AT&T Baseball Park

Experience the fun-filled baseball games during the Major League Baseball by visiting theSan Francisco’s AT&T Baseball Parkduring the season. You will be with the other baseball enthusiasts that support the San Francisco Giants. Surely, the AT&T Baseball Park is one of the first tourist spots in your list if you are a fan of baseball games.

This is an open-air baseball park that opened in the year 2000 under the name Pacific Bell Park. It is located in Willie Mays Plaza in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. This baseball park underwent many name changes in a span of 6 years since its establishment. This is due to the fact that the Pacific Bell company was acquired by the SBC in 2003, and was merged with AT&T in 2006. The AT&T Baseball Park is also the only baseball park that was built without public funds after the establishment of Dodger Stadium in 1962. The AT&T Baseball Park has witnessed many historic events related to baseball. Barry Bonds, a veteran outfielder of San Francisco Giants, achieved his 500th home run in 2001, 600th home run in 2002, 700th home run in 2004, and 756th home run in 2007.

Aside from the baseball field, there is also a Coca-Cola Fan Lot that has the famous 80-foot Coca-Cola bottle with playground slides that never fail to get the kids’ attention. There is a miniature AT&T Baseball Park behind the left field where the kids can play and enjoy. Another remarkable attraction in this baseball park is the 9-foot statue of Willie Mays, America’s greatest ballplayer, at the entrance of the park. There are also other statues dedicated to other Giants players like McCovey, Marichal, and Cepeda. The Baseball Park has 68 luxury suites, 5,200 club level seats, and 1,500 field level seats. The baseball park has a seating capacity of 40,800 when it opened in 2000, and the seats eventually increased to over 41,000 in number.

AT&T Baseball Park

Abidjan

Abidjanis the fourth largest city in the Ivory Coast, a beautiful country west of Africa. But the country is now referred to as the Cote d’Ivoire (French for Ivory Coast). Abidjan is the former capital of Cote d’Ivoire and is now the de facto capital, meaning it is considered a capital but not ordained by law, as Yamoussoukro is now the official capital.

Abidjan is still the most populated city and is considered the economic capital of Cote d’Ivoire as it is the center for banking and commerce. Though in an African continent, majority of the Abidjan citizens are French speaking people, as the country was once under French rule. The beautiful city is situated on the Ebrie Lagoon which stands upon converging peninsulas and islands all connected by bridges.

For those looking for a cooler climate, Abidjan has abundant rainfall other than its two dry seasons. And when it’s the wet season, the degree of humidity reaches 80.

Abidjan is popular in West Africa forLe Plateau. It is the business center of Abidjan with gleaming skyscrapers that business travellers love to visit. There are several banks here and such skyscrapers are special because they are unusually seen in West Africa.

Other man made sights in Abidjan are the University of Abidjan and other technical colleges, and the national library. Its main tourist attractions include St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Cocody Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Parc du Banco rainforest reserve.

Abidjan is notable both for its urban and natural wonders. It’s something new to see in Africa other than the well-renowned safaris.

Abidjan

Andalsnes

A week’s visit at Andalsnes, Norway will stir up your pleasures in life. This is a perfect destination if you want to get out from your hectic office schedule or experience a one-of-a-kind honeymoon with your love one. There are more scenic spots and cool activities in store for you in this place. So pack your bag and get ready to go!

Tourist spots that you must visit:

Trollveggen

Commonly called the “Troll Wall,” this scenery is a perfect masterpiece of nature. You will see series of cliffs forming around the valley and are covered with green grass. This site is also a perfect adventure destination of tourist who wants to do bungee jumping.

The Rauma River

It is one of the most important rivers in Andalsnes, which provides a steady supply of salmons, a staple food for the region. It runs between the valleys and creates a perfect ensemble of a dramatic view of nature.

Nebba Mountain

This is a perfect peak to peek at an overview of the entire town. The climate on top is perfectly cool, which makes it an ideal place for honeymoons and other special times with family and friends.

Activities that you must do:

Bungee Jumping

An exciting and extreme sport that will increase your adrenaline level and make you scream at the top of your voice.

Fishing

This will allow you to appreciate the common livelihood of people in this town.

Cruising

Go around the town through a luxurious cruise. You can enjoy the sunset aboard or hold private parties.

These hot spots and awesome activities will make your experience at Andalsnes, truly memorable. So pack your things and fly now to this superb town.

