is mild, according to the parameters Canadians, and the atmosphere is cheerful and carefree Californian style that makes even their neighbors Americans discard in praise. The city center offers a vivid mosaic of interesting attractions for tourists, ranging from the refurbished Victorian charm of the old town of Gastown to the leafy spaces of Stanley Park, one of the largest in the world within a city. Vancouver also has a very short distance from famous sandy beaches where surf, such as Wreck Beach, and numerous opportunities for hiking, white water or off at picnics in the same city. In the vicinity is Vancouver Island, where you can take whale watching and enjoy countless natural wonders. Needless to add that, in summer, Vancouver is full of visitors.
Rockies

Along the border between Alberta and British Columbia, the Rocky Mountains are located within national parks two giants: the Banff, south and Jasper to the north. Banff National Park was the first official sanctuary for wildlife in Canada, and today the city that gave its name has become the first resort of the country, both summer and winter, while the Jasper National Park is largest unexplored.

The magnificent Lake Moraine, turquoise waters, is in Banff, despite the danger of becoming one of the most exploited of the country, it is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Canada. Jasper and Banff parks are linked by the Columbia Icefield, a large block of glacier ice in the period, comprising about thirty glaciers. This area offers other options, like walking through the park, swim, visit caves, go camping, hiking, canoeing down, soak in hot water or climb mountains. The Rocky Mountains, the quintessence of Canada, also offer plenty of places to stay, at prices which generally are lower on the edge of Jasper Park.
Great Plains

From the base of the Rocky Mountains and in the direction of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the broad plateau stretching from Canada in the heart of the area, covered with golden wheat and sunflowers. It is not uncommon to hear the locals complain that, despite the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, they impede the spectacular scenery. Among the most popular areas of interest in Alberta is the curiously named heritage of the Blackfoot Indians, consisting of the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, near the fort Macleod. Riding Mountain National Park, with 3,000 km2, is an oasis among the wooded grasslands of Manitoba, where bison roam much as cyclists. In the region of Saskatchewan, grasslands alternate with evocative names of national parks, and there are more routes on roads canoe. Yorkton, a town north of Crooked Lake Provincial Park, is one of the surprises that holds this area. Here the churches with onion domes reflect the heritage of the Ukrainian culture. South of this tiny village is located Rocanville, one of the villages specialized in crop circle in modern Canada.
Nordic Arctic Games

The cold Inuvik, a town located in the far north and clear example of the glacial climate in Alaska itself, often hosting the Games in the Nordic Arctic. In this celebration recreational sports highlights sports traditional Dene and Inuit, as well and dance contests and an area where there are displays local crafts. Another activity of these games is based on a contest called The good woman, which assesses the abilities of local people in activities which consist, for example, skinning animals.
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Through the Yellowhead Highway provides access to the Cariboo Mountains in British Columbia, form the vast virgin Wells Gray Park, one of the least visited of the country. Of the many beautiful waterfalls that are in it, are the most spectacular waterfalls Helmcken River Murtle, with a drop of 137 m.
Potato Museum in Prince Edward Island
At the frontier of rural Prince Edward Island (PEI), on the eastern edge of Canada, the town of O'Leary internal rewards its visitors with the Museum of PEI Potatoes, where you will find all the information existing This tuber, of the Irish diet. A curious fact reported that 85% of the potatoes grown in North America end up being fried. The museum houses several historic buildings including a restaurant specializing in cuisine based on this food.
Nature Reserve Narcisse
The town of Narcisse, Manitoba, is the meeting place for lovers of the snakes, as in the province to over 10,000 of these reptiles. Lake Manitoba is considered to be the Loch Ness Canadian, as the locals claim to have seen a creature shaped like a giant snake and horse's head to die at the hands of the government under the night and then was transferred in a truck an unknown place. Whether true or not, it must be remembered that since the seventies have been explained many stories of this kind.

Canada map

Travel to Andorra

Andorra overview

Located between France and Spain under the protection of the Pyrenees, Andorra offers the best conditions for winter sports, as well as stunning mountain scenery and cultural heritage inheritance of its Roman past. In the warm season, geography attracts hikers and those who need to escape the noise and tensions of the cities. Its cities became tempting to reflect on their windows all the good prices of their products relative to their neighbors.

best time travel to Andorra

The ski season usually starts in December and continue until March, although many stations contribute to slow during the spring snow. The time for hiking is between the last snow until October. The feasts of the Andorran people are held between July and September, and the highest hotel business is concentrated in July and August and December to March

Andorra Mean festivals and Holidays

In local festivals, cities and villages Andoran show their ancestral roots and traditions, are often held between July and September, and they meet people to enjoy music, dancing, food and wine. In Andorra la Vella, the festival, which begins the first Saturday in August, was developed during three days. La Mare de Deu de Meritxell, the national holiday honoring the Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8 with a pilgrimage to Meritxell, 7 km northeast of the capital. In Andorra, there are also various international music festivals of great importance as the Festival International de Jazz de Escaldes-Engordany, in July, or the International Music Festival in Ordino in September

