What comes to mind when the subject is traveling? For most tourists all over the world, Paris is one of the main destinations on their wish list. This information is confirmed by the World Tourism Organization, which indicates France as the most visited country in the world, with 86 million tourists passing through its territory in 2018. In this number, no fewer than 35 million people visited the nation’s capital – a 36% rise compared to 2017 – according to the Paris Committee of Regional Tourism (CRT).

Numbers such as these express Paris’s force as one of the most influential cities in the world, not only for its historical and cultural importance, but also economically and politically. Although the “City of Lights” is lovely and inviting at any time of the year, the best time to visit is in the summer, when there’s less chance of rain and the days are longer, since the sun sets around 10pm. The choice of when to visit Paris also depends on the traveler’s climatic preference: with a continental climate, the city has warm, dry summers, while winters are cold, and rainfall is frequent throughout the year and the seasons – with more rain when temperatures are low.

As to what to visit in Paris, there’s no escaping the clichés, since its postcard attractions are ostensibly stamped on travel wish lists. Beginning, of course, with the famous and charming Eiffel Tower, symbol of the city and the country. Situated in the Champ de Mars, the highest building in the city is also the most visited paid entrance monument in the world.

Although closed to visitation since the fire last year, it’s impossible not to pass by the gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, dated from 1163 and situated on Parvis square. Also built on the Île de la Cité, the beautiful Sainte Chapelle is an alternative for a religious tour. But, before that, don’t miss visiting the Basilica of Sacré Coeur, in the bohemian district of Montmartre, full of cafés and nightclubs, such as the famous Moulin Rouge.

For art lovers, nothing can be compared to the Louvre Museum, originally built as a fortress, which, much more than being the world’s greatest art museum, is a true historical monument of the French capital. Situated on the right margin of the Seine River, the Louvre holds over 380 thousand articles, from pre-history to the 21^st century, in its over 72 thousand square meters. Among its main works we find artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rafael Sanzio. On the left margin of the Seine, the D’Orsay Museum holds works by Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Auguste Rodin. Built in 1986, the museum inherited works from the Louvre, the Jeu de Paume and the Paris Museum of Modern Art.

For open air tours, take a pleasant boat cruise on the Seine River, passing underneath the Pont des Arts, world famous for the countless padlocks left there by couples. Don’t miss visiting the Palace and Park of Versailles – classified as World Heritage sites by UNESCO since 1979. At the end of the Champs-Elysées, the Arch of Triumph, a monument built to celebrate the victories of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, is one of the favorite spots for tourists in Paris. The Luxembourg Gardens are one of the best options for picnics or for relaxing under the Paris sky and simply enjoying their beauty. Lastly, it’s worthwhile visiting constructions that are more modern, such as the Disneyland Resort Paris, a European exemplar of the famous Disney complex.

Efficient Public Transport

For all these tours in Paris, there’s no lack of options in public transport. With 16 lines and over 200 km of rails, the “metro” (subway) is the fastest means of transportation to move around the city. The RER trains, which carry tourists from the city’s airports to places such as Disneyland Paris, and the buses with 60 daytime lines and 40 nocturnal ones, complete the excellent public transport of Paris.

To use them, buy the individual Ticket t+ (valid for 1 hour and 30 minutes), as well as the Paris Visite (unlimited use in periods of 1,2,3, or 5 days, and with options for use in the center or farther away), the Passe Navigo ( recommended for long distances) and the Paris Pass (that guarantees free entrance to over 60 tourist attractions). The cards may be acquired in the metro and RER stations and in airports.

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Ushuaia, seven letters that become nine words when one wants to find what they mean. Ushuaia is described as “the bay that goes deep inland towards the west”, an explanation that comes from its etymology, formed in the Yagan language by joining the words “ushu” and “waia”.

On the other hand, the marketing for the Argentinean town chose another slogan to publicize the touristic destination of those who wish to travel to a very cold place: Ciudad mas austral del mundo (southernmost city in the world, in other words, the city at the end of the world).