Andalsnes

Canadian Loonie

The Canadian dollar is the official currency of Canada and one of the best performing world currencies over the last few years. Canada’s money is also fondly referred to as the Canadian loonie after the amphibious water bird endemic in the country. The loon became the iconic symbol of Canadian currency immortalized in Canadian coins for the first time when one-dollar coins with the loonie bird on one face were minted in 1987.

Financial analysts are in agreement on the promising outlook of the Canadian loonie for 2011—edging even the formidable currency of their continental neighbor the United States.

The close affinity of the Canadian monetary system and exchange market to their US counterparts stem from their shared history of the colonial trade era. The Spanish dollar was widely circulated in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries and when the Canadian dollar first became the official currency of the Province of Canada in 1858 the former British colony adopted the dollar system instead of the Pound sterling. Today the loonie or CAD come in 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, $1, and $2 Canadian coins and $5, $10, $20, $50 banknotes.

The Royal Canadian Mint issues Canadian coins while the Bank of Canada issues Canadian paper currency. On one side of Canadian banknotes an inscription of the name of Queen Elizabeth II appears in Latin—serving as a reminder that Canada remains a member of the British commonwealth of nations. The official languages of Canada are English and French and this is reflected on the wording of the national currency.

The value of the Canadian dollar has been soaring since world commodity prices continue to peak and the US dollar struggles to maintain its dominance. Canada is a dynamic export economy driven by international trade of oil, natural gas, metals and lumber and its currency is propelled by the rising prices of commodities in the world market.

The global economic meltdown of late did not gravely ruffle the loonie’s feathers for Canada’s financial system remained stable in large part to the Canadian government implementing austere financial measures on their major banks and the nation’s coffers. By the end of 2010 the Canadian dollar’s exchange rate was $1.0042 against the US dollar. A continued rise of the Canadian currency is expected for 2011.

Canadian Loonie

Churches of Ivanovo

The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanavo are a set of monumental chapels, monasteries and churches built out of hard rock. These group of churches are totally different compared to Bulgaria’s other monastery churches. It is located by the town of Ivanavo, south of Rousse by twenty kilometres, on the high stony banks of Rusenski Lom, thirty-two kilometres higher than the river. This complex is widely known for its well-preserved and attractive medieval frescoes.

Monks had inhabited the caves in the area in the decade of 1220s, when it was discovered by the prospect Patriarch of Bulgaria Joachim, until the seventeenth century, when they hewed churches, chapels and cells out of hard rock. At the tip of the monastery group, the churches amounted to about forty, whilst the other grounds were around three hundred, majority of which aren’t presently preserved.

Ivan Alexander and Ivan Asen II, examples of 2nd Bulgarian Empire leaders, regularly donated money to the monastery complex, as confirmed by contributor portraits in few of the churches. Other donors were the nobles that came from the capital of Tarnovo, with which the complex had close relations in the thirteenth and fourteenth century. It was the core of hesychasm in Bulgarian grounds in the fourteenth century and maintained to survive in the premature centuries of Ottoman ruling of Bulgaria, however slowly decomposed.

The frescoes from the thirteenth and fourteenth century are responsible for the monastery complex’s popularity. These frescoes are preserved in five of the churches, which are seen as great illustrations if Bulgarian medieval art. The rock grounds that were used by monks include the Baptistery, the St. Archangel Michael Chapel, the St. Theodore Church, the main Holy Mother of God Church, and the Gospodev Dol Chapel, with the fourteenth century murals in the later one being debatably the most popular in Ivanavo and considered as some of the most significant representations of the Palaeologan art.

Churches of Ivanovo

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnikhas been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and is fondly referred to as “Pearl of the Adriatic” for its classic charm and beauty. Located in the southernmost region of Croatia, it among the most visited resorts in the Mediterranean and a favorite destination of tourists for a relaxing vacation.

Reaching Dubrovnik and going around town is easy as transportation systems are well-organized. There are buses and taxis as well as car rental services for your traveling convenience. Also, roaming around the place by foot is possible, although some streets can be challenging to navigate as they are steep.

Getting accommodation in this town is also not a problem even to those who want first class service because 11 out of the 18 known luxury hotels in all of Croatia can be found in Dubrovnik. Try booking in advance to make sure that you will be given your preferred room during your stay.

Among the many things that attract tourists to spend days in Dubrovnik is its magnificent architecture boasting for beautifully-crafted churches and monasteries, fountains and museums.

