San Jose, Costa Rica

For many travellers to Costa Rica, San Jose is used as the entry point into the country and as the gateway to the spectacular national parks of Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio.

And while the resplendent quetzal, the Arenal volcano and the Pacific coast beaches grab all the headlines, the capital’s numerous attractions are often overlooked.

So what can you see and do in San Jose, even if you’ve only got 24 hours before you head for the cloud forests and beaches out west?

National Theatre

Don’t worry if you haven’t got time to catch a performance because the National Theatre is well worth heading to even if just to stop in to admire the lavish furnishings.

Enormous frescoes, gold fittings and marble sculptures create a decadent European feel – this is undoubtedly the finest building in the city.

The theatre cafe also comes highly recommended, so why not grab a bite to eat and a drink during your visit?

Gold Museum

For a history lesson of the region, the Gold Museum will tell the story of the pre-Columbian peoples of Costa Rica through 1,600 pieces of gold dating from between 500 to 1500 AD.

The first floor of the display is dedicated to exploring the cultural evolution of the pre-Columbians, while the second level focuses on the different uses for gold.

National Museum

You could also spend another hour or two looking round the National Museum – although the exhibits aren’t really the main reason to come here.

San Jose National Theatre by Christopher Gosselin

From the courtyard, you’ll enjoy views over the city, while the building itself is a spectacular 20th century fortress painted in ochre. Look out for bullet holes in the stonework – evidence of fighting left behind from the country’s 1948 civil war.

Following this bloody battle the Costa Rican military was abolished, and still today the country is one of only a handful of nations without armed forces.

La Sabana Metropolitan Park

Of course, you won’t want to spend your whole day indoors, especially if the weather is fine. The city’s biggest park is therefore a great place to while away a few more hours.

Known by locals as ‘the lungs of San Jose’, the park has plenty of greenery, including wide open grass areas and trees, and there is also a large lake in the centre of the park. At the western end, you will find Costa Rica’s National Stadium, home of the country’s football team and a venue for large concerts.

Park Cafe

Once the sun has gone down and you’re starting to feel peckish after a day on your feet, then look no further than the Park Cafe located within an antiques shop in Sabana Norte.

Head chef Richard Neat’s background is in the UK and France, where he scooped Michelin stars for his work in various restaurants, and his latest venture in San Jose has won plenty of rave reviews from punters and press alike.

A main of roasted duck breast with buttered parsley lentils and grilled celery will set you back about £20. Although this is expensive by Costa Rican standards you certainly won’t regret it.

Finish the night off with a glass of wine, before heading back to your hotel feeling like you’ve had the perfect introduction to Tico life.

Cerro San Cristobal:  This is a beautiful park frequented by nature lovers and is a wonderful tourist spot.   It is a hill within the city where one can spend the whole day relaxing and enjoy the colorful sun set in the evening.  From the top of the hill tourists can have the panoramic view of Santiago and the surrounding green landscapes. The region that borders Argentina with Andes Mountain in the background is loved by mountaineers and hikers.

Plaza de Armas:  It’s more of a Plaza complex that also houses one of the prominent cathedrals in the city. It is located near the Central Market with access to the metro station. The place is lively with traditional restaurants, Peruvian food and spices and is a meeting place of the local community. Here on the promenade you can get lot of art that is on sale and enjoy street entertainment.

La Moneda: This is the Presidential house of Chile.  The house is decorated with beautiful art works of Chilean sculptures. The entry is allowed with little formalities and comes with a free one hour guided tour provided if booked at least a week in advance. Visitors can also peek through the nearby underground cultural center beneath the Palace. The palace hosts excellent cultural shows and events throughout the year. It is best suited for people with an artistic mind.

Skiing and Snowboarding: The Chilean capital is just an hour’s drive away from some exotic and fun filled Skiing and snowboarding centers. The slopes are well maintained and the authorities offer training sessions. The centers are equipped with high tech snow making machines. Those who want to venture out for some high powered activity can take a break and enjoy their skiing skills.

Villa Grimaldi: Dictator Augusto Pinochet used this piece of land as a torture point from 1974 to 1978. Though these tortures were never discussed openly in or outside the country the place is live with the tales of torture unfolding the memories of human rights violations.  It is believed to have housed over 4000 prisoners of whom 20% were women. With many memorials, including a museum displaying personal belongings and photos of the victims by families, the visit can be a very moving experience emotionally.

La Chascona: The residence belongs to Nobel Prize Laureate Pablo Neruda, the famous Chilean poet. The word La Chascona means “woman with tangled hair”, which he coined for his third wife. The place has an immense collection many things including artistic creations and the Nobel Prize itself. The rooms are exclusively designed to look and feel like a ship. Visitors can enjoy beautiful landscapes around the place.

Though it does not have major attractions like other capital cities, it does have some fascinating spots and activities that the visitors can soak in. Featuring restaurants and an array of activities to engage in like horse riding, rafting, camping and hiking, the place is full of surprises. Santiago is an absolutely promising and emerging hot destination with hidden pleasures with ample scope of exploring the place.

