Waterways and Gondoliers...

Venice is a city perhaps best explored by water. With 150 canals running through the city, there is just as much to see by boat as there is on foot. The city itself was built on several small, marsh-like islands, which helped to create the intricate canal system and floating city effect. In Venice, the canals are treated like streets and still serve a functional purpose for resident Venetians.

When you picture Venice, you undoubtedly picture a gondola floating along the canals. These carefully designed boats date back to the 11th century and were once used as the primary form of transportation between the islands. Gondoliers represent one of the oldest trades in Venice, and they must complete rigorous training before they can take tourists around the canals.

Gondolier

Ready to have us help you plan your Venetian vacation?  Click on the link below and we will help you every step of the way!

Venice, Italy...a location you must visit on your vacation to Italy!

Is Venice, Italy on your bucket list? Would you like to take a ride on a Gondola down a waterway in Venice? If you answered yes to any of these questions, let us help you plan your next adventure to Venice, Italy! Take a peek at this video about Venice and then click on the link below so we can help you every step of the way of planning your trip.

#4. Cruise Along the Coastline

Along the coastline, you will find an assortment of entertaining things to do as you cruise aside the water's edge taking in all of its beauty. Enjoy ongoing views from a cliff's edge at El Malecon de Miraflores, take pictures with your loved one at the sculpture of two lovers, or head to the beach for some fun in the Pacific Ocean.

Nazca Lines

Situated in the Peruvian coastal plain about 250 miles south of Lima Peru is a collection of enormous geoglyphs called the Nazca lines. The designs are etched into the desert sands covering an area of nearly 1,000 sq. kilometers. The giant geoglyphs were created by ancient Nazca culture in South America, presenting different plants, animals and shapes. The Nazca Lines is over 2,000 years old and the best way to appreciate this UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 is going up into the air because of its gigantic size. Researchers, for over 80 years, have studied the Nazca lines but despite the long years of research they still find this vast ancient site to be a mystery.

Nazca Lines

#3. Explore Boho Barranco

As Peru’s trendiest and most artistic region, Boho Barranco attracts many sightseers. Sitting atop a ravine, the views from the district seem to go on forever as you wind through the streets to find all the sweet little art galleries, museums, and boutiques buy souvenirs. Many of the galleries showcase the making of their art forms and let their guests reach into their artistic side by getting hands-on.

#2. Primitive Architecture

Large colonial structures with meticulously detailed features are all over the City of Lima. The vibrant golds and rich colors are sure to catch your attention as you walk through the streets and head downtown.

#1. Peruvian Food and Drink

Street Food Carts

One of the city's most sought-after features is its abundance of street food vendors. The inexpensive street food options are endless and an absolute delight to the palette. Famous chefs primarily own the street carts found in Lima and hold a high standard on the quality of the food they decide to offer.

Ceviche

Ceviche is seafood,usually made from fresh raw fish. It’s prepared in a centuries-old method of cooking, curing the seafood in citrus juices such as lemon or lime instead of heat. Locals became so accustomed to the process of preparation and consumption of ceviche in parts of Mexico, Central, and South America. This easy to prepare dish may either be eaten as a first course or main dish, depending on what it’s served with. In Peru, Ceviche is complemented with slices of cold sweet potatoes on the side, which is the usual serving suggestion, but it can also be served with corn-on-the-cob on the side.

Pisco- Peruvian beverage

Native to Peru, Pisco is a light brandy that is created by the winemakers of the nation. The foamy sour drink infused with bitters is one of the most favored by connoisseurs from all over the world. If Pisco is a little too bitter for your palette, have it mixed with ginger ale, splashes of lime juice, and topped with a cherry. This tasty alternative is called the Chilcano.

Ceviche

Peruvian peppers

Pisco cocktail

Lima, Peru

Did you know that many of Peru’s major cities lie in the country’s desert and that includes Lima? Lima is the capital and largest city in Peru. With its bustling city life, rich culture, and eye-catching architecture, there's so much to see and do that it could take several vacations to the land to truly encounter it all. The entertainment found within the city's borders surely is a treat to all tourists.

The National Geographic Society splits the coastline of Peru into two deserts: the Sechura Desert from the northern border to the inland city of Nazca and from there the Atacama Desert which connects it to the Northern border of Chile. Some activities in the city are exploring museums, the food, and the nightlife. Lies at the core of the Andes and the Atacama in Southern Peru is Arequipa or what they call the “White City” is surrounded by beautiful hot springs and the deepest desert canyon on Earth, the Colca Canyon. If you’re an adventure seeker, you’d definitely love this place!

