Overshadowed by its bigger, flashier neighbors, Paraguay is a curious country that's overlooked by visitors who flock to South American destinations like Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and the highlands of the Andes.
For those who visit nearby nations, though, Paraguay's subtropical forests, broad rivers and unusual history can make it an intriguing detour.
Surrounded by Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia, this landlocked nation is larger than a glance at the map suggests. It's roughly the size of California but has only about 6.7 million residents, at least 3 million fewer than Los Angeles County.
The Rio Paraguay divides the country into roughly equal halves. Most of the population lives in the eastern half, about a third of them in the riverside capital city of Asuncion. To the west, the Gran Chaco area is a mostly grassy plain, brutally hot in summer, punctuated with marshes, savannas and thorn forests. Thinly populated with ranchers and Amerindians, the west is also home to German-speaking Mennonite colonies near the Bolivian border.
In the absence of mass tourism, it's a place where closer contact and the lack of preconceptions can lead to memorable, even intimate, experiences at underrated sites. Arrivals from North America or Europe are a relative novelty, to be treated with courtesy and respect.
An evolving capital
Paraguay's sprawling riverside capital, Asuncion, is the hub of its political, commercial and cultural life. Unlike most of South America's capitals, it's a relatively low-rise city where shade is at a premium, except on some lushly landscaped plazas.
It was founded in 1537, and its grid pattern is typical of the earliest Spanish settlements, but there are few remaining colonial buildings. The most notable structures, such as the government palace and the shrine to those who perished in battle, date from the 19th century.
The government's house
Asuncion's counterpart to the White House is the Palacio de los Lopez, a neoclassical building intended for the dynasty that ruled the country for decades in the mid-19th century.
The Lopez family didn't survive the War of the Triple Alliance, when they foolishly took on Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in a bid to dominate the region. Still, their political successors have occupied the palace ever since.
Shrine to warriors
In downtown Asuncion, protected by an honor guard, the Panteon de los Heroes is a domed neoclassical shrine housing the remains of the figures who led their country into disastrous conflict with neighboring countries.
Started in the 1860s, before the War of the Triple Alliance, it wasn't finished until 1936, after the Chaco War with Bolivia. A couple of unknown soldiers are a token presence.
Avant art
In its isolation, Paraguay may give the impression of provincialism, but Asuncion has a lively contemporary art scene showcased at many galleries and the Museo del Barro, which displays avant-garde works by Paraguayan, Spanish and other Latin American artists under optimum conditions (no easy feat in this hot, humid climate).
The museum also features folk art collections from the 17th century to the present and more strictly indigenous artifacts from Paraguay's native peoples.
Foundry in the forest
Southeast of Asuncion, recovering subtropical forest blankets the compact and relatively small but verdant Parque Nacional Ybycui.
Ybycui offers creekside trails, waterfalls and droves of metallic blue butterflies. Howler monkeys are harder to spot but easier to hear. The park is also a historical site for the iron foundry destroyed by Brazilian forces in the War of the Triple Alliance, a severe blow to Paraguay's war effort.
Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.
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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
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Rawhide Travel and Tours would like to remind people that we can book 11 months ahead, because special dates, like spring break, and especially holidays, can get booked up very quickly.
We have clients that come in and think that 2 months in advance is “really early”.. and they may pay higher rates for air, cruises, hotels, and even car rentals. Just saying... plan ahead as much as you can.
Whether business or pleasure, Rawhide Travel and Tours delivers. Internet Travel sites list hotels and destinations, but offer little or nothing in the way of advice. Our many years of experience in the industry will help you design the perfect traveling experience. From romantic getaways to large events, our experienced agents will handle all the details. Traveling does not need to be stressful. You can count on us for great value and dependable service.
We arrange travel air, land and sea. We can create the perfect destination package including, resorts, conference rooms and meeting locations, special events, and attractions.
Rawhide Travel and Tours hopes you have a Great Day!
Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com
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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Set sail aboard Ships with Sails! Forget your usual crowded cruise ship that doubles as a mall, a theater, and perhaps a small city. Here is a way to experience the seas without the fluff.