These churches and monasteries are adorned with both art and history that make each of them a perfect site for educational tours and excursions. Each visitor will be amazed by how much art and history these structures have to offer for a wonderful learning experience. For example, the Franciscan Monastery is where the world’s third oldest pharmacy is located along with Romanesque cloister and a Baroque Church.

Other churches that wow the tourists are the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Church of Saint Blaise, Church of St. Ignatius, the Dominican Monastery, Church of St. Sebastian and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The museums in Dubrovnik are also must-see places if ever you are on vacation in this majestic country. Some of these museums are located just alongside the churches, so you will never have trouble finding them, like the Franciscan Monastery Museum where you will find interesting pieces from the ancient pharmacy. Other museums worth visiting are the Sigurata Convent Museum, Synagogue and Jewish Museum, Dominican Monastery Museum, the Sponza Palace Museum of Museum of the State Archives, Maritime Museum and the Museum of Icons in the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Dubrovnik is a fascinating town to with many places to visit. You and your kids will definitely enjoy spending time here since you will be both entertained and educated, so remember to included it in your itinerary when you plan your vacation on this side of the planet.

Dubrovnik

Nagarkot

Considered as a scenic destination, Nagarkot is located east of Kathmandu, Nepal. Nagarkot is a hill top elevated about two-thousand meters above sea level. It is considered to be the second highest peak in all of Kathmandu. The best way to travel to Nagarkot is by private cars or taxis. However, there are also tour buses that can take you there. The drive to Nagarkot is only an hour’s drive away from the city proper. Nagarkot’s climate is slightly colder than Kathmandu. The best time to visit the hill top is between October and March when the skies are clear.

Plenty of resorts can be seen in Nagarkot, offering full board and accommodation. Situated just below the peak, many tourists stay here and trek to the hill top to watch the sunrise. It is considered the best time to view the mountain ranges because it is when the skies are clear. Nagarkot offers a magnificent view of the breathtaking Himalayan peaks of Nepal including the famous Mount Everest.

The Kathmandu valley can also be seen from the hill top. Aside from the spectacular view, there are plenty of activities that can be done here. One can opt to stroll around the hillside, go pony-riding at the nearby villages and even meditate. Some resorts have viewing towers with coffee shops where you can enjoy the cool mountain breeze and view the majestic mountains while sipping on a cup of cappucino.

Nagarkot is for people who would like to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Nagarkot

Chinese Diet

As one of the most popular cuisines in the whole world, Chinese cuisine offers a lot of varied and rich flavors that makes it a favorite not only among locals, but also among foreigners. In addition to the exciting flavors, the generally healthy aspect of Chinese food depends on the method of cooking that is used. Steaming, boiling, stir-frying are cooking techniques applied to many of the dishes and these are viewed as healthier than deep frying and baking which are prevalent in American cooking. Below is a look at the essential components of a traditional Chinese meal or diet, which you can easily incorporate into your own meals for a healthier diet.

Grains
Grains are a staple food of Chinese people. However the type of grain consumed is different depending on location. Chinese in the north are known to mostly consume wheat, which they put into bread, noodles, and steamed buns while those in the south are known to consume rice. Rice is usually steamed and is served in bowls, while the noodles come in different sizes and textures and are used in soups or fried toppings.

Tofu
Also called bean curd, tofu is a soy-based product that the Chinese use as a substitute for meat products or for cheese. It is inexpensive and is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked and served in a number of ways. Pickled tofu, mango tofu, egg tofu, and fried tofu are only some of the forms in which the Chinese prepare tofu. With its low amount of calories and fat, and high content of iron and minerals, tofu is considered highly nutritious – a good alternative to other fatty protein sources.

Tea
The Chinese are one of the first people to cultivate and drink tea, which is enjoyed by people from all social classes. There are different varieties of tea available depending on the region that produced it. Tea is commonly enjoyed with dim sum or desserts, but can also be taken alongside a meal or after it.

Chinese Diet

Mohenjo-daro

When looking for something in Pakistan that will appeal to the history nut in you, there is no other place that can beat Mohenjo-daro. Located in the ancient Sind Province, Mohenjo-daro is geographically in the southern portion of the country. It was one of the most prosperous cities of the Indus civilization, owing partially to its location on the Indus River’s right bank.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was established at least 4000 years ago. The city, which used to measure around one square mile, easily became a hub of the civilization in the Indus Valley. At that time, it was one of the earliest human settlements anywhere in the world and one of the most planned cities. During its ancient heyday, around 500 people lived in Mohenjo-daro.

