Despite poverty and reconstruction from the terror of Khmer Rouge, Cambodia is still a great place to visit. Other than the Angkor, the country is rich with natural and manmade attractions that will truly make your Cambodia tour worth the time and money.

There are different ways to enjoy your trip. You can make it as personalized as possible by thinking of themes that suit the kind of trips you like best. Here are some suggestions that will help you enjoy the best attractions that Cambodia has to offer.

Laid Back Getaway

If you want to simply relax and be comfortable when you are not touring the great temples of Cambodia, you choose from a wide range of five star hotels and guesthouses in Siem Reap. One of the most popular and fastest improving cities in Cambodia, Siem Reap is a charming tourist hub where you can enjoy the local restaurants and food in the area.

Backpacker’s Getaway

If you are not into large scale tourism but enjoy backpacking to get a better view of the country, then there are plenty of places to visit in your Cambodia tour. For instance, the small town of Kratie is one of the best places for backpackers who wish to see the beauty of the central marketplace. It is also bordered by French colonial buildings that have been in the area for many years.

The best part about backpacking in this side of Cambodia is you get to see the Mekong River, which is home to the very rare Irrawaddy dolphins. These dolphins are slowly becoming endangered. In fact, there are about 66 and 86 remaining dolphins in the upper area of the Mekong River.

Other than the Kratie, you may also add the Tonlé Sap to your Cambodia tours. The lake is known as the largest freshwater lake in the entire South East Asia and it dramatically shrinks and expands depending on the season of the year. The lake drains to Phnom Penh and Mekong River during November to May. During the month of June, heavy rains pour water on the area resulting to the formation of an enormous lake.

Temples and Historical Getaway

There are plenty of temples and historical places that you should include in your Cambodia tour. One of these is the Khmer temple of Preah Vihear found in the Dângrêk Mountains. This temple found in the border of Thailand and Cambodia is considered to be the most spectacular among the many Khmer temples. Constructed in the 11th and 12th century, the temple is dedicated to the god Shiva.

Another must-see in Cambodia is the Silver Pagoda which contains many national treasures and Buddha statues. You must also see the Bokor Hill Station in Kampot, Koh Ker, Banteay Srei, Angkor Wat, and many other historical temples and buildings.…

We treasure our vacation time and there is never enough to do everything we want to do; do you want to explore the rainforest? Or surf? Bask on a beach? Or look at stunning architecture? Eat excellent cuisine and visit art galleries and museums? Soak in some culture or soak in some fun and sun? These are tough choices! Luckily, when you visit Ecuador, you do not have to choose. You can have it all.

Ecuador is a small country, but it boasts terrain ranging from lush, exotic rainforest, rugged mountain ranges, and gorgeous coastline. The cities offer refinement and culture, while the natural world offers an endless spectacle of beauty. Here is our top three must-sees:

The Galapagos Islands

This destination cannot not be on this list! If in Ecuador, you simply must go. View endemic species, including Galapagos penguins, bird watch to your heart’s content, snorkel, scuba dive, swim, and marvel at the spring flowers. In colder weather, you will see an astonishing array of fish, drawn by the cold water plankton. If you love nature, science, ecology, and/or adventure, this is a destination that you will never forget.

Historic Quito

From the wilds to the cultural center of Ecuador. Quito’s historic center is nestled 2800 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains, and just as Ecuador’s famed wildlife tells a vivid story of the land, Quito tells the story of its people. You will find gorgeous chapels, colonial churches, monasteries, museums, estates, and stunning architecture. Visit the Street of the Seven Crosses, San Diego Cemetery, San Marcos Quarters, Quito Cathedral, and other fascinating, rich cultural spots.

Salinas Beach

If you are tired from all your nature wandering and historic exploring, treat yourself to a day (or two, or three…) at the gorgeous Salinas Beach. Spend the night at the first class accommodations and get up early to hit the beach to enjoy white (and grey) sand, mild waves, and a refreshing island breeze. After a day soaked in sun, cool off by walking along the boardwalk and whiling away your evening people-watching and nature-watching.

