With Cape Point at its tip, this is perhaps the most popular section of Table Mountain National Park, and is one of the top tourist destinations in South Africa.

Visitors can see a variey of wildlife such as antelopes like bontebok eland and red hartebeest, cheeky chacma baboons, an array of reptiles and a great selection of birds - it literally teems with life.

This area of Cape Town's South Peninsula, is also steeped in history, for it is here that the great Portuguese voyagers Bartholomew Dias and Vasco da Gama historically rounded the Cape in the 16th century, and opened up sea trade routes between east and west.

Shipwrecks:

The coastline is littered with the wrecks of ships that fell prey to the violent storms and deceiving reefs that have earned this passage the accolade, "Cape of Storms". The original Cape Point Lighthouse still stands and visitors can take the funicular up the hill to see for themselves, the treacherous conditons that caused it to be erected in the first place. While at Cape Point, dine at the Two Oceans Restaurant, which boasts spectacular sea views. If you prefer a picnic, head down to Buffels Bay - but you may have company, so look out for baboons. Be sure to visit the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centere for coffee and a snack, while looking at the exhibits showing all the plans and animals of each season.

Boulders Penguin Colony:

Visit the famous Boulders Beach colony of African Penguins. This is a truly special experience, with the option of a guided tour. After you have fallen in love with the penguins, swim in the comparatively warm sheltered coves, ideal for children. But don't touch or feed the penguins - they can give a nasty bite.

Signal Hill, Lions Head and Devils Peak:

These three peaks flank Table Mountain and together hold Cape Town in a rocky embrace. Signal Hill is home to the noonday gun, which marks midday in Cape Town with a bang. A drive to the top of Signal Hill offers uninterrupted views of Table Bay and endless Atlantic Ocean. Lions Head peak has become something of a pilgrimage for Capetonions, who make the rocky climb to witness the full moon rising. Devils Peak protrudes from the flat line of Table Mountain and has challenging slopes.

Picnic Sites:

Silvermine picnic and braai sites and wheel chair-friendly boardwalk (half an hour south of the city), overlook a picturesque reservoir in which you can take a refreshing swim. Half way back to the city is the popular jogging and picnic area in Newlands Forest, while on the Atlantic coastline is the beachside Oudekraal braai an picnic site.

By: Gerald Crawford Stellenbosch
Gerald Crawford: born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa and the United Kingdom. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: gerald@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za.

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If you love nature and want to know more about Mexican history, visit XCaret, an hour south of Cancun. Having lived in the nearby city of Playa del Carmen and worked as the illustrator for this company years ago, I spent a large amount of time there, and it is stunning.

What exactly is this place? It's a combination of zoo, aviary, butterfly garden, amusement park (without rides) and outdoor natural history museum and more. Situated within the Mexican jungle, you board a bus at the main Cancun-Tulum corridor road, and it takes you down a lush jungle road to the park. It is a large complex, so expect to spend the whole day there, and use vast quantities of sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned while there.

Walking into XCaret's main building, holding the gift shop and dioramas of major Mayan ruin sites, you will see a snack area. Sometimes there are events that happen in this building, which is the gateway to the park. Make sure to go to the gift shop, there are many lovely nature-related items for sale. You may even find something with my artwork on it, as many of my designs were used for novelty items. There are posters (which I did not do) that were there before me, and are still being sold, that are incredibly original and beautiful work. This isn't your average tacky gift shop, it's impressive.

When you walk into the park itself, you are walking into a maze of exhibits and attractions, woven by paths throughout a huge section of the Mexican jungle. There is an underground river cave, where you can go snorkeling. If you get to the park early, you'll be able to do this without being in too big a crowd. It's surreal to be carried by the water through a real underground cave, that winds around the park. Very relaxing. This is a great way to cool off, as the hot sun can get to you, even in the jungle.

There is a horseback riding stable. The horses are gorgeous Spanish-descent creatures, with long manes and elegant stature. But, when I was there, they were slow and just did what the horse in front of them did. If you want to gallop independently on the beach, forget it. They follow eachother in a line day in and day out, so they are trained to be trail horses only. It's fine if you are afraid of riding and want to try it, there's a high probability that none of them will buck you off. The ones I saw were mellow, not hyper.

Both the zoo and aviary have lovely animals that are indigenous to the Yucatan peninsula, such as jaguars, flamingos, parrots of many sizes and colors, a harpy eagle, spider monkeys, and more. All animals at the park are well taken care of. Many live in very elaborate, natural environments. The jaguars are kept on an island, separated from the tourists by a deep gorge. You can see them wiithout fear of them escaping, as they live their lives free from bars. It is a beautiful, large setup.

