Isle-aux-Coudres, Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada

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L’Isle-aux-Coudres is a municipality in Quebec that covers the island of the same name and it is located in the St. Lawrence River near Baie-Saint-Paul. It is also part of the regional county municipality of Charlevoix. There are three villages on the island: Saint-Bernard, Saint-Louis and La Baleine. To get there, you have to go to the quay of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive (Les Éboulements) to take the ferry. It is a place that receives a lot of tourism, ideal also for cycling enthusiasts who will be able to tour the island with its 23km and also will be able to benefit from an additional 17 km of secondary paths. There you will find campsites, motels, hotels and chalets for a good vacation. There are heritage sites and buildings to visit such as the mills, the St-Louis and St-Bernard churches and the Leclerc house among others. The island has a microclimate that makes winters milder and rains short.

Tips

There is one ferry per hour so it’s best to inquire about the times so you don’t have to stay in the queue for long.

If you want to have a beautiful view of the tides, visit or stay at the Cap-aux-Pierres hotel. It has a large belvedere from where you can observe the tides and the birds, surrounded by a very calm landscape of great beauty. The hotel has a restaurant and it is possible to make a reservation or if you prefer, pick up a meal for take out. Bike rental is also possible.

If you like fish and seafood, a meal at Corylus will satisfy you.

A tasting is possible at the Cidrerie Pedneault where you can buy their products.

If you are visiting the Moulins de l’Isle-aux-Coudres, it is worth taking the guided tour to learn a little more about the history of the mills. An on-site shop will offer you a variety of their flours as well as souvenirs.

Les Traverseux is a space where you can learn about the history of ice canoes; a very interesting visit to do. A beautiful souvenir shop awaits you.

Tallinn, Estonia

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Tallinn is the capital and main port of Estonia; situated on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, forming part of the Baltic Sea. The city contains vestiges of different eras that go from the medieval to the classic. The historical center, fairly well preserved, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ramparts that surround it are from the 13th century and there are several towers. The Marguerite tower (16th century) now houses the Museum of the Sea. The old town is located between the Lower Town and the Toompea hill or the Upper Town where the Parliament is located in the castle. To see: the Pirita Convent, the Town Hall Square, the Estonian Outdoor Museum, Alexander Nevski Cathedral, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Olaf’s Church, St. Nicholas’s Church, Freedom Square; among others. The port of the city also receives many tourists thanks to the cruise ships that have chosen it in their itineraries. Kadriorg Castle, 2 km east of the old town, houses the presidential residence and foreign art department of the country’s art museum. Since 2013, Tallinn has a free transport service for residents.

Tips

An interesting place to see is the oldest pharmacy in Europe still active (15th century) which is located in the Town Hall Square. The building where the National Library is located and the door at 38 Pikk Street are other places it worths visiting.

You can enjoy your visit and take a ferry to Helsinki, just 2 hours from the city. A bus to St. Petersburg or a night train to Moscow.

Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain

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Lanzarote is a Spanish island in the Atlantic Ocean, 1.000 km of mainland Spain and 140 km from the Moroccan coast; part of the province of Las Palmas in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. Its capital is Arrecife. The island is of volcanic origin and its volcanoes have been much activity in the early eighteenth century. There is the Atlantis tunnel not far from its shores and is considered the longest lava tunnel underwater world. The island is about 25 km wide by 60 km long and has 26 km of beach and it preserves its quite natural environment. Its climate is semi-desert with very little rain. The Timanfaya National Park is one of the main attractions of the island which has been recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. In addition to the National Park; there are many other interesting places to visit like Blanca and Papagayo beaches, the Port of Carmen, the viewpoint of the river (Mirador del Rio), the cactus garden, the Janubio salt lake, the Green cave (Cueva de los Verdes), among others.
Tips

If you want to get a good view of the Timanfaya National Park, climb the volcano Caldera Blanca, it is a nice place for photo enthusiasts.
If you like the serenity, go to the natural pools that are between Punta Ginés and Janubio salt lake.
If you prefer something unique, visit the National Park and its restaurant where you could taste the meat, cooked with the heat of the volcano, on the barbecue. You must pay the entrance to the park but it is worth it. You should leave the car in the restaurant parking because you will be driven in a van through the park; you will have the chance to observe the lava fields, craters, stunning scenery. If you want to deepen your knowledge, visit the visitor’s center.