World's Prettiest Places

By Jada A. Graves

First off, not every pick on our list is indeed a "place," per se. One is actually a scientific phenomenon, while another is considered a massive living organism home to more than 1,500 fish species and nearly 3,000 individual coral reefs. Several are wide-open spaces, but a few are brick-and- mortar sites built for kings (and in one case, a queen). Three have been included on the listing of the Seven Natural Wonders; three were also selected for the listing of the New 7 Wonders of the World. But no matter how you slice and dice them, all 10 have something important in common: Sometimes, it is all about what pleases the eye

Machu Picchu
Peru

Machu Picchu's 12 acres of mysterious temples and exquisite terraces are perpetually shrouded in cloud tufts, proving that this ancient site of Peru's Urubamba Valley still lives up to its reputation as the “Lost City of the Incas.” Or at least it seems like it from the pictures. In reality, this ancient city is always overrun with hikers exploring the Inca Trail or catching the view from the Temple of the Sun. So come with plenty of camera film and patience. For fewer crowds -- though not by much -- visit between October and April.

THREE 2500-YEAR-OLD TOMBS FOUND AT LAMBAYEQUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

ANDINA. A group of archaeologists have discovered three tombs dating back more than 2500 years at the Ventarron-Collud-Zarpan archaeological complex in Peru's northern Lambayeque region.

Several ceramic fragments, poorly preserved bones and a large stone wall were found in the tombs.

According to the archaeologists, the unearthed pieces do not belong to the high ranks of the ancient cultures that inhabited this region, but the pottery features an excellent finish.

They expect to find a very complex monument, after completing the excavation activities.
Archaeologist Ignacio Alva pointed out that the origin of the civilization and architecture in Lambayeque dates back 4500 years

PERU'S MOCHE ROUTE WINS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AWARD

ANDINA. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has conferred this year’s Ulysses Award in the “Innovation in Governance” category to 'Ruta Moche', a discovery trail of the ancient Moche civilization of Northern Peru.

The awards ceremony will be held during the Gala Dinner of the ‘UNWTO Algarve Forum on Tourism and Science: Bridging theory and practice’ (1-3 June 2011) in Vilamoura, Portugal.

The UNWTO Ulysses Awards reward initiatives and projects undertaken by public tourism institutions, tourism enterprises and non-profit institutions that have made a significant contribution to the advancement of tourism through innovation, in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

The Forum represents a milestone in the theoretical and practical dimensions of tourism as it aims to debate the main issues and strategic challenges faced by tourism in the modern world. In doing so, it contributes to building a Global Consensus on Tourism Policy and Governance which will set a reference for any institution involved in the tourism sector.

The event, organized by the UNWTO Knowledge Network, is structured in three parallel sessions: Development and Competitiveness, Climate Change and Sustainability, and Governance and Tourism Policy.

The UNWTO Knowledge Network Scientific Committee will present three executive papers for discussion at the plenary sessions in Vilamoura and participants will be asked to vote on these important issues. The outcome of this participative process will set the framework for the UNWTO Algarve Consensus.

UPGRADED ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM FOR TICKETS TO MACHU PICCHU

ANDINA. Tourists can now book and pay for tickets to visit Peru’s leading attraction, Machu Picchu, from anywhere in the world thanks to an upgraded online booking system.

From the end of April tourists can now simply go here, reserve tickets, pay by VISA, print out tickets and go directly to the Historic Sanctuary.

Peru’s Tourism Board coordinator for Asia Pacific, Rosana Guinea comments: “Having an online booking portal where tourists anywhere in the world can plan trips to Machu Picchu does make it a lot easier. It also allows us to understand the visitor profile to Machu Picchu as we capture information such as nationality, age and gender.

"We also plan to develop this site further with more information and have other cultural tours and activities available to book,” she was quoted as saying on etravelblackboard.com.

Machu Picchu is on everyone’s wish list when booking a trip to Peru and 2011 is a very important year as it marks 100 years since American explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered this lost city of the Incas for the world to see.

