From A Definite Highlight by Ciccia*

Ever wondered about Copacabana, Bolivia? You are in good company. This alluring destination is the main town on Lake Titicana, a region where Bolivia meets Peru in a marvel of natural beauty, colonial landmarks, and sacred Inca cultural heritage. Traditional festivals and religious celebrations abound here, as well as attractions that allow the respectful traveler a peak into a fascinating culture.

Ciccia*, a Realtraveler from Peterborough, England, visited this amazing area recently. In her blog entry A Definite Highlight, she chronicles her experience, including her visit to the famous 16th-century shrine, the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, the patron saint of Bolivia:

“The church itself is worth seeing for its ornate Andalusian architecture. There is also a mirador where you can see the sunset over the lake and visit the pilgrimage site at the top of the steepest mountain that ever existed, it seemed. The photos that I took are some of my favorites so far. The town is also the gateway to the Isla Del Sol ( The Island of the Sun). This is the biggest island in the lake.”

Boats depart from Copacabana to the many small islands of Lake Titicana, and Ciccia* had the incredible opportunity to experience the indigenous Inca culture first-hand:

“Much more interesting is the Peruvian side of the lake. Here, I took a trip with a local agency to Los Uros, Amantani and Taquiles. This was fascinating. Los Uros are composed of 36 floating islands that were constructed by the Uro people mainly to escape Spanish slavery. You go with a guide who explains how the reeds of the lake are arranged and rearranged in order to construct the islands. Their culture is explained and you can talk to the island´s inhabitants who are extremely friendly and happy to meet you. The islands are pure engineering genius and have survived for centuries together with their people, culture and traditions…

“In the night, I was dressed in the traditional clothes of the community, as was Juan, my friend from Lima. We danced the traditional dances to Andean music and it felt like we were part of the community. This is most amazing part of the tour - the exchange of cultures and traditions.” (more…)

Read Ciccia*’s entire blog South And Central America in 5ish months for travel tips, gorgeous photos, and more descriptions of her travels.

To forge an similarly incredible South American journey of your own, visit these useful links:

Copacabana Travel Guide
Copacabana Tourism
Lake Titicaca Travel Guide
Bolivia Travel Guide

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From Copenhagen, good bikes by Diane and Fran

One of my favorite places I visited as a child was Copenhagen, Denmark. When I returned there as an adult, I was captivated all the more. Charming and eclectic, this Scandinavian city exudes a unique mix of urban excitement with old-fashioned civility. With a hint of magic in the air from its historic folklore, travelers will enjoy its succulent cuisine, vibrant arts scene, many museums, and impressive architecture.

Any visitor to Copenhagen will notice its dedication to ecological good sense. The prevalence of bicycles throughout the city offers an earth-friendly and economical alternative for getting around town. Diane and Fran, Realtravelers from Paris who recently visited this city, explain in their travel blog:

“On the afternoon we walked to see the monument better and we went to the castle. On the way we found two tourist bikes (we were looking for that as it is bike who works as a ‘caddie.’ You put a coin and you can have it. When you have finish with it you just put it back and you recuperate your coin. It is a wonderful idea). The thing is there was no coins in it and I think somebody left it 1 minute ago, so we just took it (no we did not steal it as it is available for anybody who founds one) and we started to visit Copenhagen by bike.” (more…)

Another interesting read about this Danish metropolis is the blog entry Copenhagen by KT Travel Bug, wherein she describes in detail the many attractions she visited, including the shopping district Strøget, Christianborg Palace, Christiana, and more.

Here is an excerpt from this entry, about her visit to the quay:

“Our route then takes us off into Nyhavn. It’s a picturesque quay full of cafes and bustling with tourists. This is where Hans Christian Andersen used to live (apparently in quite a few of the properties here – he was prone to the odd midnight flit).” (more…)

To learn more about this European favorite, visit:

Copenhagen Travel Guide
Copenhagen Travel Blogs
Copenhagen Travel Ideas

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