Travel Tour to Croatia
Croatia Tourism culture and History tour

Croatia overview

In the period prior to 1991, Croatia (then part of Yugoslavia, now Serbia and Montenegro) was the way to becoming the new Costa del Sol Many planes loaded with passengers from Western Europe (10 million per year) landed on the shores of the Adriatic in search of sun, a low cost of living, and perhaps some curiosity medieval nude beach. But with the push Croatian independence during the violent separation of Yugoslavia, the war turned that dream into a nightmare tour. Despite recent tragedies, the charms of Croatia remain free and the country has been converted into a magnet for tourism.

His aura still lingers in the medieval cobbled streets of Rovinj and the Stari Grad (Old Town) from Dubrovnik, recently restored. Croatia is also home to some of the best Roman ruins in Europe, including the immense palace of Diocletian in Split. The climate and the beaches are still superb, and if one may want to practice nudism

best time to travel Croatia

Taking into account the weather, the months of May through September are the best to visit the country, although in July and August, the Adriatic coast can accommodate an excess of visitors. September is perhaps the most propitious time since the influx of tourism has declined, the prices are adapted to the low season and plenty of figs and grapes. In April and October you can too cold to camp, although the climate of the coast is usually benign and easy to find accommodation. One can swim in the sea from mid-June to late September

Croatia Holidays and festival

From March 21 to April 4, Zagreb is the pace of Spring Time Jazz Fever, only surpassed by the International Days of Jazz, held in mid October in the capital. Also worth a pop group acting Dalmatian style at the Split Summer Festival in July, held at the same time as the Summer Festival in Zagreb, where you can enjoy traditional Croatian music. The Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which celebrates in July and August, has the great classical and country music stars. In these same months, the tambura Omis park to host a festival of singing a capella.

Zagreb organized during the month of June, the European theater festival Eurokraz addition to the International Animation Festival and the International Folklore Festival in July. That same month Opatje enjoy the traditional music of Istria, the Slovenian culture shift arrives in September in the Golden Strings Festival (festival golden string) Pozega. In Sibenik, June brings the International Children's Festival

Croatia best places to travel

Zagreb

The capital of Croatia since 1557 has retained much of its medieval quarter. The city suffered a bombing in 1995, but the damage was minor and the recovery has been rapid, its people have regained their habits and enjoy the new city. Even many museums are closed, some for renewal. There are several elegant and expensive hotels near the train station, it is difficult to find accommodation at affordable prices.

The two twins neogothic capitals of St. Stephen's Cathedral was built in 1899, but you can still find remnants of the old medieval cathedral that was previously in place. Particularly interesting are the frescoes of the thirteenth century, Renaissance chairs, marble altars and the baroque pulpit. From the tower Lotrsac, northwest of the historic center, you can enjoy a 360 ° panoramic view of the city, another point of interest is unavoidable Muzejski Prostor, which offers splendid art exhibitions. Are also in the church of San Marcos, with sculptures by Ivan Mestrovic and colorful tiles; the Museum of Natural History, the Historical Museum of Croatia and the City Museum, located in a former convent.

The bottom is formed by a variety of museums: the Exhibition Pavilion hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, the gallery maintains Strossmayer of Old Master paintings and an inscription in old Croatian, the Archaeological Museum with prehistoric and medieval artifacts, in addition of Egyptian mummies and is in the rear, a garden decorated with Roman sculptures.

To the west lies the Museum Mimara, one of the best art galleries of Europe. Housed in a neo-Renaissance building, retains the private collection of Ante Topic Mimara, who donated thousands to her hometown of objects of incalculable value. The main attraction is the Italian paintings, Spanish and Dutch, but also provides examples of glassware, sculpture and Oriental art. Another wonder of Zagreb by the Mirogoj located to the north, one of the most beautiful cemeteries where rest of the continent proud mausoleums, the layout of the site follows the English style and is surrounded by an arcade-style neo-Renaissance of the nineteenth century.
Dubrovnik

Founded 1300 years ago, the charm of Dubrovnik lies in the old neighborhood of Stari Grad, with its marble floors, its steep cobbled streets, high houses, convents, churches, palaces, fountains and museums, all carved in the stone clear tone. The ancient city wall, near the renovated old town after the earthquake of 1667, keeps away the drivers. Thanks to its location at the southern end of the Adriatic coast, the city has a pleasant climate and lush vegetation. Although suffered heavy bombing in 1991, Dubrovnik has an ambitious restoration plan coordinated by Unesco, the ancient city had added to its catalog in 1994. Travelers who have recently visited the state now offers a better look, especially because it has not yet returned to suffer the invasion of tourists.

