The beautiful and exotic country of Costa Rica sits in between Panama and Nicaragua in the heart of Central America. Just over 19,700 sq miles in area, this tiny nation has the distinction of being called ‘one of the most biodiverse places on earth’ by the National Geographic magazine. Encompassing just 0.1% of the planet’s surface, which is roughly smaller than the state of West Virginia, Costa Rica is home to over 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Another unknown fact about this tiny country is that in terms of species per 10,000 sq km, Costa Rica sits atop the list with 615 wildlife species.

One of the most peaceful and politically stable countries in the Americas with no standing army, Costa Rica is a nature wonderland for those who are looking for fun and excitement. The ideal place if one just wants to relax on the beach and chill or explore the crater of a dormant volcano; Costa Rica is the place to be! Now among the premier destinations in the world for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike, there is never a dull moment here with so much to do and even more to discover.

Hike your way through some of the densest and remote rainforests known to man; get some up close views of an active volcano; surf some of the most amazing waves in the world; encounter the most exotic flora and fauna; scuba dive with dolphins, turtles and whales; zip high across jungles for fascinating canopy tours; and trek across some of the most beautiful landscapes into a whole new world, amid the stunning cloud forests that sit high atop the mountains.

With such amazing beauty it is no wonder then that Costa Rica has a rich ecological diversity, because nowhere else in the world has so many habitats been squeezed into one small place. Home to over 10% of the world’s butterfly species, Costa Rica is also the habitat of more than 850 species of birds, endemic and migratory. The marine ecosystem here is unlike any in the world, with an array of marine mammals from various kinds of whales to Olive Ridley sea turtles to the rare and endangered West Indian manatee found here.

For those who are looking for some excitement and adventure, head on to the surf points of Witches Rock along the Guanacaste shoreline or the superb Salsa Brava near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean Coast. If you prefer staying on land, then a hike to the summit of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano offers some fabulous views of the surrounding region. Traverse through the Parque Nacional Corcovado, one of the most lush and secluded national parks in the country or river raft down the famous Rio Savegre, considered among the cleanest rivers in Central America. If you enjoy heights then a canopy tour offers a unique way to view the gorgeous rainforests below, while rappeling down waterfalls is the latest adventure craze to hit Costa Rica.

Map out a luxury holiday or backpack exciting adventure vacation here, but don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can explore this tiny Latin American country within a week. The landscape here can often be quite treacherous especially during the rainy season, therefore a map is a great way to chart out your way across the country, if you are not using a tour or travel guide. To have a great holiday, make sure your maps are up to date and carefully plan your trip with the help of a reputed guidebook or travel website.

For more details see our original and exclusive maps at govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/map.asp govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/map.asp. Determined to provide you with extensive travel information on this biodiverse country, GoVisitCostaRica.com GoVisitCostaRica.com has on hand comprehensive maps for you to use. Beach maps, regional maps, provincial maps, city maps, national park maps and domestic airline maps can all be found here letting you enjoy the very best of Costa Rica.

General summary of city:

The city of Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is a modern city that is rich in medieval and art-nouveau buildings. Brussels is steeped in rich history with plenty of museums and galleries and a pulsating cultural life.

Brussels is also the administrative center of the European Union, which has earned the city the title ‘the capital of Europe’. The business sector in Brussels is booming with international agencies taking root in the city, however not at the expense of the rich cultural history. The juxtaposition of past and present is evident in Brussels with blocks lined with international businesses and their advanced steel and glass high rises which are only a few steps away from cobbled streets and medieval architecture that speaks of the city’s flavourful past.

With a mixture of French and Flemish culture and language, Brussels is steeped in history and culture, with something for everyone to enjoy. The nightlife culture of Brussels, complete with clubs and pubs to enjoy add to the eclectic ambience of this fair city in Belgium. During the day, as business booms throughout the week, there is a wide variety of attractions for visitors and locals to enjoy, regardless of age. Families enjoy Belgium for its unique atmosphere which embraces every aspect of family life and socialization for adults.

Places of interest:

Brussels boasts over a century of history which lends too many intriguing sights to visit and see in the city and immediate area. Brussels possesses the most fabulous market square and the highest concentration of restaurants in the entire world.

