Cornwall Myth and Legend

If you're mystified by myth and legend, there's no better place to visit than Cornwall. Every town and village has its own fascinating folklore from Tintagel, the legendary birth place of King Arthur, to St. Michael's Mount's Jack the Giant Killer. Here's just a handful of the captivating stories behind some of Cornwall most popular holiday hotspots.

King Arthur and Tintagel Cornwall's best known legend is that of King Arthur, who is said to have been born at Tintagel Castle. Arthur is said to have defeated the Saxons at a dozen battles, with his last battle fought at Slaughterbridge, near Wadebridge.

Lost Land of Lyonesse The Lost Land of Lyonesse is said to have lied beyond Land's End. Legend has it that in the 11th century, the country was claimed by the sea following a massive storm. The Isles of Sicily are said to be Lyonesse's mountain peaks, all what remains of the country.

Mousehole Cat This legend tells the tale of a cat called Mowzer and her owner Tom. Severe winter storms had left the people of Mousehole starving as it was too dangerous for fisherman to go to sea. But courageous Mowzer and Tom risked their lives by braving the storms in search of fish. The pair came back heroes, bringing back one of the largest catches ever and saved the lives of the villagers.

The Mermaid of Zennor Surrounded by sea, the county has long between associated with mermaids. The best known tale is that of the mermaid of Zennor. The beautiful bench carvings of Zennor Church keep this myth alive. It's believed Matthew Trehella, a chorister from the village was lured to live with the captivating mermaid under the sea. It's said, if you listen closely, you can hear the pair's singing echoing from beneath the waves.

Jack the Giant Killer In the days of King Arthur, the Giant of St. Michael's Mount - called Comoran - was terrorising the people of West Cornwall. A reward was offered to anyone who could slay the terrible giant. Jack, a farmer's son, bravely took on the mission. Jack dug a massive pit near Morvah, which he disguised with sticks and straw. He then blew his horn to lure Comoran from the Mount. Comoran angrily rushed down the Mount and fell into the pit. Jack then killed the giant with his pick-axe , ending his reign of terror, and filled the pit with earth. Near Morvah Church there is a huge stone, said to mark the giant's grave and it's said voices can be heard from under it.

This was also a great place to ride horses in the past. Of course, without modern endurance saddle pads I guess it was not that easy, but still...

The Giant Bolster Comoran isn't the only giant famed in Cornish legend. Giants are said to have roamed the county, with Bolster being another of the best known terrorising titans. It's said Bolster could place one foot on Carn Brea (near Cambourne) and the other on the cliffs near St. Agnes, six miles away. The aggressive Bolster fell in love with the saintly St. Agnes and pursued her. Bored of his endless attention, St. Agnes told the giant to prove his love for her by filling up a hole in the cliffs at Chapel Porth with his blood. St. Agnes knew the hole was bottomless, leading to the sea below, and that the giant would bleed to death. Bolster accepted her challenge. He plunged a knife into his arm and waited for his blood to fill the hole. Bolster lost so much blood that he died, his terrorising had come to an end. The cliffs at Chapel Porth are still stained red today, said to show where Bolster's blood ran into the sea.

And don't forget to get scuba diving insurance!

Ten things to Do in Rwanda

Rwanda, the land of one thousand hills and "hundreds of attractions," is an extraordinary place where serene scenery and placid people greet you at every juncture. Rwanda is safe and secure with an overwhelming renaissance of Rwandese national pride and cultural reconstruction. It is full of sights and delights, waiting to be explored. If Rwanda is on your travel list, there is no better time to run away to Rwanda...visit today and you would want to stay!


The country is well known mostly because of its horrible recent history, and you might think that Rwanda should therefore be more the scope for no governmental organization than for travelers. Nowadays, nothing is less true. Rwanda has wonderful people, breathtaking beautiful lakes, challenging mountains, stunning scenery, perfect climate, rare species of apes, excellent roads, express buses, good and cheap food and beer, various accommodation options, fast internet, only few tourists outside the gorilla-homes; you will find it all in Rwanda, a safe and yet to be discovered backpacker's haven!

Because of its small size, Rwanda attractions are near each other and can be reached quite easily and safely.