The lagoon is a scenic area that feeds into the Caribbean Sea, where you can go snorkeling or swim with dolphins. There are hammocks to rest in, for those who don't care to swim. This area is so colorful, with the deep turquoise water of the sea, the flowers, and palm trees all around. It is truly the full tropical experience. Stop and take a rest there.

At the amphitheatre, there are various shows worth seeing. These actors, dancers and musicians put their whole hearts and souls into their performances. For example, when I was there, they had a showcase of the different regional dances of Mexico, along with each area's characteristic costumes. It was spectacular. They have evening performances on different themes, expertly lit for the full night effect. It is all educational and great family fun.

When at the park, don't forget to stop by the numerous restaurants and snack areas. In Mexico, the wait staff will go out of their way in grand style to take excellent care of you, so tip them well. These jobs are in high demand, so they are taken very seriously. If you want top quality service, try the restaurant near the ocean, for scenery and great food.

Since my time at XCaret years ago, it has surely grown even more since then. Whatever has been added is surely innovative and educational. This establishment is pure class, they know how to take care of their customers and treat them right. Make sure to see all the sights and exhibits. You will walk away with a better understanding and appreciation for the Yucatan peninsula, its history and nature.

By: Carolyn McFann
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats. Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer.

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Mexico is such a large and diverse country and such a popular tourist destination that we have decided to give Mexico it's own seperate site, therefore in addition to the articles posted here you can also find articles posted at Mexico Travel Destinations

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Many people who take cruises to the Caribbean islands are interested in shopping. And in all the Caribbean, no other island compares to St Thomas when it comes to shopping. St Thomas is the “Mall Of The Caribbean”. You can find jewelry, watches, electronics, cameras, liquor, crystal, and even fine china. The main street of Charlotte Amalie is lined with dozens of little shops.

But your shopping should begin before you even leave home. First have an idea of what you are interested in buying. Are you looking for a particular model of camera, or watch? Maybe you are looking at upgrading the diamond in your engagement ring? Shop around your hometown, and find the best prices you can. You can even shop online if you want. Find the best deal for the items you are interested in. Write down the prices, and bring them with you to St Thomas. Now when you are in Charlotte Amalie, you will have a good idea of whether you are getting a bargain or not. If the price is good, but not great, ask the seller if they will come down a little bit. Offer them a lower price. What’s the worst that can happen? If they say no, there are probably other shops along the strip selling the same thing.

Keep in mind that you want a really good deal. If you buy a camera at home, and there is a problem, you can just hop in your car and return it or exchange it. On cruise, they won’t turn the ship around for you. So if you are only saving a little money on an expensive item, you might be better off buying it back at home just for the piece of mind.

Know what you are buying. Can you tell a real diamond from a fake diamond? I can’t! So I would be a little wary of buying an expensive stone from one of the smaller shops. Some of the larger stores are more reputable, and have deals with the cruise ships that if you are unsatisfied, the cruise line will help you straighten it out. But you can find fantastic deals on loose gem stones.

Another thing to be aware of is that some items being sold may be grey market, meaning they are not being sold through the normal distribution chain. What does this mean to you? It means that the manufacturer may refuse to honor the warranty on the item.

As of this writing, citizens of the United States are allowed to bring back $1600 worth of stuff from St Thomas, duty-free. You will have to pay a duty on stuff in excess of $1600. Keep in mind that this is per person! If you have a spouse, or children, each of them gets a $1600 duty-free allowance as well! Another neat thing is that loose precious gems (diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, etc) are considered rocks, and are duty free. That is unless you also are bringing back a mounting for it. Then the gem is considered to be intended for jewelry and is subject to duty. Since duty-free allowances are subject to change, or may have exceptions, check with cruise ship staff, or hotel staff as to your individual situation.

By: Robert Jacob
Rob Jacob loves to travel and runs a travel related blog at http://www.TravelWithRJ.com.

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Kuelap is an ancient and truly magnificent structure. The only place that can really compare to its size, mystery and grandeur is the Sanctuary of MachuPicchu, but even then, Kuelap is at least twice as old and quite a bit bigger- it is estimated to contain 3 times more material than Egypt's largest pyramid!

