The Americas
Regions & Countries-
South America- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uraguay, Venezuela Central America- Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama North America- Canada, Mexico, United States Caribbean Islands |
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Bucket List Choices-
View from the Empire State Building, New York
Explore the amazing Rainforest, rivers, and wildlife in the Amazon
Go Sea Kayaking with Killer Whales in British Columbia
See a Polar bear in the wild
Discover The Galapagos Islands
See the Manhattan Skyline from the top of the Empire State Building- New York is an exciting and vibrant American city. There are many famous landmarks here well worth a visit, but up there on most lists is the iconic Empire State buliding. Try going up at dusk so you can see the city during day light hours, but also as night falls and it becomes alive with lights and colour.
Drive Route 66- Route 66 was a highway in America that went from Los Angeles, California to Chicago, Illinois. Winding its way across the Midwest, the Great Plains and the States of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Route 66 has also been known as the Mother Road and the Main Street of America and has become an icon to Americans and many others across the world. Although Route 66 was officially removed from the Highway system in 1985 portions have been renamed Historic Route 66 so you can still hire a car and drive the path it took across America.
Wonder at the Jungle pyramids, Palenque, Mexico- Located in southern Mexico in the state of Chiapas lay the ancient ruins of Palenque. During the 7th Century Palenque was a Maya city but after its decline it became overrun by the jungle. It has now been restored and showcases the impressive Maya architecture.
Party at the Mardi Gras in New Orleans- Mardi Gras takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday, in 2014 it will be on Tuesday 4th March. It is a celebration before the start of lent. In New Orleans the Mardi Gras season starts ofter the Twelfth night (6th January), but the main celebration takes place over the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday (day before Ash Wednesday). It includes parades, balls and street parties.
Go Sea Kayaking with Killer Whales in British Columbia
See a Polar bear in the wild
Discover The Galapagos Islands
See the Manhattan Skyline from the top of the Empire State Building- New York is an exciting and vibrant American city. There are many famous landmarks here well worth a visit, but up there on most lists is the iconic Empire State buliding. Try going up at dusk so you can see the city during day light hours, but also as night falls and it becomes alive with lights and colour.
Drive Route 66- Route 66 was a highway in America that went from Los Angeles, California to Chicago, Illinois. Winding its way across the Midwest, the Great Plains and the States of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Route 66 has also been known as the Mother Road and the Main Street of America and has become an icon to Americans and many others across the world. Although Route 66 was officially removed from the Highway system in 1985 portions have been renamed Historic Route 66 so you can still hire a car and drive the path it took across America.
Wonder at the Jungle pyramids, Palenque, Mexico- Located in southern Mexico in the state of Chiapas lay the ancient ruins of Palenque. During the 7th Century Palenque was a Maya city but after its decline it became overrun by the jungle. It has now been restored and showcases the impressive Maya architecture.
Party at the Mardi Gras in New Orleans- Mardi Gras takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday, in 2014 it will be on Tuesday 4th March. It is a celebration before the start of lent. In New Orleans the Mardi Gras season starts ofter the Twelfth night (6th January), but the main celebration takes place over the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday (day before Ash Wednesday). It includes parades, balls and street parties.
Discover the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal is one of the largest sites of the ancient Maya civilization. Once hidden by the jungle it is now a significant archeological discovery and provides insight into the lives of the Mayans.
The Maya empire was based in the forests of Guatemala, but also reached into Belize, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.
The first Maya settlements were around 1800 BC, the civilization flourished until the 8th or 9th century when a mysterious decline happened leaving the southern lowland cities abandoned. Cities such as Tikal, in the highland region of Yucatan continued until around 1500 AD, but by the time Europeans arrived, this great civilization was over and their great cities buried in the jungle. Tikal then became a lost city until 1848.
The decline of the Mayans in the southern lowlands is a great discussion topic. Some believe it was due to disease, others think it was because of a natural disaster or a drought, whilst other people believe it was because they had exhausted the land.
The Mayans were famous for their calendar, written language, mathematics, astronomy, agriculture and their architecture. They were also deeply religious which shows in their ceremonial buildings. They worshipped various gods to do with nature and at the head of their society was the King who was thought to be a link between the gods and the earth.
