Iceland

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Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, located between Greenland and Norway, north-west of the Faroe Islands; a few miles south of the Arctic Circle. The country is made up of a large island (99.7% of its area) with some small islands and islets nearby. It is a country known for volcanism, geysers, highlands (center) and fjords and lack of vegetation. Most of the population is settled in the Reykjavik area. Other important cities are Akureyri (port city) and Keflavik where is the international airport. Its climate is tundra but thanks to the Gulf Stream, the temperature in its south and west coasts do not go much farther than 0 ° C. The country receives a lot of tourism especially in summer and the three most visited sites are the Pingvellir National Park, the Gulfoss Falls and Geysir geothermal field. You can also visit the protected glaciers in the Vatnajokull and Snaefellsjokull National Parks. If you want to know a little about the history of the Vikings, visit the National Museum and the Sagas Museum in Reykjavik.

Tips

If you want to travel the country by car, take the main road (road 1) that goes around the island and connects most of the habitable areas. If you think of taking the roads in the interior of the country, you need a 4×4 vehicle because there are many fords but in winter they are usually closed.

There is also the possibility of taking bus lines during the summer season.

You will also find some ferries to go to small islands and a ferry for vehicles if you want to go to Denmark via the Faroe Islands, from the port of Seydisfjordur.

To see the northern lights, visit the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, in the south-east of the country.

The Wailing Wall, Jerusalem, Israel

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The Wailing Wall, or Western Wall or HaKotel and El-Burak, is a retaining wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem located in the Jewish quarter of the old city dating from I century BC and since the seventh century, it incorporates the walls of the Temple Mount, very close to the Holy of Holies (located on the Temple Mount) so that the Jews consider the holiest place for prayer. The pan (57 m long) is just a part of the western wall (497 m long). The rest of the wall is used as a fourth wall by the adjoining houses in the Arab neighborhood; the rest is underground. The Wailing Wall is an Israeli national symbol as well as a Muslim one because it supports the esplanade where are built the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque (the third holiest place in Islam). You enter the square in front of the wall with a door wall, the door Mughrabi or Garbage, where police has strict controls. The esplanade has 3 parts; one that is open to the public, the other two, separated by a partition, are for people who want to approach the wall, one for men and one for women. There are holy arches in underground rooms that line the men’s section where we find the Torah scrolls that are used during prayer services that take place throughout the day.

Tips

If you want to approach the wall, or put small pieces of paper with wishes or prayers in the cracks and crevices, either to pray or put your hand on the wall, you must enter the section that suits you by walking on your front to the wall and to leave the place, walking slowly backwards because you can not give your back to the wall.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second largest city after Sao Paulo, world famous for its carnival, beaches (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon) and the statue of Christ the Redeemer on the Corcovado. 20% of its inhabitants, the cariocas, live in favelas (poor district on the slopes of hills (morros) and unfortunately it is the serious urban problem of the city. Rio has more than 90% of its territory covered with tropical forests and the best known is the Foresta de Tijuca which is even inside the city.

Tips

If you want to have a wonderful view of the beaches and even of the Christ, go to the Pao de Açucar (Sugar Loaf; rocky peak of almost 400 meters).

If you want to do a little road to get a good view, cross the Rio-Niteroi Bridge (13 km) you will see the Guanabara Bay and the city of Rio and its beaches. If you have a little time, Nitéroi has also beautiful beaches to spend the day.

Even though there are 2 subway lines, the best way to get around is by bus or taxi. Always ask the driver for the price because they will usually charge you a fixed price for tourist destinations. For safety, ask a taxi in the reception of your hotel. Generally, you can arrange with the same taxi to pick you up at the end of your visit.

If you like the beach, Ipanema and Leblon are more beautiful than Copacabana and a little quieter.

If you want to know a favela there are guided excursions that will allow you to know a little more of the inhabitants of the city. For your safety, do not try to go alone.