Truly an unexplored gem of South America, Paragauy is known by it’s neighbors to be “as mysterious as the Mona Lisa”. It’s capital Asuncion boasts a working port which is frequented by barges, small container boats and ferries. Destination guides for Asuncion are sometimes hard to get, not to mention specialized books such as a gay destination guide.

It is likely that the first European who visited the site where Asuncion was eventually founded was a certain Juan de Ayolas. He was looking for a passage to the mines of Bolivia, and traveled up the river Paraguay. Unfortunately he was killed by the Payagua on his return trip. Juan de Salazar was then dispatched to look for him (in vain). In August 1537 De Salazar visited the location of the present-day Asuncion and made the decision to found a fort there. He called it Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion.

It wasn’t long after the erection of the fort that word got out and it soon became an important base to explore from – both Bolivia’s Santa Cruz and Argentina’s Buenos Aires were founded by expeditions that left from Asuncion. Hence the name “the mother of cities”.

The old part of the city which contains the harbor is strategically perched on the bank of the Paraguay River. A natural bay permits small vessels to come and go to their various destinations, one of which is Brazil.

For those who love charm and character – this part of the city offers it in abundance. It has an assortment of beautifully restored colonial buildings as well as some art nouveau architecture. A harbor city must also have some dilapidation and this is what gives the area it’s nuance. As you stroll past the many quaint artisan’s shops you start to feel it’s heartbeat and very quickly you will be intoxicated by the smells and sounds of Asuncion. Soon you will be offered chipa bread – which is famous in this part of the world. You will want to stop and explore the beautiful lace articles on display, like Nanduti spiderweb lace for which Paraguay is well known.

Asuncion has many stately old hotels like The Grand Armele and the Asuncion Palace, both situated downtown near the harbor. The Armele offers spectacular views looking across the bay and the river. The evergreen Chaco on the other side of the river stretches as far as the eye can see.

Because of it’s heat in the summer months, the locals tend to frequent its many restaurants, bars, night clubs and open air festivals at night. Traditional Paraguayan music is very popular – as is modern English and Spanish rock. The city also has a large variety of restaurants to cater for every taste.

The eastern part of the city, especially Villa Morra, forms the new face of Asuncion. Here you will find numerous shopping malls with all the latest movies and international take-away restaurants. If it’s culinary delights you are after, then you need not look any further than Asuncion. The locals are excellent chefs and their food is prepared in such varieties that it’s truly a feast for the eye. You can also catch a movie at many of their multi-screen cinemas. If it’s orchestral music or a ballet you are after then the Paraguayan National Bank Theater offers concerts on a regular basis.

The city is also dotted with many parks and plazas, all boasting huge trees that offer a reprieve from the sun. Strategically placed Asuncion has a large number of hotels which will suit all pockets. You can find budget accommodation around Plaza Uruguay, where the Lapache trees are transformed with spectacular purple blossoms at the beginning of Spring. The Plaza de los Heroes offers a few four and five star hotels.

Next time you are looking for a place to explore and be intrigued by, look for Destination guides: Asuncion. If she doesn’t do it for you, then nothing will.

No Comments » Posted by hotelreviews / Uncategorized

The Western Isles are an archipelago situated not too far off the Scottish West coast.  The isles of the Inner & Outer Hebrides have been inhabited since the Mesolithic period and throughout their history the language and culture has been immensely influenced by various races and today the culture of the Hebrides is a blend of Norse, Celtic, Scottish and English influences. The majority of people speak in the Gaelic language and although many talk in English, it is commonly their 2nd language. Not too many years ago visits to the Inner and Outer Hebrides were only for folk with plenty of money and those who could afford plenty of time. These days it is far, far to get to the Western Isles/Outer Hebrides, you can travel by car and ferry or take a flight to a number of destinations on the islands. Regrettably it is not possible to get all of the way by train but it is possible to travel coast and then travel by coach for the rest of the journey. Often the only problem that can turn up is sorting out accommodation especially if  you are searching for accommodation for groups on the Isle of Harris which is more often than not booked up twelve months in advance.

One of the most common factors in attracting visitors to the Outer Hebrides is that the the landscape and the culture of the Isles are dramatically unique.  On the Isle of Harris are to be found some of the most breath takingly beautiful golden sandy beaches in all of Scotland, and many folk say the U.K. Here and there you will notice a standing stone on the Harris coastline however it is on the Isle of Lewis that you will discover the best stone circle at Calanais not a huge distance from the town of Stornoway the only town in the Outer Hebrides. The Calanais standing stones is said to be second only to Stonehenge in England.

Deciding which island, Harris or Lewis, to stay on is often a difficult decision and more and more people are settling to spend a short time on each. B&B accommodation on Lewis is frequently available than Isle of Harris accommodation, so you should try to book as early as possible.

Bed and breakfast in Stornoway is is far easier to book but again to be certain book well in advance. Virtually all accommodation in the Hebrides is of a very high standard and the hospitality is the best you are likely to witness and the folk friendly and helpful.

Besides the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris there are a few other inhabited isles that are easy to visit. The most popular are North and South Uist, Barra and Benbecula and you will find a ferry which runs from North Uist to Harris at Leverburgh, a small village on South Harris.

No Comments » Posted by hotelreviews / Hotels