Plate, its beautiful promenade stretching from the bus stop is outside of the door pillar to the clock tower, across the city. Inside the door pillar of the Franciscan monastery houses a pharmacy that carries released from 1391. At the opposite end of the plate is the church of San Blas, beautiful building of Italian Baroque and Gothic palace of the rectory, built in 1441. This palace is now a museum with furnished rooms, baroque paintings and historical exhibitions. Is located just opposite a lively market that opens in the morning.

The walls of Dubrovnik was built between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries and have remained intact until today. It is probably the world's most magnificent fortress, measuring more than 2 km long and 25 m high, with 16 towers. No other place offers a landscape like this. A walk around the wall is one of the greatest pleasures this city offers.

You can enjoy the sun on its beaches, but travel by ferry to the island of Lokrum may be a more interesting alternative. The entire island is classified as national park, with a rocky beach for nudists, a botanical garden and the ruins of a Benedictine monastery. The cheapest way to stay in Dubrovnik supposed to accept the offer of private accommodation on offer at the ferry terminal, since the hotels are much more expensive.

To get there you can catch a plane in Zagreb, a bus at one of the many towns that have this service or on a ferry Hvar, Split, Zadar and Rijeka. The boats are more expensive but much more comfortable than the bus. The bus crossed the border town of Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina where it reaches the Adriatic coast, separating the southern Croatian coast the rest of the country.
Split

Located 150 km north of Dubrovnik, Split appears as the center of the province of Dalmatia. It is the largest city in the Croatian Adriatic coast. Founded in the fourth century, when the Emperor Diocletian, known for his habit of throwing the followers of Jesus to the lions, he built his summer palace. When the barbarians left the nearby Roman colony of Salona, many of its inhabitants fled to Split and hid behind the high walls of the palace. Split has become an industrial city, but the old town, which I felt the joy and the many attractions it offers make it one of the most fascinating cities of Europe.

Diocletian's palace stands as one of the remains of Roman architecture in the world most impressive. In fact, it was more of a fortress than a palace, its wall measuring 215 by 180 m past, inside it was the imperial residence, the temples and a mausoleum. You can still appreciate the original hall of the palace, the square with a colonnade, the temple of Jupiter and the remains of the Diocletian's mausoleum, now converted cathedral. In the few medieval buildings remain outside, including the City Council of the fifteenth century. You could walk for hours by the complex historical World Heritage Site in 1979, where the vibrant daily life seems to be developing into an outdoor museum.

Maritime Museum, one of the most interesting of the city, is located inside the fortress of the XVII century. It houses a large collection of maps, artifacts and models. It is also worth visiting the Archaeological Museum, part of his collection is exposed on the outside. Mestrovic Gallery has an extensive collection, well organized Croatian sculptor's most important.

It is rather difficult to find accommodation in Split, as many of their hotel stay for refugees and the business of renting private houses, which sank during the war, is still trying to overcome. Can be reached by plane or by train from Zagreb, by bus from anywhere in the country by ferry from several ports on the continent and islands, including Dubrovnik, Hvar and Korcula.
Rovinj

The quiet Rovinj be highlighted by a picturesque town of cobblestone streets along the coast of Istria, a heart-shaped peninsula situated to the northwest, bordering Slovenia. The population is surrounded by wooded hills and small hotels; thirteen wooded islands of the archipelago of Rovinj offer wonderful marine scene. This active fishing port is located within walking distance of the historic shipping port of Trieste Italian, which explains the presence of a significant Italian community.

The Cathedral of St. Euphemia dominates the city from its 57 m tall, and is considered the largest Baroque building in Istria. Rovinj was built when served as a bulwark for the Venetian fleet. The remains of St. Euphemia was moved from Constantinople in the year 800 AD, five years after he was martyred, and each September 16 devotees gather around his grave.

Rovinj Aquarium, more than a century old, houses an excellent collection of local marine wildlife, including poisonous scorpion fish and anemones of many colors. The forest park Punta Corrente, the South is an ideal place for swimming and the sea. You can get to Rovinj by bus from the majority of Croatian cities, and in summer, by ferry from Trieste (Italy)

Rab

The island of Rab, near the center of the archipelago of the Kvarner islands, to the northwest of Croatia, is considered one of the most seductive of the Adriatic. Its northwest corner is desert and rocky, while the far southwest is covered by a lush pine forest. The medieval town of Rab, one of the most beautiful in the region, is built on a narrow peninsula that encloses a well protected port, numerous stone buildings overlooking the sea rising from the port towards the cliff. Rab was dominated by Venice and Austria, at present it is usual to hear in both German and Croatian.

