Tourism By Region

Historical Sites The 19th-century wooden houses supported on stilts and charming green boulevards laid out along the lines of the old Dutch canals give the capital a unique character. Some of the more impressive wooden buildings dating from the colonial past include the city hall, St George's Cathedral, the Law Courts and the State House. The Botanical Gardens, covering 120 acres (48.6 hectares), have a fine collection of palms, orchids and lotus lilies; nearby is the new Cultural Center, which contains what is probably the best theater in the Caribbean. Also worth visiting are the Natural History Museum, which contains an up-to-date display of all aspects of Guyanese life and culture, and the Walter Roth Anthropological Museum.[top] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parks and Gardens The Botanic Gardens No trip to Georgetown would be complete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens and zoo. The Bota nical Gardens houses one of the most extensive collection of tropical flora in the Caribbean and are laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and bandstand. Over 100 species of Guyanese wildlife can be observed at the Zoo including a wide variety of tropical fishes and birds. The Botanic Gardens is one of Georgetown 's popular recreation parks. In 1877, Government voted $72,000 to establish the Gardens, and John Frederick Waby, the first gardener, arrived in Georgetown in December 1878. He spent 35 years in Guyana landscaping one of the finest tropical gardens in our region. These gardens have a huge variety of tropical flowers and one of the finest collection of palms, as well as lovely lilies. An example of the gardens vast collection are the lotus and the immense Victoria Regia Lily, Guyana's national flower, which was first discovered in the Berbice River.[top] National Park Another wonderful place to relax when in the city is our National Park. Families and friends picnicing are a popular sight on weekends holidays and especially Easter when the sky is ablaze with the color or hundreds of Kites. The National Park is also a popular venue for many cultural and musical events. [top] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Places of Worship St. George's Cathedral is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese in Guyana. It is one of the tallest, free-standing wooden buildings in the world with its spire over 40-metres high. The building was designed by Sir Arthur Bloomfield and the foundation stone was laid on November 21, 1889. The Cathedral was opened by Bishop William Piercy Austin on August 24, 1892 and dedicated by Bishop P. Swaby on November 8, 1894. Other places of worship in Georgetown include: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Catholic) . Church of the Sacred Heart (Catholic) . Queenstown Jama Masjid (Muslim Mosque) . Christ Church . St. Andrew's Kirk (Presbyterian) . Bedford Methodist Church . Cove and John Mandir (Hindu) . Radaha Krishna Mandir. [top] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Breweries Demerara Distillers Limited Famous for their award winning rums. The El Dorado 15 years old Special Reserve rum voted the Best Rum Worldwide The El Dorado range of rums are distilled, blended and bottled by Demerara Distillers Limited - located on the East Bank of the age old, world famous county of Demerara. At the distillery, a strict ageing programme is enforced - the rums are aged in 45 gallon oak casks. With a warehousing capacity of 50,000 of these oak casks, the company has assured supplies of aged rums for the production of the El Dorado 25 years old, the El Dorado 21 year old, the El Dorado 15 years old, the El Dorado 12 years old and the El Dorado 5 years old rums. he old wooden coffey still continues to be used in the production process. This is the last operating still of its kind in the world today, and rum connoisseurs attribute the uniqueness of the Demerara rums, to this still.For a tour contact them on Tel # +592-265-5019 / 6000 Fax # +592-265-3367 / 2015 E-mail: ddlweb@demrum.com , website : www.demrum.com [top] Banks DIH Limited One of Our olders Breweries, their experience spans over 150 years. Products produced by Banks DIH are refreshing Banks Beer. Banks Milk Stout. Banks Shandy which is produced in four exotic (4) flavours (Ginger, Lemon, Sorrel and Champagne). Guinness Stout Banks Malta . Vita Malt and Banks Mini Malt which is produced in three (3) flavours (peanut,toffee and chocolate)and is a Non Alcoholic Beverage. Be sure to try some of these quality products. D'AGUIAR'S CREAM LIQUEUR which comes in three taste bud stimulating flavours (3) flavours - Cream, Coffee and Amaretto is a must along with their tasty wines. Read more here :[http://www.banksdih.com] or email banks@banksdih.com [top] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zoos The zoo officially opened its doors to the public on 1st January, 1952. Even before the zoo opened, animals were already being housed on the zoo grounds. When you visit the Guyana Zoo, you can expect to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with family and friends while learning more about the wild animals of Guyana. The Guyana Zoo provides a good starting point for schoolchildren, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists; before heading into the country's forests and savannahs, people can have a close-up view of some of the animals that are much more difficult to spot in their natural habitats. Visitors to the zoo have the opportunity to see many of the spectacular Guyanese birds such as the magnificent Harpy Eagle , as well as some of the intriguing mammals such as the gentle Manatee . Manatees have been living in the botanical gardens ponds since 1895! Awareness of wildlife enables us to protect them for the future. For more information Contact the zoo on : Telephone: 592-225-9142 Fax\Phone: 592-223-5431 email: djsheppa@excite.com , Website http://www.guyanazoo.org.gy [top] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waterways Guyana's many waterways reflect the source of it's name "The Land of Many Waters". There are 1077km of navigable inland waterways in Guyana. Ferries take you from one navigable stretch of road to another. Georgetown is the main port for travel and commerce. Rivers crisscross the roads and ferries are a very important form of transportation in Guyana. Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively [read more here ]