The ancient city was then divided into two portions – the Citadel and the lower city. In the Citadel, there was a public bath with elaborate brickwork decorating it and an advanced drainage system. An imposing veranda used to surround this part of the city. The lower city, meanwhile hosted a granary, residences and assembly halls. The streets were planned in a precise manner, with straight orientation and connecting all parts of the city.

The city suffered devastation when the Indus River changed its course. The whole civilization was submerged and after centuries, the ruins of what used to be a glorious city remains, attracting tourists from all around the globe. In 1922, it was rediscovered and excavated by an officer of India’s Archeological Society.

If you have the chance to visit the place, you can marvel at the ruins that have though time been carefully reconstructed. Unfortunately, part of the city has been losing a lot of important archeological artifacts due to looting and illegal acts. A visit to the site’s museum will also provide fascinating insight into this city’s history.

The Longmen Caves

The Longmen Caves or Longmen Grottoes depict Buddhist beliefs in a nature backdrop. One trip to this site will make you appreciate Chinese art of the Tang Dynasty.

If you are a fan of sculpting and Chinese art, this is the place for you. The Longmen strip is a heritage site with sacred sculptures of Buddhas, and other Chinese gods made just from pure limestone.

The Longmen caves is a collaboration of various dynasties including Northern Wei dynasty and Tang Dynasty. It consists of 1350 caves, 40 pagodas, and 750 niches. All of these caves contain sculptures counting up to 111,000 statues of holy men. You will notice the progression of art style throughout the tour, seeing the different interpretations of the consecutive dynasties.

The Datong art style is seen in the three Binyang caves. These caves have the earliest sculptures made by Northern Wei dynasty. The sculptures are generally observed to show Greek influences including longer faces, thin bodies, and fishtail wardrobe.

The Cave of Ten Thousand Buddhas (Wan Fo Dong) was built by Gao Zong in 680 AD with almost 15,000 Buddhas. The Lotus Flower cave (Lianhua) is attractive with a big lotus carved in its roof.

The Ancestor Worshipping Cave (Feng Xian Si) contains the most beautiful sculptures. The center sculpture of a Vairocana Buddha with a Bodhisativa on its left features intricately designed cave walls and Tang dynasty-inspired art.

There are other caves showcasing art like the oldest Guyang cave that holds sculptures with traces of the original paint, Medical Prescription Cave with the carvings of 575 cures of every illness, and the Tomb of Bai Juyi, a famous Tang dynasty poet.

The Longmen caves will leave you breathless.

The Longmen Caves

Road Town

Road Town is the capital city of the British Virgin Islands. About three quarters of the Islands’ residents live in Road Town. Do not be fooled by the capital’s tropical, idyllic scene. Road Town is an international city and it is buzzing not just with marine and island activities but also with business and commercial activities. You will see buildings that surround the harbor that stretch as far back into the island as the land will allow them.

If you happen to be in Road Town, British Virgin Islands, you should take a tour with Patouche Charters. The tours they provide are private and intimate, perfect for people who are travelling with their partners or loved ones. You should also not miss the White Squall II, especially if you want to go snorkeling.

The areas that you should not miss in Road Town, British Virgin Islands are the ferry dock, Main Street area, and Wickham’s Cay. The ferry dock is an important portal in Road Town. You will see ferries and boats and busy people going about their businesses. You will be amazed by the contrast between the idyllic settings against the busy activities.

The Main Street has different shops where you can buy souvenirs for your friends or as a token of your memorable Caribbean trip. Wickham’s Cay, on the other hand, is filled with activities for the local people and the tourists. You can dine and shop in the different shops and establishments that line the area. This is also where you can make hotel reservations.

Virunga National Park

The Virunga National Park is located in the Virunga Mountains in the eastern side of the Congo Democratic Republic. It shares its borders with the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, and the Rwenzori Mountains National Park of Uganda. It was established in 1925, making it Africa’s first national park. The park is managed by the Congolese National Park Authorities.

Covering an area of 790,000 square hectares, diverse habitats such as swamps, steppes, snowfields, lava plains, grasslands, and savannahs can be found here. Africa’s two most active volcanoes are also part of the Virunga National Park. Inhabitants include mountain gorillas and hippopotamuses, as well as birds that fly in from Siberia during the winter months. Other animals that are sighted in the park are elephants, chimpanzees, giraffes, and buffaloes. In 1979, due to the decline in population of its main residents, the gorillas and hippos, UNESCO has classified Virunga National Park as a World Heritage Site. Conservation work to protect the remaining populations of these critically endangered species has since been done and is still ongoing despite the current difficulties brought about by the civil war.