It is easy to recognize the four towers of the churches of the mass of red tile roofs of the city. The monastery of San Antonio was built in 1175, the Romanesque cathedral has a pleasant terrace overlooking the sea, and the church of Santa Justina has become the headquarters of a small museum of religious art. All that survives of his oldest church is the tower and foundation. To enjoy a spectacular view, we should not miss the walk around the wall or stroll in the shadow of City Park, further north. On the island of Rab is reached by ferry from the port and bus Jablanac.
Korcula

The island of Korcula is populated with abundant vineyards and olive trees make up the southern coastline with small beaches and quiet coves. City Korkula appears as a typical medieval Dalmatian town, with defensive towers and red roofs crowded houses also colorados.

In the plaza of the cathedral is sensed a strong Venetian influence, even has its own cathedral of San Marcos, with two paintings by Tintoretto. Next to the museum stands the palace of the abbey, from the fourteenth century, where the treasure of the city, just opposite the palace is Gabriellis (XV century) where it is now located the Museum of the City, in laying out objects of Greek pottery, Roman pottery and furniture. According to the local tourist office, Marco Polo was born in the city, and until you can look at the house where he lived.

Since the city can move to Lumbarda, a picturesque town in the southeast of the island, which offers a beautiful beach and is surrounded by vineyards producing a dry white wine. It can also be reached by outboard Badija to the island, where there is a nudist beach. Overnight at Badja includes the experience of spending the night in a XV century monastery, now converted into a hotel.

Korcula is located approximately 20 km from the southern Croatian coast, halfway between Dubrovnik and Split. The ferry makes the trip from both ports to the island.
Solin

Among the vineyards northeast of Split are scattered the ruins of the ancient city of Salona (today Solin), the most interesting archaeological environment of Croatia. Salona was the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia from the time of Julius Caesar to the year 614 AD, when he fell into the hands of the barbarians.

In Manastrine, outside the old town, were buried the first Christian martyrs, one can admire the tombs excavated in a rock-century basilica V. At the top of the cemetery is the Archaeological Museum. In the south lie the ruins of an ancient center of Christian worship and a V-century cathedral with three aisles, restrooms and a small baptismal font. At the western end stands a huge amphitheater of the second century which was destroyed by the Venetians in the seventeenth century to the Turkish brigands not used as a shelter. From Split you can go to Solin and visit one day.
Island of Mljet

One third of the narrow island of Mljet is a national park. Among its main attractions are two salt water lakes surrounded by small hills covered with pines. Can be visited in one day but if you spend the night on the island, you can enjoy alone. In the middle of the lake is located a larger island to reach it mean to enjoy a lunch in the twelfth century Benedictine monastery, now converted into the hotel to the park. Mljet is an ideal place to swim and sunbathe or rent a bike and take a stroll through the park. Located some 15 km from the southern Adriatic coast of Croatia, between Korcula and Dubrovnik, where you can also get a ferry

Croatia activities

The long and steep mountainous islands of the Croatian coast is a paradise for walking on a yacht. The coast is formed by numerous deep channels, picturesque ports and is plagued by constant winds. It is also a great place to go canoeing, especially around the islands and Kornati Elafiti. Croatian diving industry has just been born and have started to appear the first specialty shops in cities like Hvar and the island of Rab, but if a team has, the country offers plenty of water and marine animals to watch. For freshwater fishermen, nature parks of Paklenica Risnjak and excellent hiking trails home

History of Croatia

In the year 229 BC, the Roman Empire wrested the land from the native Illyrian Croatia, in the year 285 AD, Emperor Diocletian built the fortress in Split, today one of the most popular Roman ruin in eastern Europe. The fall of Western Roman Empire was in the V century, and around 625 Slavic tribes migrated to Croatia from Poland today. The Croatian tribe, who arrived in what is now known as Croatia, the former occupied the Roman provinces of Dalmatian Croatia and Pannonian Croatia, the Northeast. The two counties joined together in forming a single 925 kingdom flourished in the twelfth century.