With a little over 100 years of existence, Ushuaia, capital of the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Antártida, e Islas del Atlantico Sur, is situated in the extreme of the South Pole, and grew slowly throughout the first half of the 20th century. Strangely enough, it formed around an imposing prison. The penal installation, now closed down, is no longer the focal point of Ushuaia, but the train that transported the prisoners became the first tour to the city. In the “Hogwarts Express” style of the Harry Potter films, the “End of the World Express” guarantees a beautiful panoramic view of the town.

Speaking of tours, the cruise ships that sail around the region are excellent options for observing penguins in ecological reserves. To visit sea lions, boat tours offer packages for friends, couples and families. The city has no fewer than 11 ecological preservation areas, many of them open to tourists, such as the Tierra del Fuego National Park, with 63 thousand hectares divided among rich exemplars of the region’s typical flora and fauna. Other places to visit are the archeological sites of the Provincial Reserve of the Isla de los Estados, with its imposing national monument, the San Juan del Salvamento Lighthouse. Also visit the Corazón de la Isla Reserve and the Playa Larga Cultural-Natural Reserve, created to protect the diverse archeological sites declared in the Cultural Patrimony of the Province.

The cold, humid climate of Ushuaia is tempered by the sea, and, according to the Koppen-Geiger classification, is defined as Tundra Glacial (ET), with an annual average temperature of 4.7⁰C. In January, the temperature reaches 10⁰C, attracting tourists from all over the world, when, curiously, although the sun sets around 5:30 pm, the darkness is not complete, since the Ushuaia sky keeps a weak penumbra on the southern side. This time of the year is excellent for tours on foot or on vehicles that lead to beautiful landscapes and trails, as well as horseback tours, cycle tourism, trekking, skiing, safaris, and even defying the low temperature by diving and canoeing.

Ushuaia, in spite of its short history, is well organized and has diverse and attractive monuments and museums. The Ushuaia Free Zone is a great option for those who enjoy shopping free of high taxes, and it offers typical regional products, such as jams, chocolates and handicrafts. As for food, Ushuaiense  gastronomy holds a place of its own. Do not miss tasting the delicious national dishes: a large crab, called centolla, trout and other seafood. If you don’t like seafood, your option is the famous Patagonia roast lamb.

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Localizada no Sul da Jordânia, a cerca de 3 horas de Amã, capital do país, Petra ostenta a fama de uma das cidades mais cinematográficas e belas do mundo. E não é exagero: a cidade foi cenário para cenas dos filmes Indiana Jones e a Última Cruzada, Transformers 2 e Mortal Kombat: A Aniquilação, além de ser palco para a gravação da novela brasileira Viver a Vida – de Manoel Carlos – bem como foi citada em duas publicações: Les Voyages D’Alix e Destinos de Tintim. Não por menos, a histórica e arqueológica Petra é famosa por suas construções, já que a arquitetura local é esculpida em rochas de coloração rosada, de onde vem o apelido de Cidade Rosa.

Se você ainda não se deixou seduzir pelos encantos de Petra, basta saber como a cidade é descrita por quem já a visitou. Como diz o poema do anglicano inglês John William Burgon, Petra é uma “uma cidade rosa e vermelha tão velha quanto o tempo”, enquanto a revista estadunidense Smithsonian a descreve como um dos “28 lugares para ver antes de morrer”. No entanto, vem da UNESCO a melhor descrição para a cidade, quando nomeada entre uma das Novas Sete Maravilhas do Mundo, em 2007: uma das mais preciosas propriedades culturais da herança cultural do homem.

Sem dúvidas, Petra é um símbolo do país, o que pode ser observado na exploração comercial de sua figura, carimbada nos cartões-postais da Jordânia. A fama acompanha a sua longínqua fundação, datada em 312 a.C, pelo povo dos árabes nabateus, responsáveis pelas rotas comerciais que transformaram a cidade em um ponto estratégico no Oriente Médio e sedutor a turistas que desejam levar lembranças e consumir iguarias. A melhor época para visita fica entre os meses de Abril e maio, bem como em setembro e outubro. Embora nenhuma vacina seja obrigatória, o governo local recomenda a vacinação contra hepatite, poliomielite, tétano e febre tifóide.

