There are a lot of things to be seen and done in Belo Horizonte city. In spite of its fairly recent history as a metropolis, Belo Horizonte is a leading cultural center, with many universities, museums, libraries and sports centers. If you are interested in culture and architecture, you should know that Belo Horizonte city is home to a great number of significant cultural landmarks. Brazilian contemporary architecture is expressed in various buildings, from churches, cathedrals and museums to soccer stadiums, universities and campus buildings.

As far as entertainment is concerned, tourists to Belo Horizonte city are presented with a wide range of options. The city’s entertainment opportunities are so diverse and varied that they can meet even the most demanding tastes and preferences. Brazil is said to be the country where there is fun for everyone, and Belo Horizonte city is no exception to this rule. For art lovers, there are a lot of theaters, museums, photography, art and sculpture displays to see, most of which are hosted by the Palacio das Artes. The International Theater Festivals organized in Belo Horizonte city every two years is a very popular event that attracts many tourists, both Brazilians and foreigners.

Everyone has heard of the famous Brazilian carnivals, the kind of events that take a distinct form that no other festival in the world has. As you can imagine, Belo Horizonte city has its own carnival, and this is the time when most tourists travel to Brazil. The Belo Horizonte carnival is everything you could expect from a Brazilian carnival, that is enjoyment, parades, costumes, masquerading, samba dances and competitions, and a whole lot more.

The hospitality of the country is proverbial, and this is yet another strong point of Belo Horizonte city. There is a lot more to this city than just carnivals, artistic and cultural productions or sports events. The city’s nightlife is not to be overlooked either. In fact, Belo Horizonte city nightlife is among the most exciting in Brazil. The famous Savassi region is home to the best of the city’s nightlife, as well as to some of the finest restaurants in the city, where you can try both traditional and international cuisine.

In conclusion, Belo Horizonte city is an attractive tourist destination, and for good reason. The city may not be as popular as other metropolitan areas in Brazil or in the world, but it is certainly worth visiting. However, before packing your bags and heading for the beautiful Belo Horizonte, it is advisable that you learn everything about the city that might interest you as a tourist. A good Belo Horizonte guide can be found online, together with testimonials of people who have already visited this South American city. A complete Belo Horizonte guide will provide you with reliable information on hotels, means of transportation, flights, shopping centers, restaurants, bars (there are a lot of them in Belo Horizonte City!), cultural events, sightseeing, and so on. And to your convenience, such a comprehensive Belo Horizonte guide can be found online.

I have always been interested in politics. In a much younger life, I was actually going to follow my dream and ego and become senior senator from California. That ambition was cut short on the realization that a foreigner, lack of funds, and the anathema of being played by someone else’s strings did not lead to a senate seat.

Nonetheless, much of my life – such as being in Argentina on a crucial election in its history – was being “in the right place” for potential historical events.

I was similarly in Warsaw, Poland, in June, 2003, only a few days before that country voted to join the European Union. At the same time, NATO had chosen to move some of its operations to Poland, and President Bush paid an official visit. People constantly asked me whether I was a member of George Bush’s team, since he had arrived just days after my flight. Nothing could have been further from the truth with the beginnings of the war in Iraq just a few months earlier! I strictly went to Poland that summer to relax, teach a few classes, and see historic places like Krakow. It ended up being a fascinating election!

In November, 1992, I was in Little Rock, Arkansas at the Capital Hotel to watch Bill Clinton and wife Hillary revel in his victory. Nearly a year earlier, when I had barely moved to the southern town and knew little about Bill Clinton other than that he was a minor governor of a minor state, I was outside Arkansas’ historic state house when the candidate first made his announcement. Again, seeing, and later meeting the candidate and President were fortunate, but not by design. The invitation to the Presidential Ball in Washington after Clinton’s formal Inauguration came about through friends both in Arkansas and New York and California.

I was also in Munich, Germany in July,1990 on business. As luck would have it, one of the greatest celebrations was held in Berlin during my sojourn, the concert and celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Although I was far in the south of Germany and could not take the time to travel to Berlin, the celebration was transmitted across the world, and people everywhere joined in the spirit of nearly half a million people physically

In 1990 Bruce went on an organized backpacking trip to Thailand where he had a chance to explore the people and the country on $10.00 a day. This experience gave him the idea to create G.A.P Adventures, today Canada’s largest adventure travel company that now sells thousands of different trips and annually sends 40,000 passengers on their own small-group adventures. G.A.P has about 300 employees today, headquartered in Toronto, with operational offices in various countries of Latin America. It’s most recent endeavors are the G.A.P concept stores which have recently been opened in high-traffic areas in Toronto and Vancouver, places where travellers can research their adventure trip, get more information about their desired destination and book their once-in-a-lifetime experience supported by good advice with no sales pressure.

