Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, is the city known as "the most dramatic city" of the continent thanks to its position in the high valley, close to the mountains but also close to the sea.
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During the economic boom some 40 years ago, skyscrapers replaced buildings old more than one hundred years, but fortunately there are still many attractions to be seen. Although Caracas is metropolis with four millions citizens, the most of its attractions can be explored in a short visit. Its museums, parks, and fine restaurants can be reached with short taxi drive or city subway. And you don't need winter clothes: the average temperature is 24C.
El Avila National Park protecting the city from the rugged climate. If you take a cable car you will get to the top from where you can enjoy in view of the city on your palm. If you are of adventurous nature you can follow one of many hiking trails, you don't need to go all the way to the top, along which you will see many locals jogging around. Don't be surprised if on one of the peaks you are welcomed with the band playing, local food and drinks.
An interesting characteristic of Caracas is that there is no a single place that could be called downtown. Instead of that the city is divided in four areas, each with its own unique places to see. El Centro (Caraquenos call it Old Caracas) you will visit if you like historical architecture. On the south side of Plaza BolÃvar there is Concejo Municipal, the building from the 17th century, once university, and now the home of City Councile and Museo Santana. Capilla de Santa Rosa de Lima, a church, is the place not to be missed: Venezuela's independence was declared there and every Caraqueno will show you the way to it with pride.
Caracas' cultural icon is the Teresa Carreno Center for the Performing Arts, located between Parque Central and the Natural Science Museum. It has been built to be the home for the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra, but today it's home for everything: from Symphony to Children's Museum Caracasopera to theatre to pop music. Casa Amarilla (Yellow House) is another building with an interesting history: it is one of the oldest building in Caracas and it was the royal prison but later it was converted to the presidential residence.
Since you are in South America, and South Americans adore horses, if you don't visit the Hipódromo La Rinconada you will most probably insult your guide. One of the most modern buildings of its kind on the continent is Hipódromo La Rinconada. It is the host of finest horse races every weekend. It is surrounded with thousand viewers while TV and radio are broadcasting that almost spiritual event accross the whole country. Hippodrome is also the host of the Museo de Artes Visuales Alejandro Otero and numerous cafes, bars and even art exhibitions that visitors can enjoy.
After you see the attractions of Caracas, you should go out, some one-hour drive, and visit Colonia Tovar, a city built on the land MartÃn Tovar y Ponte donated to the state 150 years ago. Colonia Tovar is the city founded by German settlers in 1843 and it has been isolated from the rest of the world since 1960. Citizens simply wanted to keep their traditions and lifestyle without any new technology and they even have their own language Alemán Coloniero. If you like small houses from fairy tale, beer and schnitzel in the hearth of Venezuela, you will enjoy Colonia Tovar. ■
