For many years the Mayan World has been a popular destination for adventure seekers. Early day explorers like John Lloyd Stephens discovered the region to be full of exciting surprises when he first stumbled upon great ancient pyramids in the early 19th century. Only forty years ago a visit to the now well known ruins of Tikal, Guatemala meant a venturing on a two-day jungle hike over rarely trotted paths, after a dubious flight into Guatemala’s jungle capital, Flores. Nowadays the region offers a escapades at any adventure level, from single-day excursions to the Chichen Itza Maya Ruins to one-week jungle hikes to El Mirador, the tallest Mayan ruin. But the Mayan World offers the adventurer much more then just archeology. In an area of roughly 300,000 square kilometers (116,000 square miles) the Mayan World encompasses mountains, lakes, white water and calm water rivers, rainforest, Caribbean beaches, cenotes, caves and waterfalls. This wide range of geological attractions and ancient- as well as modern- Mayan culture provides the traveler with an ideal destination to quench his thirst for adventure.
mexico tours The state of Quintana Roo in Mexico owns the world’s largest system of underwater caves. Called cenotes, these underwater cave systems were once dry and full of marvelous limestone stalactites and stalagmites. Today these aqua caves are a paradise to snorkelers and scuba divers as they are accessible from both land and ocean.
In the Peten region of Guatemala, one can find many unique lakes. Each with a different composition, these lakes vary in color and transparency. Spread throughout the vast rainforest of this region, these lakes provide a refreshing swim breaks as well as beautiful views. The rivers of this region are excellent for bird watching and canoe trips.
In Cayo District of Belize, single-day excursions are numerous. The region is rich with lush jungle, mysterious caves and pristine rivers. And let’s not forget the alternative culture in this natural world. Let your guide take you on a river into the jungle for a visit to a well-known medicine man or ride through water caves on an inner tube.
Southern Guatemala’s mountain range offers white water rafting, kayaking and amazing waterfalls. A visit to this region is not easily planned, but the effort is rewarded with natural wonders still undiscovered by most tourists.
The state of Chiapas in Mexico has waterfalls amongst Mayan ruins and lush jungle. A visit to the ancient Mayan ruins of Bonampac provides the opportunity for a bicycle ride through the rainforest.
These are just a few highlights in the amazing World of the Maya; a “must-see”, “must-feel” destination for any true adventurer.
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Adventure Travel in “The Modern World”
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Casablanca Morocco Offers Modern Hip Adventure
Casablanca is a famous classic movie if ever there was one set in the exotic Casablanca, Morocco of the 1930’s. Casablanca is a movie that expresses the irony and pain of life, but more importantly, it expresses the joys that life can bring.
With an unlikely and almost unwilling hero played by Humphrey Bogart, and a beautiful and naive heroine Casablanca will make you cry, laugh and feel as no other movie will.
Casablanca the city is a mixed bag of Morocco, where modern, hip and seedy all come together. Casablanca is 240 Km North of Marrakesh. There is train service for about 10 Euros/person.
Morocco’s gross domestic product grew 8.1 percent in 2006, up from 1.7 percent in 2005. Moody’s Investors Service rates the country as “stable,” with credit strengths that include a young population, as well as structural and democratic progress. Morocco’s Jewish minority has decreased significantly and numbers only about 7,000 (See History of the Jews in Morocco).
Most of the 100,000 foreign residents are French or Spanish; many are teachers or technicians and more and more retirees migrate to Morocco, especially to Marrakesh. Morocco is a great place for American investment and exports: the country has a stable political environment, an advanced privatization program, prudent fiscal policies, and a low inflation rate.
Casablanca’s modern attitude and big-city edge makes it today the most cosmopolitan of all Moroccan cities, a vibrant economic hub with the largest port found anywhere in the Maghreb. Some of the highlights worth exploring include the majestic Hassan II Mosque and the lively squares of Place des Nations Unies and Mohammed V, which host some of the city’s most impressive architecture.
Casablanca is a giant metropolitan port city with unmistakable Moroccan flavor and international appeal. Casablanca is also a mixture of old and new, with the recently completed Hassan II Mosque, the second largest in the world, and a notably historic medina of its own. Casablanca stands for one of the most progressive African cities.
Casablanca is also the center for more than half of all bank transactions in Morocco. Casablanca is the seat of numerous Arab and French schools, an art school, the Goethe-Institut, and the Hassan II mosque (1993), one of the world’s largest. Casablanca is also the home of the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest in the world. The Jewish community contributed to the construction of this mosque, which was inaugurated in 1994.
Casablanca the movie is useful as it offers a snapshot of a moment when World War Two was just getting underway and was yet to be won. To think about the flow of history can result in an understanding of the fear that the Nazis instilled or the difficulty involved in assembling a workable allied unity. Since the movie, Casablanca the city and Morocco have attracted people from all over the world who were influenced by the intrigue of the movie and who savor travel adventures.
Casablanca has a reputation for its beaches and nightlife. While in Casablanca, be sure to visit the Royal Palace [...]