A Tatar invasion devastated Croatia in 1242. In the sixteenth century, following the Turkish threat to invade the Balkans, Croatia went to the Habsburgs of Austria for protection, and was under his influence until 1918. In parallel, the Dalmatian coast was taken by Venice in the early fifteenth century, which lasted until the seventeenth century, when Napoleonic France was with her to incorporate it into the Illyrian Provinces, along with Istria and Slovenia.

The Croatian political and cultural life experienced a rebirth in 1835 was freed the slaves and the north was being ruled by Hungary, which gave internal autonomy. When the Austro-Hungarian Empire was defeated in World War I, Croatia joined the kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which was reduced to name Yugoslavia in 1929. Croat nationalists did not accept the appointment of Belgrade as the capital of the union and with the help of the Macedonian separatists, prepared the assassination of King Alexander I in 1934 in protest.

In 1941 Germany invaded Yugoslavia and Croatia established a fascist puppet government (the Ustasa) who tried to expel the Serbs from Croatia, to fail, introduced ethnic cleansing killing 350,000 Serbs, Jews and Gypsies. Part of the Croats differ from this policy, and many joined the Communist partisans to defeat Ustasa. At the end of the contest about one million people had died in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After the war, Croatia was the status of republic within the Yugoslav Federation ruling Communist Marshal Tito. To excel economically to the republics of the South, demanded more autonomy and more obligations imposed on its residents in the 1970s. When Tito died in 1980 established a political system that was inconsistent in the annual rotation of presidency among the republics, which plunged the booming Croatian economy into a deep recession.

In the late eighties, the harsh repression of the Albanian majority in the Serbian province of Kosovo led to a fear of Serbia, which sought to impose on the rest of the Federation. While communist governments fell in Eastern Europe, the Croats launched a campaign for autonomy and the end of communism. In 1990, the Croatian Democratic Union of Franjo Tudjman won the elections. We wrote a new constitution that changed the situation of Serbs in Croatia, became a "national minority" instead of an "integrated nation. The new constitution guaranteed the rights are not Serbs, many of whom lost their government jobs.

In June 1991 Croatia declared its independence from the Federation and the Serbian enclave of Krajina was also independent Croatia. There was a bitter fight across the country and the Yugoslav People's Army, dominated by the Serb community, spoke in favor of them. The situation worsened when Croatia agreed to suspend its declaration of independence for three months. However, the struggle continued and one quarter of the country fell into the hands of the militia and the federal army serbia. In October 1991 the federal army and advanced towards Dubrovnik shelled the presidential palace in Zagreb, at the beginning of European Union sanctions against Serbia. In November, the Serbs went on to control of Vukovar after a siege of three months. In half a year ten thousand people died, hundreds of thousands had fled the country and tens of thousands of houses had been destroyed.

After several unsuccessful attempts to cease-fire in January 1992, the UN deployed a protection force in Croatia occupied by Serbs. The federal army withdrew, and in May the same year was admitted to the United Nations after changing its constitution to protect minority groups and human rights. Serbian paramilitaries remained in power in Krajina and in January 1993, Croatia launched an attack in the area. Krajina declared independent republic, and responded by reducing their population by 98% Croatian. In 1994 Krajina signed a cease-fire in May 1995 but returned to the violence erupted. Krajina lost the support of Belgrade, Croatian troops overran the area and, therefore, 150,000 Serbs fled, leaving behind many homes in which their ancestors had lived for centuries.

The Dayton in December of 1995 finally provided a relative stability to the country and let the government handle the situation of unemployment among ex-soldiers, housing for displaced Croats and its infrastructure severely damaged.

President Franjo Tudjman died in December 1999 and a month later, his party, the Croatian Democratic Union, which had ruled since 1990, was defeated by a coalition of center-left. The charismatic and practical Stipe Mesic was elected president. The new government has promised to improve international relations, freedom of the press, the economy and reduce the record of atrocities against human rights that the country possesses. In the 2005 elections, Stjepan Mesic was re-elected

Croatia people and culture

The sculptor Ivan Mestrovic is more valued in the arts Croatian. The traveler can appreciate your work in most places in the country, in addition to several impressive buildings such as the Croatian History Museum in Zagreb. Among the great literary figures include the sixteenth-century playwright Marin Držić and novelist, playwright and poet Miroslav Krleza of the twentieth century, whose latest work, The Banner, the work of several volumes, novel life in Croatia during the turn of the century.

The traditional music comes from a mixture of styles. Slavonic kolo dance is performed in a circle accompanied by violinists and gypsy style of the tambura, a Croatian mandolin. Dalmatian soft guitar and accordion bands reflect a strong Italian influence.

