Christ the Redeemer
September 27, 2011 | 
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Brazil’s central religion since the 16th century has been Christianity with Roman Catholicism being the most prominent. It has the highest number of baptized Roman Catholics in the world with about 74% of Brazilians declaring Catholicism as their religion. Christ the Redeemer, a large art deco-style effigy, is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and stands 38 meters high. The statue is located at the summit ofCorcovado mountain in Tijuca Forest National Park standing at 710 meters and looking over the city.In Portugese, this iconic monument is known as Cristo Redentor. The original design of the Christ the Redeemer statue was born by a man named Oswald. He designed it to have a globe in one hand and stand over a pedestal symbolizing the world but the design was not agreed upon. Another proposal for a monument was prepared and made in 1921 by the archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro. He organized an event named Seman de Monumento (“Monument Week”) in hopes of attracting donations, which were attained mainly by Brazilian Catholics who readily awaited a design decision for an effigy.
Christ the Redeemer was designed by a French sculptor by the name of Paul Landowski and a local engineer named Heitor da Silva Costa was chosen to supervise the entire construction. The statue was built not out of steel but from reinforced concrete as that was considered a more suitable material for the cross-shaped statue. The outer layers of the idol were constructed from a mosaic of soapstone because of the materials” known resistance to extreme weather and also due to its malleability. The Corcovado Railway was the only way to haul the large pieces of the statue to the crown of the mountain and thus was used as an important aide in the project.
Christ the Redeemer was built between 1926 and 1931 and after some time there was also a chapel built at the base of the mountain to house 150 visitors. The monument was inaugurated on October 12, 1931 in an extravagant and grand commemoration. The lighting was to be one of the highlights of the ceremony, which was to be switched on by Italian radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi from his yacht in Naples. The signal strength was largely affected by poor weather conditions and the lighting had to be switched on manually by workers at Corcovado. In Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Christ the Redeemer can be accessed by the 2.4 meter Corcovado Rack railway that has the capacity to hold 360 passengers every hour. The trip by rail is approximately 20 minutes and leaves the base each half hour. The view from the train is alluring, leaving those traveling the mountain in keen anticipation of what is yet to come. The busiest time to visit is Easter and the Christmas season. From the road or the train terminal Christ the Redeemer statue is reached by 222 steps. For those not wishing to make the arduous trek up the mountain, reaching the statue is possible by escalators and elevators. In Rio de Janeiro Brazil Christ the Redeemer remains one of the most beloved year-round tourist attractions. Some say the best time to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue is late afternoon or evening when you can enjoy the splendor of the setting sun while taking in one of the most important landmarks in the world.
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California
There is tons to see and do in California, and possibilities for every sort of vacation you could hope for. Whether you enjoy the great outdoors and camping trips, long to go to excellent ski resorts or have a wild time at thrilling theme parks, California travel is a fun way to spend your next vacation.
With different attractions vying for your interest, you can enjoy an all-inclusive trip when you purchase a California travel package. Often, these are for places that see a lot of visitors, like theme parks and wineries. You can leave the details up to your travel agent so you can focus on enjoying your California tour.
Some of the biggest attractions in the country are in Los AngelesCounty. With kid- friendly attractions like Disneyland and Universal Studios, you could make an entire family vacation out of a visit toSouthern California alone.
California is has more people living in it than any other US State, and is the third largest state in the country. With an economy that is more robust than all except a few countries in the world, California is big enough to be its own country. Entertainment and tourism forms the backbone of California’s main industry, with farming in close second. Wines from the Napa Valley lead the nation in wine sales. What that translates to for the visitor is a heavenly California vacation.
Some of the most rare natural features such as tar pits, Geysers and sulfur pools can be found in California State Parks. There are natural landmarks all over the state, from the mist shrouded heights and Redwood forests of the rugged Northern Coast to the dizzying elevations of the biggest peak in the lower 48, Mt Whitney. You can enjoy the outdoors in anyway you like. You don’t have to be rich to tour California wineries and the lush vineyards of Napa Valley, you can save a lot by booking a California vacation package for here or at the world class Ski Resorts of Lake Tahoe.
With some of the best rates on rental cars, you can take the initiative and tailor your California travel plans to fit your tastes and budget. California has some of the most unbelievable views through its mountain passes, especially the popular Yosemite. California has no lack of mountains. From the High Sierra to the coastal range, California mountains are places to hike, camp, fish, white water raft, ski, and snowboard, drawing visitors all year round to its scenic summits.
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of California travel is on this states Scenic Drives. Routes like State Highway 1 takes you through some major areas in Northern California with scenic landmarks like the famous hilly city by the Bay, foggy San FranciscoBay and the Golden Gate Bridge the backdrop of an unforgettable leg of your road trip as you drive through the Bay Area.