For travelers who wish to make a safari adventure in the Virunga National Park, caution is advised. Invasions of park land and poaching are rampant, as well as military occupations seeking a safe sanctuary when under attack. In fact, several park rangers have been killed in the line of duty. Despite this, remaining park rangers and park authorities continue with their work up to the present. People who wish to help with the park’s conservation efforts are actually encouraged to donate rather than visit. For only $25 monthly, a part of the park will be under one’s name and protection. This amount will help the rangers in keeping that part free from snares set by poachers. Currently, there are 62 areas in the park being protected by donations.

Virunga National Park

Coit Tower

San Francisco has a lot to offer especially when it comes to tourist attractions. If you are planning to visit this city, you should include theSan Francisco’sCoit Towerin your list. This is one of the most visited attractions in the city because you will get a chance to view the city in 360 degrees. The Coit Tower is a 210-foot tower atop Telegraph Hill and Pioneer Park. Lily Hitchcock Coit donated part of her estate for this tower, with the aim of to beautifying the city. Ms. Coit will be happy to know that her money was not wasted since the Coit Tower is one of the recognizable landmarks and attractive spots in the city. There are speculations that this tower is like a shape of a fire nozzle, but it was disputed by the architects. The speculations were made because of Ms. Coit’s passion for the fire department that saved her life when she was young. It is just a coincidence that the shape of the tower can be associated with a fire nozzle.

Coit Tower is an unpainted concrete art deco that has a lobby in which a number of murals are displayed. There are 19 murals painted by 26 artists in which some of them can be viewed without a charge. The murals show the depression era; most of them have leftist and socialist themes. This is a reminder of how the city survived the Great Depression and must not be set aside.

It offers views of the city’s main attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Nob Hill, Financial District, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Pier 39, Treasure Island, and the Angel Island. This is one of the best places to visit if you want to have a view of the whole city.

Coit Tower

Bhurban

Opulent stories of the past and an awesome wildlife. These are the two main ingredients that make up the well-heeled place of Bhurban, Pakistan. It is a spot like no other; a special place on earth where luxury can be experienced through simple ways.

Bhurban, Pakistan is a small town that stands like a gem in the middle of Murree Hills. And since it is being surrounded by huge masses of earth, this town boasts of fascinating landscapes that will definitely take one’s breath away. It is a perfect spot for thrill-seekers and adventure aficionados. Trekking and hiking are two of the major surprises that await anyone who would like to discover more about the place.

But visiting some of the man-made wonders will already give some hints of the glories of this place. Its stories of survival and triumphs against foreign oppressors have shape the image of this town to the world.

A simple game of golf in the famous nine-hole course is a unique experience in this town. Finding respite in resorts and swimming pools that overlook the majestic sceneries is a dream come true for busy persons. And to complete the enriching experience is a dining experience that showcases the best Pakistani cuisines.

But Bhurban, Pakistan boasts nothing more than its wildlife. There are a wide collection of fauna and flora that reminds anyone of the greatest gifts of nature. The local government showed inspiring efforts to preserve these wonders that the locals and the visitors of this town will preserve forever.

Bhurban

Sabratha City

Sabratha city is located to the north of Libya and is one of the three cities in Tripolis. Sabratha city is about 65 km from the Mediterranean coast and serve as the capital for Sabratha Wa Surman region. It is an archaeological site and it was also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1982.

The city was founded around 500 BC and it was part of the Numidian Empire. The major buildings were built during the time of Emperor Septimus. In the 4th century a massive earthquake hit the city and a major part of the city was destroyed.

The major attractions here are the ruins of 3rd century theatre with three storeys that stand as a fine example of architecture of those days. The other attractions include the Isis and Serapis temples devoted to Liber Pater.

In addition there is a Christian basilica here with mosaic floors. Nearby there is a museum that features the collection of the Sabratha city and the other collections of the city can be seen in Tripoli National Museum.

Sabratha City

Dionysus Theatre

Now that you have plans to go to Greece with your family, there are several places to go to once you reach the place. Greece is known for their artifacts, ruins, and beaches and of course, their food but there seems to be one thing you need to include in your checklist. That is the Theatre of Dionysus. You may have heard about this when you had your Greek history class years back but did you know it is one of the visitor destinations in Greece?

