Hacienda Villa del Sol, La Paz

Advantages: Scenery, food, cheap
Disadvantages: Poverty, hygiene

...Let me start by saying that we had an excellent time in Bolivia (apart from the food poisoning). We arrived from Peru by bus and stopped at the Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca first - its quite primitive and isolated (unreliable electricity, water, etc) but the views are stunning, leading my mate to christen it the best place in the world. And you can eat loads of fresh fish. From there we went on to La Paz - an dramatic city surrounded by mountain peaks and bustling with life. Hawkers line the streets, and the architecture is that strange south american mix of classic conquistador meets concrete bricks. We got a taxi up to the Devil's Tooth - an aptly named dangerously steep bit of rock on the outskirts of the city. The food and accommodation is dead cheap, and travel is easy if not luxurious - those overnight buses can jangle your... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: culture, people, nightlife
Disadvantages: none

...ok i am going to give a more detail view of Madrid. First of all Madrid is the greenest city in Europe , people don´t know that but is true you´ll find historical parks like Retiro, Campo del moro, fuente del berro,el capricho parque del oeste and on the other hand you have new parks like Juan Carlos I close to the airport and huge parks like casa del campo. A good itinerary to see part of the old Madrid starts at the royal palace, is a towering structure that has already 250 years of history and it is considered one of the best in Europe. Then should take calle mayor and you´ll find at your right La plaza de la villa, It's surrounded by 15th to 17th-century aristocratic mansions that have been taken over by the Town Hall. At this point if you want you can get lost on the narrow streets or if you prefer stay on calle mayor and you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautiful scenery, lovely people, charming cities, cheap and safe
Disadvantages: Breathing at altitude!

...is the setting off point for a visit to Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca. You can walk around the island - a beautiful 10-mile walk - taking in views reminiscent of Greek Islands....but with Inca ruins. But despite the vistas, you are in no danger of forgetting that you are more than 3000m above sea level as even the slighest incline on the path takes your breath away...literally. La Paz is crazy but fascinating...I'm not sure there is many capital cities with extensive witchcraft markets. The views as you wind down the road from El Alto, the city that has sprung up around the basin in which La Paz sits, are amazing. While you are there take a day trip to Tiahuanaco - a collection of impressive temples build by the enduring Tiahuanaco-Huari civilisation many hundreds of years before the Incas stole their thunder...and many of their building techniques... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful