Local Travel Tip

One of the seven wonders in the worlds is the Statue of Christ the Redeemer found in Brazil. The birth of the idea of constructing the statue was in 1921, when Vincentian Father Pedro Maria Boss went to the Rio de Janeiro. He was impressed with the beauty of the nearby mountain and presented the idea as a way of showing honor to the Princess Isabel.

Many engineers were interviewed for the task of constructing this large monument, but only Heitor da Silva Costa was chosen for the task. Fund raising for this statue began. The construction did not actually begin until 1927.

There was a lot of experimentation in the beginning. Many models of various sizes and materials were constructed to test integrity and a variety of other factors. Today it is an impressive sight and a very popular tourist attraction.

Whale watching adventures are at their peak around the world while families across the globe are jumping on boats right now to take advantage of whale season.  Thanks to television awareness from programs such as “Whale Wars“, children are actually begging their parents to take them out to see these curious creators of the ocean.

Whale watching tours create great family memories (when done right). Whether  you want to watch whales in Australia or watch whales off the coast of Nova Scotia, these helpful tips will make your experience the best possible…

Tips For Whale Watching:

• If you are bringing kids along:
  • Make sure they use the “potty” before they get on the boat. (Only some whale watching boats have toilets).
  • Let the kids take pictures.
    • Their pictures may even be better than the adults pictures…strange how that happens. There are great inexpensive disposable waterproof cameras available that would be perfect for this.
  • Feed the kids before they get on the boat.
    • The last thing you want is a whiny, cranky, hungry kid that makes it a miserable experience for everyone. You want this to be a happy memory, not one that’s associated with frustration and contention. You may even consider bringing snacks for the voyage.

• Items you may need to bring are sunscreen, sunglasses, a poncho (to keep dry) and sweatshirt (to keep warm).
  • Even on cloudy/foggy days you can get sunburned if you’re not wearing sunscreen.
  • It can get cold out there on the water, especially if you get wet.

• Call the whale watching tour company ahead of time and ask what you should bring and what’s provided.
  • Most tour companies provide items such as life vests, so you may not need to bring your own. However, if you are bringing a baby, numerous kids, or a very large person, you’ll want to be sure they have an adequate number of the right sized life vests.

If you’re lucky, you may even get treated with an on-board BBQ and hot chocolate. Watching whales is definitely something to consider for family adventures or even family reunions.

Spain. To any less-experienced tourist, the word conjures images of passionate flamenco dancers and sequined matadors.

However, to a more sophisticated traveler, it is not the bullfights and the nightlife that serve as the main attractions. It is the diverse culture, traditional restaurants, and rich history.

Since Spain’s history reaches back to times of the Roman civilization, its culture has been developing for more centuries than exist in the “A.D.” It is almost comical that Americans deem certain sites “historical.”

But on a serious note, even more modern advancements in art and architecture define the Spaniards just as much as the 14th century ones do. More specifically, Spain will always be known as the home of Picasso.

Born in Malaga on the southern peninsula, Pablo Picasso was a childhood prodigy who had his first art exhibit at age 13. By the end of his life, he had completed more than 50,000 paintings, drawings, and sculptures.

One of his most famous works, Guernica, is named for a small city in northern Spain that was bombed by the Germans during the Spanish Civil War. A black and white mural 25.6 feet wide and 11 feet tall, it represents the horrors of war on innocent civilians.

Housed in the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, Guernica attracts tens of thousands of visitors every month. Picasso’s ability to portray such deep emotions through his art made him one of the most famous Spanish painters who has ever lived.

So the next time you travel to Spain, consider having a more cultural experience. Witnessing the passion in Picasso’s masterpiece will be truly unforgettable.