Things to Do in Washington Dc

The Trinidadian town of Sangre Grande sits due east of the Port of Spain. As the largest town in the northeast of the island, Sangre Grande is an important hub for surrounding villages, and it’s a crossroads for various attractions in the northeast of Trinidad. At Aripo Savannah, birdwatchers can spot species like red-bellied macaw and southern lapwings. The Hollis Resivoir is a man-made lake surrounded by mountains where you can find hiking trails, shady picnic spots and look for local wildlife like howler monkeys, deer and caiman. Head east from Sangre Grande to visit Matura Bay. From March to August, this sandy stretch is a protected nesting site for endangered leatherback turtles. Permits are required to visit the beach at night, and guides can make the arrangements for a once-in-a-lifetime turtle watching excursion.

Inaugurated on Oct. 2, 1580, 40 years after Arequipa was founded, the Santa Catalina Monastery (Monastery of St Catherine) has grown to become a city in itself. In fact, its design resembles the original city streets of Arequipa. especially given the white sillar structures the city is known for. The monastery is also made of ashlar, or petrified volcanic ash, coming from Volcan Chachani which overlooks Arequipa.

Visitors can explore the monastery independently or with a guide, wandering through narrow streets, ambient courtyards, peaceful plazas and ancient churches. Along with the historical churches and chapels, the cloisters are also especially noteworthy; the Main Cloister is the largest in the monastery and features both paintings and confessionals, while the Cloister of the Oranges includes three beautiful crosses residing among vibrant orange trees. You should also explore some of the streets, such as Cordova Street, which has a mix of old and new architecture; Sevilla Street, originally the gateway to the first church of St Catherine; and Plaza Zocodover, where nuns once congregated on Sundays to trade religious handicrafts.

Lima’s baroque Church of San Pedro was built in grand style by the Jesuits in 1638. The Jesuit Order’s premier church in Peru, it’s also one of the country’s finest buildings.

With its three naves and dome, the church features lovely glazed tiles and Moorish-influenced carvings.

Interesting tours reveal the history of the church and highlight its richly ornamented altars and chapels. The San Ignacio de Loyola chapel is the most highly decorated, and some prime colonial artworks hang in the chapels. The tour includes a visit to the underground crypt.

One of the cleanest and best-maintained beaches on the island of Roatan, Sandy Bay Beach is just another beautiful escape waiting for discovery. Less busy than West End but still boasting a nice sampling of restaurants and houses, this beach is perfect for an escape with easy access to the rest of the island. A long strip of coastline punctuated by storefronts, Sandy Bay Beach not only offers the usual sleepy beach feel with dips in the aquamarine ocean, but also holds some secret hideaways, local taco shacks, and even the odd massage parlor. Great snorkeling is found 200 yards offshore.

Located in Lima’s historical district, the Sanctuary of Las Nazarenas isn’t the largest church, but it’s one of the city’s most beloved buildings for the painting that lies inside. With its soaring façade and pastel exterior, the building contributes to the colonial feel that’s so prominent in this old part of town, and was built in 1771 after a major earthquake destroyed many of Lima’s original buildings. For all its external beauty, however, it’s the Cristo Moreno painting that has brought it to international fame. Painted by a freed, African slave in the middle of the 17th century, it has miraculously made it through devastating earthquakes and escaped completely unscathed. As the church is dedicated to Lord of Miracles—the patron saint of Lima—the painting’s survival is seen as a physical manifestation of miracles, and when it isn’t hanging behind the main altar, it’s the center of a festival where thousands of revelers parade through the streets of old town. You can visit the church independently, or as part of a half-day, guided tour that visits Lima’s sanctuaries.