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If you want a real sense of Valparaiso's international roots, visit the three cemeteries on Cerro Panteon - Number 1, 2 and the Dissidents' Cemetery are full of British, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese and other nationalities' tombs... all with beautiful sea views. A fascinating look at the history of South America's most unique city.
Cerro Panteon - from plaza Anibal Pinto take Subida Cumming and walk up.
More info: corrugatedcity.blogspot.com/search/label/Cemeteries
The ITB is the biggest tourism show in Europe. It is totally amazing - more or less every country is representing itself. You get great inspiration for your next trip, also you can discover new stuff, enjoy national cuisine, talk to locals, enjoy shows and entertainment. A must for everyone who is keen on travelling.
11-15 March 2009
Messe Berlin
www1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/Internet/Internet/www.itb-berlin/englisch/index.html
In no way a suggestion to be over-suspicious or paranoid, but first time visitors to Moroccan cities please do know that any offers to show you something usually mean you will have to reward (and unexpectedly heavily) in the end. More obvious in Marrakech, but even in the more laidback Essaouria I had a very friendly old chap who was very keen to show me old boats being repaired in the harbor. As it was just there, on the spot, I haven't thought he was thinking of himself as a guide. But naturally, a request for 50 dirhams followed. That's about 3 pounds, so five minutes of gazing at the underbellies of ships translates into something comparable to National Trust. I thrust five dirhams into his hand and walked off - the good thing is that people rarely make fuss. But the sad fact is that almost everyone who approached me during my week there was really keen to promote some sale or receive a payment. This does wear you out.
Chilean Naval museum with some interesting exhibits, a bit OTT nationalistic at times but aren't most military museums like that?
The scale models of the ships are cool and the building itself is quite interesting.
It costs about 50p to get in.
Cerro Artlilleria at the top of the Acsensor of the same name. Avoid the restaurant at the top of the funicular-not good...
The Slovak tourist board is based in Banska Bystrica, one of the most fun towns in Slovakia, and has lots of information on campsites all over the undiscovered countryside.
It is living on its reputation from the 80s. The beaches are full of self-serving hedonists looking for the perfect party and the DJs are awful. Panjim is the worst city I've ever been to in India. A 3rd rate Portuguese colonial town which is incredibly run down. Kerala is much more laid back, has better beaches and hasn't thousands of short haul tourists following the rave trail. The Keralans are much more friendly and not as money grabbing as the Goans.
For a day trip it's nice, but there's not that much there.
SAE is a club for expats, travellers and Ecuadorians to mingle, exchange books and ideas and find trip companions for excursions like climbing Chimborazo, one of the many nearby active volcanos. There's a well- stocked library, great coffee, nice vibe and even a pool table. Everything, in short, the solo traveller could hope for.
www.samexplo.org/ The Quito branch is located just of the 6 de Diciembre in the Mariscal area of the city - see the web site for more details.
Wilza Araujo works for Brazilian Incentive & Tourism in Rio and provided us with the best service ever in terms of organising hotels and giving us hints and tips based on where we were travelling to next in Brazil.
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