Mayans built their palaces and temples in a stepped pyramid shape. Tikal has a total of 16 temples remaining, the largest pyramid is 70 meters high.
Tikal is a fascinating place to visit as there are still temples being uncovered. You can also climb to the top of some of the temples and have amazing veiws of the jungle with the tops of the pyramids showing through the canopy.
The Maya empire was based in the forests of Guatemala, but also reached into Belize, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.
The first Maya settlements were around 1800 BC, the civilization flourished until the 8th or 9th century when a mysterious decline happened leaving the southern lowland cities abandoned. Cities such as Tikal, in the highland region of Yucatan continued until around 1500 AD, but by the time Europeans arrived, this great civilization was over and their great cities buried in the jungle. Tikal then became a lost city until 1848.
The decline of the Mayans in the southern lowlands is a great discussion topic. Some believe it was due to disease, others think it was because of a natural disaster or a drought, whilst other people believe it was because they had exhausted the land.
The Mayans were famous for their calendar, written language, mathematics, astronomy, agriculture and their architecture. They were also deeply religious which shows in their ceremonial buildings. They worshipped various gods to do with nature and at the head of their society was the King who was thought to be a link between the gods and the earth.
Mayans built their palaces and temples in a stepped pyramid shape. Tikal has a total of 16 temples remaining, the largest pyramid is 70 meters high.
Tikal is a fascinating place to visit as there are still temples being uncovered. You can also climb to the top of some of the temples and have amazing veiws of the jungle with the tops of the pyramids showing through the canopy.
The world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls, Venezuela
Angel Falls is the worlds tallest waterfall, it stands at 979 meters (3,212 ft) and drops from the top of Auyan Tepui, a great table-topped mountain. Its uninterupted drop is 807 meters (2648 ft). Angel Falls were named after the explorer Jimmy Angel who discovered them after he crash landed at the top of Auyan Tepui in 1937, before then the falls were unknown to the outside world.
Angel Falls is in Canaima National Park and the only access there is by plane. Canaima is in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuala, the area is made up of flat grasslands, grand tepuis, tropical jungles, and numerous rivers and waterfalls. The landscape there is like a lost world, remote and dramatic.
Just getting to Angel falls is an adventure in itself. A standard tour is for 3 days 2 nights and involves traveling by dugout canoe, hiking through the jungle and camping by the rivers. Once at the foot of the falls you can swim in the natural pool there and look up through the mist at the highest waterfall in the world.
The climate there is tropical so expect rain, the wet season is between June and November and the dryest time is between December and April. In the wet season the falls are at their heaviest flow but viewing may be hindered by clouds but in the dry season traveling to the falls up the rivers may be difficult and the falls themselves may only be a trickle. Having said this the weather can be unpredictable and there is no guarentee that it will be a certain way at a certain time so make your own mind up about when would suit you.
Angel Falls is in Canaima National Park and the only access there is by plane. Canaima is in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuala, the area is made up of flat grasslands, grand tepuis, tropical jungles, and numerous rivers and waterfalls. The landscape there is like a lost world, remote and dramatic.
Just getting to Angel falls is an adventure in itself. A standard tour is for 3 days 2 nights and involves traveling by dugout canoe, hiking through the jungle and camping by the rivers. Once at the foot of the falls you can swim in the natural pool there and look up through the mist at the highest waterfall in the world.
The climate there is tropical so expect rain, the wet season is between June and November and the dryest time is between December and April. In the wet season the falls are at their heaviest flow but viewing may be hindered by clouds but in the dry season traveling to the falls up the rivers may be difficult and the falls themselves may only be a trickle. Having said this the weather can be unpredictable and there is no guarentee that it will be a certain way at a certain time so make your own mind up about when would suit you.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu "The Lost City of the Incas" is one of the most spectacular creations of the Inca Empire. It stands 2,430 m above sea level, in scenically beautiful tropical forests on the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes. This world renowned archaeological site is completely in keeping with the surrounding environment, the giant walls, terraces and ramps showcasing the Incas interaction with the natural world.