O que visitar em Petra: você precisa de 3 dias, em média, para visitar as principais atrações da pequena Cidade Rosa, que pode ser vista com calma, já que estão espalhadas em pouco mais de 5 quilômetros quadrados. Já que carros não são permitidos, as opções são as charmosas carruagens ou mesmo passeios à cavalo. Além do imponente El Khazneh, com nada menos que 30 metros de largura e 43 de altura – edifício da Câmara do Tesouro filmado em Indiana Jones – Petra abriga diversos templos, teatros, túmulos e cisternas – isso mesmo, a cidade é também conhecida por notáveis engenheiros que admiram seu eficiente encanamento.

Centro turístico: o povoado de Wadi Musa é não somente o ponto de saída dos sítios arqueológicos como é, também, o abrigo dos principais restaurantes, lojas, hotéis e casas de câmbio.

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Situated in the south of Jordan, about 3 hours away from the capital, Amman, Petra is considered one of the loveliest and most cinematographic cities in the world. And this is no exaggeration: the city was the setting for scenes in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Transformers 2, and Mortal Kombat: the Annihilation, besides being the stage for the Brazilian soap opera Viver a Vida, by Manoel Carlos – as well as being mentioned in two publications: Les Voyages D’Alix and Destinos de Tintim. The historical and archeological city of Petra is famous for its constructions, since the local architecture is sculpted on the rose colored rocks that make Petra the “Pink City”.

If you haven’t been seduced yet by the charms of Petra, see how the city was described by those who have been there. In the poem by John William Burgon, an English Anglican, Petra is “a rose-red city half as old as time”, while the American Smithsonian Magazine describes it as one of the “28 places to see before you die”. However, the best description came from UNESCO, when Petra was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, in 2007: one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.

Without a doubt, Petra is a symbol of its country, which can be observed by the commercial exploitation of its image, stamped on Jordan’s postcards. Its fame follows its ancient foundation, in 312 BC, by the Nabataean Arabs, responsible for the commercial routes that made the city a strategic point in the Middle East, and an attraction for tourists who wish to buy souvenirs and eat delicacies. The best time to visit is in April and May, as well as in September and October. Although no vaccines are obligatory, the local government recommends vaccination against hepatitis, poliomyelitis, tetanus and typhoid fever.

What to visit in Petra: You need an average of 3 days to visit the main attractions of the Pink City, which can be viewed calmly, since they are spread over an area of about 5 square kilometers. As cars aren’t allowed, the option is Petra’s charming horse carriages, or even horseback rides. Besides the imposing El Kazneh, 30 meters wide and 43 meters tall – the Treasure Chamber in Indiana Jones – Petra has numerous temples, theaters, tombs, and cisterns – that’s right, the city is also known by important engineers who admire its efficient water works.

Tourist Center: The settlement of Wadi Musa is not only the starting point for the archeological sites, it is also where you will find the main restaurants, shops, hotels, and exchange houses.

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Situated in the mid-southwest of Morocco, Marrakesh is known as the “pearl of the south”, and is one of the country’s four imperial cities, together with Fez, Mequinez and Rabat. The fourth biggest city in Morocco, it is also the one that attracts the most tourists, especially in the spring and autumn, since the temperatures in the summer are so high that they make any tour unpleasant. The same happens in the winter, with severe cold. To facilitate life for tourists, we’ve listed below the main attractions of the “red city”, renowned for its gastronomy, popular markets, mosques and museums.