Of course you vaguely can remember that this place is the world’s first Theatre since it was erected in the 6th Century. What you need to know is that the Dionysus Theatre is considered as the father or mother of ancient drama. Greek drama is different from the Roman kind since the latter was held in a semi-circle form of orchestra like in theaters now. The Greeks on the other hand was just an oval to a semi oval piece of space where no levels or seats are placed. It’s like one big bonfire where everyone gets to dance and sing with each other.

Another reason why visitors seem to head to the Dionysus Theatre is because they would want to breathe the same air that Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes when they did their world-renowned performances. One thing you would appreciate when you go here is that there are some destinations that seem to be overflowing with visitors that you can’t even have a single spot for yourself. In these grounds, you will have that spot just for you as long as you visit it when the sun is high. The lower it goes, the more visitors come.

Dionysus Theatre

Brasov

Brasov is the 8th largest city in Romania and located only 166 km from Bucharest, the country’s capital. Brasov is part of the Transylvania region and is famous to the world for hosting the annual Golden Stag International Music Festival. Its flag unveils a coat of arms and a crown as the city was originally name Corona by the German colonists.

Brasov is a good starting point for trips to different cities and places in Romania, including the Black Sea resorts. Brasov is the largest city in a mountain resorts area. Tourists often come to ride a cable car to the top of the Tampa Mountain, from which you have a beautiful lookout of the city. Cheap accommodations are very much available in the city.

Beautiful tourist attractions include The Black Church, which is a celebrated gothic site named as such because of the black smoke it produced during a great fire. The First Romanian School is another great destination as it is now a museum of the first Romanian printing press.

The St. Nicholas Church, the Art Museum of Brasov, the Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, and the Rope street (narrowest in the city) are also great places to go to. An interesting tourist destination is the nearby Bran castle, claimed to be the home of Vlad the Impaler, actually attracts many Dracula fans.

To complete a Sanian tour and make one’s visit more dynamic and exciting, a trip to Poiana Brasov would do all that. It’s a sightseeing spot that is also a great ski resort.

Brasov

Jaco

Tourists who have become weary of the generally laid-back vibe of many of Costa Rica’s beaches should findJacomore to their liking. While Jaco is as relaxed and casual as any other place in Costa Rica, the town boasts of a large number of dive bars, casinos, discos and nightclubs that ensure it has a boisterous nightlife and have helped it to earn a reputation as the country’s rowdiest party beach.

Still, it’s all about the surfing for the majority of foreign tourists who flock to Jaco. Jaco Beach boasts of some big waves and excellent breaks. Jaco is also adjacent to two other popular surfing mecca – Playa Hermosa, where an international surfing contest is held every year, and Playa Herradura, a refuge for those seeking to get away from Jaco’s busyness.

Of course, there are things to do in Jaco other than surf. Non-surfers can go kayaking or try their hand at off-shore sport fishing. While Jaco Beach itself is generally too dangerous for swimmers, beaches north and south of the town are safer and more scenic. Landlocked nature lovers can take hikes through the jungles that border the town, enjoy horseback rides on the beach or visit the nearby Carara Biological Reserve, which is a significant nesting ground for the scarlet macaw. And there is plenty of good food to be had from the many restaurants in town.

The best time to visit Jaco is from January to April, when the weather is at its driest, while tourists should avoid coming in September and October, which is the area’s rainy season.

Jaco

Kajaani

On the coast of Finland’s Lake Oulujärvi lies the town of Kajaani, which to this day has been considered one of the country’s most captivating rural areas. It is the center of the Kainuu region in the northern part of Finland, serving as a tar transport stopover between the North and the Lakeland.

Kajaani is widely known as the place where Elias Lönnrot, the author of the Kalevala (the national epic of Finland), used to reside during the 19th century. Lönnrot used his travels in Kajaani as basis for his work. It doesn’t take a Lönnrot to take notice of the wonders of this small Finnish town. You, too, can explore the place and appreciate all the things you will discover there.

If sightseeing is all you’re after, then you can feast your eyes on everything that you encounter in Kajaani. The major Kajaani sights are the old wooden houses located in the center of the town. One of the best examples of wooden structures in town is the Kajaani Church that bears a neo-Gothic architecture, complete with intricate wooden trimmings and a slender Italian bell tower. Near the center of the town stand the ruins of the Kajaani Castle, a must-see attraction that was built in the 17th century and almost totally destructed by war.

One of the best times to visit Kajaani is during winter months, when the town offers great skiing opportunities to the thrill-seeking tourists. And every spring, the town holds a famous jazz festival that caters to jazz and music fans.

Kajaani