For his entrepreneurial savvy Bruce has won numerous awards, besides receiving an award as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, Bruce has been also been honored as one of Canada’s top 5 entrepreneurs by Canadian Business as well as Canada’s 100 leaders of tomorrow. Profit Magazine named him in their 20th anniversary issue cover story as one of Canada’s Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the last 20 years. Bruce also received the Global Traders Leadership award from the government for his ground breaking ideas in exporting services.

Recently Bruce was asked by the World Bank and UNESCO to represent a team to visit the Peoples Republic Of China to lecture on Sustainable Development. In January of 2002 Bruce was the only Canadian operator invited to speak at the United Nations Launch of the Year Of Eco Tourism in New York. Bruce defied the odds once again last year by winning Canada’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year, as well as the National Citation for Entrepreneurship.

G.A.P’s additional awards include having two trips chosen among the TOP 25 Adventures in the World by National Geographic Adventure magazine, the Ethics in Action Award, the Global Traders Award and the Clean Air Commute Award for five straight years.

Although a consummate business man, Bruce Poon Tip has a conscience and he has founded his entire enterprise on the concept of sustainability and established travel practices that show consideration of natural surroundings and local cultures. By limiting the travel group size to 12 people, by taking local transportation and staying in small, locally owned hotels and guesthouses, G.A.P travelers are able to minimize their footprint in foreign communities and get maximum exposure to local culture.

Planeterra is a non-profit organization founded by G.A.P to give back. Today Planeterra raises funds for a number of community projects, international charities and an endowment fund to ensure long-term support of community development and conservation projects for years to come. Some of the community projects that G.A.P sponsors through donations include a community school in Ecuador, a foundation in Honduras to help women start their own businesses, an NGO in Costa Rica for environmental and wildlife conservation projects, a local battery recycling project in Chile, a drop-in center for street children in Cuczo, Peru, and many more. G.A.P Adventures itself also initiated a Women’s Weaving Project in Peru that taught local women ancient weaving techniques as well as natural fabric dye processes. Today all G.A.P travel groups visiting the Sacred Valley in Peru have a chance to see and purchase high quality textiles produced by these weavers, all sold at fair trade prices.

As another example of the innovativeness of his company, Bruce shared with us the story of how he went out to purchase the “Explorer”, the world’s first purpose-built expedition cruise ship. In March of 2004 Bruce went on an expedition cruise through the Antarctic and fell in love with the experience. He figured he need to buy his own expedition cruise ship and started looking for suitable vessels. In April of 2004 he found the “Explorer”, a historic expedition ship with a capacity of 112 passengers and a crew of 60 people. The ship had been docked in Genoa, Italy, for many months due to the financial problems of its owners. Just another 2 months later, but after many complications, G.A.P took possession of the ship. Only another 4 months later, after extensive restorations, the Explorer went on its inaugural journey and today offers expedition cruises to such unique places as Antarctica, the Amazon, Spitzbergen, and Greenland. (Incidentally, G.A.P. has agreed to sponsor our first Travel Story Contest and the grand prize winner of our contest will win an exciting adventure cruise on the Amazon in the Explorer – all thanks to G.A.P. Adventures.)

G.A.P’s innovative business ideas don’t end here. G.A.P also has a travel TV Show: Great Adventure People TV shows viewers the world – G.A.P Adventures style. The camera accompanies small groups of G.A.P Adventure travelers and follows them on unique G.A.P. adventure trips– cycling through the fascinating country of Vietnam, exploring exotic Morocco, and hiking, biking and rafting through captivating Spain and Italy. New episodes can be seen in Canada on CTV and will soon also be available in Great Britain on the UK Travel Channel.

G.A.P is a unique company, with a unique philosophy and a unique way of operating. I am looking forward to interviewing Bruce personally and to finding out how he is able to combine a successful high-growth adventure travel business with his dedication to social causes and sustainable travel. Stay tuned for some interesting insights into a brilliant entrepreneurial mind….

Recife developed as a city of trade and as a major port. It is known as the Venice of Brazil and includes a mixture of the old and the new with narrow streets, canals, rivers and bridges. One of the pleasures that Recife offers is the opportunity to wander through the streets and to discover new pleasures. The architecture reflects the different cultures that have settled in the area and there are a number of historical monuments and churches many influenced by Portuguese and Dutch settlers.

The number one beach for city inhabitants and visitors alike is the Boa Viagem beach. This beach is one of the most famous in Brazil. Because it is protected by the reef the beach offers a safe place for swimming and other water sports. This area around Boa Viagem is the true heart of the city and includes many hotels, exciting nightlife and fine dining experiences. This area is also the shopping center of the city and offers many fine stores and boutiques. It is also a fine base to begin exploring the rest of the city.

Recife Antigo is the ancient part of the city. Much repair work is being done to revitalize this area. This is a great area for walking and sightseeing. This vibrant part of the city is alive with music and dance and of course carnival! One of the most famous carnivals in Brazil is the Carnival at Recife Antigo.