Most Croats profess Catholicism, while virtually all Serbs are Orthodox. Besides doctrinal differences, Orthodox Christians venerate icons, allow priests to marry and do not follow the principles papal.

Catholicism is coming back strongly after being suppressed during the communist Yugoslavia, the Sunday services are coming under increasing influx of devotees. Muslims constitute 1.1% of the population and Protestants, 0.4%. Zagreb is also home to a Jewish minority.

Cuisine abounds in oil, as in the delicious Burek, a cooked cake from layers of meat or cheese and Piroska, a cheese donut from the Zagreb region. The Adriatic coast offers excellent seafood, regional dishes include fried shrimp, the prstaci (shellfish) and the Dalmatian brodet (several varieties of fish stewed with rice). Inland, Excel manistra specialties od bobica (beans and corn soup) or struckle (curd cakes). Almost all regions produce their own varieties of wine

Croatia 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 Tour to Cuba
Tourism culture and History tour
Cuba Introduction

Despite the efforts of United States, the sun still shines on Cuba, the Caribbean island more extensive and less spoiled by tourism, as well as one of the last bastions of communism in the world. The relative political isolation has prevented the influx of tourists and Cubans are really friendly to newcomers, including U.S. travelers enjoy a warm welcome. The Helms-Burton Act has allowed Cuba to find his own place gradually in the post-Soviet world, without accusing the sudden destabilizing shock of tourism consumption. The disappearance of the barriers imposed by the Americans in relation to travel and trade appears to be only a matter of time. Undoubtedly, upon the resumption of flights from Miami million tourists will come. Clearly, now is the ideal time to visit the island.
Cuba is a fairly quiet, even within large cities, where most delirious moments occur at a rate of enthusiastic chachacha, struggling to sound emitted by the old American cars and huge puff to the streets. If this peace is not enough, the interior of Cuba and its beaches are very quiet places, ideal for hikers, swimmers, or speleologists who likes to smoke a great cigar cigar under a palm tree.
Since November 8, 2004, the dollars are not legal in Cuba. Travelers should drive convertible pesos. Travelers checks or credit cards from American banks are not accepted. Dollar costs by 10% of the amount.

Cuba Best Time To Travel

Travel to Argentina
Tourism , Culture and History Tour
Why Argentina ?

When talking about Argentina, inevitably appear in the imagination of gauchos and the tango, but what really attracts many travelers is its natural beauty. The variety of landscapes ranging from deserts to the northern Andes in the south, from Iguazú Falls to the desolate Patagonia. And, above all, stands Buenos Aires, the capital, a magnificent city that is surprising both for its elegance as for its neo-European culture.

In fact, the most revealing of the large number of immigrants is to see how the features of European culture have remained intact during its adaptation to the so-called New World. Therefore, Argentina is one Latin American country in which Europeans, Americans and English speakers feel at ease and go virtually unnoticed

best time travel to Argentina

For residents in the northern hemisphere, Argentina offers the attractive possibility of enjoying two summers in a year, but due to their great diversity and vast geography, it is worth visiting these lands at any time. Buenos Aires, for example, has many attractions beyond the urban stations, but to assess areas such as Patagonia or the Perito Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz, I will take the summer months between December and February. The best time to approach the Iguazu Falls in subtropical Misiones province, is in spring or winter in the southern hemisphere, when the heat and humidity are less suffocating. During the winter (mid-June to late September) you can go skiing

Argentina Mean festivals and Holidays


Argentina holds a few festivals and holidays, and mostly have their origin in the liturgical calendar of Roman Catholics. Are centered on Christmas, New Year and Easter. Other important events are the All Saints Day and the feasts of the various provinces, as the commemoration of the May Revolution of 1810 (May 25), Malvinas Day (June 10) and Day of Race (October 12)

Argentina Most Attraction Places to Travel

Buenos Aires

For the renowned writer Jorge Luis Borges in Buenos Aires, the city was as eternal as water and air. For many Argentines, their capital is synonymous with the country itself, so much so that 40 percent of the population lives in the suburbs, in constant expansion, the vast metropolis. Buenos Aires is situated on the riverside of the silver in the district of the city and not, as might be thought, in the province of Buenos Aires. It is a reflection of urban Europe and its center is compact and uniform, is similar to Paris, its streets lined with trees and abundant plazas evoke a faded elegance and seductive. The city is crowded with bankers and showcases luxurious mixed with beggars and unemployed of the suburbs surrounding the city. In the urban area, the Plaza de Mayo is the main focus of activity; Avenue July 9, nearby, is known as the widest in the world, a veritable nightmare for the pedestrians, while the road is the Santa Fe perfect place for shopping.

