Category: North America

Napa Valley, California, United States

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Napa Valley is an American wine region in California, considered one of the most important wine producing areas of the United States. The combination of a Mediterranean climate, geography and geology of the valley make it a prosperity viticulture area. The level of the valley ranges from sea level to 110 meters. The American wine regions of Oakville and Rutherford are in a geographic area called Rutherford Bench in the center of the valley. The floor at the south end of the valley is mainly composed of sediments deposited previously by the tides of the Bay of ‘San Pablo’ and north, it contains large amounts of volcanic lava and ash. Several hills that emerge from the middle of the valley near Yountville are indicators of volcanic past of the region. The valley comprises around 340 vineyards that use multiple varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and other known varieties. Most fields produce a typical wine of the valley, and some choose to mix or assemble their wines, using wines coming from the valley and surrounding hills.

Tips

More than 100 places are open to the public with or without appointment and of course, you have tastings. A great way to explore the region is to take the ‘Napa Valley Wine Train’; a tourist train that will walk you to the heart of the vineyards. If you like shopping, you will find the Napa Premium Outlet with fifty premium brands at factory prices. You will also find beautiful local shops in historic districts. If you want to relax, go to spas that offer different therapies. If you want to have a beautiful view over the valley, take a balloon ride or helicopter. You will enjoy an unforgettable experience. If your choice is golf, the valley has 10 courses.

The Casse-Noisette Market, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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The Casse-Noisette (Nutcracker) Market is a Christmas market philanthropic in Montreal on the ground floor of the Convention Center Galleries. This event was created in 2010 by Les Grands Ballets in favor of the Nutcracker Fund for Children. You will find many exhibitors who were selected for their rarity, quality and originality of their products and each exhibitor will give 10% of its sales to the Nutcracker Fund for Children Grands Ballets. These funds are used to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend a performance of the ballet and also to participate in educational workshops. The funds are also used to restore the costumes and scenery of the show. This lets around 2,800 children to participate.

Tips

The event takes place from November 29th to December 9th 2018 and it opens at 11:00.
You can reach the place by subway; go down at the Place d’Armes metro station (orange line) or by bus; lines 55 or 129.
Go with your family and friends, it’s for a good cause and the admission is free.

Coba, Yucatan, Mexico

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Coba is an important archaeological site belonging to the maya civilization. It is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, to the southeast of Mexico (Quintana Roo State) in the small village of Coba, 106 kilometres of Playa del Carmen and 42 km from Tulum. The city stretched over 70 square km and had a network of 45 trails that allowed to circulate between the different sets, but also to travel to the satellite sites. Traces of low platforms and constructions of wood and palm and the dating of the oldest ceramics indicate that the site was inhabited as early as the 1st century BC, but most of the monuments were constructed during the classical era of the maya civilization (500-900 AC). The presence of 5 small lakes has been particularly conducive to the development of the city in providing water for the many inhabitants and facilitating activities, including agriculture. The city was structured into different sets that not only had a chronological relationship between them but also an urban relationship. Thus there are groups almost exclusively residential (Group Coba) and other with ceremonial or funeral functions (Macanxoc group). The site is located in the forest, in a wild and natural location giving the visitor the feeling of being an explorer. Just a part is accessible to the public. There is a temple of 25 metres in height (the Church), a set of palaces and residences. There is also the place of the ballgame with some engraved representations and also a foundation, decorated with engravings, representative human skulls and characters on the edges of the stairs. The temple of Nohoch Mul, with its 30 metres, is one of the highest pyramids of the maya region. On its Summit there is another temple (subsequently built), giving 42 metres above sea level. In this group, we find a residential construction; structure X, which can also be visited. There are also other more recent constructions than the ancient temple buildings.

Tips

As the distance to be covered in the site is large enough, you can do it by bike or you can also be transported by a tricycle paying a fairly reasonable price.
If you decide to do it on foot, you can observe the fauna and flora of the place.
The site is open every day of the year from 8:00 to 17:00 and you will also find guides who speak several languages.
In the village of Coba, you will find a few places to take a snack or buy some souvenirs.