Colonia Travel Guide - Travelers guides

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(updated: 22/05/09)

Travel Guide Colonia, Uruguay

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Colonia del Sacramento, tourism for everyone

          If you think tourists in Colonia, thought one of the most beautiful and varied departments of Uruguay and believe that your choice was correct. No matter what time of year it is, will be waiting with their cologne old but healthy open arms, with the house clean and orderly as befits a good host of the seventeenth century, posters with a complete, modern and elegant so you do not miss anything or even going without a guide, and its people, proud of who they are and what they have kept their cities, ready for the coming by sea or land.

          If going by car to Colonia, before reaching the capital, let good recommendation is seduced by the charming New Helvecia. Its main street you get your wide embrace, always so clean, so meticulous, so it Switzerland. The natural beauty of this old colonial town, a hopeless journey mental strength to the lives of those immigrants Swiss, Austrians, Germans and French who left their homeland hoping to find in our country a land of prosperity and employment. Since its founding in the mid-nineteenth century, the pride and idiosyncrasies of those farmers of Europe was giving New Helvecia not only feature its industrial image focused on agricultural production but also its well-earned reputation for successful and efficient that even seems to breathe the air.

          Already at the entrance to the city, visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Schönstatt, first Sanctuary Movement of Schoenstatt Branch, exact replica of the original located in the city of Vallendar in Germany. If you are a man of faith, sure you'll find a sanctuary within the unique experience of meditation and peace. And if you do not call Mariana Fe, secure the peace of his small but carefully Kentenich park Jose (the name of the founder of the congregation who has his statue on one side of the door of the sanctuary), tempt you to rest a moment your soul sitting in a bank in the shade. You can also go to the Plaza of the Founders designed by architect Louis Mazzini with the monument "The Furrow" in tribute to the efforts and perseverance of the settlers who founded the city.

          If you can overcome the temptation to stay another day in New Helvecia, remains confident of the peninsula to San Gabriel where he will be waiting for the show dressed in beautiful Colonia del Sacramento. From the moment you enter the city, as an invading some bewilderment as to the proposal varied tourist capital of this city, and to get accustomed to coming from afar. Where you want to look there are attractive beaches, adventure, good food, excellent and refined accommodations, places to visit with children, ruins and historical buildings, museums, beautiful squares and green spaces and adequate transportation to so you do not miss anything. No matter how many days you stay, you'll surely not be bored.

         If you are without car, you can rent a golf cart to be able to walk outdoors breathing in the city. To go to the museums, you can buy a ticket to the Museum and less than you is worth a number of museums and coffee recorrerte contact with the cultural heritage that gave this city the belongings have alternated between Spain and Portugal (the entry serves the Municipal Museum, Indian, Spanish, Nacarello House, Tile Museum, Paleontology, and the Portuguese Regional Archives). When you buy a ticket handed a brochure with details of each.

         Grids are good for lunch (and reasonably priced) at Avenida General Flores or the Plaza Mayor, but you can also go to the yacht harbor (or Puerto Viejo) and eat at a restaurant overlooking the sea. When you choose a restaurant you may see the prices and the interior of the place before deciding. Speaking from Puerto Viejo, this is a good place to try your luck if you like fishing. With children (or not) is an inevitable trip to the aquarium, meticulous and orderly displays of marine species which have been carefully all the details, music, lighting and decor is carefully tailored to maximize what the tour offers. And do not hesitate to bring up children as young stool are not lost for nothing and you do not have to lift them.

          If your legs still help you, come on to tour the old town on foot, crossing the gate CampoPortón Field, visit the ruins, climb the lighthouse Lighthouse, walk along the famous, photographed and beautiful Street of Sighs (Pay attention to the pavement "wedge" to stream to the middle of this street which is typically the original Portuguese). The entire old town is a trip to the first memory of this country that quickly envelops you in their stories and experiences. Be sure to read the signs of the agency or the stories and names that dot the walls will give your content to stroll through colonial history. Do not be surprised if within a hotel or restaurant are a stone wall or a floor paved with modern architecture as a hug between two times.

          In the summer and if you like nature, there is a nice place to visit and is not promoted, but we highly recommend you. In the 21 km route. 189 you will find a poster that tells you how to get to the park Brisas del Plata (the silver or Barrancas) why are some 6 km to the coast. If you have a tent there and stay a few days but do not forget to bring beach clothes because you will need. There is only one drop at a beautiful beach where you can swim, fish or if you like geology, entertained watching the cliffs and down there. In the evening it is best to go to Real de San Carlos. Tomas of the buoy to the right until you reach the Plaza de Toros that only exists in the country and was inaugurated early last century, in 1910. Unfortunately you can not enter into the arena of the square because there is danger of collapse but the sight of this magnificent old building is an attraction worth seeing. In the area, and even if you still have hours of sunshine can go along the river a little further west to the playground Alfonsina Storni bring your children, if any.

          But a stroll through the center of local handicrafts in front of the float makes the task easy to buy souvenirs and have a good time. Whatever you choose to end the evening is the same, but do not forget to get in front of the sea in one of the lookouts when the sunset. If you are lucky enough to be on a clear day, surely the sublime spectacle of the sun lying red on the horizon and calm of the Rio de la Plata is one of the memories of cologne that lasts more in your memory. And after dark, if a night calmly and without fog, you see the horizon lit by the myriad lights of the city of Buenos Aires, which seems to be there at your fingertips. At night, if you are still energy, you can walk through the romantic old city under the yellowish light of the lanterns and eat homemade pasta, a grilled dishes and a variety of regional food in restaurants next to the Square or on any of the quaint streets of stone. And if the dawn still you're in town, a walk to feel the fresh breeze of the morning rambla will with absolute certainty, the only thing missing to convince you to stay one more day in Colonia del Sacramento.