The Historical Center of Lima, Peru

On June 8, 2020June 8, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn South America9 Comments

Old town in Lima, also referred to as the Historical Center, is probably most known for its colorful colonial buildings with their fascinating balconies, but there is certainly much more to see than just the architecture. To make the most of your time in the downtown area and we would suggest starting out at the Plaza Mayor or the Main Square and then exploring out from there. There are palaces, the cathedral, official buildings, and other churches in the area, each uniquely beautiful. It is very walkable and you will also find stores carrying tourist items as well as restaurants in the area. We stayed in the Miraflores district, which is by the beach, but it was only a short taxi ride to the Historical Center.

Colorful Architecture and More Balconies

The architecture is certainly the highlight of the Historical Center and the buildings are either colorful or covered with intricate details. There are several palaces including Government Palace, the Archbishop Palace, and the Justice Palace. Obviously there is the Cathedral Basilica of Lima, but there is also the Church and Convent of San Francisco as well as San Pedro Church. There is also the Palacio Municipal or Town Hall located downtown as well. Even with all of these buildings and monuments, your eyes will be naturally drawn to the intricately carved balconies that are on every street in the Historical Center.

Being the heart of Lima, you can certainly expect to find plenty of crowds walking the streets with you. There are vendors selling food and drinks as well as shops to buy items made by the local people of Peru. Occasionally you will see indigenous people dressed in their authentic clothing with items to sell as well. As with many cities, you will also find an abundance of pigeons making the city center their home as well. During our time in Lima, there were guards and police plainly visible, which did provide an extra sense of security as there can be protests on a semi-regular basis. We’d recommend that you register your trip with the local embassy so that you receive notifications of any travel alerts in the region.

Standing in Front of the Government Palace

Lima is certainly an interesting city and should not just be a landing place on your way to Machu Picchu or other destinations within the country. With wonderful beaches and a vibrant food scene, there is much to do within Lima, but visiting the Historical Center should definitely be at the top of your itinerary. The architecture, culture, and history make it one of the most interesting old town areas in South America.

Honoring Unknown Soldiers Around the World

On May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn England, France, Greece, Italy, Washington DCLeave a comment

Tributes to fallen soldiers can be found throughout the world and they are often somber and sobering experiences. Memorials to unknown soldiers are particularly impactful and are often accompanied with special ceremonies. The tradition started at the end of WWI with both England and France creating their own versions of the tombs. Although there are ones in other countries such as Canada, Egypt, Belgium, and Iraq, we have had the opportunity to see this fitting tributes in the United States, France, Greece, Italy, and England. It is important to remember the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives to provide the freedom that we all hold precious.

Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington Cemetery

John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame at the National Cemetery

Arlington Cemetery – Located in Northern Virginia, just across the Potomac river from Washington DC, is Arlington Cemetery. It is the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well and is also the final resting place for thousands of veterans and the location of the Eternal Flame that sits at the head of John F. Kennedy’s grave. Seeing the changing of the guards is truly a fascinating experience and is a great honor for the soldiers who participate.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Eternal Flame Beneath the Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe – Sitting in the heart of Paris, France is the Arc de Triomphe and located underneath the arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI and the eternal flame that burns in the memory of those who died and were never identified. We happened to visit on a cold and rainy day, which almost added to the mood that the memorial invokes. With all of the major avenues leading to the arc, it is a fitting location for such a tribute.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Below the Goddess Roma

Altare della Patria – At the base of a statue of the Goddess Roma at the Altare della Patria in Rome, Italy can be found the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame. Translated to the Altar of the Fatherland is also the location of a museum and a viewing platform on its roof with spectacular views of the city. It is certainly an awe inspiring location to visit in a city with such a rich history.

Syntagma Square – Located in the square just outside of the Parliament building in Athens, Greece is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At 11:00 am daily, there is the changing of the guards, but if you want the full pageantry that the ceremony has to offer, you should attend on Sunday when it is more colorful and elaborate. It is an experience that will not soon be forgotten as the soldiers make dramatic motions as they march into their locations.

Westminster Abbey – Inside of Westminster Abbey in London, England is the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The grave is covered with a black marble stone that has an inscription by the Dean of Westminster engraved with brass that was melted down from ammunition on it. We were not able to take photographs inside of the abbey, so we don’t have any images to share of this particular tomb.

All of these monuments are well worth visiting, especially if there is a significant ceremony at the location. Each of them have many similarities, but are also unique in their own ways. We definitely recommend putting them on your itinerary when visiting any of these locations.

Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy

On May 26, 2020May 26, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy6 Comments

To say that Florence is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe would not be an understatement. There are so many wonderful places to see in Florence and the Piazza della Signoria is certainly one of them for many reasons. The plaza is an outdoor museum with many different historic statues. It is also the location of the Palazzo Vecchio, which is Florence’s town hall. It is a great place to sit in an outdoor restaurant and people watch and soak in the ambiance.

The Rape of the Sabine Women in the Loggia dei Lanzi

Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Cellini

One of the most notable features of the square is the Loggia dei Lanzi, which is a covered area with columns and many statues that can be seen in the three openings. Of the many statues that can be found in the Loggia, one of the most famous is the Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna. Another of the statues is Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Cellini. The famous Medici Lions can be seen standing guard just outside of the columns.

The Palazzo Vecchio looms overhead with its large bell tower and less ornate architecture than much of what is found throughout Florence. The Piazza della Signoria is actually an L-shaped plaza, giving you different perspectives from almost every direction. A replica of Michelangelo’s David is also on display, but the original is in the Galleria dell’Accademia. There is also a much larger replica of David located in Piazzale Michelangelo, which has wonderful views of the city.

The Piazza della Signoria should certainly be a part of your itinerary when visiting Florence. We enjoyed spending about an hour in the plaza between walking among the statues as well as sitting at a café for a glass of Italian wine. After leaving the square, we wandered down one of the narrow streets where we passed by Dante’s Church, which dates back to 1032 and is one of the oldest churches in Florence.