Star Flyer
The Star Flyer offers a casually elegant way to island-hop around the Mediterranean. This four-masted ship, 360 feet long, holds a crew of 72 and 170 passengers, many of whom will become close mates by the end of the trip. It's casual elegance aboard ship, with comfortable cabins, open-seating dining, two swimming pools and other amenities. But it's the dynamics of feeling the pull of 16 full sails trimmed for maximum speed in open water that will have passengers giggling and singing their own sea shanty. Standing on the teak deck, there's a sense of old adventure and new discovery. The Star Flyer offers island-hopping throughout the Mediterranean in the summer and heads to the Caribbean from November to April. Day trips are educationally fun, with stops at salty tavernas complete with retsina and ouzo, Greek orthodox churches, ancient Greek ruins and postcard-worthy villages and ports. Nothing beats the view of your harbored sailing vessel from atop a Greek hill.
Diamant
The 100-foot Diamant schooner visits ports in the Windward Islands. Island Windjammers' Caribbean-based Diamant is one of three tall-masted ships the company operates. Twelve passengers will enjoy a laid back version of playing adult hooky, in a truly relaxed fashion. From its home port in St. George's, Grenada, the 100-foot schooner follows the Windward Islands, visiting a selection of ports.
This Company has found the perfect mix, Good food, great cabins, and good quality. They'll have your feet on the sand 20 minutes after breakfast. You'll visit villages, walk on the beach, or see a turtle sanctuary. Underwater boat lights that will attract some interesting sea life, and a night swim with a rope swing will cap the perfect day.
Plus there's no Wi-Fi onboard, encouraging face-to-face socializing. This is less formal than certainly any large cruise ship, and significantly more relaxed than other tall-masted or alternative cruises.
Wind Star
Captain Belinda Bennett has the perfect schedule -- summers in the Mediterranean, winters in the Caribbean. In addition to being the first female and first black captain in Windstar's history, she is the first black female captain in the commercial cruise industry. She guides the Wind Star, a 360-foot yacht that feels like a personal pleasure craft. A 100-person crew attends to the 148 passengers who bunk in 73 well-appointed staterooms (plus one deluxe 220-square-foot owner's suite, complete with ocean view). And sure, the Wind Star offers a spa, a watersports platform, a casino, lounge, library, pool and absolutely gourmet dining, but its charms run deeper. It's luxury at a relaxed pace. The wind pulls and pushes the ship toward endless adventure, whether it's the Mediterranean or Caribbean. It's active travel. There are some fabulous places that cruise ships like Wind Star call at whereby you get to see multiple cities and islands you would not normally see by staying in one place.
The Mandalay
Mandalay visits less explored parts of the Caribbean. Once part of the Barefoot Windjammer empire, the Mandalay -- a 236-foot, three-masted sailing vessel built in 1923 -- was purchased by its former captain and an ardent passenger, and now sails under the auspice of Sail Windjammer. They have a love for and wanted to preserve this type of sailing. Mandalay offers an historical sailing experience to "less touristy" parts of the Caribbean that larger cruise ships usually pass by. You get to know the crew, locals and fellow passengers. Everybody leaves with a new friend. Sailing aboard the Mandalay defines "laid back," where passengers can do as much or as little as they choose. The vessel holds 58 passengers total, with a crew of roughly 20. With a flexible itinerary, there's plenty of room for adventure, exploration and relaxation. Meals often feature local delights. There are sandwiches, barbecues and beer on the beach, Bloody Marys and sticky buns for breakfast and Rum Swizzles and snacks at happy hour. A favorite spot on the Grenada trip for Mitchell includes the Tobago Cays, a protected marine park, where the ship stops for swims with sea turtles followed by a beach lunch under palm trees. An added treat is the holler for volunteer hands on deck to help raise sails.
This is not one of the floating cities on the sea where you get lost in the crowd and can sometimes forget that you're even on water, this is for those who want to feel the experience deeply, to immerse themselves into the culture of the islands and the life at sea.
