September 28, 2007

Bayamo, Cuba

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When you go on holiday it’s hard to know exactly where to go and where to stay once you are there. Sometimes holidays can even get a bit repetitive as it’s normally always the same – beaches and hot weather. Whilst Bayamo in Cuba does offer these two things, it also has so much more that will liven up your

Cuba holidays.

 

 

Bayamo is located in south - eastern Cuba on the

Bayamo

River and has plenty to be proud of. It is a leading transportation, manufacturing and commercial centre, copper and magnesium are mined there and they are known for their food, tanning and tobacco processing.

 

 

The village was founded in 1513 and thanks to its colonial style has beautiful public squares, majestic mansions and a cathedral to rival many which is what attracts so many people on Cuba holidays. Due to the fact that so many events have taken place here throughout history, Bayamo is known as the birthplace of the Cuban nation and has been declared a national monument.

 

 

The village has a rich history which tourists can find out about at many of the attractions which are surrounded by Spanish colonial architecture. Visitors will also be able to hear the sounds of traditional Cuban music at Casa de la Trova. This is where the best Cuban music is performed, making your

Cuba holidays extra magical.

 

 

You will be surprised at how many attractions there can be in one village. From Carlos Manuel de Cespedes’ birth place (the Father of the Nation) and Bayamo’s Cathedral to Retablo de los Heroes there is plenty to do for everyone on Cuba holidays no matter what you’re interested in.

 

 

If you need a break from all that sight – seeing then have a rest in the Parque Cespedes which is a beautiful park with long marble benches and statues of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. This is something that everyone on Cuba holidays should check out just to experience the atmosphere. There is so much more to do in Bayamo while on

Cuba holidays from more sites to quaint little restaurants. It makes the perfect place to enjoy a short break or as an excursion as part of a tour, just make sure you remember your camera.

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Havana, Cuba

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Havana is the capital city of

Cuba and is not only the largest city in

Cuba, but the whole of the

Caribbean itself. Here you can enjoy hot sunny days and warm tropical evenings while on your

Cuba holidays
. To complete the package you will be surrounded by white sand beaches, palm trees and crystal clear waters.

 

 

Everything about Havana is unique and intriguing from the cultures and customs to the accommodation. Several years ago the Cuban government passed a law that now allows home owners to rent rooms, houses and apartments to tourists requiring accommodation when on their

Cuba holidays. This may seem like a strange concept but may be alright for a night or two if you want to get to know the way that the locals really live.

 

 

The streets of Havana are designed to impress and will get the seal of approval even from those who have been on

Cuba holidays before. Giant wooden doors, barred windows and narrow sidewalks make you feel a million miles from home and put you in the true holiday spirit.

 

 

There are plenty of diving schools located not just in Havana but in the whole of

Cuba. Visitors can explore ancient shipwrecks and admire the enchanting marine life while on their

Cuba holidays
. Depths vary wherever you go and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never done it before because there are plenty of classes available.

 

 

La Catedral is perfect for those who wish to do a bit of sightseeing while on their Cuba holidays. An 18th century architecture full of columns and embellishments, this beautiful building dominates one of the main squares within the old city walls. This is a definite must see for people who have an interest in architecture and the history of

Havana.

 

Havana’s nightlife is vibrant and exciting but that’s not to say you’re going to be faced with hoards of drunken teenagers falling out of nightclubs while on

Cuba holidays. The nightlife in

Havana is sophisticated and classy yet people aren’t afraid to let their hair down. There is a wide selection of bars, cabarets, nightclubs, restaurants and comedy clubs so there will always be something to keep you busy in the evenings.

 

 

To feel like you’ve just stepped into a holiday brochure visit Havana.

Cuba holidays are a truly unforgettable experience and you are likely to find yourself returning year after year.

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July 31, 2007

South India Blog

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Thanks to the coexistence of several different religions, 18 officially recognised languages and hundreds of dialects and century-old  traditions, India is a country brimming with cultural diversity. Towering temples, tribal lifestyles and inspiring forces of nature make India an incredible place to visit. From the foothills of the Himalayas to the Deep South, India is stepped in geographical and topographical riches. India is a land of hills, rivers, plateaus, plains, beaches, deltas and deserts. The southern Indian Peninsula is almost entirely composed of the Deccan plateau, which has two hilly coastal ranges, the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.Popularly known as the Gateway to South India, Chennai - capital of the state of Tamil Nadu was chosen by the British East India Company for permanent settlement in 1639. A lasting legacy of the British and the Raj is Fort St George and the vast array of colonial architecture.   Famed for being centre of the burgeoning Tamil film industry, Chennai is also popular for Tamil cuisine. The city’s restaurants do a roaring trade in tiffin meals served with side dishes so typical of the south including idli and mouth-wateringly good dhosa with sambhar.  Temples abound in Chennai. Kapaleeswarar is worth a look, as is Kandaswamy Temple. For a snapshot of Indian life, Marina Beach is a magnet for relaxation and outdoor pursuits such as strolling and cycling.Still in the state of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur – also known by its anglicised name Tanjore, is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Brihadeeswara Temple. Built in the 10th century, Brihadeeswara is a Chola Temple and is a brilliant example of Dravidian architecture. The central temple, known as the ‘Big Temple’ stands within a fort. The vimana (main tower) of the temple stands some 215 feet high and as well as being the tallest in the world, has the added distinction of being constructed in such a way that it never casts a shadow at noon on any given day of the year!  There is plenty to do at this site with a museum, Art Gallery and the Saraswati Mahal Library, which has over 30,000 manuscripts available in several European and Indian languages.Tiruchirappalli in the state of Tamil Nadu is perhaps more commonly and easily known simply as Trichy. Trichy is also home to the Rock Fort. Located in a city of flat land, at 272 feet it really stands out. Making the site even more fascinating is the fact that the rock is one of the oldest in the world at approximately 3.800 million years. At the top of the rock is a temple from where you can see amazing views of Trichy. There are several temples and sculptures dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries making the Rock Fort the perfect attraction for those interested in the history and culture of this village. If keen to take a walk on the wild side, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and Project Tiger nature reserve in the state of Kerala.  Located high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, visitors can come here to view a variety of mammalian and birdlife such as elephant, wild pig, gaur, sambar, deer, Indian wild dog, cormorant, kingfisher and Malabar hornbill. Whilst more elusive, Periyar does also support a population of Bengal tiger.  Kanchipuram is a popular spot amongst tourists, is commonly referred to as the “Golden City of Temples” and is considered to be one of the seven sacred cities of India. Although it boasts more than 100 temples, it is believed that in its time it had an impressive 1000. Famous for hand-woven silk fabrics and saris, Kanchipuram is known to have the best source of high quality hand-woven silk items. Be aware that the temples are closed between 12:30 and 4pm so you either need to go early in the morning or late afternoon.Diverse, impossibly colourful and astoundingly beautiful, a holiday in India whether it be the north or the beautiful south, will leave you breathless and hungry to see and experience more.

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