When many people think of Ecuador, they think of the Galapagos Islands. While certainly a jewel in Ecuador’s crown, there is plenty more to see, do, and experience. This is an ideal location for viewing beautiful animals, amazing scenery, and enjoying a friendly, proud culture. Ecuador comes very, very close to paradise on Earth.…

In spite of being famous for its oil wealth and beauty queens, Venezuela has much more to offer the international traveler. The country boasts of Andean peaks and great beaches. The beaches especially are worth the trouble of visiting. There are large expanses of sun and sand and water where you can go swimming and sunbathing. Venezuelans are used to Americans and Europeans and one can casually move around in bikinis and shorts on the beaches of Venezuela. This cultural inclusiveness of the people is something that is just great. With its long beaches – the longest stretch of Caribbean coastline found in any single nation – the country should be on the must visit list of all sun and sand worshippers.

The waters off the coast are an enchanting azure and there are many small and big islands off the coast that one can visit. You can also indulge in adventure sports such as hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, kitesurfing, windsurfing, paragliding and more. All these attractions are found in close proximity to each other. With travel being cheap here, you will find it relatively inexpensive to indulge in all these sports if adventure tourism is what you are looking for. If you want to admire the beauty of nature, you must visit the world’s highest waterfalls, the Angel Falls. The nightlife in the clubs at the national capital is also great and will keep you entertained for the duration of your holiday. You can also make a trip up the steamy Amazon and watch the aquatic life in it.…

The global traveler should not miss out on Venezuela because of its reputation for brash oil wealth. Apart from its oil and mineral wealth – for the country also produces gold and diamonds – the nation is endowed with some of the best beaches and forests found on this planet. It also has a great and thriving nightlife for the people of this country who love to party and make merry. They live life to the full and their zest for life is reflected in their clubs and nightlife as well.

The oil wealth gives Venezuelans an inexpensive mode of transport and one can motor around the country seeing all the sights. Moreover, there is plenty to see and plenty to do. One can take in the beaches of Cumana and see the coral reefs there. One can also visit the rain forests of the Amazon in Venezuela’s own stretch of the famous river. One can indulge in water and other adventure sports and enjoy the nightlife at Caracas.

Venezuela, in other words, offers everything to everybody. Whether you are the kind that wants to laze around soaking up the sun or the kind to indulge in adventure sports Venezuela is the place for you. You can also see nature at its best in this country, for they have succeeded in preserving vast tracts of the Amazon forest in its majestic beauty. When in the country make it a point to visit the Angel Falls – the world’s highest. The view is simply superb. You will be astounded by the beauty of the falls and fall in love with the place.

1. The Palace de Miraflores began life in 1884 and was designed to be the residence of Joaquin Crespo. Today it is the official workplace of the President of Venezuela. Furniture was imported from Spain and today the palace is filled with beautiful artwork, sculptures and memorabilia.

2. The National Pantheon of Venezuela began life in 1874 as a church. It has since become the resting place and tribute to Simon Bolivar (the liberator of much of South America) and several other Venezuelan heroes. Bolivar’s gold sarcophagus fills the Nave and altar. Other heroes line the walls and aisles. The vault contains paintings from Bolivar’s life and an elegant chandelier was installed in 1883.

3. The Caracas Cathedral is a magnificent edifice constructed in 1674 on the site of an earlier church. It is the official seat of the Archdiocese of Caracas. Simon Bolivar’s parents and wife are buried here. Interestingly, Bolivar was entombed here from 1842 to 1876 when it was moved to the Pantheon.

4. The Inglesia de San Francisco is a beautiful church built in 1593 and dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. It was the site of the funeral of Simon Bolivar. It is one of the oldest churches in South America.

5. The Mosque of Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim constructed in 1993 can hold over 3,500 worshippers. The Mosque occupies over 15,000 square feet and is the second largest in Latin America.

