Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is an archipelago of Portugal that consists of the island of the same name and several other small islands, located in the Atlantic ocean, about 900 kilometres of continental Portugal and about 600 km from the coast of the Morocco. Tropical archipelago with a remarkable subtropical climate and a landscape breathtaking, Madeira is also called ‘the floating garden’ or ‘the Pearl of the Atlantic’. The archipelago consists of the populated islands of Madeira (the largest) and Porto Santo, as well as of a group of uninhabited islands, wild and deserted. Its valleys are majestic and with mountains of very diverse flora. The island is also famous for its wine, its embroidery, the ‘bolo de mel’ (this is a typical cake), the exotic flowers, the tropical fruit, the mildness of its climate and the hospitality of its inhabitants. The ‘old world’ consider it like a paradise for holidays of dreams; it became one of the favorite destinations of Europeans. She is also known to be a stop of liners and tourism cruises which have chosen it by its charm.

Tips

The island of Madeira offers a wide variety of activities throughout the year, excursions on the island, walks, hiking in the mountains, the observation of birds, fishing, boat trips, paragliding, surfing, horseback riding, in sum, a beautiful combination of beaches, landscapes breathtaking, activities for all ages and tastes, a place to really enjoy the holiday. You can rent a motorcycle or small car to traverse the island. There are many interesting places like village Ribeira Brava with its church of the 16th century and its square tiled. If you want to have a beautiful view, you can visit Cabo Girão, a 600 meter promontory overlooking the sea; Santana and Sixal are also pretty small towns to know. Santana has colourful houses and Sixal was built on a promontory of lava. Another place not to be missed is Porto Moniz (fishermen’s town), bordered by black basalt forming natural pools where you can swim. The small town of Caletha, surrounded by banana trees and vines, has a 17th century church that is worth the detour.

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Calafate, Santa Cruz, Patagonia, Argentina

Calafate or El Calafate is one of the three main cities of the province of Santa Cruz in Patagonia, Argentina, located on the southern shore of Lake Argentino, at the foot of the Andes, 80 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier. Calafate is the entrance gate to the National Park Los Glaciares where we find the Perito Moreno Glacier, Upsala Glacier and Mount Fitz Roy, among others, it is part of the Ice Field of Patagonia and of Torres del Paine National Park , in Chile. In the park, you can visit the glaciers and you can minitrekking on the Perito Moreno ; you could also navigate the Argentine lake visiting the Onelli Bay. If you are interested to know more about glaciers, visit the Glaciarium or Museum of Patagonian Ice which is a scientific and cultural center.

Tips

You can find hotels, bed & breakfats, apartments or houses to rent in the region. It is very nice to take a week of relaxing vacation in the nature. In the vicinity of Lake Argentino there are a lot of activities to do like horse riding, 4×4 excursions to visit Frias and Huyliche hills, visit the Ecological Reserve Laguna Nimez, do mountain activities throughout the year, among others.
Calafate Airport is 17 km from the city.

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Ice Hotel, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, Quebec, Canada

The Ice Hotel is located for the 1st time on the site of Village Vacances Valcartier in St-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, north of Quebec City, in the Province of Quebec, Canada. It is designed each year entirely in ice and snow with beautiful scenery. There are themed rooms and suites with beautiful sculptures. It is a unique concept hotel where you can spend a magical night and enjoy a cocktail in one of its famous ice glasses. This is a non-smoking hotel with an inside fireplace, a reception room, meeting, conference, a common lounge, sauna and indoor spa with free outdoor parking.

Tips

To get there, you have a shuttle service from Quebec City. Take it at the Place d’Armes. You will get a discount if you buy your ticket at the same time as the entrance to visit the hotel. You must buy it online on the Old Quebec Tours site.

If you go with your family, there is a family pass (2 adults, 3 children). There is also a discount for age 55 and over and children under one meter  enter without paying.

There are also  interesting packages: visit with a guided tour or not, guided tour with a cocktail or visit ‘Backstage’ in which in addition to the guided tour you will discover the secrets and procedures for the construction and maintenance of the hotel, visit the workshop where you can make your ice glass with which you will end the visit to the hotel bar drinking a cocktail served in your own glass.