Colombia

Columbia, with its grand tropical forests, mountains, beaches, beautiful towns and charming people, must stand among the most attractive places in the world. Unfortunately, the continuing guerrilla war and the activities of cocaine cartels have made a significant part of Colombia, the media nicknamed "Locombia" (crazy country), not available to all, except for the foolhardy travelers. But there is a chance to enjoy the pungent mixture of legends and mysticism. If you avoid traveling on land transport, to attend only the major cities and tourist destinations, so stay tuned, you can greatly relax in Colombia and get a lot of pleasant emotions.

Activities in Colombia

Very popular six-day hiking in the wreck of La Siyudad Perdida (The Lost City). Conductors can provide transportation, meals and accommodation (conductor is necessary, because in this area is a lot of marijuana plants and coca). Five-or seven-day hike along the route Nabusimake Pico Colón through Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - a great way to enjoy the mountains of Colombia. Excellent dive sites are located near the islands of Rosario 30 kilometers from Cartagena, and near the island of Baru, near the peninsula to the south of Cartagena on. The waters near the islands of San Andres and Providencia are populated by beautiful fish. Adventure tours in the jungle deep into the Amazon can be organized in Leticia. Equipped with well trained guides and are easily organize tours for up to 10 days. The jungle are often grim, so it is recommended to take with a photosensitive film, and a means of mosquitoes.

Titicaca Lake

Titicaca Lake: on the border of Bolivia and Peru

Lost in the Andes and covered with legends, Titicaca awakens the imagination, makes one want to visit its shores. But the real attraction here is not visible - a few dozens of floating islands.

The lake itself had contrived to climb to an altitude of 3820 meters. Occupying the lower part of the highlands stakes Titicaca belongs to 2 countries - Peru and Bolivia. The maximum width of 80 kilometers, and the total surface - 8300 square kilometers, most of whom are located in Peruvian territory. Tourists traveling to Peru, familiarity with the lake beginning in Puno - a city founded in 1668 near the mine, where silver was mined. The town stands on a hillside on the slope increases, and he has nowhere else to grow. For three centuries, the population had accumulated to 100 thousand. There is speculation that the Titicaca - part of the ocean was cut off from him after the lifting of the Western Cordillera Oriental. This theory is confirmed by the presence on the Bolivian gigantic salt mines.

But most tourists are interested in the islands, which naturally float on the lake with all its population. It's hard to believe but it is true: Hundreds of people are born, grow up, spend their entire lives and leave them without leaving these islands, floating in the cool depths of nowhere over the lake.


"Lake Titicaca" in translation from the Aymara means "sacred stone". He was in the temple of the sun, and he in turn - on the island of the Sun, the largest of the entire lake archipelago. Unfortunately, from the temple itself remained only ruins. Tempered rather wayward Titicaca. Most steep it in the rainy season - from December to February. At this time, the river brings a lot of the red and the color of water in the lake is changing. In February, the level of the mirror is increased by half a meter, and maybe more. In the flood Titicaca overflows its banks, flooding fields and even the lower part of Puno, along with the pier. And when zaduyut winds up a big wave. Besides the lake there are ebbs and flows like the ocean, but water level fluctuations were modest - up to 80 centimeters. And yet, in such circumstances to live on the islands drifting, perhaps quieter than on the coast.

Chile Traditions

In Chile dominates the European blood, so here travelers from Western countries are not as distinguished as in Peru and Bolivia. For centuries, the Paris education of many Chilean intellectuals influenced the art, music, architecture.  This resulted in art galleries, museums, and theaters. Art, literature and music influence on world culture. Among the Chilean Nobel Prize  are poets Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda. Until the military coup in 1973, Chile filmmakers were the boldest experimenters in Latin America. Folk music is particularly important for the victims of tyranny, and she often played a political emigrant abroad during the Pinochet regime.

Over 90% of the population is Catholic, but Evangelical Protestantism is becoming increasingly common. Catholic Architecture is impressive and ubiquitous, from grandiose colonial churches, holy places and finishing along the roads from which others are excellent examples of the fusion of various forms of folk arts. The official language in Chile - Spanish, but there are some folk languages. In the north of the country over 20 000 carriers Aymara, and in the south about half a million carriers of the Mapuche.

The most interesting linguistic minority - 2000 Media Rapa Nui, a Polynesian language of the inhabitants of Easter Island.

Chilean cuisine is diverse and includes seafood, beef, fresh fruits and vegetables. Among Chilean dishes listed as: empanadas (large tortillas with various fillings); humitas (corn volumes) and several types of bread prepared from flour or potatoes. The most satisfying dish - lomo a lo pobre («meat dish for the poor") is a huge piece of beef, put two fried eggs with potatoes, fried. Dish parillada confuse vegetarians and cardiologists, as its membership includes intestines, udders, as well as black pudding. One of the most delicious dishes - curanto - a hearty chowder with fish, shellfish, chicken, pork, lamb, beef and potatoes. Chilean wines - the best in South America. The popular drink pisco sour is a grape brandy with lemon, egg white and powdered sugar.

Sao Paulo

This city is full of surprises, it may surprise anyone who comes here. Sao Paulo - is not only the largest city in South America, it is among the top three most visited cities in the world! There are several special characteristics that make Sao Paulo:

1. The city's architecture: the buildings in Sao Paulo are built in colonial-style mixed well with modern architecture. In Sao Paulo, many buildings, museums, churches built centuries ago, at the same time the architecture of this city can be called one of the most modern. In Sao Paulo, the ancient church can perfectly look on the background of a glass skyscraper.

2. Nightlife and Restaurants: In Sao Paulo 12500 and 15000 restaurants bars and nightclubs, these figures exceed the number of these establishments in Paris and in London, Sao Paulo - the richest night life! Of course, not to say that all clubs and restaurants are good, Sao Paulo - the city international, on this all the institutions are different. Differ and style, and quality.

3. Shopping: If you have arrived in Sao Paulo suggest you take a stroll to the shops. Shops in Sao Paulo a lot, can be found for all tastes and opportunities, but affects mainly the combination of quality and price, good quality and price, the ratio of our - low. April. And as in Sao Paulo can be advised to visit the Museum of Modern Art, stadium Pakaembu ", where he often played the" King of Football "Pele, snake Reserve Butantan" - the realm of reptiles. It is also interesting to visit the art museum, the State Art Gallery, Impiranya Museum, founded by Emperor Pedro I.