1. KIGALI CITY: A NICE PLACE TO EXPERIENCE AN AFRICAN CAPITAL

Kigali is an interesting mix of rural and urban town overflowing on juxtaposed hilly terrain. New construction is everywhere and large mansions stand side by side with mud brick huts and lean roads. It has a peaceful feel and the center is located upon the hilltop expanse. It feels safe and getting around is easy on foot or minibuses...many and new. For a bit more, taxis can whiz you anywhere without breaking the bank. Kigali is a nice place to experience an African capital.
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2. KGALI GENOCIDE MEMORIALS CENTER IN GISOZI

During the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, over a million people were murdered. Some 250,000 perished on the streets and in the houses, churches and hospitals of Kigali alone. The Kigali Genocide Memorial Center contains ten mass graves--a site of burial for most victims, who were killed in the Kigali region. After the genocide, as mass graves were being discovered around the city, it was decided that a single monument/ burial place should be created where the victims could be laid to rest with dignity. This is now their final resting place. The memorial houses a children's section, a particularly powerful experience to read about the children--how they lived and how they died. Amongst other things, it traces how things came to be so bad, how the ideology of genocide emerged, how the tragedy could have been averted, and how the world ignored the signs and warnings repeatedly. Some of the survivors of the genocide have been trained as guides at the center. Open 10am to 5pm daily. Entrance is free but at the door there is a box for donation. The place is really heartbreaking!

4. MOUNTAIN GORILLAS TREKKING

A Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the pinnacle of all the wildlife experiences available in Africa, and Rwanda is with no doubt the best place for this. People are limited to spend only one hour with the gorillas and expect to hike for two to four hours to see them. These incredible primates are divided into four groups that have been habituated over the decades; it's a thing not to miss in Rwanda. Don't miss spending an hour with these magical creatures. It does require planning in advance and contacting the national park or a local tour operator to check what the latest system they have implemented with regards to how you get a permit - but it is all worthwhile. Also, don't be put off by the price - a high price is needed to ensure that protecting the gorillas is economically sustainable for the local area.

5. MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

The national park office offers guided climbs to the top of two volcanoes among the five of the Virunga chain, Visoke (3711m) and Karisimbi (4705m -the tallest). The climbs to the summits are not technical and can be done by fit hikers. The scenery is great! However, the trek to Karisimbi's summit is an overnight trek and should be prepared properly.

6. NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

This national park is a preserved part of the rain forest which houses 13 species in all, including humankind's closest living relative, the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L'Hoest's monkey and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colombus. The most important ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbors almost 300 bird species of which two dozen are restricted to a handful of montane forests on the Albertine Rift. Please come with your car or book a tour with a local tour operator, otherwise it is very hard to reach the place and get away. You can camp there and pitch a tent but you have to consider bringing all food and water with you, as facilities are limited. The entry fee has recently been increased, so check up the actual fares.

7. AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Akagera is the best national park of Rwanda - very helpful park-ranger help to find you all animals in the park - mainly, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, baboons, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles.

8. RUSUMO FALLS

Rusumo is a marvelous and spectacular falls of the Akagera River, a part of the most distant headwaters of the river Nile. The waterfall is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda at the border with Tanzania. If you happen to cross the border with Tanzania at Rusumo, don't forget to see the Rusumo Falls.

9. THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE KIVU

The beautiful Lake Kivu is a large deposit of fresh water that marks the western border with DR Congo and one of the Great Lakes of Africa. The lake is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. Beneath the lake lie vast reserves of approximately 55 billion cubic of dissolved methane gas, which have not been exploited. Lake Kivu is a tourist center, safe to swim (but just ask locally to be completely sure). There are nice beaches, gorgeous landscapes and the sunsets are regularly stunning. There are some excellent places to stay on the Lakeside, such as Kibuye and--especially--Gisenyi near the DR Congo border.

10. BUTARE CITY IN HUYE

The most popular tourist attraction in Butare is the superb National Museum, which houses perhaps the finest ethnographic collection in East Africa. The rooms are spacious, without the excessive clutter of distracting memorabilia. This makes the well-labeled exhibits easy to appreciate and enjoy. Absorbing displays of traditional artifacts are illuminated by a fascinating selection of turn-of-the-century monochrome photographs, providing insight not only into pre-colonial lifestyles, but also into the subsequent development of Rwanda as a modern African state. Here the Intore dancers can be commissioned to perform, but this is not a good deal for a single traveler. If a group is present the price would definitely be worthwhile as shows are few and far between.

