2013 Delta Travel Guide - (Page 82)
VENEZUELA
Caracas
If Venezuela’s international reputation seems to swirl only around
oil and the politics of President Hugo Chavez, now is as good a
time as ever to also consider that this is a nation of dazzling beauty
and diversity: the longest Caribbean coastline anywhere, Andean
horizons of snow-capped peaks, tranquil offshore islands, wetlands
teeming with wildlife, and the world’s highest waterfall. The gateway
to all this natural and adventure glory is Caracas, which may be
essential to business travelers, but is usually a quick-look capital
for those on holiday. Both of those travel segments, however, have
good hotel choices, from the JW Marriott and the Tamanaco
Intercontinental to the capital’s newest luxury entry, Pestana
Caracas. For everyone, the historic heart of the old city was home
to Simon Bolivar in Casa Natal, and the adjacent Bolivar Museum
displays the Great Liberator’s memorabilia. Here also is the Cathedral whose art treasures include works by Murillo and Rubens.
Modern Caracas enjoys a vibrant arts scene and world-class
museums: two essentials are the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, whose modern collection ranges from Matisse, Chagall and
Picasso to the kinetic pieces of native son Jesus Soto; and the very
fine Museo de Arte Colonial, housed in an elegant 18th century
country mansion.
Take time to drive out of the city to El Hatillo,
a lovely colonial-style town whose buildings are painted a rainbow
of colors and old houses converted to fine little restaurants and
bars; the popular Hannsi Cafe is attached to an excellent artisan
shop. And of course take the cable car up Mt.
Avila for breathtaking views of Caracas.
It’s soon time to get out to see the rest of Venezuela: Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, the country’s first national park and still one of the best for
great birding and stunning beaches; Angel Falls,
16 times as high as Niagara; Los Llanos, where
giant anaconda, capybara, caiman and birds
galore make themselves at home in the grassy
wetlands; and Andean Merida, tops for outdoor
adventures such as trekking, mountain biking and
white water rafting. Offshore, Margarita Island
is the country’s main international beach resort,
while the archipelago of Los Roques is a wonderland for fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
FACTS
November-December, April/
May; June-October for Angel Falls
FUN-FACT: Looking up from a boat or down from a
plane Angel Falls, at 3,211 ft., is the highest waterfall in the world—16 times the height of Niagara
GETTING THERE:
Delta flies from Atlanta to
Caracas
ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport, valid for six
months from entry date
CURRENCY: The Bolivar (dollars can NOT be exchanged at hotels)
MUST-TRY LOCAL FOOD: The national snack is the
arepa, made of corn bread stuffed with anything
from shredded beef to chicken and guacamole.
Regional treats range from savory dishes made
from wild game such lapa, venison or capybara;
turtle pies and bienmesabe (a dessert whose
name means “tastes good to me”). For an only-inVenezuela taste experience, go to Merida for ice
cream, served up at Heladeria Coromoto, which
holds the Guinness world record for most flavors
(hundreds)
BEST BUYS: In Caracas, beautiful hardwood bowls
and baskets at Casa Curuba, while the biggest
craft center of all, Hannsi in the nearby town of
El Hatillo, is the place for hammocks and papiermache devil masks. Venezuela produces gold,
and the jewelry stores in the capital cluster around
Edificio La Francia
INFORMATION PLEASE: Venezuela Convention &
Visitors Bureau—burodevenezuela.com
VENEZUELA
GUYANA
ECUADOR
BEST TIME TO GO:
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12/18/12 9:55 AM
http://www.ole.travel
http://burodevenezuela.com
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