6. Altimara is the most influential neighborhood in Caracas, with the highest priced real estate in Venezuela. The Plaza Francia is located here, which is a beautiful fountain and obelisk. It is a lovely place to spend a morning or afternoon just watching people and perhaps enjoying lunch in one of the many restaurants nearby.

7. Pico Naiguatá is a mountain near Caracas, rising to over 9,000 feet. A picturesque village is located at the bottom and the short trip will be worth the view. Spend some time in the small village seeing what life is like in this authentic Venezuelan village.

As with all my articles on travel, I try to do the highlights as much as possible. What to put in and what to leave out are always a challenge. Caracas and the surrounding area have so much to offer, but it is just not possible to cover everything.…

Venezuela is known for its natural beauty and wide range of flora and fauna. Whether you are looking to spend time in the mountains, beaches or even a desert, Venezuela is the place to be. There are so many tourist attractions in Venezuela that it is impossible to count them.

The biggest attraction besides its natural beauty and beaches is the Angel Falls. This is a free falling waterfall, and it is the largest one in the world. It falls a massive 3,000 feet. Besides this, the country is home to the Henri Pittier National Park, which is replete with different species of plants and animals, some of which are also endangered species.

People who love architecture will enjoy their time in Venezuela. There are many magnificent churches that are dotted all over the country. Most of the churches are from the Spanish colonial era, and each one is a testament of Venezuela’s colonial past. Churches like La Iglesia de Santa Barbara, Plaza de la Chinita and Basilica de Chiquinquira are worth visiting and marveling over. These churches are located at Maracaibo. In the same place, you will also find ruins of old Spanish fortresses that are worth visiting.

One of the Venezuela tourist attractions that you should not miss is the Castillo San Carlos De Borromeo. It is a fort built on an island somewhere between 1664 and 1684. This old fort still has lookout towers that were built on all the four sides. The place is an excellent one if you want to get an idyllic view of the port.…

If you are thinking of heading to South America, Venezuela is a country that should be on your list. Despite what you read in the media, there is little unrest and you should be fine as long as you use common sense.

Things to See in Venezuela

Visitors to Venezuela have an option of a calming resort experience, a cultural metropolis break in the cities or a more rural experience of just cruising around the country. Venezuela is bounded to the north by the Caribbean, to the east by Guyana and the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by Brazil, and to the west and southwest by Colombia.

It is considered a bit of an oddity because it is both rich from oil revenues, yet has the distinct class separation one tends to see in South America. Simply put, there are those who are very wealthy and those who are very poor. The idle class as we know it is very small.

One of the most splendid destinations in the country is Caracas. Caracas is located in a striking valley on the north coast. It is Venezuela’s capital and is a busy city of nearly 5 million people. Speedy, progressive and multi ethnic, the city is now extremely ‘Yankeefied,’ keeping in mind the nature of its regal roots. While it has some of the most extraordinary contemporary architecture in South America, Caracas is also a abode to a huge span of ranchos, extensive slums of tin hut and cardboard boxes jacketing the nearby hills that home the poor. In this way, the city is a microcosm of the overall class struggle in the country.

Salto Angel Falls is another exotic tourist destination in Venezuela. Salto Angel Falls falls almost over a kilometer. It is the leading magnetism of Canaima National Park. At 979 meters, it is the highest waterfall in the world. The best time to view it is during the rainy season from May to November. During the dry season, the waterfall slows to a veritable dribble.

If you are a baseball fan, a visit to Venezuela will be like a trip to heaven. The country is fanatical about its baseball. Top players often end up in the major leagues in the US, particularly shortstops. Famous Venezuelan players include David Concepción, Andrés Galarraga, Omar Vizquel, Bobby Abreu, and Johan Santana. The season runs from October to December, but pickup games are going on all the time.

At the end of the day, Venezuela is definitely a country worth seeing. From the sophistication of Caracas to the surrounding slums to the rabid baseball fans, it is a country with a unique culture and character.…

Flaunting the third-longest river, South America’s largest lake, the highest waterfall in the world and longest snake in the world, Venezuela is a spectacular land. With the Amazonian jungle, to its south, Peaks of Andes to its west and exotic Gran Sabana plateau to its east and white sandy beaches on the Caribbean coast, Venezuela is resplendent with bountiful nature. With all these assets, Venezuela becomes a great tourist spot to spend those fun-filled vacations.