Andorra Most Attraction Places to Travel

Andorra la Vella

The capital of the principality, the country's largest city, is located 1,000 m above sea level and surrounded by mountains up to 2,400 m altitude. At present, Andorra la Vella focuses its business in the retail electronics and luxury goods tax free. Despite the buzz that fills the streets himself from the most crowded, Andorra la Vella has lost the remnants of its 1100 years of history.
Barri Antique (old town) was the epicenter of the population, and is distinguished by its short and narrow cobbled streets lined with beautiful stone houses of the people own the Pyrenees. The country's most famous building is the Casa de la Vall (house of the valley), seat of the Consell de les Valls (Andorra parliament) since 1702. The stone building has three floors and was built in 1580 as a private house in a wealthy family, the arms of the door dates from 1761. The ground floor is the Hall of Justice, for the whole country, and on the first floor, the Sala del Consell, where meetings are held in parliament. Set Panys (chest of the seven keys) contained within a document most relevant to Andorra, it could only open if this was one of the representatives of each parish in possession of a key.
Cultural events are held in the Plaça del Poble, a public plaza surrounded by theater and music conservatory in the city, usually in the evenings where people congregate.

Caldea

The huge complex Caldea spa is located in Les Escaldes, east of the outskirts of Andorra la Vella. Fed by natural hot springs, the spa consists of a lake of 600 m², which is maintained at a constant temperature of 32 ° C. It is the ideal way to end the day's skiing. You can also enjoy the whirlpool or Turkish baths, both included in the ticket price, which provides a stay of three hours in the complex.
Caldea spa is open every day, his address is Parc de la Mola # 10, about 2 km from Piazza Guillem in Andorra la Vella. Tickets can be purchased at the tourist offices.

Ordino

Considering the average size of the populations Andorra, Ordino is one of the most extensive that, despite the recent increase in tourism (an abundance of holiday homes and British travelers), maintains its traditional character and serene. The most prominent attraction of the city is the Museu d'Areny i Plandolit, an ancient manor house belonging to the family Areny Plandolit, perhaps the most famous of the country. Their rough design, and interior furnishings are typically Andorrans.
In the parish located in the northwest, is the ski-Ordino Arcalís, where you can also do some of the most interesting hiking trails when the warm weather arrives. Some of the highest peaks reach 2800 m.
Throughout the year, maintains and operates a daily bus from Andorra la Vella and covers the 10 km that separate Ordino. In the snow season, there is a free shuttle to the lifts of Ordino-Arcalís from the vicinity, the only way to get the rest of the year is by car.

Encamp

This town is home to one of Andorra's best known museums, the Museu Nacional de l'Automobile, which displays more than two hundred cars from 1898 to 1950 years, as well as hundreds of motorcycles and bicycles. To the north, is the church Sant Romà de les Bons, and construction of the tenth century Lombard Romanesque style, the frescoes in the apse are reproductions of the originals, that moved to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona.
The two ski resorts of Encamp, Soldeu-El Tarter and Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, are considered among the best facilities Andoran to practice this sport, and they come mainly British and French tourists.
There is a bus line that connects daily and Encamp Andorra la Vella, 5 km and is addressed to the terminal stations French Ax-les-Thermes, L'Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol.

Llorts

Llorts village of one hundred inhabitants, lies between fields of snuff, and is protected behind their backs by pristine mountains. This is one of the least exploited of the country, ideal for hiking. One of the most popular marches, of three hours and a half, is the valley that runs west of the population along the river l'Angonella, path leading to the group of lakes Estanys de l'Angonella. North of El Serrat, about 3 km from the valley Llorts, there is a secondary road leading to the mountain hostel Sorteny edge at 1970 m altitude. From here you can restart another path that goes to the lake Estany de l'Estany and a mountain of 2915 m known as the Pic de l'Estany. In the tiny church of Sant Martí, Romanesque building erected in the curtain, 2 km south of Llorts, you  can admire some frescoes of the twelfth century in excellent condition. From Andorra la Vella, part of a daily bus service to and Llorts El Serrat, 16 km, another 6 km line runs between them in Ordino.

Seu d'Urgell

Seu d'Urgell is the gateway to Spain from Andorra, a beautiful enclave where refuel overnight. Since the ninth century was established as the seat of the bishop of Urgell and the Count, the Spanish fraction of the co-of Andorra.
Located south of the central Plaça dels Oms, the cathedral of Santa Maria, the twelfth century, is one of the most outstanding Romanesque buildings in Catalonia, despite  having undergone several renovations throughout the years. Its interior houses the Museu Diocesà, which has a large number of mural paintings, writings and altar pieces, plus a Beatus, illustrated manuscript on Revelation, very unusual, dating back to the X. Century
Seu d'Urgell is located 9 km south of the road Andorra CG1; a frequent bus service connects with the principality.