Abegg-Stiftung Riggisberg The Abegg-Stiftung holds one of the world?s most important textile collections, and is a centre for the research and conservation of historic textiles. Art Gallery Bern Since it opened on 1 October 1918, the Kunsthalle Bern has introduced the public to a broad spectrum of Bernese, national and international art. Burgerbibliothek of Bern The Burgerbibliothek of Bern is a cultural institution belonging to the community of Burghers of Bern. Collection of Classical Antiquities Aphrodite, Laocoon and Cleopatra are only three of the 230 Greek and Roman sculptures on display as plaster casts in the Classical collection. Einstein House The physicist Albert Einstein retained close ties with Bern throughout his life (14.3.1879 - 18.4.1955). Historical Museum of Bern The stately, castle-like museum across from the Old City houses one of Switzerland?s most distinguished historical collections Kornhausforum The Kornhausforum offers a year-round, varied program of events associated with the fields of architecture, design, the new media, video, photography, the applied arts, literature and music. Landshut-Castle - Swiss Museum of Wildlife and Hunting Originally the residence of a provincial governor, this 17th-century moated castle is only 200 m east of the Emme. Museum of Communication We are the only museum in Switzerland devoted exclusively to the history of communication in its entire spectrum. Museum of Fine Arts The Collection of the Bern Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most distinguished in Switzerland. Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum is one of the major nature museums in Switzerland. Representing animals in their natural habitat has been one of its specialties. Oberhofen Castle on Lake of Thoune Picturesque Oberhofen Castle is situated on the shores of Lake of Thun. A branch of Bern's Historical Museum today, it houses an important exhibition of Bernese living.

Goa in brief Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland away from the coastal area. Legends from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the creation of Goa. Over the centuries various dynasties have ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silaharas, Chalukyas, Bahamani Muslims and most famously the Portuguese have been rulers of Goa. Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961 and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic. Having been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures of East and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic communities make up almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other religions. All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Id with equal enthusiasm. The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous. Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal and Talpona are the main rivers which weave their way throughout the state forming the inland waterways adding beauty and romance to the land besides being used to transport Goa's main export commodity of Iron and Manganese ore to Mormugao Harbour. Along the way to the coast these waterways form estuaries, creeks and bays breaking the sandy, palm-fringed coastline behind which lie the fishing villages among the coconut groves. Panaji (Panjim) is the state capital located on the banks of the Mandovi river and Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and Ponda are the other major towns. Goa is serviced by an international/national airport located at Dabolim near Vasco. An intra-state and inter-state bus network also plays an important role in getting locals and visitors alike in and around Goa. The vast green expanse of the Sahyadri mountain range ensures that Goa has an abundance of water. The sea and rivers abound in seafood - prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs and lobsters are the most popular with the locals and the visitors. Along with English which is widely spoken all over Goa, Konkani and Marathi are the state languages. The national language Hindi is also well understood in most areas around the state. Goan cuisine is a blend of different influences the Goans had to endure during the centuries. The staple food in Goa is fish and rice, both among the Hindus and the Catholics. Unlike the Christian food the Hindu Goan food is not strongly influenced by the Portuguese cuisine. Since the arrival of the Hippies in the sixties, Goa has been a major destination on the itinerary of international and domestic tourists. The tourist season in Goa begins in late September and carries on through early March. The weather in these months is usually dry and pleasantly cool. Then the weather gets fairly hot around May and by end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it is also during the monsoon that Goa is probably at its most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around. Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.

The Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism (ASSET) was established in April 2000 in order to bring together, advocate for, and promote a large number of small enterprises that were active in the tourism industry in The Gambia. These businesses include craft market vendors, tourist taxi drivers, official tourist guides, juice pressers and fruit sellers as well as a number of small hotels, guest houses and ground tour operators etc. Within five years ASSET has attracted more than eighty organisations into membership, has hosted an international conference on Fair Trade in Tourism, has been recognised by the Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA) as an important voice for the previously voiceless and has become a leading player in the Gambian Responsible Tourism Partnership programme that is being led by the GTA. This programme brings together the principal stakeholders in the tourism industry (government, tour operators, ground handlers, hoteliers and small scale businesses) in order to ensure that the adverse impacts of tourism are minimised and that maximum benefits are gained by local people and their communities. ASSET's future goals include the training of large numbers of personnel working in tourism, the development and implementation of industry wide standards and the marketing of the diverse and excellent services that are provided by ASSET members. ASSET won the Best for Poverty Reduction award during the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards 2005 held at the World Travel Market in London . The event was sponsored by First Choice Holidays PLC in association with responsibletravel.com, The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine.

St. Eunans Cathedral St. Eunan's Cathedral dominates the skyline on all approaches to the town and at night, the warm floodlit and graceful spire is a welcoming sight. When the Cathedral at Raphoe passed to the Church of Ireland after the Reformation, the Catholic Bishop had no permanent seat until the Letterkenny Cathedral was opened and dedicated to St. Eunan and Columba in 1901. Designed by William Hague of Dublin and built of white stone from Mountcharles, the graceful lines, flying buttresses and ornamentation are reminiscent of the late Gothic period. The ceilings are the work of Amici of Rome, while the wonderful stained glass windows that illuminate the graceful Sanctuary and the Lady Chapel are by the Mayer firm of Munich. Sentry Hill During penal days (1690 - 1760) sentries were placed on the high rocks to guard against the approach of spies while Mass was celebrated at nearby Roger's Burn. Conwal Parish Church The old graveyard surrounding the 17th century Church of Ireland Conwal Parish Church, situated opposite St. Eunan's Cathedral, has many old graves, some dating from the 17th century. The most notable grave is that of Dr. Stopford, whose grandson Dr. Stopford Brooke, translated into English the words of 'Still the night, Holy the Night'. Here too is Dr. Kinnear, a Presbyterian minister who was M.P. for Donegal and carried the banner for Tenants Rights in the 1880s. The church replaced a medieval church at Conwal, just outside the town, and is rubble built with an ashlar spire. The interior retains its early 19th century cast-iron circular roof, trusses and a short gallery and nice twisted brass light brackets. County Museum On the High Road is the County Museum, housed in the old workhouse. Opened in 1843, the Workhouse operated until 1922. After a period as a hospital and administrative offices, the building was converted in 1987. It houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions including artifacts dating from the Stone Age and objects relating to the history and folk life of the county. St. Eunan's College On College Road is St. Eunan's College, built as a seminary in 1904, is a big three-storey castle, heavily picturesque, rectangular, with a round tower at each corner, one conical, the others battlemented. The Courthouse Built in 1829, the Courthouse is one of the last survivors in County Donegal of the old style in court