Caracas, Venezuela

Answer 1

OVERVIEW

Caracas is the home of many beautiful restaurants, theatres, museums and shopping centers. You will find that traveling this city is extremely easy as they have a very intricate transportation system which includes an underground system and a Megabus, the above ground mode of transportation. You will find mild weather in Caracas no matter what time of year you visit, but during the summer and fall, which runs December through April, you will find a larger range of festivities for your family. No matter the time of year that you visit, be sure to check out the shopping centers that feature items ranging from clothing, shoes, gems and jewelry. By visiting the Mercadito de Chacao and the Mercado Guacaipuro, which are the authentic traditional markets, you will also find wool tapestries, baskets and pottery, hardwood carvings, and hammocks made of original wild cotton or palm fiber.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Caracas is the home to many beautiful sites that include historic monuments and buildings, such as cathedrals, museums and political buildings. You can also find lavish scenary, such as Los Roques National Park, Isla de Margarita or Angel Falls, that will take you away from noise in the main part of the city. There are three family friendly festivals that occur yearly in which the whole family will not only learn from but will have a lot of fun.

The Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria begins on February 2nd. Your whole family will enjoy a variety of masses, dances and religious processions that go on throughout the city in honor of Nuestra Señora, otherwise known as the Virgin Mary.

Celebrate the carnaval with Venezuela for the forty days before Easter Sunday. The whole family can participate in festivities such as dancing, music, balloons that encompass a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. You will find some of the most lavish costumes during Carnaval, especially during the parades that are held during this festive time.

Semana Santa is considered the most important Catholic festival which occurs during the Holy Week of Easter. Semana Santa encompasses a celebration of the last days of Christ’s life, the Crucifixion and Resurrection, and ending with Lent. Every day of the week, you will find a different ritual that is practiced. Your family can participate in the masses and religious observations as well as the prayer meetings.

FOOD & DRINK

Caracas aims to please their residents and visitors by providing a variety of international and traditional cuisine. You can also enjoy local favorites which include Arepas, Pabell%C3%B3n, Mondongo and Cachapa and grilled dishes at restaurants who specialize in grilling your favorite meats and seafood. A Parrillada Mixta del Mar is a favorite in the neighborhood which is a mixed seafood grill. This mixed grill is served with garlic butter or Tartar sauce.

To get a real taste of this culture, visit Al Vecchio Mulino, located in the Sabana Grande neighborhood. “Al Vecchio Mulino’ means Old Windmill in Italian and this restaurant is currently housed in an old windmill. After dinner you can head to one of the following places in the neighborhood for some coffee or dessert: Poma, Café Matissa, La Caleta.

In yet another neighborhood, Altamira, you can find restaurants such as La Estancia for Argentina beef, or Chex Wong & Grill for that Chinese your craving. After dinner spots to visit in the Altamira neighborhood includ Taverna del Cubo for a wide variety of wine or Yogen Fruz for a yogurt dessert.

Answer 2

The climate in South America is decidedly tropical, which makes Caracas a great place to visit, unfortunately this capital city is not as well known as a tourist destination as some others are.

Sightseers will enjoy the Caracas Cathedral which was rebuilt in 1665 after an earthquake destroyed it, providing several religious pieces. Step back in time at the Plaza Bolivar, where several historic sites await you as you wander around and take in some shopping. Politics has many faces in Caracas and El Capitolio Nacional is probably where you will see many of them as you admire the well kept surroundings. Even though it has been repaired several times since its birth in the fifteen hundreds, Iglesia de San Francisco still bears much of its initial beauty.

A vacation in Caracas should include the annual Carnival celebrations which promises to be a sight to see. Be prepared to take part in a three day event that should not be compared to Mardi Gras.