It was built by the Chachapoyas (meaning the warriors of the clouds), which was what the Inkas called these people (the name they used to refer to themselves is unknown). Very little is currently known of this culture and since the Incas and the Spanish conquistadors were the principal sources of information on the Chachapoyas, unbiased, first-hand information of this indigenous culture remains scarce. Much of what we do know about them is based on archaeological evidence from ruins, pottery, tombs and other artifacts.

The Chachapoyas were an Andean people who lived in the cloud forests of the Amazonas region of present-day Peru and one of the most advanced civilizations to develop in this tropical jungle region.

Studies of pre-Inka Chachapoya skeletal remains from Salsipuedes and other burial Sites indicate that the Chachapoyas were of Andean stock but, on average, taller than their contemporaries in other parts of ancient Peru (1.59 meters for men and 1.46 meters for women).

Among the scattered colonial descriptions of Chachapoyas, almost all the Chroniclers commented on the beauty and white skin of the women. Even Father Calancha succumbed to their beauty, noting:

"These are the... most graceful Indians in all the Indies and the women are the most beautiful." The chronicler Pedro Cieza de León described them: "They are the... most handsome of all the people that I have seen in Indies, and their wives were so beautiful that because of their gentleness, many of them deserved to be the Incas' wives and to also be taken to the Sun Temple (...) The women and their husbands always dressed in woolen clothes and in their heads they wear their llautos, which are a sign they wear to be known everywhere." Their art style also reflects a mix of local and exotic influences. According to the analysis of the Chachapoyas objects, their cultural goods have Andean roots and do not exhibit Amazon cultural tradition. The well-preserved burial offerings found near the Laguna de los Cóndores (the lake of the condors) are playing a vital part in revealing answers regarding the genesis of the style. Recurring images found throughout the area in pictographs and in textiles and gourds display human figures sporting feathered headdresses, which suggests common narratives and beliefs and the myths they reflect. Another image found near the laguna is that of a feline-like animal with fanged teeth. Such representations may reflect aspects of Chachapoya symbolism, whose meaning has been lost in time.

Kuelap is the biggest and most famous of Chachapoya architectural sites, only one among hundreds of similarly constructed settlements straddling ridges and clinging to mountain tops. It is presumed to have taken at least 200 years to complete and was only brought to the world's attention in1843, when it was found in remarkably good condition by Juan Crisóstomo Nieto. It was built on top of a huge mountain peak using millions of cubic feet of stone and consists of massive exterior stone walls, which contain more than four hundred buildings inside. It is roughly (no comma) 584m long and 110m Wide, with 20 meter high walls. Inside the Kuelap fortress can be found various structures whose use, or purpose, is a complete mystery. One, known as " El Tintero," is a large stone structure built in the shape of an inverted cone, a real challenge to the laws of gravity, since the diameter of its top is much larger than that of its bottom. Some think it was a prison. Others think it was an oracle observatory where the shaman would go inside to observe a special star pass over "the lens" to signal an exact time or event of the year. Around the fortress, set inside each of the five walls, are gigantic open doorways or portals. The best preserved portal, and probably the principal one, is 10m high and 3m wide. As you go inside the entryway you'll see a passage that looks like a ramp with walls and if you continue along this passage it will start to narrow down to a small tunnel until, eventually, it will only allow the passage of one person at a time. This would have been an ideal place to fend off enemies; since the walls are too high to scale or raise ladders to access, the gigantic doors would seem the logical way for an enemy to storm inside. However, once they had started up the ramp, they would discover too late, that the passageway narrowed down to where only one person at a time could squeeze inside the citadel. Though it might seems that Kuelap was built for defensive purposes, the true reason for its construction remains unknown. Some have tried to demonstrate that it, was more than a fortress; it might have been a fortified place destined to serve as refuge to the population in emergency cases. Some say that the Chachapoyas didn't build their citadels on the tops of mountains for defensive reasons at all, but in order to make maximum use of the land for cultivation. Referred to as the 'Machu Picchu of the north,' there is still a great deal to discover and investigate about Kuelap. It has a veil of mystery that intrigues all those who visit it, although they are few due to its remote location, but many say that its beauty far outweighs the hardships of getting there. Over the past decade, the Peruvian government has been working on making it easier for tourists to access. Kuelap is a treasure of ancient secrets that deserves to be viewed and protected.

By: Laurel Thompson
Kuoda Tours brings people to visit remote regions of Peru, including Kuelap. Please visit us at http://www.inturkuoda.com.

Born in the US, Laurel has lived in Peru for three years. She is a bilingual travel design specialist and has traveled throughout much of South America. She has a strong interest in eco-tourism and voluntourism and loves nature, traveling and writing.

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The Bahamas is an archipelago consisting of over 700 islands and cays in a crescent as long as Florida. Contrary to popular belief, the Bahamas is not in the Caribbean, but is in the Atlantic Ocean, just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. The Grand Bahamas Yacht Club is just a short half-day cruise from any South Florida port. The Bahamas is an independent country and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The Bahamas economy is driven by tourism and financial services. The Bahamas is served by all air major carriers and is easily accessible from anywhere in North America.

For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation destination inviting travelers from all over with its white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. The Bahamas is a year-round destination and is a really fun place to go anytime, but because it's in the Atlantic and not the Caribbean, it can be a little cooler than many people expect in the winter. The Bahamas is one of the great sport fishing destinations of the world. Deep sea fishing in the Bahamas is the perfect mix of relaxation and exhilaration. And if fishing is not your thing, the nightlife scene in the Bahamas is interesting, exciting and active.

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. Nassau is located on New Providence Island. Nassau offers a variety of experiences from non-stop excitement to peaceful relaxation. The city of Nassau is the largest in the Bahamas and is the Bahamas most popular vacation destination. Nassau is the undisputed resort Mecca of the Bahamas. There's no need to rent a car in Nassau. You can easily get about Nassau by taxi, or consider exploring Nassau by scooter or by renting a bicycle.

Nassau is the introductory destination that many cruisers experience on their first cruise from Florida. One of the big draws is duty free shopping, as well as the casino. Duty free shopping is available throughout Nassau and Paradise Island, and there is no sales tax in the Bahamas. Nassau makes a great introduction to the Bahamas and has been welcoming visitors at least since the days of the legendary pirate Blackbeard.

Paradise Island is connected by bridge to the north shore of New Providence Island and Nassau. The huge Atlantis Resort is a legendary lavish property on Paradise Island. Luxury hotels are in abundance on Paradise Island. If the Atlantis doesn't suit what you're looking for, try the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort on Paradise Island or the Comfort Suites Paradise Island, which has been rated Three-Diamonds by AAA. Villas in Paradise on Paradise Island offers one, two and three bedroom villas. Club Med on Paradise Island offers the full Club Med tropical experience just a quick flight from Florida. You can see the world's largest aquarium or the casinos of Cable Beach. You can also try your luck at one of the exciting games in the Atlantis Paradise Island Casino. Paradise Island also has a seaplane base (WZY) if you'd like to experience your airplane landing on the water - on purpose.

Freeport on Grand Bahama Island is a 230-square-mile free trade zone established in 1955 by the Government of The Bahamas. It's the location of the city of Freeport, which has grown to be the second most populated city in the Bahamas after the capital, Nassau. Imagine if you can a night in your ocean-side villa in the Bahamas, being serenaded by wild birds and the waves on the beaches. To reach your villa, fly into Freeport, which is easily accessible from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Seagrape Bed and Breakfast on Grand Bahama Island is located in the Lucayan Beach neighborhood of Freeport. Freeport Resort and Club is another great destination located in Freeport. You might also enjoy the Ocean Reef Yacht Club and Resort, which fronts the marina in Freeport, on the south shore of Grand Bahama Island, or try the Port Lucaya Resort and Yacht Club in Freeport, Bahamas.

A trip to the Bahamas is surely a treat for everyone. From the glittery Atlantis Resort to the dreamy views of blue sea and white sand, the Bahamas has something for everyone. The Bahamas is a place where you can go to relax and have fun - a perfect place to get away from it all on the white sandy beaches or to get into the middle of hot nightlife at the casinos. Whether diving in the warm, crystal-clear waters, exploring a lighthouse or beachcombing on a deserted island, the Bahamas is the perfect vacation destination.

By: Dave Hunt
Dave Hunt has shot landscape and scenic photos in almost all states of the US and in most countries in Europe and throughout the Caribbean. He is the author of numerous articles on photography, travel and recreation. You can find more articles and tips, along with the latest news and information on The Bahamas at: http://www.BahamasBeat.com. For tips on travel and vacation ideas and on travel photography, visit: DeskATravel.com and DigitalPhotographyGeek.com.

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When a king travels, he'll need somewhere to stay -- somewhere nice. One of the most spectacular vacation homes ever built, Peterhof (also "Peter's Court") is the name that collectively applies to the greater complex of gardens, buildings, fountains and galleries, created by Peter the Great in the early 18th century as his summer residence.