Among the attractions in Buenos Aires include the Catedral Metropolitana, which is the tomb of José de San Martín, hero of the struggle for national independence of Argentina and the Teatro Colon, one of the temples of opera, ballet and classical music's most prestigious the world, a number of interesting museums, among which the National Endowment for the Arts, the Film Museum and the Historic National, which provides an overview of developments in the country, the colorful Italian neighborhood of La Boca, with its housing wooden striking colors along the channel of the Riachuelo and the Recoleta Cemetery.

Whether you are staying in a modest or luxurious hotels, it is possible to stay in the heart of the city. The congressional district is a good place to sleep at a reasonable price, while the average cost of hotels are concentrated on Avenida de Mayo. In the districts of La Boca and San Telmo quantities can be eaten by small. In the center, Lavalle and Avenida Corrientes are the places suitable to consume pizza, drink coffee with the local intellectuals or enjoy one of the popular meat dishes.
The River Plate

For the inhabitants of Greater Buenos Aires, summer is synonymous with beach, the river plate is usually the favorite destination of Buenos Aires. Located in the North Atlantic coast, 400 km from the capital, beaches stretching along 8 km, as well as the elegant mansions that reflect the aristocratic origins of the area and are interspersed with the properties of the new middle class . Sea lions observed closely the activities of fishing piers, and a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes (France) is an interesting space to explore.
Cordoba

Argentina's second city, Cordoba, has long competed with Buenos Aires for political supremacy, economic and cultural, indeed languished while the city for negligence, Cordova became the architectural jewel of the country. Currently, in the dense center of the metropolis there is a valuable collection of colonial buildings, the old market, the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesuits. The provincial museum of  Sobremonte Marquis is one of the most important historical museums in the country.
La Pampa

The vast plains of the Pampa is the most important agricultural center of Argentina and the origin of the symbol of romantic nationalism, the gaucho. This area includes the provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa and much of Santa Fe and Cordoba, among its many surrounding wooded hills rise, vast prairies and lakes filled with salt water flamencos. Calel Lihué The National Park is a popular spot, its fauna including some puma and many guanaco, rhea, native hares and a variant of wild chinchilla called vizcacha. It is worth visiting the cities of La Plata, Luján (whose basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Luján receives four million pilgrims a year), Rosario and Santa Fe, recognized for its many museums, churches and colonial buildings decaying.
Iguazu Falls

Located in the Parque Nacional Iguazú near Puerto Iguazú, these spectacular falls are just east of the confluence of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers. At least five thousand cubic meters of water falling sharply from 70 m to the bottom. Tourists may find familiar, as it were the scene of the film The Mission. The area has historic ruins of the Jesuit missions, which are another attraction for many travelers, the best known are those of San Ignacio Mini, a building known as the Baroque style Guarani. Above the falls you can go canoeing or kayaking and other water sports practice. The park surrounding the falls is formed by 55,000 hectares of pristine tropical forest, with flora and fauna abundant and varied.

Cuyo

The region covers the Cuyo Andean provinces of Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis. This area retains a strong regional identity, with a unique mestizo population, due to the influence of Chile, its neighbor. It is an agricultural region famous for its grapes and wines, situated in the shadow of the vast mountains of the Andes, where travelers can find many sports and recreational activities such as climbing and trekking. The cellars, the people hiding in the mountains and the centers of Mendoza and San Juan are other attractions of this place.
Andean Northwest

This is the most traditional of Argentina, with its abundant natural beauty and its vestiges of pre-Columbian and colonial past. Andean Northwest covers the provinces of Jujuy, with many stocks of animals, Salta, where the best preserved colonial city in the country, hundreds of archaeological sites and buildings from the era of domination, Tucumán, La Rioja, Catamarca and Santiago del Estero .
Patagonia

This enormous region south of the province of Buenos Aires has a mountainous interior with scattered glaciers, a unique coastal wildlife and Andean national parks. Peninsula Valdes is a particularly good for wildlife lovers, there live many lions and elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, Magellanic penguins and whales. Perito Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz is a river 60 meters of ice that rises, falls and then explodes, but several years ago that has stopped expanding. Carmen de Patagones is a beautiful colonial city that survives on the trail left by ancient inhabitants of the Welsh region, particularly in the town of Gaiman.
Tierra del Fuego