Eye of the Wind
Passengers on the Eye of the Wind are invited to take the lead in sailing it. There's a unique twist to the 104-year-old, 132-foot brig Eye of the Wind. The main purpose of the company's operation is to keep the principles of sail training and the traditional way of seamanship alive, and to inspire as many people as possible with the beauty of this old yet elegant sailing legend. The Eye is internationally certified as a sail-training vessel. While all 12 passengers -- yes, a mere 12 -- can enjoy all that sailing aboard a luxury yacht offers, its real charm is its educational sail training. During a cruise, all participants who care to volunteer (and some charter cruises specifically designed for groups) literally take over the lead on board. They'll steer the ship, plan all sailing maneuvers and set the sails, all under the guidance and supervision of the experienced crew members and trainers.
It's fun and adventure in a sea breeze!
Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.
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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Mention Belize and most people think scuba diving in the Blue Hole or cave tubing outside Belize City. While these are two awesome activities that certainly warrant a spot in your itinerary, there’s so much more to do and see on mainland Belize and its surrounding islands.
Sarteneja Village
This charming fishing village in northern Belize boasts beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water and rich culture. The spot was first settled by the Mayans to serve as an important trading route, and today the town gets its name from the 13 Mayan drinking wells found in the area. Most tourists make a stop here for the fishing, kayaking, sailing or nearby Mayan ruins. Sarteneja also boasts the popular Manatee Rehabilitation Center, a local NGO that takes in and rehabilitates orphan manatee calves as part of a national program to protect the threatened species.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for being the first jaguar reserve, established in 1990. The sanctuary is home to all five of Belize’s cats, including the jaguar, puma, margay, jaguarundi, and ocelot. While your chances of spotting one of these elusive cats is rare, there’s plenty other wildlife and scenic views to enjoy on the sanctuary’s 20-miles of hiking trails. If you’re really up for a challenge, try hiking the Victoria Peak trail, a four-day challenge only accessible with guide and permit.
The Snake Cayes
Take the arduous journey down to southern Belize and you’ll be rewarded with the pristine Snake Cayes. A group of four small islands protected by the Belizean government, the Snake Cayes get their name for the boa constrictors that can be found in the trees. But don’t worry—you’ll want to spend most of your time snorkeling in the crystal-clear water amongst coral, fish, turtles, lobster and other sea life. Most visitors to the Snake Cayes base themselves in Punta Gorda; be sure to go with a large group of friends to cut down on the cost of the boat to access the cayes!
Hard to Reach Ruins
Xunantunich is a great little-known Mayan site near the western border of Belize near Guatemala. Built from 200-900AD, it showcases unusual stucco facades. The facades are different from other Mayan sites so even if you have visited other sites, this one is worth seeing
Lamanai is an impressive Mayan archaeological site set deep in the Belizean jungle. A two hour boat ride from Orange Town (northern Belize) is required to get there. The beauty is that not many people have heard about it so tourists are very minimal. Not only was the archaeological site impressive, but the two hour boat ride through the jungle will have you in awe.
The Lamanai archaeological site Is a beautiful site. Not only are there vines, orchids, and fig trees carpeting 1,000-year-old Maya pyramids and more recent colonial sugar mills, the journey to and from the site includes a phenomenal birding trip up and down the New River. However, if you want Something not many try, Always take the night hike, no matter how tired you are from the day's adventures— You'll see more wildlife during guided nighttime nature walks and boat rides than on day trips.
Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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Looking for something out of the ordinary for dinner? Try this mouth watering idea.
Ingredients
Fresh Red Kidney beans
Oil – For best results use Coconut Oil.
1/2 Onion
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
* If the beans float, they’re not totally fresh!
Clean the beans and cover with two inches of water. Boil an hour. Add Onion, Pepper, and Oil. Simmer until tender, adding water as required to keep the beans well covered.
Tip:
Soak the beans overnight, or bring water to a boil, turn off the stove and let the beans sit for an hour. Discard that soaking water and wash beans thoroughly.
Directions
Heat pot, coat the bottom of the pan with a little oil, and refill with water. (The oil helps to prevent sticking. )
In addition to onion, add 1/4 to 1/2 diced small green pepper. Add 1 TBSP Chili Powder (Gebharts, if possible) Optionally, add 2 TBSP Tomato Paste. Add 2 Tsp chicken granules. (All of this adds lots of flavor and body to the beans.). Cook the beans until really soft. Turn off the fire, cover and let stand for an hour. In the tropics, the beans will continue to cook!
