Riding the Bonde Train into Another Century – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Posted September 30, 2009 , comments closedRiding the Bonde Train into Another Century – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Just as San Francisco and New Orleans have their clattering streetcars, throwbacks to another era, Rio has their own streetcars, the bonde trem.
They once crisscrossed the city. But today, Rio’s last streetcar line runs from Centro through the charming Santa Teresa neighborhood and back, conjuring up visions of days gone by.
There’s even a bonde train museum, Museu do Bonde, if you find yourself jonesing for a history lesson.
In case you don’t make it there, the trains began in 1865 and originally were pulled by donkeys. The trains are called bondes since the first electric trains were financed by a public bond.
If you’ve seen the classic film, Black Orpheus, you know that Orpheus worked as a conductor on a bonde train.
The bondinho’s ubiquitous clattering through the cobblestone streets of Santa Teresa give it a unique feel in modern-day Rio.
It costs less than a dollar to experience this little time machine, but the kids who run alongside the train and hang onto the rail hop on and off at will, riding the running boards for free.
The bondes leave every 30 minutes from Centro and travel along two routes. They both pass over the Arcos da Lapa and head into the heart of bohemian Santa Teresa.
I’ll write more about Santa Teresa another time, because I love it and there’s lots to explore there. You may have heard it was the home of British train robber Ronnie Biggs for many years.
Bohemian to the core, Santa Teresa is full of characters, including artists, writers, photographers and others who crave an authentic sense of place.
It’s full of great restaurants, beautiful homes and B-and-B’s where you can stay, such as Casa Mango Mango. If you decide to stay there, say hi to Julie for me.
A visit to Santa Teresa is a must on your trip to Rio. And riding the bonde train is your ticket to a bygone era.
You can read more about Rio on John’s blog at www.riotudobom.com
A Twin Break Havana and Cayo Coco
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Think of Cuba and, apart from cigars, one of the first things that comes to mind is her fabulous beaches and wonderful Caribbean sunshine. But increasingly Cuba is becoming renowned as a unique destination, able to offer not only the luxury of a resort style beach holiday in places such as Cayo Coco, but also the culture and open-faced charm of her capital city, Havana. Many visitors are combining their Cayo Coco holidays with a two or three night stay in a Havana hotel and experiencing the best of both worlds in Cuba. Hotels will ensure that you can get to the airport quickly and easily, and with a flight of only 30 or 40 minutes separating the two destinations, it is possible to leave your Havana hotel after breakfast and be lying on the beach in Cayo Coco before lunch! Havana One of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world, Havana is simply intoxicating. It is no wonder that literary luminaries such as Ernest Hemmingway were as captivated by her charms as her visitors of today. Her architecture is a fusion of Colonial, Baroque, Art Deco Neo-Classical and Art Nouveau and is a delightful mish-mash of styles. Heavily influenced by Spanish, Romans, Italians and Greeks, Havana is a world unto herself – but she knows exactly who she is. From your Havana hotel you can explore the many famous landmarks of the city, and your excursions could include the Hemmingway museum, the Baroque Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana and the Museo de la Revolución. You’ll see authentic Cuban locals looking like caricatures of a bygone era; leaning on silver topped walking sticks and smoking oversized cigars, you can see the faded influence of the movie stars and writers of the 1950’s. Havana has hugely rich and diverse culture that culminates in a melting pot of mayhem - but always with the underlying current of fun. Drink a Mojito at sunset with the ghost of Hemmingway, or perhaps spend an evening at the famous Tropicana club, and dance the night away to a heady mix of Cuban drums and Latin American cabaret. After a fun night out you can head back to your Havana hotel to begin dreaming of your Cayo Coco holidays the next day! Cayo Coco The perfect destination for a beach getaway – a holiday to Cayo Coco will fulfil all your ideals of an island paradise. Fine white sand, palm fringed coves and expansive stretches of beach that go on forever; this is the portrait of sunny Cuba. Hotels are wonderfully situated right on the beach so you can roll out of bed in the morning (or afternoon), and head straight for the ocean. If you’re feeling adventurous, Cayo Coco is home to the world’s second biggest coral reef, and many diving enthusiasts come specifically for the stunning underwater paradise that lies off Cayo Coco. Holidays in Cuba aren’t all about the beach though, and you can spend a few days exploring the many mountain trails that snake through the backdrop of the hinterland. Cayo Coco is the ideal place to relax and unwind after the buzz of your exciting adventure in the city, and by the time you head back to your Havana hotel to prepare for your journey home, you’ll feel like you’ve been on holiday for a month!