A major attraction in Venezuela is a group of 300 sandy islands called Los Roques. The islands and islets are located in the aquamarine waters, to the northern part of Caracas. The tourists, who wish to pursue water sports, can engage in diving and snorkeling. In 1972, the entire archipelago was declared as a national park. The waters that surround the archipelago are rich in marine life like lobsters and the majority of the islands are uninhabited.

Another famous spot is the Guacharo Cave, which is Venezuela’s longest cave system. The inhabitants of the 10.2 km cave are the guacharo or oil bird. The bird lives in complete darkness and searches for food, during the night. During the months of August to December, a large number of Guacharos come to the cave that is filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

Delta del Orinoco is a nature lover’s paradise with islands, channels, mangroves and swamps. it is one of the world’s greatest river deltas and captivating regions. Howler monkeys, Piranhas and parrots make the delta more attractive. The River splits into 40 channels and flows along the Atlantic coast. The inhabitants of the delta are the Warao Indians or the Canoe people.

The Parque Nacional Henri Pitter is the most diverse and oldest of the national parks, in Venezuela. The park has a long coastline, a variety of bird species, suitable for bird-watchers, a few paths that can be traversed by the hikers and colonial towns and the park resonates with the African drum beats. The park was established in the year 1937 and named after the Swiss Botanist Henri Pittier. The park’s highlights are the variety of bird species that amount to about 600. The animals housed in the park include deer, tapirs, pumas, peccaries, ocelots, armadillos, snakes, and bats. The park is home to colonial towns like Puerto Colombia.

The world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls is Venezuela’s much sought after tourist attraction. It is 979 meters high and is sixteen times higher than Niagara Falls. The cascade gushes and falls into the Devila canyon. The falls is named after Jimmie Angel, an American Bush pilot. Only when traveling by boat can you get close to the Waterfalls.

Venezuela offers tourists of all types something to cherish. It can be a haven for trekkers, hikers, water sports lovers, beach lovers and nature. The hikers can explore the mountainous regions of the flat-topped sandstone mountains, Roraima. The adventurous can climb the mountain and rock formations and satisfy their daring side. For the beach lovers, the long stretches of sandy beaches will suffice and for the nature lovers, the bountiful nature of Venezuela with rivers, waterfalls and exotic natural settings make Venezuela a great place to visit and enjoy.…

Venezuela is situated on the South American continent. Islands along with main lands, diverse ecological environments like flora and fauna are the center of attraction. The tropical climate further enhances the beauty of Venezuela.

It is among the most famous countries, known for its urban spots in Latin America. The places in Venezuela are perfect getaways and unforgettable destinations for wildlife lovers, especially if they are students and researchers. Only this property of the country is sufficient enough to make it a tremendous place to spend your vacations. Experiences gained become a memorable part of life.

Various reasons are there to opt for this country. Heritage and culture of Venezuela make it versatile. Architecture, historic buildings, landscapes and monuments are the permanent assets of the country; explaining its more than 15,000 years old history.

Here are some of the places to visit in Venezuela when you make a trip to the country.

* Large beaches and cities are extremely hospitable and add charm to the country.

* Miranda and Vargas are among the most famous cities. These places are quite densely populated.

* A unique place is situated in Guiana Highlands. Here people will feel very close to nature. In addition, it is the home to Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. The sight of the waterfall is awe-inspiring, and the surroundings are home to many rare and endangered wildlife.

* Grasslands, forests, rivers, mountains landscapes are the well known facts about Venezuela.

* Giant anteaters and jaguars are some of the animals that are found in the forests of Venezuela. Overall it is a wonderful place to taste the flavor of tropical wildlife.

People, who really love the beauty and mystery of nature, must visit the country at least once. The enigmatic beauty of Venezuela may also help you to discover or rediscover yourself.…