This lavish palace is located atop a cliff looking out upon the Baltic Sea. Built to Peter's specifications, somewhat more modestly, 300 years ago, Peterhof was added to over the next 200, eventually becoming the site of the largest network of gravity-fed fountains in the world. Extensively damaged in World War Two by an occupying Nazi force, the magnificent buildings and grounds have since been restored and are visited by thousands of tourists every year. They were designated a World Heritage Site along with the entire city of St. Petersburg.

Peter the Great -- Emperor of all the Russias

Peter I of Russia, later made Emperor, was the powerful ruler that commissioned the building of St. Petersburg as his capital and Peterhof as his residence. That he would choose a position so close to the sea to spend his time is hardly surprising given his life-long love of the sea and study of Naval power. In fact, it was during his reign that the Royal Russian Navy first came into existence just two years after he ascended to full power. During his reign, Russia gained back control of the Baltic and Black Seas and built their first naval bases, including the Kronshtadt base that his visits to led to his choice of St. Petersburg and Peterhof as his capital.

He ascended to the throne in 1682, when only 10 years old, with his infirm brother Ivan V as one of two co-Tsars ruled by his half-sister and regent Sophia. Preferring to design and build ships to hold mock sea battles with rather than spend his time in court, Peter did not become sole ruler of Russia until his brother and mother both died by 1696. At the age of 24 he set about remaking Russia to his liking, most notably beginning a 200-year long campaign to Westernise it. During an extended trip through Europe beginning in 1697 to gain support for overthrowing the Ottoman ruler, he spent several months with East India Company shipbuilders in the Netherlands, learning all he could about ship and lock construction before going home to Moscow to build a Navy.

His lifelong love of the sea made Peterhof a natural choice, and he spent many hours in the gardens looking out to sea and supervising the activities at Kronshtadt. He was responsible for constructing many of the major buildings in his lifetime, though many of them were embellished or added by his successors. By the time of his death in 1725, St. Petersburg was established as the capital of what had become the Russian Empire during his reign. Without a living and legitimate male heir, his wife Catherine I became Empress.

Site Selection

There was no St. Petersburg until the Peter created it. Just 3 years after his defeat by the King of Sweden in the Battle of Narva in 1700, the city was founded as a permanent post on the Baltic Sea that he had every intention of taking back and in fact, did just a few years later. What better way to create a great and modern city with grand statuary than by starting one from scratch? Work was begun when local stonemasons were forbidden to build anything else from 1703 onward, so they could concentrate all their efforts on the new city. The tax code was also changed at that time so that taxes were collected from all his subjects and not just the landed nobility.

While the city of St. Petersburg does not have a harbour naturally deep enough to handle ocean-going vessels, the nearby seafloor has a precipitous drop-off that makes the islands south and west of the city a better place to catch a ship to Europe and other points west, which Peter and his successors did regularly.

The site for Peterhof was chosen as early as 1805, during what came to be known as the Great Northern Battle that eventually secured the Baltic sea for Russian use, for it's view of the sea and proximity to the new Kronshtadt fortifications on the island of Kotlin. It allows viewing of both the port and city, including all the ocean-going traffic in and out of the area. Situated atop a cliff, 26 Km (~16 mi.) southwest of his namesake city, the palaces were meant to be a seasonal vacation spot for the whole court. The gardens look out over the Gulf of Finland, which is an inlet of the larger Baltic Sea that connects the Russian mainland with the Scandinavian countries, Germany and Poland. Fond of things Germanic, the name Peterhof is in fact a German name that was changed for many years under the Soviets to the more Russian-sounding Petrodvoréts (or "Peter's Palace") until reverting back in 1997.

One of the most distinguishing physical characteristics of the site is the 16m (~52 ft.) cliffs that separate the upper and lower gardens are only 100m (~110 yd.) from the shore. Over 200m (~220 yards) long, they are made of sturdy stone The two-story grotto that is covered with brownstone, is not a natural feature, and instead, was created from imported rock. The Lower Gardens dominate the landscape, covering over 102 hectares (~252 acres) of the site, and would become Peter's favourite part of the complex, where he spent much of his time in later years, until his death.

By: Elizabeth Jean
Elizabeth Jean writes water fountain and related articles for Garden-Fountains.com, the #1 destination on the internet for wall fountains, garden fountains, and Distinctive Water Features.

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