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The most prestigious vacation you will ever plan is the honeymoon. This is the initial vacation as a married couple and should be the most lovely. The destination choice for the honeymoon is particularly crucial. The question confronting many people is the amount of planning they intend for it. There are different honeymoon packages including all inclusive honeymoon packages. One might also just purchase plane tickets for a lavish destination, and enjoy the holiday. It is upon the individuals to plan for their own special honeymoon in their own distinctive way.

Why luxury cruise is an excellent idea for the honeymoon couple

Hassle free vacation

For the honeymoon vacation, an all inclusive holiday would be a brilliant way to enjoy one another’s company and worry less about planning. For instance, a luxury cruise would turn out to be an excellent all inclusive honeymoon idea. What you need is simply to book your luxury cruise and show up on that day. You will enjoy a romantic dinner each night of the honeymoon without any stress. There is also no reservation required, no bill to be settled, but all types of food are offered on the cruise.

Various exciting activities
By taking the cruise, your honeymoon is going to be full of activities to perform on the luxury cruise with no extra charges. There are dance clubs, comedy shows, and plays among others. Actually, there are more to enjoy when taking inclusive honeymoon luxury cruise.
Traveling to various destinations
The best part of it is that you will enjoy traveling to various destinations and worry less about transporting your luggage and settling those dear travel fees. You will simply enjoy the honeymoon nights on the cruise ship and the following morning finds you in a different place. Quite exciting and romantic! Therefore, a luxury cruise is a delightful alternative for a romantic and memorable honeymoon.

The cruise is a brilliant idea for couples who just love great entertainment, the sea and stopping occasionally to marvel at different islands and equally different cultures. The honeymoon cruise is among the most sought after activities of the newly married. This is truly a magnificent way you and your wife are going to enjoy the company of each other, traveling the world in the centre of the sea!
Enjoying the worlds most exotic places on luxury cruise
There are luxury cruise ships destinations around the world. However, the most popular honeymoon destinations are Tahiti, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Mediterranean. Others are Europe, Asia, or Alaska. The cruises have amazing romantic perks, together with complimentary gifts.

Excellent romantic services on board

Another important thing to discover is that everything provided on the cruise ship, or boat is everything to do with the special moment each person would love to share with the special person they have just married. They will see to it that each package is special enough, ensuring each second is a memory for the honeymoon couple.

Therefore, for the newly married couple who decides to go this route, they will certainly discover how it is simple to enjoy their honeymoon. Then there are couples who decide on both the wedding and the honeymoon aboard a luxury cruise ship. This is also brilliant idea. These luxury ships will cater to the onboard weddings, and the captain presides over the ceremony. Most of the onboard weddings occur before the cruise ship departs from the port, but the honeymoon will naturally begin immediately.

Havana Harbour- it's easy to see why it's so popular!

The History Of Havana
Havana has a history that is rich in culture and filled with legends of times passed. Havana was founded in 1515 by Diego Velaquez de Cuellar, a mighty conquistador. Havana was chosen because of its location on the sea, which made it an easy sea port for trading. In the past, Havana was regularly attacked by pirates, which only led to the charm it holds today.

Havana Today
Havana has a gorgeous, pleasant climate that is balmy and perfect for vacations. The city is divided into three regions; Old Havana, Central Havana and Vedado. The charm of the city is magical.

Places You Won’t Want To Miss In Old Havana
See Old Havana and experience the magnificent architectural masterpieces. The Catedral de San Criscobal is there, as well as the Plaza de Armas. The Plaza de Armas is a square that was formed in the 1600s and was used for meetings for politicians, religious officials and more. You want to see Old Havana on foot so you can get up close and personal.

More Places You Must See
Also not to miss in Havana is the cigar museum. Whether you are fan of the cigars or not, it is a well known fact Cuba makes the best cigars in the world. You can also tour the Havana Club Rum Factory. In Vedado, you must see the US Special Intrests Building. There is no US Embassy in Cuba, so this is the stand in. It is where Cubans must go to apply for visas to the United States and is a hub for political demonstrations and protests.

Things To Do In Havana
Havana is full of life and energy. There is always something to do in Havana at any hour. There are things you simply must take in. A tour of Havana in an old 1950s car is at the top of the list. So popular is this that you must book your tour beforehand. The beaches of Havana are beautiful and are the picturesque we all have in our minds when we dream of paradise. White sands, aqua blue waters and palm trees will make you never want to leave. Put on your dancing shoes and rumba. Wherever there is sassy, lively music, you will find people doing the rumba.

What To Eat in Havana
No trip to Havana is complete without trying their delicious Cuban cuisine. Spicy, flavorful and like nothing you have ever had before, it will be a meal you won’t soon forget. The La Fontana Restaurant is especially well known. There are also restaurants that serve fare more like what American tend toward if you are longing for a taste of home. Be sure you don’t leave Havana without buying ice cream off of a street vendor. It must be a combination of the creamy ice cream and the charm of the city that makes it taste so good.

Vacations in Havana are the kind memories are made of!