The Casa da Cultura is an important cultural marketplace full of arts, crafts and souvenirs. It was once an ancient colonial prison but has been transformed into a marketplace and center for traditional arts. This is also a center for performance art, dance and music.

For art lovers a visit to Francisco Brennand’s Oficina Ceramica is essential. It is located just outside the city in a dense forest. Brennand is one of Brazil’s most famous artists and this center dedicated to his work includes a museum and workshop. There is also a retail store located in the Boa Viagem area dedicated to his ceramic art.

The local cuisine in Recife has many influences including Spanish, Dutch, African and Indian. The area is renowned for its bountiful supply of fresh seafood as well as local fruits including coconuts and mangos. Local dishes include crabs cooked in a spicy sauce, shrimps in mango sauce, and fried needle fish.

Because Recife is situated close to the equator the weather is tropical. The hottest months are from December through February. This is when the locals take their vacations. Winter is during June through August and this is the period of heavy rainfall.

No matter what time of the year you decide to visit Recife you are sure to experience the holiday of a lifetime. There are untold treasures to be found in this bustling and vibrant city.

David Beckham has announced a scholarship program available to local Brazilian children in order to actively reach-out to schools within the region.

He hopes that the children will benefit from on-site coaching and access to the top class facilities, much in the same way as his Academies in London and Los Angeles.

Rubens Barrichello, Brazilian F1 champion, is also involved in the development, as well as Norwegian multi-millionaire businessman Torben Frantzen, brother of Findus founder Geir Frantzen.

Natal, the capital of the Brazilian state Rio Grande do Norte, is about 2600 km north of Sao Paulo along the northeast coast of the country. This city of 710,000 residents is an increasingly popular target for international investors and real estate developers. The spectacular location along the ocean and miles of undeveloped beaches north and south of the city make it ideal for those who are looking to get into an area that is up and coming.

Natal and the areas surrounding it are currently the target for over a billion dollars (US) in development. There are at least 10 golf courses planned or under construction and dozens of new housing, apartment and resort developments are also under construction. The city and surrounding communities are a major tourist destination for domestic travellers in Brazil. The area is being marketed as an international tourist destination as well, and the city is becoming increasingly popular among foreigners.

The economy of Rio Grande do Norte was centered on agriculture and cattle up until the early 1980s, when the government began to invest heavily in the natural beauty and climate of the coast and the potential for tourism. Tourism is becoming the major economic driver with the miles of undeveloped coastline drawing visitors, investors, retirees and workers. On the northwest coast, centered around the city of Macau, there is also a fair amount of petrochemical development, leading to a diversified economy.

The climate along the coast is one of the main attractions for visitors and investors. The yearly average temperature in Natal is about 27 degrees and sun seems to shine almost every day. Much of the state is fairly dry, although the southern area from Natal down to the border does have a rainy season, from April to June. It rains for a few hours, but the sun still comes out almost every day.

The greatest development and real estate opportunities for investors, both domestic and international ones, are around the city of Natal. The coastline to the north and south of the city is where all the major developments are under construction. With its tropical setting and pristine weather, this is the place to be.

David Beckhams seal of approval for Natal will make him the pride of Brazil

How could a travel agency have helped? They can get you a decent quality airline for a cheao price, to start. This is because they bulk buy, and get a discount. Secondly, if you arrive late and find that you can’t rent a car anymore, then you can’t do anything. But if the travel agency were to book the rental company – then they probably use that company every time someone wants to go to Peru. The rental company don’t care about losing 1 customer – but if the travel agency are not treated nicely the company could lose a huge amount of customers so they’ll probably arrange something for you. It’s the same for if you miss a flight and you are late for you hotel booking – they will compromise because you are with an agency. In essence, if you run into trouble, all you have to do is pick up the phone.

But what about the cost? Well, you will have paid the agency a certain amount, and probably saved at least that if not more. And that’s only talking about money, don’t forget that they’ll have saved you a lot of money. And everyone knows that time IS money. Travel agnecies get good deals, so you’ll either end up paying the same amount of money overall that you wouldve done without travel agency and get a better standard – or pay less and get the same standard. Just outline what you want from the trip and what your budget is. And don’t forget that travel agency’s have experience. They’ve organised safari holidays where animals have gone wild, they’ve organised hiking holidays where someone has been injured. Just pick up the phone, and they can give you details of the nearest hospital or put you through to the emergency services, like a 24 hour personal assistant. So if you wan’t to get value for money, I recommend travel agencies – even if they cost you a little to hire.

I’m not saying that you should use a travel agent all the time, but it’s worth checking out if you’re going on a long trip, far away – or a trip that could be extreme. Travel agencies can save you money and time – and provide you with a service.