Top Stories Albuquerque

Posts Tagged ‘travel tips’

Viales Valley is one of the most known and attractive areas of Cuba among holiday makers. It offers an outstanding panorama featured by the mixtures of spectacular natural beauty, the preservation of the environment, the harmonic man’s action in the fruit growing, fundamentally the tobacco industry, whose traditional growing and production methods earned an international recognition as one of the best quality in the world. This place allows the visitors to give free rein to their imagination.

There are many attractions in Viales Valley but today I would like to write about La Cueva del Indio. This is a immense cave, located under sea level, is visited in two stages: the first part of the visit is done by foot along its narrow passages and halls and the second part is by boat, a ride that will take you to the other end of the cave.

The appearance of the stalactites and stalagmites please the observer. Already in the exterior, you are able to see snails: the Polymitas, endemic of Cuba and of a supreme beauty, and other species originated in that region. When Don Carlos de la Torre, eminent Cuban naturalist, visited the cave, he donated to the institution considerable part of his collection of mollusks, during the first visit to this territory.

In the ferry, a tour guide takes you along the river and while showing you all these amazing rock formations, some of them with very peculiar shapes that resemble a crocodile, a snake, a witch and so many other that I am sure you will be able to tell. It is a very relaxing ride as the waters of the river are very calm which allow you to enjoy the beauty inside this cave.

The waterway inside the cavern is accessible for the ride for about 500 meters. Even though the river is a lot longer, for your own protection is not navigable along its total path. The entire grotto has not being entirely explored since there are some parts that are completely sank under water.

The mass of water is amazing but you got even more amazed when the trip finishes: with all the water that you have seen inside, it is crazy to see that everything ends in a waterfall as high as a half a meter! For a moment you think that you and the boat will crash, but it is an experience worth living. After the fright, you will want to enjoy the trip again, this time knowing all what will happen.

If you are not staying in Viales Valley during your holidays in Cuba do not worry. You can still visit this cave in any of the excursions available from Havana. If you buy a holiday package please make sure to leave at least 2 or 3 nights in Havana so you can get the chance to do some interesting excursions like the one I have just recommend you. I am sure you will have a lovely time.

Before you arrange your holidays to Cuba please make sure to read on Cuba facts blog.

Wales is often called the “little big country” and is well known for it’s beautiful hills and valleys. Aberystwyth is excellently placed on the west coast of Wales with the harbour being fed by the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol. The seaside town is surrounded by the Irish Sea to one side and three hills to the other and though small it is an excellent place to take a vacation.

Though the two beaches at Aberystwyth can be described as “gritty” they are extremely popular, especially with surfers and lovers of other water sports. Popular since Victorian times the wide promenade features mainly Victorian and Edwardian buildings which help create a splendid frontage.

In the late’th Century Aberystwyth became a university town (1872). Although the University of Wales (formerly Aberystwyth University) remains small, during term time, the eight thousand students account for almost a third of the town’s total population.

With such a large student population you will find plenty of pubs, bars and cafes dotted around the small town but few compare with Harry’s Hotel And Bistro for atmosphere.

Harry’s Hotel has recently been refurbished and now has a Modern Bistro style menu and an open plan kitchen. Situated in the very centre of town the hotel has an amazingly lively Irish Bar which can often be a venue for live music.

Although Harry’s is centrally located the Aberystwyth one way system can confuse some folk. As long as you remember that the hotel is located on North Parade on the left hand side of the road on the one-way system you shouldn’t have any difficulty finding it.

Harry’s Hotel is a great place to stay as a number of the town’s finest visitor attractions are only a short distance away and Aberystwyth Railway Station is only around the corner (as is the town’s Tourist Information Centre). The highly affordable rooms are both light and spacious and most feature a seating area (sofa or the likes), flat screen satellite television, Wi-Fi Internet and the usual facilities such as tea/coffee making facilities as well as a laundry/valet Service.

If you will be visiting either Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester or Cardiff on business, some time soon you might want to consider spending the following weekend at Harry’s Hotel And Bistro. There is simply no better way in which to relax after a long weeks work and each of the mentioned cities is no more than a two and a half hour drive away, and such a pleasant drive it is too.

Looking to find the best place to stay in Aberystwyth, then visit Karl Fraser’s site where you can book a room in Harry’s Hotel And Bistro or in any of the many other Aberystwyth hotels.

If you are planning a trip to Australia then you really should ensure you experience some Aboriginal Culture.

The word Aborigine or Aboriginal means Indigenous to Australia. This means they were the original inhabiters of Australia before the island was discovered and occupied by the British and other Europeans

There were over 300,000 Aboriginals in Australia before the settlers arrived. With them, they brought Old World Diseases which simply wiped out thousands of Aboriginals. As well as this, they were not given any rights to the land which pushed them out.

These days, there is only a very small percentage of the population that is Aboriginal (3%) Many have health problems or alcohol related problems. There are however still areas within Australia where Aboriginals abide by their old values and beliefs and it is a wonderful experience to spend some time with them. Sacred places such as Ayers Rock are steeped in Aboriginal tradition and as such are a good place to uncover the Aboriginal belief system.

Music and art are two key elements of the Aboriginal culture. The didgeridoo is one of the most well known instruments but is in fact only really used by those from the East of Australia. The clapping sticks are in fact more well known.

Aboriginal Rock art is the oldest form of Aboriginal Art in Australia. You can find them in sacred areas such as Kakadu National Park and Ayers Rock. The dot paintings are well known throughout the world and can be found all through Australia. They are very popular souvenirs for tourists.

Where To Experience Aboriginal Australia

Unfortunately there isn’t room in this article to tell you about all the best places to learn about Aboriginal Culture. One of the best places is Arnhem Land This is in the top end of Australia not too far from Darwin. Remember that this area has distinct seasons so you can only really come here between May and October. Arnhem Land is one of the few places that still has Aboriginals living in their villages with their old traditions. Numbers of tourists are strictly limited to this area and so you are guaranteed a much more authentic experience. You will see dot painting and get a broad understanding of these wonderful people. This is an easy day trip to incorporate into your Darwin or Kakadu experience.

If you’d rather experience Aboriginal Culture as part of your trip to Sydney then I can recommend two great tours. The first is The Blue Mountains Walkabout Tour and the second is The Rocks Half Day Dreaming Tour. They are both excellent but the second is taken by an Aboriginal Elder who is very knowledgeable.

Make sure your trip to Australia incorporates an Aboriginal Experience. It really will give you a whole new perspective of this beautiful country.