The seasonings of Marrakesh

Your senses of taste and smell will be sharpened by Moroccan cuisine, world renowned for its richness. The variety of spices includes cinnamon, chili, Guinean pepper, nutmeg, Vitex agnus-castus, and turmeric, among other smells and flavors. Special attention should be given to the tanjia marrakshia, a symbol of the local cuisine. It’s made of beef, spices and a fermented butter called smen, all this cooked slowly in a traditional oven in hot ashes. There are options for fish and chicken. For vegetarians, the tip is for briouates, chamucas with lemon filling, which can be cooked with turmeric , almonds, grapes and other spices. For desert, place your bet on chebakia, dried fruit pasties and cheesecake with dates.

Mosques

Starting with the Cutubis, the city’s largest mosque, situated to the southwest of the medina. The oldest mosque in Marrakesh is the Ben Youssef, built in the 12th century. A bit later, the Mouassin was built, which shelters, besides the Mouassin Fountain, the largest and most important in the city, a library, a hamam (Turkish bath) and a madrassa (Muslim school).

Museums

Situated in the center of the medina, the Marrakesh Museum is in the Menebhi Palace (Dar). This construction, from the end of the 19th century, is a lovely example of classic Andalusian architecture, and has expositions of Moroccan art, both traditional and modern. Visitors also find exemplars of local historical books, as well as coins and ceramics from various peoples. Another “must” is a visit to the Dar Si Said Museum, the Museum of Moroccan Arts. Situated in the Bahia Palace, its collection is considered the best in Morocco. Lastly, the still unfinished Marrakesh Museum of Photography and Visual Arts, which intends to be one of the largest photographic museums in the whole world, with exemplars dating from the 19th century.

Souks

Shopping in Marrakesh is done in the souks, which form the largest traditional market in Morocco. The most outstanding are Souk Semmarine, Ableuh, Souk Kchacha, Crill Berbiere, Souk Cherratine, Ensemble Artisanal, Souk Siyyaghin and Souk Belaarif.

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Are you thinking of leaving Brazil? Argentina, Uruguay, United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand may be the solution.

2019 is knocking on our doors, and lots of people want to start life and the year in another country. Due to the rise in unemployment and the low expectations for the economy, many Brazilians are thinking about a new start far from Brazil and with better living conditions. With this in mind, we have listed some of the main countries in America, Europe and Oceania that grant work visas for Brazilians without the typical bureaucracy that this kind of documentation requires in some nations. In order, respecting the items of linguistic, cultural, and geographic proximity, we have chosen opportunities in Argentina, Uruguay, United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Let’s start with our Argentinean “brothers”. Argentina permits work visas for Brazilians, because of a bilateral agreement between Mercosul countries. Thus, you are allowed to immigrate to any country in South America without too much bureaucracy. You can, for instance, apply for a temporary residence visa of up to 2 years, to study, work, and travel in Argentina. The same agreement permits a new start in Uruguay. Just as in Argentina, beyond what’s already been said, you can open a business on Uruguayan soil. To that end, just follow the instructions in the guidebook from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Now, let’s go to North America, beginning with the famous American Dream, no matter how hard it is to obtain a Green Card, especially with the stringent immigration policies of US President Donald Trump. The difficult path to escape the bureaucracy is to find a job while still in Brazil, and arrive in America already employed by an American firm, or else transferred by a multinational business with headquarters in Brazil. In neighboring Canada, things are easier: a favorite of exchange students, the country permits a work visa of up to 20 hours a week for students. The visa remains valid for 2 years after the student’s graduation, with the possibility of applying for permanent residence.

Now we come to the Old Continent. Another favorite of Brazilians is Ireland, which harbors the largest non-European foreign community. This is because in Ireland it’s possible to combine trips to the continent with studies and temporary work. The flexibility of the work visa, compared to other European neighbors, added to the quality of life, makes one desire to apply for a permanent visa in the country. Quality of life can also be found in the last two countries on the list, the ones in far off Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia, you are allowed to work temporarily, or even get a permanent work visa. According to the Australian Ministry of Labor, just in the last few years, over 1100 Brazilians have obtained Australian citizenship. In New Zealand, it’s even easier to obtain a work visa: you can start with a student visa and, even so, work for 20 hours a week. To that end, you must be enrolled in a course with the duration of over 3 months. After the course, with a job in an area related to the course’s subject, you can obtain a visa for two more years. For a permanent visa, you must have mastered the local language, English, have no criminal record, and have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years.