Refried Beans: Coat the inside of an iron skillet or aluminum roaster with coconut oil. Add beans and cook until the mix begins to thicken. Smash up the beans with a potato masher, or in a blender / food processor. Add 1 can Salsa Casera, and continue to cook until the beans thicken to the right consistency.
Note: If you pour off the water on BLACK BEANS (Frijoles Negros) you will pour off most of the color!! Don’t do that. Keep the water. Also, don’t put green pepper or tomato paste in black beans! If you have Apasote (a local herb), add this. It will make the beans taste better and have less gas.
Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
With one foot in the Central American jungles and the other in the Caribbean Sea, Belize may be small but it's packed with adventure and culture. No bigger than New Hampshire or Israel, Belize doesn't quite fit the mold of Latin America or the Caribbean, but proudly considers itself both. Belize is a nation on the eastern coast of Central America, with Caribbean Sea shorelines to the east and dense jungle to the west. It's known for its beaches, eco-lodges, scuba diving and sportfishing. Offshore, the massive Belize Barrier Reef, dotted with hundreds of cayes, hosts rich marine life. Belize’s jungle areas are rich with Mayan ruins. You will love the low-key nature of its people and the seamless mix of cultures – Belizean, Creole, Mestizo, Garifuna, Maya and even expat.
Adventure of a Lifetime
Whether you're scuba diving the Blue Hole, zip-lining through the jungle canopy, rappelling down waterfalls or crawling through ancient cave systems, Belize is a genuine adventure. Head to Cayo District where you can tube or canoe through darkened river systems or hardcore spelunk in renowned Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. Zip-lining is virtually an art form in Cayo and Southern Belize where you can sail through the jungle at half a dozen locations. Horseback riding is well organized and hiking is superb in national parks, such as Mayflower Bocawina National Park, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Shipstern Nature Reserve and Rio Bravo.
In the Jungle
Inland, a network of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries offers a safe haven for wildlife, which ranges from endless parades of cutter ants to the national animal of Belize, Baird's tapir, or the shy jaguar. Bird enthusiasts aim their binoculars at some 570 species, which roost along the rivers and lagoons and in the broadleaf forest. Keen-eyed visitors who take the time to hike can easily spot spider monkeys and howler monkeys, peccaries, coatimundis, gibnuts and green iguanas. Even the showy keel-billed toucan – the national bird of Belize – occasionally makes an appearance in public.
In the Water
Hiking the jungle one day and the next you find yourself snorkeling in the ocean. Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world after Australia's, and with more than 100 types of coral and some 500 species of tropical fish, it's pure paradise for scuba divers and snorkelers. Swimming through translucent seas, snorkelers are treated to a diverse world of coral, fish and turtles, while divers go deeper, investigating underwater caves and walls and the world-renowned Blue Hole.
Add to this island living on the sandy cayes, where you can spend your days kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, fishing or lazing in a hammock, and you've got the recipe for a perfect tropical vacation.
The Ancient Ruins
Belize is home to one of the world's most mysterious civilizations – the ancient Maya. The Cayo District and Toledo's Deep South in particular are peppered with archaeological sites that date to the Maya heyday (AD 250–1000), where enormous steps lead to the tops of tall stone temples, often yielding 360-degree jungle views. Explore excavated tombs and examine intricate hieroglyphs, or descend deep into natural caves to see where the Maya kings performed rituals and made sacrifices to the gods of the underworld. You can appreciate the culture today by staying in village guesthouses and by learning the art of chocolate-making.
Belize is endearingly rough around the edges but thoroughly traveler friendly.
Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
Rawhide Travel and Tours with combined total of “75 years of travel experience" provides amazing deals for your dream vacation with experienced, friendly travel experts.
Services offered include booking domestic and international air travel, hotel and resort reservations, car rental and cruises for individuals, corporate, group and incentive travel. Also tour packages of every type from a weekend getaway, to San Diego or Disneyland to involved and detailed vacations worldwide.
Plan your next great vacation with Rawhide Travel and Tours. Call today (602) 843-5100 or email us at flythis@rawhidetravel.com.
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