Argentina shares half of its territory in the southern islands of the Atlantic Ocean with Chile. It is a place where many oil drilling rigs, sheep, glaciers, wind and waterways. Ushuaia and Rio Grande are the two largest cities, the main attractions of the province are its magnificent landscape, its wildlife and fishing tours. The only coastal national  park in Argentina includes rivers, lakes, forests and glaciers, which provide many opportunities for trekking and cover all types of animals

Argentina activities

Football is by far the sport with more viewers and fans in the country. Argentina also has many other specialties, among which the trekking, skiing and water activities. Elite sports such as rugby and polo, reflecting the momentum of the immigrant societies, and skiing, despite its cost, is becoming increasingly popular. Currently, Argentina is among the best places in the world of practice, many stations have specialized  schools. Among the most recommended highlights the Cuyo region to the south, the lake district, La Hoya and, nearby, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego.

The walks in the mountains are also very popular, there are extensive walks with beautiful scenery through the Andes, the Sierras de Córdoba and Sierra de la Ventana, Province of Buenos Aires. Climbers should head to Aconcagua, west of Mendoza, the Fitzroy Range in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in Santa Cruz province, and the Sierra de la Fentanes (for experienced hikers). The rafting is becoming increasingly popular in the channels that descend from the Andean divide, among the most interesting are the Mendoza and Diamante rivers in the region of Cuyo and the Hua Hum and Meliquina, near San Martin de los Andes, and the rivers Limay and Manso near Bariloche

Argentina History

The pre-Columbian Argentina was populated by sedentary indigenous groups, such as Diaguita, but also by nomadic tribes who lived by hunting. Their resistance slowed Spanish incursions, hindering settlement. Buenos Aires was not founded until 1580 and remained a wasteland during two hundred years. It was not possible to exploit the indigenous population, which was becoming more limited and was distributed as inequitable, and this led to the creation of huge cattle ranches, known as haciendas, genesis of the legendary gaucho and source of wealth for the few fortunate.

Buenos Aires became the capital of the new Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata in 1776, which marked the fourth viceroyalty that Spain established in South and Central America. In May 1810 there was the May Revolution, which led to independence six years later. The new situation has revealed strong regional disparities which Spanish rule had obscured. The Federalists of the interior (conservative landowners, supported by the gauchos and rural working class) advocated provincial autonomy, while the Unitarianism of Buenos Aires (cosmopolitan citizens who welcomed the onslaught of ideas, capital and European immigrants) support the central authority of their city. After a disastrous period under the tyrannical government of course federalist Juan Manuel Rosas, Buenos Aires and prevailed and Unitarianism, Unitarianism to the Constitution of 1853, began a new era of growth and prosperity.

Sheep were introduced, and the Pampa was devoted to the cultivation of cereals. European immigration, foreign capital and trade laid the foundations of the new liberalism. However, excessive interest on external debt increased the vulnerability of the domestic economy against the global economic crisis, wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few and increased unemployment rates, as small properties, and farmers went bankrupt and ranchers were forced to leave the field and go to the cities.

The first decades of the twentieth century were marked by a civilian government increasingly weak, the economic crisis and the continuing resentment of the elite landowners. This led the military coup of 1943, which facilitated the appearance of a political figure of Juan Domingo Peron, who was elected president in 1946 and for the second time in 1951. Together with his equally popular and charismatic wife, Eva Duarte (Evita), implemented a strict economic program based on the national industrialization and self-determination, which attracted both the conservative nationalism and the working class. A military uprising in 1955 ended his second term and forced Perón into exile in Spain, was the beginning of thirty years of disastrous military rule, interrupted only by brief periods of civilian command. Perón returned to power in 1973, but for a very short time, and who died a year later, bequeathing the presidency to his third wife, Isabel Martínez. The growing economic and political instability led to an era of strikes, political kidnappings and guerrilla warfare. Isabel's government fell in 1976, and the military instituted a reign of terror.

The years from 1976 to 1983 have been described as the years of the Dirty War. The paramilitary death squads which operated in complicity with the government, opposition and eliminate any hint of criticism extinct, causing the disappearance of between 10,000 and 30,000 citizens. The symbol of resistance to this period are the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, women who had the courage publicly to ensure the missing members of their families, and continued (and still) looking for and demanding justice tirelessly.

