This Benedictine Monk retreat makes for an amazing break from the bustle of Barcelona. You can get a combined ticket from the station which includes the cable car.

The views from the top are stunning. Inside you can visit the Holy Grotto and listen to the world renowned Montserrat Boys Choir. Time your visit so you are there before 13:00 when the choir sing.

www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/montserrat-spain.html

www.pbase.com/ralf/montserrat

www.funimag.com/funimag14/montserrat01.htm

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Santorini has some excellent wines, especially its Vin Santo, a sweet wine. I would recommend visiting one of the many vineyards and trying the various wines, quite an experience - but take a taxi! You can also buy the wines from the vineyards for a very good price as well.

www.santorini.gr-santorini.com/wineries/

www.greeka.com/cyclades/santorini/santorini-products/santorini-wines.htm

www.cyclades-orbit.com/santorini/wine-of-santorini.asp

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This hotel is just across the road from Copacabana beach near the Old Fort (worth a look). We were there in April 2006 and the hotel cost USD $60 a night B&B for the two of us. We had a sea view, very nice room with a large double bed, TV and mini bar and en-suite bathroom. The room was excellent, the staff really friendly and the buffet breakfast was superb. A real gem of a place and very reasonable.

www.orlahotel.com.br/english/index.asp

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Serra dos Tucanos is about 90 minutes from Rio de Janeiro. The lodge is set in its own grounds in the Atlantic rainforest. Primarily it has been set up to cater for bird watchers who wish to see the varied bird life of the Atlantic rainforest. You can watch the many birds from the comfort of the veranda, see the hummingbirds feed from the special feeders at close quarters, or watch the many birds attack the bunches of bananas hung up in the trees.

Take a walk around the grounds on the signposted trails. Or go out on one of the many varied trips they do to different sites to see the many diverse birds the area has to offer.

The food was superb with breakfast, lunch and dinner included in the price, they do packed lunches when going out on trips. Even if you were not particularly interested in the birds it would make a good place to chill-out and enjoy lazing by their outdoor pool. Andy and Cristina who own and run the lodge are two wonderful people who will make your stay very enjoyable.

Serra dos Tucanos
Caixa Postal 98125
Cachoeiras do Macacu
CEP 28.680-000
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
www.serradostucanos.com.br/index.htm

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