The Petite Rue des Bouchers, which translates to street of the butchers is located in the medieval center of Brussels and is most famous for the simple fact that every building on the street is a restaurant. The roadway is very narrow and is closed to automobile traffic, which allows for the restaurants to boast their wares in spectacular fashion, while on wider parts of the road, restaurants feature outdoor eating areas.

The central market square in Brussels is known as the Grand’ Place, which is notably the most beautiful in the world. A 15th century Town Hall dominates the Grand’ Place with hundreds of small statues and an elegant tower is surrounded by 17th century buildings with golden inlays which surround the entire square. Other places of interest to visit is the Manneken Pis, the Saint Michael cathedral, the Atomium, the Palais de Justice as well as a plethora of parks including the impressive Bois de la Cambre and the forest to which it once belonged, the Foret de Soignes which features birch trees that are hundreds of years old.

Brussels features many interesting sights for the whole family – business people, families, nature lovers, culture devotees and historians alike.

Things to do:

There is a wide variety of things to do in Brussels, regardless of your age or fancies. For those who love to dine, you could spend an eternity sampling all the wonderful restaurants and eateries in Brussels, which boasts itself as having the highest concentration of restaurants in the world. The restaurants in Brussels feature a wide variety of food types and styles for anyone’s palate.

For those who want to take in the rich history of Brussels, there is a surplus of museums that boast the wonderful and flavourful richness of a millennium in Brussels.

Sightseeing is plentiful in Brussels with many 15th and 17th century buildings around the city. Declaring a beautiful surrounding with intricately designed buildings from these centuries, the city of Brussels promises a wonderful view in any direction. With beautiful boulevards, picturesque squares, parks and a very active cultural life in every sense of the word, there is something for everyone in Brussels. You can take in a movie or a play at a theatre, enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants, and visit the monuments and places of great interest that abound in this beautiful city.

Brussels is steeped in over 1000 years of history and beauty for each individual to unfold whether visiting or moving to the city.

Food & Drink:

Brussels is all about the food. Because Brussels has the highest concentration of restaurants in all the world, the dining industry is literally one of the most prolific in the city. The Petite Rue des Bouchers (the street of butchers) is literally lined with restaurants. Every single building on the street is a restaurant that caters to a variety of flavours and tastes.

Throughout this beautiful historical city, restaurants, eateries and quaint cafes abound, offering up a dish of enlightening flavor to satisfy any palate. There is, of course, plenty of French food and Flemish food, but with the coming of immigrants to Brussels, there is an increasing variety of foods from other cultures and countries throughout the world. Within the streets of Brussels, you can find Western cooking, Lebanese flavourings, Greek, Mexican – really any ethnic food flavouring that your heart could desire.

To go to Brussels means to enjoy good food in a beautiful atmosphere. Brussels is known world wide for its upper class restaurants and small, cozy eateries that are both quaint and classy.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Silken Residence

Le Châtelain All Suites Hotel

Hilton Brussels

Minotel Chambord

Le Méridien Bruxelles

Eazires Europarthotel Avenue Louise

Hotel Villa Royale

Hotel le Dixseptieme

Sun Hotel

New Hotel Charlemagne

Hotel L’auberge Du Souverain

Aristote

Hotel Continental

Hotel le Chantecler

Hotel De Fierlant

Hotel Erasme

Rijckendael Hotel

Eurostars Royal Embassy Grand Place

Entertainment:

Brussels is very much a city of the night. There is a bustling nightlife in Brussels in the many clubs, discotheques, bars and restaurants. There is always something to do in Brussels.

During the day, the museums offer a great deal of entertainment for the entire family. With the wealth of history and past culture in Brussels, everyone in the family will find the museums, galleries and culture centers interesting and intriguing.

There are a wide variety of cultural festivals that are also offered throughout the city at various times of the year ranging in depth from family fun to adult entertainment.

Fun for the whole family is offered in the heart of Belgium in the capital city of Brussels. Movie theatres, shopping centers, parks, forests, museums, cultural centers and places of interest abound in this gorgeous city. Boredom is nearly impossible in Brussels – there is always something to do or see in this fair city. A rich social life is just around the corner in Brussels, all you have to do is see what they have to offer during your visit.