Machu Picchu was built around 1450, and then abandoned around the time of the Spanish Conquest. It was then unknown to the outside world until 1911. It is now a UNSECO World Heritage site and has been voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
A popular way to visit Machu Picchu is by completing The Inca Trail. The classic four day trip takes you high into the mountains past villages, forests, valleys and ends with a sunrise view of Machu Picchu on the 4th morning. There are different itineraries to choose from depending on your preferences, time and fitness levels. Remember if you do want to do the Inca Trail it has to be booked well in advance. If not you can take the train up to Machu Picchu from either Cusco or Ollantaytambo.
Whatever method of travel you choose, one thing is for sure, seeing this ancient civilisation below you as the sunrises or the mist parts is an unforgettable experience.
Machu Picchu was built around 1450, and then abandoned around the time of the Spanish Conquest. It was then unknown to the outside world until 1911. It is now a UNSECO World Heritage site and has been voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
A popular way to visit Machu Picchu is by completing The Inca Trail. The classic four day trip takes you high into the mountains past villages, forests, valleys and ends with a sunrise view of Machu Picchu on the 4th morning. There are different itineraries to choose from depending on your preferences, time and fitness levels. Remember if you do want to do the Inca Trail it has to be booked well in advance. If not you can take the train up to Machu Picchu from either Cusco or Ollantaytambo.
Whatever method of travel you choose, one thing is for sure, seeing this ancient civilisation below you as the sunrises or the mist parts is an unforgettable experience.
See Niagara Falls from the 'Maid of the Mist'
Niagara Falls are a group of three waterfalls on the border between Ontario, Canada and New York in the USA. The three falls are Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, and the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side.
The falls are located on the Niagara River and combined they have the highest flow rate in the world. The volume of water is approximately 567,811 liters per second at American Falls & Bridal Veil Falls and 2,271,247 liters per second at Horseshoe Falls. Both American Falls and Horseshoe are 50m tall, but Horseshoe Falls has a sheer drop and American Falls has piles of rocks at the bottom.
There are a few different ways of viewing the falls including observation decks and bridges but to really experience the immense power and size of the falls take to the waters beneath on a boat. The world famous Maid of the Mist is a thrilling half hour boat tour that runs every year from April to October, weather dependent.
The falls are located on the Niagara River and combined they have the highest flow rate in the world. The volume of water is approximately 567,811 liters per second at American Falls & Bridal Veil Falls and 2,271,247 liters per second at Horseshoe Falls. Both American Falls and Horseshoe are 50m tall, but Horseshoe Falls has a sheer drop and American Falls has piles of rocks at the bottom.
There are a few different ways of viewing the falls including observation decks and bridges but to really experience the immense power and size of the falls take to the waters beneath on a boat. The world famous Maid of the Mist is a thrilling half hour boat tour that runs every year from April to October, weather dependent.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Christ the Redeemer (The Christo Redentor) is a statue of Jesus that sits at the top of Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Corcovado mountain is 710 meters high, the statue of Christ is 30 meters high and has a 8 meter pedestal. The view from the top of Corcovado of Rio de Janeiro is world famous.
The other thing Rio is famous for is its Carnival. It is considered the biggest of its kind as 2 million people take to the streets of this vibrant city. The Carnival takes place every year before lent. A series of flamboyant parades take place at the city's Sambadrome. The floats are created by the different Samba-Schools of Rio and each of these competes for the best look, costumes, theme etc. To be in the Sambadrome you must purchase a ticket in advance (for Carnival & ticket information use the following link http://www.rio-carnival.net/index.php), but if you don't there are still many street parties and carnivals to join that will keep you dancing all night long.
The other thing Rio is famous for is its Carnival. It is considered the biggest of its kind as 2 million people take to the streets of this vibrant city. The Carnival takes place every year before lent. A series of flamboyant parades take place at the city's Sambadrome. The floats are created by the different Samba-Schools of Rio and each of these competes for the best look, costumes, theme etc. To be in the Sambadrome you must purchase a ticket in advance (for Carnival & ticket information use the following link http://www.rio-carnival.net/index.php), but if you don't there are still many street parties and carnivals to join that will keep you dancing all night long.