2 Day Trips From Son Bou
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If you’re looking for the epitome of a beach lovers paradise then look no further than the Menorcan resort of Son Bou. Holidays to this part of the world are popular with families and couples alike because of the diverse range of activities, and the absolutely stunning beach - widely regarded as the best on the island. Son Bou villas are situated conveniently close to the beach and amenities, creating a laid-back and inviting atmosphere. With so much fun to be had both on and off the beach on your Son Bou holiday, it is tempting never to leave the resort! However for a change of pace, it can be a great day out to jump in a car and explore other nearby attractions the island can offer. So take a deep breath, slide into the left-hand driver’s seat and set off on a day trip from Son Bou! Alaior Just a very short drive (or bus ride) from Son Bou, Alaior is a traditional Spanish town. With its white-washed buildings and network of narrow windy streets, Menorca’s third largest town has much to offer the day tripper. You should make time to visit the Sala Municipal D’Art Contemporani which depicts much of the Roman history of the island. There is also a bustling weekly market where you can barter for some of the local crafts to take home as a memento of your Son Bou holidays. Alaior is known as the cheese capital of Menorca so you must sample the famous local cheeses, some of which are cured for up to two years. There is plenty of other local produce at the markets too, and you can stock up for a dinner at home in your Son Bou villa. Every summer Alaior plays host to a music festival in the courtyard of an old convent, and if you’re lucky enough to be enjoying your Son Bou holidays in August you can experience the fantastic Fiesta de Sant Llorenc, with some incredible horseback high jinks from the locals! Ciutadella Nicknamed Vella I Bella – “Old and beautiful” – Ciutadella is indeed both, and well worth the drive to visit while on your Son Bou holiday. It is rich in local culture and even though tourism has made its mark, the former capital of the island has retained its authentic medieval charm. It is a delightfully lively port town and was an important trading centre in the middle ages. Although the capital was moved to Mahon in the 18th century, Cuitadella has remained the island’s religious centre because the bishop refused to move! The town has an interesting history; at one time during Turkish occupation, the entire population of over 3000 residents was sold into slavery in the markets of Istanbul. The town has some wonderful examples of Gothic and Baroque inspired architecture, and you can wander up to the old square and visit the cathedral which dates back to 1287. If you’re feeling lazy after your explorations of the town, you can bask in the sunshine at one of the many harbour side cafes, or stroll around the port admiring the brightly coloured boats. After a lovely day spent enjoying some culture, you can head back down the road to your beautiful Son Bou villa to rest up and get ready to hit the beach again tomorrow!