This dramatic situation came to an end with the war in the Falklands in 1982. Gen. Leopoldo Galtieri seized the islands to the British to divert international attention from political corruption and economic mismanagement in Argentina. The waves of nationalism resulted in a British fleet across the ocean to save one of the few coveted pieces remaining on the map. United Kingdom ended up being the winner in what was a shameful episode and costly for both countries. However, ownership of the Falklands remains under discussion. In June 1995, the Argentine foreign minister has proposed buying the island, offering its residents $ 800,000 for their nationality. The matter is complicated further by the belief that the British territory oilfields there and it seems likely that disputes will continue.

The ignominious collapse marked the national and international destination of the military government of Argentina and the country returned to the 1853 Constitution. The former Peronist president, Carlos Menem, has carried out important economic reforms such as privatization of state industries and opening the economy to foreign investment, reducing inflation from 5000 percent to the current rate of 1 per cent. On June 7, 2001, Menem was detained for his alleged involvement in illegal arms sales to Ecuador and Croatia during the nineties. The president Fernando de la Rúa, the Alianza UCR center-left, was elected in 1999 for a period of four years, promised to fight corruption as well as implementing stringent fiscal measures to balance Argentina's budget. But after four years of recession and an unemployment rate of over 20% of Argentines said enough. Austerity plans Fernando de la Rúa provoked strikes and demonstrations throughout the country that turned violent after the government decreed harsh measures concerning the withdrawal of money from banks. Argentina was plunged into a major economic and political confusion in December 2001 for non-payment of the loan (the largest in history) of 132,000 million dollars. De la Rua and many of his ministers resigned from rioting, looting and widespread civil unrest that resulted in 27 casualties.

On January 1, 2002 Eduardo Duhalde was elected the fifth president of Argentina. Peronista adamant, is characterized by populism and protectionism, although most critics do not forget the scandals that marred his tenure as governor of Buenos Aires. One of his first actions was to remove the convertibility of the peso pegged to a rate of one-to-one with the dollar almost immediately the currency was devalued by over 50%. This measure was unpopular but necessary to ensure new aid from the International Monetary Fund.

After its devaluation, the peso behaved better than expected in the currency market. Duhalde plans to introduce profound changes in the Argentine government, including the transformation of the current presidential system into a parliamentary democracy, were ruined by the lack of popular support for his government. It continued to produce numerous strikes and labor disputes almost daily and many people moved by the frustration of not being able to access your money, robbed the banks.

The presidential elections in early 2003 came the surprise of the year: the former president Carlos Menem resigned in favor of Néstor Kirchner

Argentina Culture and people

European influences have permeated art, architecture, literature and lifestyle Argentines. However, particularly in the field of literature, has developed a multicultural exchange, because Argentina has offered to the world renowned authors such as Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortazar, Ernesto Sabato, Manuel Puig and Osvaldo Soriano. Many Argentines studied in Europe and one of its consequences was that Buenos Aires consciously emulated the artistic, musical and architectural from the European continent. Therefore, the city has numerous museums and art galleries and importance of community theater with a deep-rooted. The film has also shifted Argentina's borders, and has been used to erase the horrors of the Dirty War, which now begins to be reflected in all its cruelty in some of his films.

The sample of popular culture Argentina best known is the tango, a dance and music which have captivated the imagination of romantics worldwide. Moreover, the country's folk music. For Argentines, the sport is essential, football is a national obsession than a game. Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, and the exploits of Diego Armando Maradona, one of the most popular Argentine since Che Guevara, have been busy soccer fans, paparazzi and columnists in the last ten years.

Roman Catholicism is the official religion of the state is dotted with popular beliefs which diverge from official doctrine. Spiritualism and the veneration of the dead are deeply rooted.

The official language is Spanish, although some communities retain their own language as a symbol of identity. The Italian is widespread, reflecting the influence of the largest group of immigrants in the country. There are 17 native languages, which include Quechua, Mapuche, Guaraní, and the tuffs Matacos.

The Argentine meat dominates the menu, and beef in this country means beef. We recommend asking the grill, which includes virtually all parts of the animal: tripe, intestines, udders ... An alternative is the typical Italian dishes like gnocchi. It also highlights the exquisite Argentinean ice cream, which again reflects the Italian influence. Share mate (infusion) with friends is a ritual, and the fact that someone is offering you a way of being accepted into the group. The yerba mate, a variety of holly, is preparing a very elaborate and takes his own vessel, known by the same name

Argentina MAP