Since there's no shortage of things to do and Lima may overwhelm its newcomers, we've narrowed it down to four things that all tourists should experience during their visit. Stay tuned this week for daily posts about what entertaining things to do in Lima, Peru!

Lima, Peru

Peruvian Desert

Huacachina

Huacachina is a tiny desert haven located just west of the city of Ica in Southwestern Peru. This little village surrounds a body of green waters called Huacachina Lagoon. Framed by palm trees, the water and mud from the area are said to be therapeutic. A stroll around the shore of the lagoon will lead you to some bars and clubs. There are also some dune buggies aka beach buggies scattered around the sand dunes. The lagoon was quite a hit to the people of Lima up until the 1950s. The years passed and it was more or less abandoned. It wasn’t until the 1990s when this tiny village caught the attention of visionary people and businessman. They decided to recreate it and it’s now made it to the list of tourism hot spots in Peru.

Huacachina

Oasis- Huacachina

Lakes of Peru- Lake Titicaca and Humantay Lake

Lake Titicaca:

Located at a very high altitude, at over 3800 meters above sea level is one of the most magnificent lakes in the world, Lake Titicaca. It is situated between Bolivia and Peru. A tour around Titicaca is an absolutely memorable experience for anyone. The town of Puno is the best place to stay when coming over for a visit. There is also the fascinating town of Challapampa if you plan to visit the Bolivian side of the lake. It’s home to the famous labyrinth (Chinkana). What else is there to see? You also shouldn’t miss the biggest island of the lake, Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun).

Fun Facts about Lake Titicaca:

1.     One of South America’s largest lakes, it is the world’s highest navigable body of water. Simply put, it’s the highest lake in the world that boats can navigate.

2.     It is said to be the birthplace of the Incas. They believe it to be the birthplace of the sun and its people and essentially where the world began hence it is called “cradle of the world”.

3.     60 million years ago, a massive earthquake hit the Andes Mountains. It split the range in two creating a hollow in the middle, which was then filled with water from melting glaciers, forming Lake Titicaca.

Humantay Lake:

A full day trek will take you to the enthralling sight of the Humantay Lake. A sight to behold, because surrounding the turquoise waters are the remarkable Salkantay and Humantay Peaks. The lagoon is formed by the thaw of the Humantay Mountain. In effect, it reveals an enthralling landscape of the Mollepata district. Annually, the tourist spot is visited by shamans and tourists from all parts of the world to leave offerings to a deity that represents Mother Earth in the Inca culture. They call this deity, Pachamama.  Latin America boasts of numerous natural beauty hidden in its countries like Peru.  Truly, one magical destination in Peru you shouldn’t miss.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca

Humantay Lake

Cordillera Blanca (“The White Mountain Range”)

Game for some serious trekking? Then explore The Cordillera Blanca or “The White Mountain Range” which is a part of the Peruvian Andes. It is also coined as the highest tropical mountain range on the planet. Both located in the Cordillera Blanca, you will find Huascaran which is the highest tropical mountain and the world’s most beautiful mountain, Alapayo. It’s possible to climb the mountain all year round but the best time of the year is between April to September, May to October being the driest season. The trails are very dangerous during the wet season and some of the popular trekking routes are closed during this season like the Santa Cruz and Huayhuash trails. I’d love to help you plan your trip so be sure to pick up the phone and call me or send me an email when you’re ready to start planning.

Sunrise over the Cordillera Blanca

Trekking the Cordillera Blanca mountains

Machu Pichu and the Inca Trail

Do you have Machu Picchu listed in your itinerary? Here is some info you wouldn’t want to miss. Machu Picchu has no airport and no roads between Cusco going to Machu Picchu. How do you get there? You need to go to Cusco city or Ollantaytambo train station.  You can ride the train to Machu Picchu or alternatively hike through the Inca trail. There are also daily bus services or taxi cabs between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. You can also find bus services between Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes) and Machu Picchu Inca citadel on the top mountain.

Machu Picchu is found in the Andes Mountains in Peru. The Incan citadel was built in the 15th century, believed to be a religious site for Inca leaders. This olden civilization was said to be washed out by the Spanish invaders in the 16th century. The majestic fortress spans to a spectacular 5-mile distance. Machu Picchu is a famous man-made wonder, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year just to see the marvelous sunset, quite a breathtaking backdrop to the magnificent ancient stone monuments.

