The tiny fortress village of Marvao, sits poignantly upon a rocky outcrop on the Serra de Sao Mamede, is located in the central-eastern region of Portugal and not that far from the border with Spain.
Marvao was a natural strategic defence, with its steep slopes to the north, south and west. Access by foot is only possible from the east, which was the direction in which the town gradually spread within the castle walls.
Marvao attracts visitors from all over to enjoy the unspoiled medieval atmosphere. Its narrow lanes and whitewashed homes that lead to a magnificent 13th century castle. The 13th century church with an interesting museum of archaeological finds and local artifacts are also of interest.
The Amhara Plateau incorporates the ‘Simien National Park’ which is a World Heritage Site and was inscribed by UNESCO during 1978 – one of the first localities to receive inscription.
It is located in northern Ethiopia, 120 km north-east of Gondar. Erosion over the years of the Great Rift Valley, has created an amazing landscape of majestic peaks and deep valleys. Ras Dashen, at a height of 4620m, is the fourth highest peak in Africa.
The Gelada Baboons, Simien fox, Ethiopian wolf and the Walia Ibex (a goat) are found nowhere else in the world. Sadly, these species are diminishing. Consequently, during 1996 the park was added to the UNESCO register as a ‘World Heritage Site in Danger’.
The 5th Edition ‘Ethiopia Bradt Travel Guide Book’ comes highly recommended
One great reason to visit the Amhara Plateau and Simien National Park is to watch the fascinating Gelada Baboons negotiate the steep cliff-sides and manage it successfully!
Located between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is one of the most fascinating lakes in the world. It is situated at a very high altitude (some 3800 meters above sea level) in the Andes Mountains making it one of the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest (by volume) in South America. The lake is largely fed by rainfall and melting snow from both the glaciers and mountains.
The Floating Islands
Copacabana is the main Bolivian town and travel destination on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Copacana is the most important religious sanctuary of Bolivia and attracts numerous pilgrims throughout the year. Its dominated by the impressive moorish style cathedral dating back to 1605. From here you can catch a boat tour to Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) which is the birthplace of the sun in Inca mythology.
A cluster of smaller islands known as the ‘Floating Islands’ can be visited from Peru’s Puno. These islands are made from layers of the buoyant ‘totora reeds’. Today several hundred people still populate the islands.
One great reason to visit Lake Titicaca is for the abundance of cultural experiences between both Bolivia and Peru. It offers spectacular lake scenery flanked by the Andes Mountains.
Hallstatt is a small village on the banks of Lake Hallstatt in Austria. It’s surrounded by the beautiful Austrian Alps and is a picture postcard travel destination. The homes display splashes of colour from the many window boxes and even the small, local cemetery is a delight. Hallstatt is a UNESCO listed World Heritage site.
Diary extract – 4 August, 1988
“…I disembarked from the train and headed to the ferry to cross the lake to the township. WOW! Once the ferry drew closer and the town could be seen through the fog, it was an absolute picture. It was a fairy-land, full of little doll-like houses. Hallstatt is the prettiest place I have ever set my eyes upon. The houses built behind one another, up the slope of the mountain. Each with window shutters and surrounded in a brilliant shower of colour from the window boxes.”
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