To the south, charming seaside cities like Santa Cruz have small populations, but world class attractions and natural beauty that is unmatched. Migrating Gray whales, pristine nature preserves and freak waves from the Pacific that insane surfers actually dare to take on are some of the thing you will find along the coast non a California tour of the Big Sur region south of the Moneterey. The 17 Mile Drive and the Lone Cypress are two of the most frequented attractions on the Central Coast, as is the immaculate city of Carmel with its world class gold courses overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
With so many attractions, you can often hit a lot of different places, saving time and money with a California vacation package. Whether you’re going to a theme park or touring a winery, California tour of the states attractions that include airfare and accommodations as well as admission to attractions takes a lot of hassle and confusion out of planning a vacation.
South Pacific Islands
The South Pacific Islands are one of the most relaxing and popular vacation destinations in the southern hemisphere. South Pacific vacations often include a tour of Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand, although any of these locations make a great place to vacation on their own.
Australia
For anyone planning to travel Australia, you’ll find there is a lot to pack in. Whether you visit Ayers Rock, take in a show at the world famousSydney Opera House, scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef, trek through the Australian Outback, or hike through the incredible Daintree Rainforest, Australia is an exceptional paradise. With the kangaroo as its most recognizable icon, the lowest population density in the world, and over 7,000 beaches, Australia has been beckoning travelers to the South Pacific Islands for decades.
Travel Australia major cities, such as Sydney, Perth, or Melbourne, and you’ll find a modern mix of exciting urban life. With great shopping, world-class restaurants featuring unique cuisine, and a bevy of festivals and holidays, Australia is a special gem in the southern hemisphere. To travel Australia and take advantage of an Australia travel package, contact a travel agent or book your Australia travel package online in advance. An Australia travel package can include anything from wine tours, to South Pacific cruises, to treks of every kind.
Fiji
For most travelers, travel to Fiji is synonymous with warmth. From the warmth of the beaches to the warmth of the people, travel to Fiji takes tourists to an island that remains a tropical paradise, with a mix of Hindu and South Pacific Island cultures. Adventurers who travel to Fiji have many activities to choose from; Fiji is one of the best places in the South Pacific Islands to scuba dive, with an expansive coral reef stretching along much of the coast. Even for those who don’t scuba dive, a drive along the Coral Coast Highway with a stop at the Pacific Harbour Cultural Centre & Market Place is an excellent way to spend an afternoon in the South Pacific Islands. Another popular trip is the Island Express tour of Mamanucas, which takes guests along a beautiful scenic route, stopping in Nadi Town and Lautoka for shopping and further sightseeing.
Although many travel to Fiji for a short while as they continue to explore the rest of the South Pacific Islands, there is enough to do in Fiji to make it a vacation destination of its own. Travelers taking South Pacific vacations during the month of November will experience a South Pacific Islands treat; Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights takes place during the first week of this month, and celebrations throughout Fiji feature an array of lights, merriment, and sweet foods. Whether you choose to tour a city or a natural wonder, the travel to Fiji includes special blend of shopping, tours, and beach activities. With a bevy of South Pacific Cruises to Fiji, travel to Fiji is a great place to relax in the sun.
New Zealand
Widely considered to be the adventure capital of the world, travel to New Zealand has plenty of active pursuits to choose from. The world’s first ever bone fide bungee jumping company started here, and if you travel to New Zealand you’ll find bungee jumping locations in most major cities (and smaller ones as well). The country of New Zealand is made up of two separate islands, referred to simply as north and south. Auckland, located in the north island of New Zealand, is the most populated and urban city in the country, and is the center of business and commerce in New Zealand. Wellington, also in the north, is the capital of New Zealand, and has a host of historical museums, like the popular Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, as well as a taste of nature, found at such sights as the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.
Travel to New Zealand in the south island is full of active pursuits. A ferry cruise runs between the two islands, and guests will usually find themselves in the city of Christchurch upon arriving. From here, most folks who travel to New Zealand make their way to the incredibly popular city of Queenstown. Probably the most famous city in New Zealand, Queenstown is full of breathtaking adventure. From riding the city’s gondola, which stretches out across foothills and offers an incredible view of Queenstown below, to taking part in an array of skydiving, bungee jumping, and other extreme adventures, Queenstown is by far the center for tourists and travelers of every kind. Even those looking to explore the city in a more quiet way will find that there is a myriad of available hikes, from the Abel Tasman Coast Track, or the Heaphy Track, both of which reward hikers with stunning, sweeping views of beautiful New Zealand.
With far more to offer then extreme adventures, one of the most fascinating natural wonders you’ll find when you travel to New Zealand is the Franz Glacier in the city of Franz Josef. Hikers can walk right up to, and on, the glacier, and access to Franz is more convenient then any other glacier in the world. As the dollar has been quite strong for a number of years, those who travel to New Zealand on a budget will want to book packages in advance to take advantage of the best deals for South Pacific vacations in travel to New Zealand.
South Pacific Island travel can be on the expensive side, but the upscale beaches and fascinating sites are worth the extra cost. Check with travel companies for special budget offers and promotional deals on South Pacific Islands travel, South Pacific cruise, and other South Pacific vacations.