The Inca Trail is the most well-known trek in South America. Many rated it to be among the top 5 treks in the world. Who wouldn’t be mesmerized with the combination of breathtaking mountain scenery, lush cloud forest, subtropical jungle, and the must-see,  Inca paving stones, ruins, and tunnels. The highlight of the trail is the exhilarating view of Machu Picchu, the enigmatic “Lost City of the Incas”. It would normally take trekkers four or five days to complete the “Classic Inca Trail” but a two-day trek from Km 104 is also doable. Time to get those hiking boots ready…

Machu Pichu

Getting to Machu Pichu

Trekking the Inca Trail

Peru-no shortage of things to do here!

Are you an adventure seeker and love exploring the great outdoors?  Is South America on your bucket list?  If so, you might want to check out the country of Peru.  Peru seems to be a hidden gem yet provides so many things for its visitors to do: beautiful hikes to lakes, trekking trails, unique culture, and so much more! 

Take a peek at this video about Peru and let us help you plan your next unforgettable vacation!

Night Life in Dubai

Dubai is magical after the sun goes down, and many people frequent this city for its nightlife and ultramodern architecture. From adventurous night safaris in the Arabian deserts to the best nightclubs, there's no end to how much you can explore with the best of Dubai tour packages. The Uptown Bar at the very top of Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a place where you can relax outside while enjoying the cool Arabian breeze and admiring one of the most beautiful views in the city.

Dubai is the city that never sleeps. From night markets to food tours, there's no excuse to stay in once the sun goes down. With more than 30 glow-in-the-dark installations created by 150 artists and spread across 40 acres of park, Dubai Glow Garden is one of those city spots best appreciated after dark. Witness the spectacle of the Dubai Fountains show, test your swing in the dark at the glowing mini-golf course hidden in the depths of WAFI Mall, experience Dubai Creek by night from the comfort of a luxury dinner cruise and tackle your fitness goals at a 24-hour spa. Perk up your nightlife in Dubai!

Dubai-City that never sleeps

Day 3 in Dubai

Day 3: Water Activities with SeaYou

SeaYou is a unique water sport specialized in non-motorized activities. SeaYou conducts regular classes for enthusiasts who are willing to try exhilarating adventures. Located at the Sofitel, Palm Resort & Spa, they offer a broad range of watersport activities in the amazing place of Palm Jumeirah. By booking a water activity from SeaYou, you can fully experience the wonders of the Palm with a paddleboarding or windsurfing session or a guided kayak tour. SeaYou's instructors offer assistance and are extremely helpful. They also guide beginners and encourage more experienced participants when they perform demonstrations to help everyone. These classes are fun, and the targets are achievable.

Palm Resort:

Atlantis, The Palm is one of the biggest and well-known hotel resorts in the United Arab Emirates. Themed around the myth of Atlantis, it opened in 2008 and has become an icon of Dubai. It is home to one of the most expensive hotel rooms in the world, which comes with a team of chefs and butlers who will cater to your every need and desire. The hotel has two underwater suites, called Poseidon and Neptune. The suites have views of ancient ruins of Atlantis and up to 65,000 marine inhabitants. Atlantis houses 23 of the best restaurants in Dubai, including three outlets by celebrity chefs, Nobu Matsuhisa, Giorgio Locatelli, and Gordon Ramsay.

The Palm

Windsurfing

Paddle-board lessons

Day 2 in Dubai

Day 2: Dhow Dinner Cruise Dubai Creek

An ideal way to start your Dubai vacation is with a wonderful journey on the Dhow dinner cruise vessels. The dinner cruise is exciting, and you can enjoy a 5-star buffet that is so tasty! On this two-hour voyage, you'll set sail along the Dubai Creek, which is a famous waterway that divides the downtown zone into two distinct banks. You'll get the chance to see top nearby sights, including the National Bank of Dubai, the Chamber of Commerce Building, and various waterfronts.

Dubai Marina at night

Dhow Dinner Cruise

Dubai in 3 days... Day 1

Day 1: Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour

With the Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Dubai Tour, you'll have an elevated view of the city from the comfort of an open-top bus as it moves through the Emirate.

You'll have the opportunity to see more than 40 different points of interest on this bus tour, and you can explore every part of this country. Important destinations to stop by on this tour includes The Burj Khalifa, Souk Madinat, The Palm, and Dubai Marina.

You can look over three different routes: the City Tour (red), the Beach Tour (green), or the Marina Tour (blue). With your Big Bus ticket, you'll gain admittance to the "Flamingo Lagoon Discovery" trip, which gives you the chance to watch exotic flamingos in the wildlife.