Biography:

Author: Meredith Booney

Website:

Panama is blessed with some of the most immaculate beaches, diverse jungles, and clear waters in all of Central America, and because the country is small (about the size of South Carolina) all of its bounty is easily accessible from its capital: Panama City. Some of Panama’s tour operators are already venturing into the country’s mysterious and untamed rainforest in the South—the Darien. With such biodiversity and rich cultural heritage, Panama is making a name for itself as the ultimate eco-tourism hub.

The country’s Caribbean coast is known for spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving, perhaps best exhibited in the northern archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Bocas first became a spot on the radar for military purposes and now boasts some of the best outdoor activities—such as sport fishing and island hopping—that the country has to offer.

Also on the Caribbean coast sits the San Blas archipelago: a stunning group of over 360 islands owned by the Kuna Indians. This region, or comarca as its referred to, retains strict laws for development and tourism, therefore, keeping its old-world charm and seemingly timeless virgin appeal. Trips to San Blas are a cultural experience of a lifetime, living with, eating alongside, and becoming friends with a tribe who has fought off nearly 500 years of colonial confrontation.

The Chiriqi province, and most notably its leader in tourism Boquete, have attracted a strong following as well—appealing to eco-tourists, nature lovers, and adventurers who are always in search of something a little different. Boquete boasts perhaps the fastest rise in real estate and is home to numerous developments and tour companies looking to cater to your every need.

Panama City is a living history book, every corner you turn offering a peak into the past, the way past, and sometimes even the future. The Panama Canal is easily the most recognizable of these attractions, and with its beautiful museum, observatory area, and information booths, it seems like its not letting up anytime soon. Casco Viejo, which used to be the city’s center still thrives today as this unique historic look into an earlier period.

Walk down the cobblestone streets, or eat lunch on a breezy afternoon in one of its open plazas, surrounded by rich Spanish architecture and feel what can only be described as a blast from the past. Panama City’s Amador Causeway, again originally of military purpose, now plays host to a bunch of trendy nightlife spots, zesty restaurants, and boutique shops for browsing. Panama also boasts, that its one of the few world capitals with a rainforest in its city limits.

From Panama City you can take an easy boat trip out to the Pearl Islands, known for their lush tropical rainforest and perfect beaches. Because domestic flights in Panama are so reasonable and safe, it seems that almost any attraction in this country is an option. Perhaps have coffee on the Caribbean coast then swing on over to the Pacific for some waffles. Where else can you say you’ve done that before?

Until recently, Panama has been a secret among world travelers. A secret no one really wanted to let out. But now that it has gotten out of the bag, more and more people are experiencing what life is like…in a country known once for its canal, and now for a whole lot more.

Matt works with panama-experts.com Panama land for sale and panama-experts.com Panama properties

Nestled deep in south east Europe lays a little country with a big heart. For those who ever visit this country they leave with a sense of love and happiness that they have never felt before, this country is Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is hidden by its huge neighbours like Greece and Turkey, who are giants in the tourism world. What sets Bulgaria apart is the fact that it is only just growing in stature as a tourist hotspot so still keeps its cultural identity for all who visit to see.

The main tourist attractions in Bulgaria are the Golden Sands resort near Varna and the Sunny Beach resort near Bourgas, both by the Black Sea. Both resorts offer summer sunshine, golden beaches and restaurants aplenty. There are also the amazing ski resorts of Borovets and Pamporovo, which offer many ski slopes for all skill levels, also plush hotels and chalets for all who visit.

Even though these places may be the main attraction, there is more to Bulgaria than meets the eye as it boasts some of the oldest cities in Europe, monuments that are thousands of years old, and a wonderful host of traditions that have been handed down from parent to child for hundreds, and thousands of years.

For those who prefer to wander off the beaten track there is also a host of small villages and towns that have a personality of there own and are a must see on any trip.

The locals in Bulgaria are a wonderful group of people who are ever so hospitable; always have time to spare and a big smile for a stranger.

If you have been thinking long and hard about where to visit this year for your holiday, then give Bulgaria a thought as she is just waiting for you to visit.

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