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Some great family travel ideas to South America....
LIMA, PERU
Called Ciudad de los Reyes, City of the Kings, by the Spanish conquerors,
Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18,1535 in the
Rímac Valley. Lima is now the capital of the Republic of Peru, and
a great metropolis with nearly 8 million residents. The Costa region
of Peru, in which Lima is located, is a narrow coastal plain consisting
of large tracts of desert broken by fertile valleys. Cotton, sugar
and rice plantations and most of the country's oil fields are in
this area. Beyond Lima, lies the Sacred Valley, the Inca ruins and,
high in the Andes, the spectacular ancient city of Machu Picchu.
Bird and marine life is abundant along Peru's desert coast, with
sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Chilean flamingoes, Peruvian pelicans,
and Inca terns all native to the region. This priceless wildlife
is protected in a system of national parks and reserves.... MORE
CARACAS, VENEZUELA
Caracas, Venezuela is a city of charm and grace, to which the visitor
will be welcomed by people with a zest for life that is contagious.
There is a diverse, young, and lively population that colors the
streets of the capital with laughter, music, and unrestrained enthusiasm.
The sophisticated tastes of the 4 million inhabitants demand an
endless parade of boutiques and fine restaurants that crowd upscale
commercial areas. Caracas has an enormous cultural center known
as Bellas Artes, and it has museums and concert halls. This capital
city is hip, fast paced, and altogether cosmopolitan. At the same
time, the people exhibit a special warmth and hospitality.
Although Caracas is a sprawling metropolis, its places of interest
can be explored comfortably in a day or two. Caracas can be divided
into four principal areas of interest: the downtown El Centro district
and its monument packed Plaza Bolívar; Parque Central and the surrounding
Bellas Artes cultural district; Las Mercedes and the Bulevar Sabana
Grande, with its many boutiques and restaurants; and the residential,
wealthy suburbs of Altamira and La Castellana. Few of the museums
charge admission fees, and there is much to see and learn in this
South American capital.... MORE
PUERTO LA CRUZ, VENEZUELA
Puerto la Cruz is a dynamic and expanding resort city which features
a 10 block long waterfront boulevard lined with hotels, nightspots,
and restaurants. It is the gateway to the Isla de Margarita and
the beautiful Mochima National Park. In addition to its attraction
to tourists, Puerto la Cruz is a major center of commerce for Eastern
Venezuela. It is the hub of the thriving oil industry and the port
where oil from the interior is refined and from which it is exported.
As a result of this commercial activity, a thriving service sector
has emerged with four and five star hotel and resort accommodations,
restaurants and shops. Puerto la Cruz is located in the northeastern
region of Venezuela known as El Oriente. It is an area rich in historic
sites and a primary site for ecotourism. Fed by many rivers, and
receiving steady, moisture- carrying trade winds, this is one of
the few areas along Venezuela's coast that is lush and green all
year long. The region is home to an enormous variety of animals
and plants, and is one of the most biodiverse in the world.
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