Sites to see today:

Burj Khalifa- Why do you have to go to the top of Burj Khalifa during sunrise? Because it is awe-inspiring when you are standing high on the outdoor observation deck of the world's tallest building at the break of day. With clouds swirling below and the entire city of Dubai under your feet, you will feel like an all-powerful being as you gaze at the brilliant colors of the horizon miraculously transforming from a deep, splendid purple to a magnificent, shimmering orange. Burj Khalifa is a must-visit tourist destination.

Souk Madinat- Souk Madinat Jumeirah combines traditional Middle Eastern shopping culture of stands, barrows, and stalls with a mix of boutique brands, souvenir gift shops, luxury fashion, and jewelry. It includes more than 25 restaurants offering cuisines from all over the globe. Travel back to the heart of old Dubai, where the bustling souks will delight your senses. The Perfume Souk is home to Arabian fragrances, and you can find jewels and precious metals at the Gold Souk. Visit the Textile Souk in Bur Dubai to dig through swathes of brightly-colored silks and embroidered fabrics. There is plenty of traditional shopping to be found at the famous Gold, Spice and Textile souks.

Dubai Marina- Dubai Marina is a beautiful artificial canal city, whose design is based on Vancouver’s False Creek. Many exciting things happen at the Dubai Marina: amazing cruises, great shopping, shows, festivals, and musical concerts. The list is endless. Here you'll find the city's top restaurants, entertainment complexes, and the world's tallest apartment buildings, each with a million-dollar view! Dubai Marina Walk features smart cafes and craft markets, while Dubai Marina Mall is packed with chain and luxury fashion brands. Upscale yachts cruise through the large man-made marina, where activities range from jet-skiing to skydiving.

Sunrise shot of Downtown Dubai

Souk Madinat

Local markets at Souk Madinat

Dubai Marina

Dubai..."the Desert City"

There's a reason why they call Dubai the desert city. Make the most of its serene sandy landscape with a range of fun activities, whether you're looking to raise the adrenaline with quad-biking or relax on a luxury overnight escape. On a Desert Safari trip, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset or sunrise before reaching the campsite where you have the opportunity to do a camel ride, sand boarding and try out a henna design on your hand or foot. After working up an appetite, you can also enjoy a delicious barbecue meal and shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe) while watching a belly dancer perform around the campfire. Sounds exciting, right?

Arabian Desert:

The Arabian Desert is the fourth-largest desert in the world by area. During the summer, the temperature in the desert is around 104℉ or 40℃. There are mountains along its borders, and the highest point in the desert is Mount Al-Nabi Shu'ayb. If you zoom in on a map of the area, you can see that within those ranges lie the Rub’al Khali, the largest continuous expanse of sand in the whole world. It has fascinated travelers and is, of course, the backdrop for the fabulous Arabian nights stories featuring Ali Baba, Aladdin and Sinbad.

Arabian Desert

Desert Fun!

Crazy facts about Dubai

Five (5) crazy facts about Dubai:

1.     Dubai is the fastest growing city in the world.

2.      In the Middle East, Dubai is the supply hub for the jewelry industry.

3.     Foreigners make up eighty percent of the residents of Dubai.

4.     You can you can ski indoors while shopping at the Dubai Emirates Mall, measuring 400 meters and 6000 tons of snow.

5.     Real estate and financial services in Dubai offer the majority of its revenues

Do these facts pique your interest in Dubai? Stay tuned..this week we will be looking at all the FUN things Dubai has to offer its visitors. I will be sharing with you a 3 day Itinerary list of exciting activities to do when traveling to Dubai. Remember, these 3 days in Dubai itinerary is just one of many ways to experience this fantastic country!

Dubai- FUN for everyone!

Dubai offers a full scope of different attractions for all age groups, and there's something for everybody in Dubai. There's a little bit of practically everything to do in this fantastic global city!

Take a peek at this video about Dubai and then stay tuned this week for daily blogs about FUN things to do and experience in Dubai!

Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

Are the Northern Lights on your bucket list? Here’s a helpful planning tip…

To have the best viewing experience, there are three things to consider: darkness, clear skies and aurora activity. The best season to see the northern lights in Iceland is from September to mid-April – these are the months where there are full dark nights.

The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as 'Aurora borealis' in the north and 'Aurora australis' in the south.

The best possible location to view this wonder, Aurora Borealis, is Thingvellir (which is a national park, as well as a historic site). Auroral displays appear in many colours although pale green and pink are the most common. Shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet have been reported. The lights appear in many forms from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains or shooting rays that light up the sky with an eerie glow. Be sure you check the weather so that you have a combination of dark and partially clear skies.