Category: AMERICAS & CARIBBEAN

Best Places to Visit in Grand Terre, the Eastern Wing of GUADELOUPE (also by public bus)

Posted onAuthorRenata16 Comments

The main islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago spread their wings in the Caribbean Sea like a beautiful butterfly. These two parts are so different that it is hard to believe that they are in fact the same piece of land. While the western part that goes by the name of Basse Terre is mountainous, overgrown, and rough, the eastern wing called Grand Terre attracts visitors with gently rolling hills, settlements steeped in history, colonial architecture, and, above all, countless dreamy bays lined with sea grape and coconut palms.
So come on, let me introduce you to the best places in Grand Terre that you can even explore comfortably by public bus.

Two of the Best Places in Grand Terre to visit by Public Bus: Le Moule and the adjacent Plage de l'Autre Bord.
View of the town of Le Moule from the adjacent Plage de l’Autre Bord.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Trip to BELO HORIZONTE | BRUMADINHO | INHOTIM

Posted onAuthorRenata Green6 Comments

While studying Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro, I thought it might be a good idea to take a trip to Belo Horizonte at the weekend – mostly because I wanted to see Inhotim, a botanic garden full of contemporary art.

Group of drummers in Belo Horizonte
Young Belo Horizontians drumming with vigor.

Turns out, Inhotim was the only spot worth the travel. But so worth it!

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to CURITIBA – and a Day Trip to MORRETES

Posted onAuthorRenata Green28 Comments

Let me guide you further South to the laid-back city of Curitiba, from where you can venture out on a memorable day trip to scenic places like Morretes.

Streetcar in Curitiba
One of Curitiba’s great public services is this ancient street cart. It houses a library, and you can even leave your kids there while shopping.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

RIO DE JANEIRO – a refined guide to a rough city

Posted onAuthorRenata Green38 Comments

Instead of being Brazil’s rough and tough bad boy, Rio de Janeiro could be the most beautiful city on the planet. There are the ocean, the beaches, the hills, the vegetation, the views….I could go on and on.

Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, a smooth place in a rough city
The world-famous Copacabana

But then there is the poverty, the violence, the hopelessness, the corruption, the dirt….I could go on and on.
And I do. In this refined guide to a rough city.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

ARUBA: The Powerful Murals of San Nicolas

Posted onAuthorRenata22 Comments

While Aruba is famous for its beaches, far too few people venture to the hidden gem San Nicolas in the south of the island where you get to see some of the most powerful murals.

Street Art by ChemiS in San Nicolas in Aruba
He’s looking at you, kid.

In this post, I’m introducing some of San Nicolas’ most impressive pieces that you can explore self-guided or on an organized tour.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to PARACAS and the ISLAS BALLESTAS

Posted onAuthorRenata23 Comments

Here comes a guide to Paracas which is actually only a short promenade along the shore. However, it’s a great gateway to natural treasures like the Islas Ballestas, Peru’s Galapagos Islands.

Going by boat to the Islas Ballestas off the shore of Paracas
Paying birds and beasts a visit.

Every morning, the tour boats leave the village and show the visitors the undisturbed wildlife on these rocks. Sea lions, flocks of different birds, and even groups of penguins are greeting from the shores.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to AREQUIPA and the COLCA CANYON

Posted onAuthorRenata23 Comments

This is a guide to the white city of Arequipa from where a day trip to the Colca Canyon is indispensable.

Catedral de Arequipe
In front of the Catedral de Arequipa, protests from the workers of the mines surrounding Arequipa. They are digging for ore, silver, and gold – a trade, that destroys nature and the workers.

After all, it’s like they say: El Condor Pasa….

This Way to the Whole Story ->