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D2 Visa: Being an entrepreneur can ensure your visa for Portugal.

With the serious economic crisis that devastates Brazil, and the resultant rise in unemployment, a considerable number of Brazilians see leaving Brazil as an alternative for a new beginning with quality of life. Portugal has been one of the favorite destinations for Brazilian expatriates, both for work and study. The vision of Portugal as “the promised land” is even more solid with the facilitation of the visa for entrepreneurs.

Called “D2 Visa for immigrant entrepreneurs”, according to the Agency for Investment and Foreign Commerce of Portugal (AICEP), in São Paulo alone there was around a 120% increase in the issue of the visa last year. This is due to the incentive policies adopted by the Portuguese government aimed at attracting foreign capital. Chances increase for investment in technology and innovation companies.

What and for whom is the D2 Visa?

Firstly, it must be noted that the D2 Visa is directed towards immigrant entrepreneurs, and offers residence authorization to foreigners that have made investments, or prove that they have available financial means in Portugal. This includes means obtained from financing by a financial institution in Portugal, and demonstrates the intention of making an investment operation on Portuguese territory.

Requirements for approval of visa

The concession of the request for the visa is attached to the economic and social relevance of the proposed investment. It’s important to note that the fact of opening a business in Portugal does not, in itself, ensure the concession of the visa. The decision from the Foreigners and Frontiers Service takes, on average, 90 days.

Required documents for the D2 Visa

From the company constituted in Portugal

1 – Business plans;

2 – Permanent certificate;

3 – Declaration of the registration of the start of the activity;

4 – Registration of the constitution of the society;

5 – Bank records with the balance of the account.

From the applicant for the visa

6 – Photocopy of proof of academic and professional licenses, together with curriculum vitae;

7 – Declaration from applicant: Declaration signed by applicant explaining the reasons for the request, indicating accommodation (definitive or temporary) and the proposed period of stay in Portugal;

8 – Proof of means of subsistence: the means of subsistence in Portugal during the period of stay, or photocopy of latest income tax declaration;

9 – Accommodation: Accommodation may be proved by presenting one of the following items:

Proof of rental of dwelling made by the applicant himself;

Invitation letter written by a legal resident of Portugal, declaring that they will host the applicant for the length of his stay;

Lacking one of the items above, a temporary accommodation may be proved by a hotel reservation for at least one week;

10 – International Travel Medical Insurance: An International Travel Medical Insurance valid for the period of stay in Portugal. The insurance policy must include coverage of repatriation for medical reasons, urgent need of medical care, and emergency hospital care. The private health insurance can be replaced by the PB4, in case the applicant is a beneficiary of the INSS (for this, click here);

11 – Declaration of criminal record: the Brazilian certificate of criminal record to be presented is issued by the Federal Police of Brazil (www.pf.gov.br/);

12 – Photographs: Two recent, color 3×4 photographs;

13 – Passport: Simple copy of the passport (only identification pages and used pages); the passport must be valid for over 3 (three) months of the end of the visa. Do not send the original passport. Hand it to the official when asked;

14 – SEF authorization: Authorization destined for the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Foreigners and Frontiers Service) for inquiry into the applicant’s criminal record in Portugal, except for 16-year-old minors (click here to get the model);

15 – Declaration of knowledge of the fact of not being allowed to travel to Portugal without the visa (click here to obtain the model);

16 – Declaration: Declaration from applicant agreeing to receive passport by mail at his residence, OR, if he desires to receive the visa at the Vice-Consulates in Curitiba or Porto Alegre, he must fill in the solicitation (click here to obtain it);

17 – Simple copy of identification card – RG for Brazilians and RNE for foreigners (in which case the validity must be superior to 90 days over the end of the visa request);

18 – Envelope (preferably plastic) for return of documents, with applicant’s address already filled in;

19 – Copy of paid bank slip:

If married, a simple copy of marriage certificate must be sent;

If there are children, simple copies of birth certificates must be sent;

►When in possession of all the documents listed above (and only then), access.