buildings. A bridewell contains six cells and two-day rooms. The Courthouse now hosts District and Circuit Court sittings and biennial sittings of the High Court on Circuit Rabble Days Rabble Days, or Hiring Fairs, were held in Donegal in years gone by when children between the ages of 11 and sixteen were sold for periods of six months to wealthy farmers of the Lagan Valley. These Rabble Days were held annually in May and November at Speer's Lane, at the corner of Upper Main Street and a lasting memory to that era can be seen in Market Square where a wonderful sculpture of 'Rabble Children' is located. Mount Southwell Terrace This terrace of red brick was built in 1837 by the landlord, Lord Southwell. The church style building at the top of the square was originally a Methodist Church. Bank Buildings Built in 1835 AIB Bank, on Main Street, was the first banking house in Letterkenny. Speer’s Drapery Speer’s Drapery Shop on Lower Main Street is a wonderful example of an original shop front and shop where time has stood still with wooden floors and a stove in the centre of the floor. Letterkenny Corn Market Letterkenny Corn Market is remembered on Lower Main Street with an embedded plaque in the wall at the original site. St. Conal’s Hospital St. Conal’s Hospital was built in the early 1860’s and then known as the Lunatic Asylum. The architect was George Wilkinson, an Englishman employed by the Poor Law Commissioners and later by the Lunacy Board. Wilkinson spanned the era of Georgian and Victorian architecture and left behind him in Ireland, buildings of a standard gable-fronted design with repetitive patterns. Urban District Offices Murrac-a boo was presented to the Church of Ireland and used as the Conwal Rectory from 1917 until the 1970’s when it was purchased by Letterkenny Urban District Council as it’s Civic Offices. Trinity Presbyterian Church On Main Street, Trinity Presbyterian Church is on the site of earlier Presbyterian Churches dated with a stone declaring the origin of the congregation in 1640. Bus Station and Store Letterkenny Bus Depot and Railway Store and a winch are all that remain of Letterkenny Railway Station, part of the County Donegal Railway system. This train system was operational in the County in the 19th and early 20th centuries but now, sadly, is no more. Port Bridge In 1824 when the first description of Letterkenny as a modern town was written it was stated that ‘Within half a mile is the Port of Ballyraine, whither vessels of 100 tons bring iron, salt and colonial produce and whence they export hides and butter’. Nothing remains now except the warehouses, well-maintained, with the typical example of 19century warehouse architecture.

1. Golf and Pitch & Putt For the golfing enthusiast Dungarvan has three 18 hole golf courses, some with breathtaking views. For the not so experienced there is a pitch and putt club in the town centre. 2. Angling And Diving West Waterford has much to offer diving and angling enthusiasts. 3. Walking Trails This article has information on walking trails in West Waterford. 4. Gaeltacht & Ardmore Trail This drive takes in Dungarvan, An Rinn, An Coinigéar Walk, Helvick Head Walk, Ballynagoul, Ardmore, The Cliff Walk, The Round Tower, Goat Island and Whiting Bay. 5. West Waterford Trail This drive takes in Villierstown, Dromana Drive, Cappoquin, River Walk, Lismore Castle, Ballyduff, The Towers Walk, The Vee, and Clogheen. 6. Comeragh Trail This drive takes in Mahon Falls, Comeragh Drive, Kilrossanty, Kilbrien, Ballymacarbry, Nire Valley and Dungarvan. 7. West Waterford Monastic Trail This drive takes in Ardmore, Clashmore, Molana Abbey, Knockanore, Tallow Glencairn Abbey, Lismore, Mount Melleray and Dungarvan. 8. South East Coastal Drive The South East Coastal drive follows the South East coastline from Wexford town in the East to Ardmore, Co. Waterford in West Waterford 9. RallyConnection Rally driving school and off road karting venue located between Cappoquin and Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. 10. Mass Times In Dungarvan The times of Roman Catholic masses in Dungarvan and Abbeyside Parishes.