Toulouse

Toulouse, student center very dynamic and lively, is one of the fastest growing urban population of France and has many museums, churches, gardens and galleries. Besides being the city closest to Andorra and enjoy a lively nightlife, its inhabitants have a reputation for being more friendly to the French region.
The Place du Capitole is the main square of the city, there are the town hall building, the eighteenth century, and the Théâtre du Capitole, one of the opera houses of France's most prestigious. South of the square is the Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter) with its streets and lanes intact from the eighteenth century.
The city is full of notable churches to delight all lovers of religious architecture. Saint Sernin Basilica, the eleventh century French Romanesque structure is larger, in which the frescoes of the twelfth century the north arm of the cruise. The church of Notre Dame du Taur is a Gothic building which was built in honor of St. Sernin, a child martyr of the city who died in 257 AD to be tied to the tail of a bull. The madona black interior of the chapel dates from the sixteenth century. It also highlights the church des Jacobins, Gothic, and the relics of St. Thomas Aquinas, now buried under the new and ornate altar.
To enjoy leisure, you are advised to approach the area of bars around the Place Saint Georges, where you can choose between a score of clubs. The large population of gay meets in Toulouse premises to the south of the Place du Capitole and the west bank of the river Garonne.
Toulouse is situated 180 km northwest of Andorra la Vella following the road CG2 French and then the N20. There are trains and buses that connect Toulouse and the French border towns of L'Hospitalet, La Tour de Carol and Ax-les-Thermes, where one can travel by bus to Andorra la Vella.

activities in Andorra

Andorra is the most affordable enclave in the Pyrenees for skiing and snowboarding. Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter size, height and number of lifts, are the best seasons, but also more expensive. The ski season usually extended from December to March depending on snow conditions. Most stations use snow machines to improve the quality of the tracks.
Andorra is a beautiful, quiet and relatively little used, features that make it an ideal place for excursions. Notable tracks are located in the parish of Ordino, Northwest, and the path GR11, which crosses the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and crosses southern Andorra. Walkers can stay free in Refugis (shelters) available along the trail.
In the large ski resorts, mountain bikes can be rented during the summer months in the area of Soldeu-El Tarter, Canillo in the parish, is very popular practice of hang gliding

Andorra History

Tradition attributes the origins of Andorra to Charlemagne, who liberated the region from the Muslim occupation in the year 803 AD and his son, Louis the Pious, granted the residents an independent status. The first existing document where the name of Andorra is an order of 843 years which produced Charles II, grandson of Charlemagne, and which gave way to the valleys of Andorra Sunifred, Count of Urgell, from the nearby Spanish town of La Seu d'Urgell. The act of consecration of the cathedral of La Seu, which dates back approximately 860 years, including membership of the parishes Andorran territory dominated by the count. From the twelfth century the valleys of Andorra became a lordship under the aegis of the Episcopal diocese of Urgell.

The first constitutional documents of the country, Pariatges (agreements between equals), were drafted in 1278 and 1288, by which to resolve the differences between the Church of Urgell and the house of Foix (who would later be absorbed by the Royal House of France). These agreements, which both the bishop and the counts agreed to share sovereignty of Andorra, have formed the basis of the government of Andorra to the present day and are among the oldest documents of this type are still in force.

A distinctive political balance created by this agreement freed the country from being absorbed by its powerful neighbors, despite the periodic tensions that occurred between the co and the powers they represented. After the French Revolution, France, as heir to the territories and the prerogatives of the Count of Foix, renounced all feudal rights over Andorra, but Napoleon, at the express request of Andorrans and who feared Spanish hegemony, he returned to accept the sovereignty in 1806.

His documentation of tax arose from the smuggling of French goods to Spain during the Spanish Civil War and Spanish goods to France during World War II. Andorra kept its neutrality during the two world wars and the Spanish contest.

In March 1993, its citizens approved the first Andorran Constitution, turning the country into a parliamentary co-law, democratic and social, but also maintained the role of French and Spanish co-princes as heads of state together with much reduced powers. In July 1994 Andorra joined the Council of Europe and the UN.

Andorra has become a center for skiing and duty free shopping. Apart from these activities bring welfare, foreign businesses and around 11 million visitors a year, have a development without regard and several kilometers of traffic jams on both sides of the border.

Andorra Culture and people

Until the fifties, the Andorran population was 6,000. At present, only a quarter of its residents, almost two thirds live in Andorra la Vella and its environs are Andorran nationals. The rest comes mainly from Spain, France and Portugal.
The official language is Catalan, a Romance language closely related to Occitan, but Spanish and French influences. While it is believed that all of its inhabitants speak Catalan, Spanish and French, in fact many of their citizens know the French language.
The cuisine is mainly Catalan, although it has adopted many features of the French and Italian cuisines. Meat and fish are served with traditional sauce, the pasta is also very common. Among the dishes are the Conill (rabbit with tomato), the Xai (roast lamb), the trinxat (bacon, potatoes and cabbage) and escudella (stew of chicken, sausage and meatballs)

Andorra Map