20 – Request for visa form (click here to obtain the mode): It must be completely filled in. After submitting the request, the applicant will receive the filled in form, which must be printed, signed, with the applicant’s photographs attached to it. Add it to all the other documents and send it by mail;

Attention: In item 25 (length of stay) fill in with 90 days, otherwise there will be an error in the form. The correct period will be replaced when the request is processed;

21 – Request completely filled in (see end of this page).

►Payment

More information about payment and documentation at: https://bit.ly/2P8yYVu

The procedures for entrepreneurship in Portugal may be a bit complex, so count on FINK, a company specialized in relocation, to guide you through all the steps of this project.

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Quality of life, public safety, and ease in obtaining a work and study visa enhance the attractiveness of this heretofore not so popular European country.

Always among the 5 countries most sought by Brazilian exchange students, Ireland, besides being an excellent place to live due to its high quality of life, public safety, and privileged location, has as its main attraction the possibility of uniting work and study without the great demands made by its trendier European neighbors. To begin with, according to the present immigration law, Brazilians and Irishmen can travel between the two countries as tourists for up to 90 days. To make things even better, if you’re enrolled in an educational program, you don’t even need a visa.

What to do in Ireland

With more than a thousand pubs spread throughout Dublin, it’s easy to understand the local culture of Ireland’s capital. Safe, with an expectation of full employment and a high quality of life, it’s an excellent place to live in.

Situated in County Kerry, the Killarney National Park is a real paradise, with mountains, lakes and woods spread over more than 10.2 hectares. It is open 24 hours.

The Rock of Cashel is a great historical treasure of Ireland. Situated on a hill in County Tipperary, the place shelters religious constructions from the 12th and 13th centuries.

For young people, a great trip is Galway, a university town full of pubs. The most bohemian city in Ireland, it is also the richest in terms of musical culture.

Speaking of pubs, festive Belfast is an excellent option for lovers of night life. The city also has an unmissable Metropolitan Arts Center.

For calmer places, bet on the Dingle Peninsula, which is considered by National Geographic as “the most beautiful place in the world”. The setting for many Hollywood films, it’s a great vacation destination.

Arriving in Ireland

Go to the immigration service, the only organ authorized to permit the entry of foreigners to the country, and present the following original documents:

Proof of accommodation for the period the tourist intends to stay in Ireland (proof of reservation in a hotel, or invitation letter);

Health insurance

Proof of sufficient funds to support oneself during the period of stay in the country. (There is no pre-fixed value, what exists is a calculation, based on good sense and considering the person’s lifestyle and the high cost of living in Ireland. If you wish to present credit cards, we suggest you take an original and current bank statement);

Proof of a link to the country of origin ( proving that you have to return there);

Round trip ticket (If one intends to travel elsewhere and then return to Brazil, it is important to have in hand the respective tickets, including the one for exit from Ireland on the proposed date);

Passport valid for at least 6 months after the date set for leaving Ireland.

Tips about documentation

Translate officially into English the original documents in Portuguese. Thus, you will help the Irish officials at the moment of entry.

It is recommended that you translate any document providing information about the trip, with data for contact, in case immigration needs to get in touch.

Working in Ireland

With the great rise in the offer of formal jobs, due to the country’s economic growth and stability, one can foresee good possibilities for foreigners. So, write down this important information: although it isn’t simple to find a job opportunity (search for a job opportunity, prerequisites, and special visa), shun illegality.

