The Galapagos Islands lie nearly 1,000km off the west coast of South America in the Pacific Ocean and belong to Ecuador. They are an archipelago consisting of 19 main islands and all vastly different. The Galapagos Islands were inscripted as a UNESCO World Heritage site during 1978, largely for its most notable feature, its fauna and flora. These endemic plants, invertebrates and vertebrate species have evolved over time due to the isolated island existence. It was this that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit during 1835.
The best way to thoroughly experience the Islands is to enjoy a cruise over a period of 4-8 days. This will allow you to visit a number of islands to truly experience the diversity of each island.
A Great Introduction to the Galapagos Islands on DVD
Santiago is the capital city of the South American country Chile and has a population in excess of five million. Chile lies along part of the length of the Andes Mountain Range. Santiago is located midway, in a valley and has a breathtaking backdrop with the Andean mountains in the distance. It is said that you can ski in the mountains and swim in the ocean, all in the same day. Unfortunately, the geography of the nearby mountains also contributes to a significant pollution problem with the mountains trapping the pollution of the large city within the valley.
Highlights of the city of Santiago as a travel destination include the Metropolitan Park, also known as Cerro San Cristobal. It’s a vast area of more than 1,800acres and is home to the Botanical Gardens, Zoo, playgrounds, walking trails and swimming pools. The summit can be reached via a cable car and magnificent views over the city can be admired…on a clear day! Another must see, is the Plaza De Armas, the capital’s main Plaza which dates back to 1540. Here you’ll find the main Post Office and the National Cathedral.
I have always been a huge fan of the ‘Lonely Planet’ travel books. The first one I ever purchased was ‘Africa on a Shoestring’ 1986 edition. I highly recommend the ‘Lonely Planet’ travel guides. They are informative, beautifully presented and will inspire you to fully experience the destination. If you are planning a trip to Santiago, I suggest you consider the ‘Lonely Planet – Santiago’ edition.
Machu Picchu is situated high in the Andes Mountains and 2,000 feet above the Urubamba River in Peru, South America and is not far from the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco. Machu Picchu was only re-discovered during 1911 by an American archaeologist and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Since then, tourists flock to Machu Picchu and the area receives more than 400,000 visitors annually.
There are a number of options in getting to Machu Picchu – train, bus, or the more strenuous option of hiking the Inca trail. There are varying trails that allow a one day or four day hike, depending how much time you have to spare.
Titbit: in researching this destination, I was surprised to find how often Machu Picchu was spelt incorrectly: Macchu Picchu, Matchu Pitchu, Macchu Pichu, Machu Pichu!
One great reason to visit Machu Picchu is for the outstanding location of the Inca ruins. No trip to Peru would be complete with out a visit to Machu Picchu.
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