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu remains Peru’s top tourist attraction and the first quarter of 2011 saw visits to Machu Picchu increase by 33,000 people compared to the first quarter of 2009 to 127,963 visitors (figures are compared to 2009 and 2010 as the citadel was closed between January and April 2010 due to heavy rain and mudslides).

WESTIN HOTELS MAKES LANDMARK DEBUT IN SOUTH AMERICA

ANDINA. Accelerating its global portfolio growth, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of its first Westin hotel in South America – The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center in Peru.

Ideally located in the heart of San Isidro, the financial and shopping hub of Lima, Peru, The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center features 301 rooms and the largest meeting and convention facilities in Peru.

“We are delighted to make our landmark entry in South America, where we expect to aggressively grow the Westin brand over the next decade,” said Brian Povinelli, global brand leader for Westin Hotels & Resorts. “The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center is a superb representation of the Westin brand. Our distinctive positioning resonates well with international travelers and we are excited to bring the Westin experience to another new market.”

The debut of Westin in Peru comes on the heels of the brand’s recent entry in Costa Rica, with the opening of its first all-inclusive resort – The Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal. Westin is also poised to make its debut in Panama with the upcoming openings of The Playa Bonita followed by The Westin Panama, and increase its presence in Mexico with the upcoming opening of The Westin Guadalajara this September.

“Starwood’s growth leader in Latin America is Westin Hotels, which is set to double its portfolio in the region by 2012,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America. “Fuelled by the success of Westin, we are experiencing strong demand from owners and developers for all of our world-class brands across Latin America, strengthening Starwood’s position as the largest four and five star hotel operator in the region.”

The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center is opening under a franchise agreement between Grupo Libertador and Starwood. The two companies previously partnered to open two Luxury Collection properties: Hotel Paracas Resort in 2009 and Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa in 2010, located in Valle Sagrado, near Machu Picchu.

An ideal venue for weddings, social galas and business functions, The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center boasts more than 28,000 square feet of space, including 10 meeting rooms and a grand ballroom. Additional facilities include a three meal restaurant and a fine dining restaurant headed by chef Rafael Piqueras. The hotel also features an In Site Bar to enjoy international cocktails, lobby lounge, and an additional lounge on the 29th floor. Designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica and renowned New York designer Tony Chi, The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention is a notable addition to the Lima skyline.

In their rooms, hotel guests will awaken their senses with the Westin Heavenly Bath® experience and restore in the Heavenly Bed®, a 10-layer ensemble of luxurious comfort featuring a pillow-top mattress set, a cozy down blanket, three crisp sheets, a comforter, duvet and five plush pillows. Rooms are also equipped with high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space to enhance guest productivity and creativity in a tranquil setting.

As part of the Westin brand’s commitment to preserving wellness on the road, The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center features a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® gym, an indoor pool and the SuperfoodsRX menu designed by experts to keep guests on top of their game with incredible food combinations rich in nutrients, antioxidants and flavor. Located on the second floor of the hotel, the Heavenly Spa by Westin features 14 treatment rooms and a choice of signature Heavenly treatments created by Comfort Zone, the luxurious Italian spa brand.

ADVENTURE SPORTS COMPETITION TO HIT PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE

ANDINA. Paracas National Reserve located in Peru's southern coastal desert, in Ica department, will host the sixth edition of sports competition Desafio Peru 8mil 2011, which will gather 19 national and international sports teams and will be held on May 27-29, according to the organizer, Asociacion Peru 8mil.
The event will start on Friday 27 at 08:00 hours (13:00 GMT) in the Huacachina oasis and will finish on Sunday 29 in the Double Tree by Hilton hotel located in Paracas Bay, the president of the organization Enrique Malaga said.
Participants will be divided into groups of four people, taking into account that at least one from each group must be of the opposite sex. Each team will have to travel together around the coastal and desert landscapes.
The first place in this competition will win US$6,000, the second place US$3,000 and the last one US$750.
Cynthia Céspedes, chief of Paracas National Reserve said this event is a great opportunity to promote Peru as an interesting destination for ecotourism and adventure tourism.