Vacation and Holiday Apartment for Rent in Miami Beach

Why stay in a hotel when you can take advantage of a fully furnished holiday apartment for rent in Miami Beach for you and your family. They offer quality, space, location and most importantly a great price. With a wide range of holiday studios, one, two and three bedrooms, you can tailor to suit all your personal needs and requirements. Besides holiday apartments, you can choose among other vacation rentals, villas, luxury vacation homes, holiday house rentals, holiday villas and homes on the Internet.

Every day people of all ages are looking from condo rentals to luxury villas. Vacation rental consumers or corporate relocation renters would be delighted with the possibilities at hand in the Internet today.

Properties go from daily and weekly to monthly and seasonal and are located either in the city, the beaches or the Florida bay. Typically daily rentals are studio efficiency, hotel rooms, bed and breakfast and inns. But if you choose to stay on a weekly basis, then your choice can also be extended to apartments, beach houses, condominiums and apartment duplex. Finally, if you decide to treat yourself to a longer stay, you may also choose from modern condos to large houses and exquisite villas.

Join the thousands of people already using holiday apartments for rent in South Beach, and who choose to stay at private home rentals by owners for certain occasions and trips. They are offered more flexibility in terms of space, kitchen facilities, and amenities and also provided with a peaceful atmosphere and elegant professional decoration and designs. Rent or let one and feel the experience.

Some of the many features included are marinas, business centers, large balconies, swimming pool areas with pool side bars, covered parking garages and so on and on.

Floridians will be waiting for you to come to a holiday apartment for rent and enjoy a sunset by the beach, a drink by the pool with friends or a private business meeting to be sealed with champagne at one of the many well furnished and equipped condominiums and lofts.

Looking for a holiday apartment for rent!!! Your requirements will be met beyond your expectations.

From Buenos Aires visit Salta - Argentina Photo Gallery

Starting at the Cathedral and Archbishop's Palace and the 17th. century Church of San Francisco with its 19th. century tower, forming a group of outstanding beauty, from there the range of tourist sights spreads out in all directions. To the South, the Valle de Lerma leads to the Cabra Corral dam and reservoir, set among the mountains, a somewhat rare scene in the generally arid northern landscape. From there the river Las Conchas leads through a ravine, offering impressive spots to stop off, like the Amphitheater, the Devil's Throat and the Obelisk, all names of curious natural rock formations along the way to Cafayate. This is one of the typical Salta sceneries worth visiting, with the attraction of its vineyards on the mountainsides, making it the chief winemaking area of the North. Its history is displayed in the original Wine Museum, which organises guided visits from the Crafts Market to the nearby wineries that produce Salta's star, the Torrontes wine.

The next stage northwards, through the Quebrada (gorge) de la Flecha, with its stunning geological formations of reddish brown shades which are particularly outstanding at sunset, takes us to Cachi at 2280 meters altitude. The typical whitewashed adobe and narrow streets are like a dream for tourists from big cities, as is the 18th. century church of San Jose. The single nave has a vaulted roof of adobe and cardon, the plant providing the material for all the Jesuit buildings here, while the special historical value of the altar images contrasts poignantly with the simple setting.

With a privileged mountain climate, Cachi shines out in the zone with its whiteness and boasts the important archeological site La Paya nearby, surrounded by natural beauty not to be missed.

Heading back toward the city of Salta, the first landmark is Los Cardones National Park, at more than 2000 meters altitude, looking like a strange world to find oneself in, surrounded by those distinctive huge cactus plants with edible fruits. Then one enters another awesomely unreal scene in the Quebrada de escoipe and the stunning sight of the Cuesta del Obispo connecting the Valle de Lerma with the Alto Valle Calchaqui, a difference in altitude of 1200 meters up to the highest point at 3260 meters. To one side is the Valle Encantado, which is truly enchanting, as the clouds drift between captivating rocky sculptures and hidden caves conceal surprising rock-paintings.

The following day gives a more impressive view of the city, with its churches and museums and the great attraction of the Museo de Alta Montaña. The best view of the city is from the funicular station on cerro San Bernardo, dominating the scene of Salta's life. The city lies at 1200 meters altitude, from where the famous Tren a las Nubes departs, a whole day's round trip to San Antonio de los Cobres, along the winding and over breath-taking bridges. In Salta you will learn to eat the country's most famous empanadas and get caught up in the crafts market, but the really captivating spot to relax nearby is the Quebrada de San Lorenzo. Amidst the trees, birds, waterfalls, it is impossible not to feel you are in paradise only a few minutes from the city center.