Fatima

Fatima is a city in Central Portugal which is located in the central region of the Ourem municipality in the Medio Tejo. It has a population of 7 thousand inhabitants. The town is located 123 kilometers north of Lisbon and 187 km south of the city Porto. The small town has become popular all over the world when in 1917, religious visions of three children on the Virgin Mary become known to many. The city is named after a Moorish princess, Fatima who was converted to Catholicism following her marriage to the count of Ourem.

Millions of people gather to commemorate the apparitions during key dates of May 13 and October 13. The paying of homage of many people roots to the spiritual visions in the pasture Cova da Iria. In 1917, three Portuguese children Lucia dos Santos and Jacinta and Francisco Marto saw visions of angels and the Virgin Mary. The three shepherds as they are popularly called have been declared as blessed.

The place is a typical example of a destination in Portugal which relies on religious tourism. The shrine of the Fatima has been developed following the mass visits of pilgrims and religious devotees alike especially during special Marian occasions. Specialty shops selling memorabilia as well as religious souvenirs are numerous in the city streets. As for people who would like to visit the place, hotels and other forms of accommodations which cater to low cost budgets up to more expensive ones are available.

Numerous tour packages are available for devotees and people who would just like a peaceful experience and a sight of the shrine dedicated to the Lady of Fatima. Other than religious homage, the tours will also include views of the Obidos and its charming wall architecture as well as the nearby fishing area of Nazare. The Batalha Monastery is also worth a visit. It has a marvelous Gothic style of architecture and is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For devotees and people seeking a spiritual refuge and a site for prayer and appreciating the blessings the Almighty has provided, a visit to Fatima is a must.

Fatima

Katmai National Park & Preserve

One of the major destinations of tourists visiting Alaska is theKatmai National Park & Preserve. Developed in 1918, this United States National Park in Southern Alaska is home to its famous brown bears and The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. This valley was formed after the 1912 eruption of the Novarupta.

The national park covers an area of 7,383 square miles, 5,288 square miles is a designated wilderness area. Within this vast area are at least fourteen volcanoes and several archaeological sites. The park itself got its name from Mt. Katmai, the centerpiece stratovolcano. Long before the creation of The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and the brown bear population, this area was once inhabited by humans. The area is rich with history dating back to Paleo-arctic tradition all the way up to the Thule tradition.

A lot of activities can be enjoyed at Katmai National Park. Camping, fishing, backpacking and hiking are some of the most common. Boat tours and kayaking are also available for people who seek more adventure. One of the most exciting activities is to get a glimpse of the brown bears that live in the park. Bear viewing platforms are located around the park. The park is home to more than 2,000 brown bears. A lot of these bears can be found near the Brook Falls viewing platform as this is where the salmon are spawning.

The brown bears found at the Park & Preserve are well taken care of. A lot of work is given for the care of the bears. They never get in contact with human food or interact with humans in any way. This is one of the reasons why these brown bears are not interested in people and photographs of them can be taken at much closer distances than brown bears in other areas.

Katmai National Park & Preserve