Thursday, October 20, 2011

Rwanda Travel Tips 2011





(1) Nyungwe National Park boasts stunning waterfalls, luminous tea plantations, birds, butterflies and buttresses.

It also plays host to a gorgeous orchid garden, containing several different varieties of these delicate beauties.

(2) For the high and mighty, East Africa's only forest canopy walkway has recently been built in Rwanda.

Offering spectacular bird's eye views over the forest, it's also a great vantage point for some eye-to-eye monkey business.

(3) Lake Kivu, one of Africa's deepest freshwater lakes, is the perfect destination to complement Rwanda safaris, due to its picturesque location, colourful resort towns and sandy beaches.

Windsurfing and kayaking are popular activities on the lake, as well as a spot of fishing for any of you handy with a rod.

(4) Visit the Iby'Iwacu Cultural Centre of Rwanda, which offers a chance to experience Rwandan rural culture through walks, dancing, archery, cooking, crafts, not to mention, a taste of the local banana brew and the famous 'Songs of the Gorillas'!

(5) Rwanda's sophisticated capital should definitely not be missed from your itinerary.

Sip red wine on the terrace of the Hotel des Milles Collines (the original Hotel Rwanda), and don't forget to make a poignant visit to theGenocide Memorial Museum.

(6) Its top spot for primates and that's before we even get to the Mountain Gorillas, for which the country is renowned.

Nyungwe Forest National Park hosts dozens of species, including the rare Golden Monkey, Chimpanzees, Black & White Colobus Monkeys and Baboons, to name a few.

(7) In Rwanda's Eastern province, Rwanda safaris start in Akagera National Park - an oasis for all the usual safari suspects you would expect to see from an open topped jeep, including giraffes, hippos, lions, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo.

Currently undergoing something of a transformation, Akagera will soon rival some of East Africa's beat known national parks for game viewing.

(8) Dine by Lake Muhazi, under the shade of a tree full of weaver birds and watch the kingfishers, crested cranes and the otters diving for their own catch of the day.

(9) Mountain biking over Rwanda's 1,000 hills presents a highlight for the adventure seekers.

Why not try out the 230km Congo-Nile trail, which provides fantastic views of the Congolese mountains, as well as the active volcano Nyiragongo.

(10) Follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey and visit the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas, with a trek through their rainforest refuge in Volcanoes National Park.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Barcelona Holidays - Areas to Stay there

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and the largest along the European Mediterranean coastline, has to be seen in the flesh to be fully appreciated.

Brimming with history and heritage, this superb city has both a wonderful atmospheric old town center, and a more contemporary and ultra-modern surrounding area with beautiful blend of stunning architecture.


Barrio Gotic - The Gothic Quarter - Its real heart of this superb city.

Extraordinary place of beauty and wonderment.

Walk down its typically narrow streets and find yourself at an opening onto a huge open plaza, such as the celebrated Placa Reiel, with its beautiful fountain and palm trees.

El Raval Barrio has its own unique characteristic that makes it a must for the seasoned tourist, but be on your guard. The area does have a reputation and pickpockets are known to operate here.

However, it is unique with its own blend of bars, cafes and privately owned clothes shops where you'll discover some wonderful one-off designer clothing.

It has a character all of its own and is busy both day and night. If you can find lodgings in this particular Barrio, there are two splendid fresh food markets nearby.