PAMPACORRAL NUEVA ÁREA NATURAL PROTEGIDA PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN DE LOS ECOSISTEMAS DE LA PUYA RAIMONDI

Tendrá como una de sus prioridades controlar la tala y la quema de bosques de Puya raimondii y de Queuña.
Pampacorral es la nueva área natural protegida de administración privada, para la conservación de la Puya Raimondi, y está ubicada dentro de los límites del predio titulado de la comunidad campesina del mismo nombre, del distrito de Lares, provincia de Calca, departamento de Cusco y cuenta con una superficie de 767,56 hectáreas.

Con este reconocimiento, suman treinta las áreas de conservación privada-ACP del país.

Este nuevo reconocimiento tiene como objetivo principal proteger los ecosistemas de Puya raimondii existentes en dicha comunidad campesina responsable de la administración de la ACP por un periodo de diez años.

Por otro lado, también se protegerá la parte alta del sistema hidrográfico de Pampacorral, con el fin de mantener los servicios ambientales para la población influenciada y se fomentará el desarrollo del turismo sostenible que contribuirá al desarrollo socioeconómico de la población; se conservarán los ecosistemas del área para garantizar su abastecimiento de agua para actividades agropecuarias y consumo directo y se priorizará la utilización racional de los recursos naturales renovables.

En ese sentido, Pampacorral tendrá como una de sus prioridades controlar la tala y la quema de bosques de Puya raimondii y de Queuña desarrollando programas de forestación y reforestación con plantas nativas de la zona.

Los valores del ACP

El valor de conservar las áreas de los ecosistemas altoandinos, radica en que constituyen uno de los pocos bosques andinos que a la fecha se conservan y contienen hábitats de múltiples especies originarias y endémicas.
Pampacorral alberga 56 especies de flora, que a su vez forman parte del hábitat de 52 especies de aves, 13 de mamíferos, 7 de insectos y 6 entre peces, anfibios y reptiles.

Toda esta alta biodiversidad y endemismo propiciarán la promoción de la investigación científica para generar divulgación e intercambio de información a nivel regional, nacional e internacional.

Finalmente, resulta destacable que la comunidad de Pampacorral brinde a esta nueva ACP un valor sociocultural por mantener una cultura viva, originaria y milenaria que se expresa a través de sus prácticas rituales vinculadas a su relación con el resto de la naturaleza de la cual son parte.


San Isidro, 03 de mayo de 2011
Unidad de Comunicaciones
Ministerio del Ambiente
www.minam.gob.pe

SERNANP RECONOCE NUEVA ÁREA NATURAL PROTEGIDA EN PAMPACORRAL

El pasado 3 de mayo, Pampacorral, ubicada en el distrito de Lares, en la provincia de Calca (Cusco), se convirtió en una nueva área natural de conservación privada, (ACP), la cual será administrada por la comunidad de Pampacorral durante unos 10 años. Según el Sernanp, el fin de esta medida es proteger los ecosistemas de Puya Raimondi presentes en dichos predios. De la misma forma, se fomentará el desarrollo del turismo sostenible para el desarrollo socioeconómico de la población; se garantizará su abastecimiento de agua para actividades agropecuarias y consumo directo, y se priorizará la utilización racional de los recursos naturales renovables, entre otros beneficios. El reconocimiento eleva a treinta las ACP del país.

The world’s most iconic man-made structures

The world is full of incredible buildings, but what about those that have become truly iconic, the instantly recognisable ones that have come to symbolise a destination or even a period in time?

Let’s take a global tour of those enduring structural wonders – all of them worthy contenders for your travel bucket list:

Taj Mahal, India

Image by Rameshng

This beauty was 23 years in the making (1630-53) and is remarkable for its perfect symmetry. The Taj was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife, Arjumand Banu Begum (also known as Mumtaz Mahal). Made from white marble, this majestic mausoleum features intricate details that were inlaid with precious lapis lazuli — pilfered in the 19th century. Its exterior reflects the changing colours of the day, and its beauty on a full-moon night is legendary.

Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

Image by doneastwest

For the Egyptian pharaoh Khufu, back in 2560 BC, the notion of digging your own grave transposed elaborately into constructing the Great Pyramid. Around two million stone blocks, each weighing 2 tonnes, were brought together to serve as his tomb. The Great Pyramid is the planet’s original tourist attraction — counting Antony (Cleopatra’s beau) and Napoleon among its many early visitors — and keeps company with three other pyramids and that other illustrious attraction, the Sphinx.

Great Wall, China

Image by exfordy

Hordes hit the Wall, as they have for centuries. Built from the end of the 15th century to the start of the 16th (using an existing wall dating back 2000 years), it stretches an incredible 6350km (3946m). Though not really visible from space, its jagged, snaking presence across the mountains between China and Mongolia always impresses, and is a tribute to the manic energy we apply to systems of war and defence. The touristed parts of Badaling are not recommended; try instead a walk from Simatai to Jinshanling.

Eiffel Tower, France

Image by trixnbooze

How many electricians does it take to change a light bulb on the Eiffel Tower? A whole team is required to maintain the 10,000-odd light bulbs that illuminate the 324m (1060ft) tower. Built in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition and to celebrate the French Revolution, Paris’ tower was designed by Stephen Sauvestre and was named after Gustave Eiffel — who specialised in iron construction including the Statue of Liberty and portable bridges sold around the world in kits.

Chrysler Building, USA

Image by Marc_Smith

Architect William van Alen planned the dramatic unveiling of New York City’s Chrysler Building‘s ornate tower by assembling it inside the building. Made of stainless steel and modelled on the hubcaps used on Chrysler cars of the late 1920s. Completed in 1930, the Art Deco building’s 77 floors and ornamental top made it the world’s highest structure — not just scraping the sky but piercing it at 319m (1046ft).

Big Ben, England

Image by exfordy

‘Big Ben’ is the common name for the Palace of Westminster‘s clock and bell tower in London, and speculation reigns as to just which Benjamin was big enough to give his name to it. Perhaps it was Ben Hall, the Chief Commissioner of Works when it was built in 1888. Or maybe Ben Caunt, a heavyweight prizefighter — in reference to the heavyweight bell within: 13.76 tonnes. The tower has a slight lean — approx 22cm (8.7in) northwest — due to ground conditions.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Image by Oisin Mulvihill

The ‘Lost City of the Incas’, Machu Picchu (literally ‘old peak’) sits at a lofty elevation of 2350m (7710ft) and is invisible from below. The secret city contains the ruins of palaces, baths and temples, and is believed to have served as a country retreat for Inca royalty. Rediscovered in 1911, construction of this ancient city is thought to have started in around 1440. Partly constructed without mortar, the precise joins won’t allow even a credit card between them.

Mount Rushmore, USA

Image by dean.franklin

In the Black Hills of South Dakota, this massive monument marks the first 150 years of American history. Carved into a mountain face are the 18m (60ft) faces of four former presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. The brainchild of Doane Robinson, the original concept was to immortalise figures of American folklore. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum (a student of a Rodin) thought devoting his life’s work to folklore too trivial – hence the resulting busts, built between 1927 and 1941.

Stonehenge, England

Image by Margaret Anne Clarke

No one knows exactly why these 50-tonne stones were dragged from South Wales 5000 years ago. What we do know is that it would have taken about 600 people to move one more than half an inch, and that the complex was constructed between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. Consisting of a ring of stones topped by lintels, an inner horseshoe, an outer circle and a ditch, Stonehenge likely had dual astrological and religious purposes.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Image by tylerdurden1

This temple complex, built early in the 12th century by a succession of Khmer kings, formed part of a larger administrative and religious centre. Built to honour the Hindu god Vishnu and abandoned in the 15th century, many of the stone structures have since been grasped by giant banyan tree roots or covered by the surrounding forest. Apparently the layout of the temples architecturally mirrors the constellation Draco in 10,500 BC to harmonise the earth and the stars.