The Tourists Attractions Of Sao Paulo

The city of Sao Paulo has been compared to the city of New York, and has just as many interesting places to go and unique things to see as New York does! Sao Paulo is South America’s largest city, and is the third largest city in the entire world. It is home to an astounding 17 million people, and has many neighborhoods made up of a diverse collection of people with nationalities such as Japanese, Arab, Italian and Lebanese.

If you ever wish to make a trip to Sao Paulo, try to avoid the months of January, February and March, as this is the rainy season and floods are inevitable. These floods disrupt the normal flow of things, and make seeing the sites nearly impossible. The best time to visit is April through December. This is the period of time when you will be able to see art and fashion shows, cultural events, as well as music festivals.

A visit to Sao Paulo will have one bewildered by the assortment of activities and attractions that are available. One unique place to experience is the Butanta Institute, one of the world’s most well known centers for the study of poisonous snakes. While it is foremost a research center, it does house thousands and thousands of poisonous snakes that can be observed by visitors to the Institute.

Art lovers will not want to pass up the opportunity to visit the Museo de Arte Sacra & Jardin de la Luz. This lovely museum is situated inside an 18th century baroque monastery, and houses what is thought to be the best collection of colonial artifacts, as well as art in South America. There are also numerous other museums and galleries scattered throughout the city, some housing major collections, with others hosting shows for local artists.

Sao Paulo, being a cosmopolitan city, is home to many of Brazil’s richest residents. It is also a shopping mecca, and top of the line goods such as cameras, clothes, perfume, jewelry, leather goods, shoes, art, antiques, as well as hand made goods and crafts are widely available.

Sao Paulo is also known for its vibrant nightlife and plethora of dance clubs and bars. One of Sao Paulo’s best-known bars is Bar Brahma, which has been around since 1949. It used to be a meeting place for artsy types as well as local politicians, but today is the favored location to hear live samba music.

Like any metropolitan city, Sao Paulo is easy to get around in by using taxis, buses and trains. It is wise not to rent a car and attempt to navigate the city yourself, as during rush hour the traffic can be at a standstill for hours, and when it rains, traffic doesn’t move at all.

Sao Paulo is a city rich in history; it has a diverse population, beautiful museums and galleries, and is full of attractions and beautiful architecture. It is a city that has much to offer to visitors and residents alike.

Belgium: Sweets, Fun And Relaxation

Belgium chocolates and Belgium waffles have made this small European country famous around the world. But Belgium offers more than just sweets and breakfast items. In fact, Belgium is known for hosting more street and music festivals than any other country in Europe. After all, this is where the Saxophone was invented, by Adolph Sax, in 1846. Belgium’s historical sites, small towns, and peaceful countryside make it an excellent destination for inquisitive travelers.

Belgium is both multicultural and multilingual. Flanders, in the north, is a land surrounded by canals that hosts medieval art cities such as Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. Wallonia, in the south, leads you to the hills of the Ardennes, countless castles, and the cities of Liege, Namur, and Tournai. Brussels, the capital, is one of the world’s great cosmopolitan cities, home to the European Union, NATO and the Atomium monument. All these cities and regions are connected through a train network that makes it easy and simple to hop on and hop off at your desired destination.

What to do?

Christmas in Belgium, with Christmas markets in Brussels, Bruges, Liege, Antwerp and in other cities, is really an experience you cannot miss. Every winter, Brussels features a magical decor, superb Christmas market, illuminated Big Wheel, roundabouts, street activities, music and the famous skating rink. Winter in Bruges is a month long celebration of the holidays with carillons concerts, Christmas markets and processions making it an original Christmas wonderland.

Looking for something to do during your vacations? Belgium has become the hot destination in Europe for the 20-30 something set. Students and young travelers are gathering at cities like Brussels, Antwerp, Leuven and Namur for stylish shopping, inexpensive hotels, great food, and a pulsating nightlife.

Looking for rest and relaxation? Belgium offers you the original Spa. Located in the middle of the Ardennes and surrounded by forests and rivers, the city of Spa is famous for the mineral springs that initiated the hydro-therapy industry centuries ago. In addition, Belgium offers 67 km of coastline along the North Sea in the Flanders region where you will find beautiful beaches such as De Panne, Ostend, De Haan and Knokke-Heist.

Where to eat?

Trendy cafes throughout Belgium are crowded with students and young professionals. In most places you will find Brussels legendary “frietkots” where they serve Belgian fries for those who want to hang out after the restaurants close. For those blessed with a sweet tooth, Belgium can be paradise offering exquisite chocolates, pralines, and waffles. For more information, here is a complete list of restaurants.

Visas & Documents

Visas for stays of no more than 3 months are required by all except EU/EEA nationals and citizens from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, United States, United Kingdom and other countries. A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. All visas cost either US$44 (short stay; up to 90 days) or US$64 (long stay). For more information, contact the Belgium embassy or consulate in your country.