Useful links and phone numbers

Tourist information in English: www.ireland.com

General information about Ireland: www.citizensinformation.ie/en

Study guide and a variety of information: www.educationinireland.com

For doubts about the Irish health system, we suggest consulting the site of the Irish Ministry of health: www.doh.ie and the site of the health authorities: www.hse.ie

Emigrant Network Advice: www.emigrantnetwork.ie

Link with information for travelers to Ireland: http://www.dfa.ie

Orientation about rules relative to hand luggage: http://www.dfa.ie

Contact with Brazilian Embassy and Consulate in Dublin

Block 8, Harcourt Centre: Penthouse 6th floor (Embassy) and Ground floor (Consulate)

Charlotte Way, Dublin 2

Service to public from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Telephone: (00 21 353 1) 411-0870 / 475-6000 / 416-1202 / 416-1204 (only between 15h30 and 17h30)

Fax: (00 21 353 1) 475-1341

Emergency phone: 00 21 353 (0) 87 981-4403

E-mail: brasemb.dublin@itamaraty.gov.br Site: http://dublin.itamaraty.gov.br

Consular Sector

Tel: (00 353 1) 411-0873 E-mail: consular.dublin@itamaraty.gov.br

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In 1934, the prestigious American architect Frank Lloyd Wright received a residential project similar to so many others that he had designed before. This one, however, had a serious singularity – the house would be projected over a waterfall that the client wanted to preserve.

No matter how experienced and how much of a genius Lloyd was, this was an uncommon challenge at the time. Legend has it that the architect lost control of his deadline to deliver the project, and designed the house only a few hours before the final meeting with his client.
The project, named Falling Water, was audacious – the architect wanted all the social areas of the house – living room, dining room, verandahs – to have a view of the waterfall. The final result was a residence that subverted the dynamics of American houses, with the social center turned to the back of the house.

Falling Water shows all the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture: his concern with social coexistence in his projects. The esthetics, the visual, also stood out, but the importance of socializing surpasses them. The house, for instance, has few barriers between the rooms, with the exception of the bedrooms and the bathrooms. This characteristic is the mark of Lloyd’s genius.

Nowadays, due to its importance to architecture, the house has become a museum. There, the visitor goes on a guided tour that shows the innovative style that marks Lloyd’s work. It’s an excellent choice for tourists who love architecture and urbanism.

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Located 240km from the southeast coast of Australia, the island of Tasmania has impressive numbers. With a total area of 68,401 square kilometers, measuring 300km from north to south and 340km from east to west, and with over 519 thousand inhabitants, it is the 26th-largest island in the world, and has no fewer than 334 adjacent islands, 45% of which are natural reserves, considered World Heritage  sites. In 1901 Tasmania became a state through process of the Federation of Australia, and is the country’s smallest federative unit, with 40% of its territory formed by national parks and reserves, besides land substantially made up of mountain peaks.

With a temperate climate, Tasmania differs from the aridity found in a large part of the rest of the country, and is outstanding for the purity of its air and environment.  Hobart, the state capital, offers many attractions to those who choose to trade the capital for a natural paradise. Beginning with Mount Wellington, 1271 meters high, rich in biodiversity, showing that there nature is in command. Everything in the state is described by expressions such as “located in the middle of the mount, behind the mount, at the foot of the mount”. The state also boasts the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, an area of popular recreation with a varied collection of plants. Besides, of course, the Hobart Synagogue, the oldest in the country.

Salamanca Square is another popular point in the capital, where, every Saturday, the Salamanca Market takes place, a traditional street-market , selling local souvenirs, books, clothes and delicious gourmet food, among other things. The Port Arthur Penitentiary is another attraction, the point which receives the most visitors. Built to hold “the empire’s worst criminals”, the prison draws attention due to the remnants of the convicts’ tortuous past.

In short, besides its tourist attractions,Tasmania is a real invitation to get in touch with nature: there are over 2 thousand kilometers of trails among 18 National Parks far from civilization. To live in or visit the island is to fall in love constantly either with the beautiful landscapes or with the animal biodiversity that includes the famous Tasmanian devil – the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world, and symbol of the island, though only seen in protected venues – or a visit to the   penguin colonies in the Bichenos region.

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