The Most Scenic Roads in England, Scotland and Wales
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Courier work can be monotonous, driving the same routes day in day out and delivering the same packages to the same people. So when you find a delicious roadside diner or travel a particularly scenic route on your next courier job it can make the world of difference. These are what we feel are some of the most scenic roads in the UK. Cheddar Gorge If you’re lucky enough to have courier work in Somerset then you could find yourself driving the scenic route of the Cheddar Gorge. This route offers owner drivers a diverse range of scenery from the towering cliffs and rock formations of the gorge to the shaded beauty of the Mendip Forest. This road is a pleasure to drive whilst carrying out courier work, but you may want to return one day with the children so that you can visit the famous Wookey Hole Caves. These caves provide a nice rest from driving and the children are bound to enjoy the adventure trails and guided tours in the caves, which come complete with their own witch. However, on an owner driver job you’ll just have to put up with the relaxing drive through immense cliffs and a pretty tree-lined valley. The only problem with this route is the crowds so you may want to restrict courier jobs in this area to autumn and winter only. Snowdonia Your courier insurance might not stretch to letting you climb Mount Snowdon, so instead you may have to face just driving past it on a courier job. The towering mountain is the third most visited national park in England and Wales and driving in this area offers spectacular views of snow-capped mountain peaks and countryside scenery. The Snowdonia area can be reached by three main roads, the A55, A5 and A470. However, if you have a spare hour or two in between courier jobs, we recommend taking the route from Betws Y Coed. This route takes in the towering Pont-y-Pair Falls before you head on the A4086 towards the summit of Snowdon. Continuing along this road will take you straight into the Pass of Llanberis on a 1,169 foot ascent into the mountains and then onto the Beddgelert, in the heart of the mountains. Loch Tay, Perthshire Courier work in Scotland can be interesting with long, winding roads across the Highlands and little other traffic on the road. The most scenic road in Scotland is actually fairly short and so you’ll want to savour every minute of the drive. The road starts at the A827 and gently meanders around the picturesque shores of Loch Tay. Whilst carrying out your owner drivers in this area you will be awarded with spectacular views of the silvery lake on one side and towering highlands on the other. If you have a spare minute you may want to consider stopping to take part in some of the many watersports that this lake offers or carry onto Aberfeldy for a spot of lunch at the House of Menzies. Whilst here you can also visit The Highland Chocolatier and pick up some delicious chocolates as a memento of one of your most interesting courier jobs.
How To Treat Your Family To An Overseas Vacation On A Budget
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Is it the perfect time to pack your family up and explore untamed Africa, or the melting pot of different cultures in Europe, or perhaps marvel at the spectacular Rocky Mountains of Canada? As the seasons of time, of work and of school pass, so may opportunities of vacationing as a family unit. Therefore, you may need to ensure that you put forth earnest effort so that you can make an easy transition from not just talking about the trip to actually affording the trip and taking it. We all know that vacations are not cheap. Not only is the cost of airfare but also the money required at your destination. You’ll need to keep the tickets for your plane flight to a minimum thus ensuring you have ample funds remaining for accommodation, entertainment and meals. Another possibility is to go during the week. Weekend getaways tend to be popular and therefore cost more money. Take into account traveling midweek to acquire savings when it comes to accommodation bookings and entertainment tickets. Additionally airline tickets generally tend to be costly. There are various options that you may be able to take and have a pleasant flight and save money on the price. Keep in mind that you are going to have to do your research to become educated in what precisely a good deal is and what a bad deal is. You’ll soon discover that there are more than a hundred websites that may give you a good airline deal, but you’ll find that each and every one of the offers is unique. There are numerous ways to secure cheaper airline tickets, but it’s imperative that you do your research and planning. Firstly, allow yourself some time to plan. You may want to start at the beginning of the year to track down the best deals and packages and then to coordinate your bookings. In this way you will be able to beat the vacation rush and get your tickets before they disappear. For instance, during the summer months it can be tricky to get a good flight in and out of a destination area. Certain things will affect your price and your flight. The time of your departure is one of the prerequisites that will ascertain some of your discounts. Basically, an early morning flight will be cheaper than a flight that is near to being sold out. Keep in mind that there are some sites that search for your flights according to time. So you may not be able to obtain the desired price for the desired time that you wish to leave. When it comes to finding the deals, you’ll also want to check with travel agents, because they will be able to hook you up with some great deals that you may not find online. Travel agents offer many advantages that websites may not have. Due to their business longevity, travel agents have established relationships with many airlines and tourism operators so thus they can offer you discount rates that you just wouldn’t secure online. Personalized service is one of the greatest advantages of dealing through an agency. So, by being flexible in your travel dates and departure time, by booking your reservations early and dealing through a travel agent you may increase your chances of getting the lowest fares possible and finally treating your family to that overseas vacation.
You’ll want to make sure that you think about the date before you pick it. Check there are no major events in the area during that time. If it is a busy period of the year, there is no ways that you’ll be able to find anything cheap.