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Caracas City Guide

admin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:42:41 +0000

Santiago de León de Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, was founded in 1567 by the spanish conqueror Diego de Losada. It’s placed in a narrow but long valley which is sorrounded by the Central Mountains and El Ávila.

The valley is about 900 m. up to the sea level, and it’s climate has been named The Endless Spring. Nowadays is the biggest and most important city of the whole country. There you’ll find everything you need, and you might get surprised at first because of its modernity! Caracas is the city where Simon Bolivar The Liberator was born.

He commanded the Independence War of about half of South America so you can imagine he is a hero everywhere, but specially in Caracas more than anywhere else.

Caracas is divided in districts called Urbanizaciones. Some of the notable ones include El Silencio (an historical district where the Teatro Municipal is placed), El Conde (also contains much colonial history and an amusement park), Parque Central (shopping centers), San Bernadino (residential and the Colonial Art Museum), Sabana Grande (city center nightclubs and restaurants), Chacaito (up-scale boutiques art galleries and cafes), Las Mercedes (American-style residential), and Altamira (chic nightclubs, pleasant parks and the Cleopatras Obelisk).

Centro Sambil

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:04:57 +0000

Despite the time that has passed since the Centro Sambil was opened at the beginning of 1998, Caracas citizens are still unsure of the difference between a mall and a shopping center. Nevertheless, every day visitors to and residents of the capital visit this mall which caters for leisure activities as well as shopping. The center boasts an area of 250,000 square meters in total, with five levels. It offers more than 500 shops for a variety of shoppers and budgets, and has a Parque ExpoAventura here with robotic dinosaurs. There is also a terrace, a gallery which markets works from the Jacobo Borges museum, an aquarium, and numerous eating establishments. 14 fast-food outlets, a romantic restaurant, and a cybercafe, to name but a few, are to be found here. Additionally, there are 4,000 parking spaces for shoppers. In fact, El Sambil is such an attractive place to visit that many shop owners complain that people are going to sightsee rather than to shop.

Tiendas Lucas

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:03:59 +0000

Every member of the family can find something for themselves in this classic shop, well-known by locals. It is a long established chain, with various outlets dotting the city. In spite of their rather retro window displays, it’s quite probable that you’ll find something you’ll like, once inside. The most varied selection of sandals for girls, babies and women are in stock. Loafers and smart shoes for formal occasions are on offer for men.

Centro Comercial Paseo Las Mercedes

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:02:23 +0000

The development of Urbanización Las Mercedes is, in itself, a great shopping center. Should you feel like walking around, sooner or later you will find what you were looking for. However, you can save time and effort if you simply go to the Centro Comercial Paseo Las Mercedes, where you will find over 150 different shops selling all sorts of varied and unique goods. You could also visit La Cuadra, on the lower level, with its winding passages from yesteryear, full of little shops. Here you will find electrical goods, interior decoration ideas, a beauty salon, opticians, boutiques, health products, home and office furniture, and much more. There is also a four-star hotel, a cinema, and numerous quality restaurants here. A five-level car park is available also.

Novedades

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:00:55 +0000

It has been said that books created the modern world. Although technological developments are difficult to keep up with, we cannot deny that sitting down to read a book is a wonderful and enriching experience. In particular when you are in one of those bookshops that have so much to offer that deciding which book to buy is sometimes a difficult task. Las Novedades is one of those bookshops. There are a number of branches in town and you can find countless books and texts here.

Gran Melia Caracas Hotel

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:36:28 +0000

The Gran Melia Caracas 5 star deluxe hotel is located in Sabana Grande, one of the city’s most exclusive locations and an important financial, commercial and leisure district. The nearest subway station is just a few meters away, giving instant access to Caracas’ city centre, its museums and other cultural attractions. The Plaza Venezuela is nearby, allowing easy access to the main highways and the Maiquetia International Airport (30 to 40 minutes). The Gran Melia Caracas deluxe Hotel has 432 Rooms including 1 Presidential Suite, 8 Royal Suites and 10 Junior Suites. There is 5 Royal Service Floors. 236 Full Service Apartment Suites with one, two or three bedrooms, private office and full kitchen with microwave oven, electric toaster, juice extractor and coffee-maker, terrace and all the amenities found in the regular rooms. All the rooms in the hotel are equipped with air-conditining, Bathroom with hair-dryer and telephone, Satellite TV, Direct Dial Telephone with modem/fax connection and Internet Access, Mini-bar and Safe Deposit Box. 24-Hours Room Service. Guests at Gran Melia Caracas can dine at several Restaurants with different types of dishes of International Cuisine as French, Italian, Spanish or Japanese. After your meal, enjoy a smooth drink at one of our several bars located throughout the hotel. For relaxing moments, our guests can enjoy our swimming-pools and the Spa & Fitness Center with Sauna, Massages, Jacuzzi and Jogging track/exercises. Other services and facilities offered by the Gran Melia Caracas hotel are: Business Center, Beauty Parlor, Gallerias Gran Melia with first-class boutiques and shops, and direct access to the adjacent shopping mall, and Parking. Gran Melia Caracas has been designed to provide the ideal setting for meetings, incentives and exhibitions. Several meeting rooms of varying dimensions and capacities for any type of event are at your disposition. 28 meeting rooms for 10 - 1,250 people and parking for up to 1,500 cars.

Eurobuilding Hotel And Suites

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:35:44 +0000

The Radisson Plaza Eurobuilding is located in this is the second largest municipality of Caracas. This is where most of the middle and upper middle class live and play. The home of the restless Las Mercedes, where most of the most amazing restaurants of Caracas are located. This is where the second ‘it’ mall of Caracas is located, the Tolon Fashion Mall. This new mll concept was introduced 1 year and a half ago, where you can find a floor only designated for bars and hip restaurants. ‘5to piso’ has fastly become one of the destination by excelence for the party scene. -440 Luxury/high tech Guestrooms and Suites feature: Computerized touch screen console w/ dual-line; laptop hook-up; Satellite TV with 67 channels; Long Distance Dialing; In-Room Minibar and Electronic Safe; Fire Security Systems; Non-Smoking Rooms Available. FIRST CLASS FLOOR upgraded rooms and an exclusive lounge for guests on the 10th floor.

JW Marriott Caracas

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:33:09 +0000

This property, located in the area of Las Mercedes, is approximately 15 miles from Simon Bolivar, Caracas International Airport. Local attractions include nearby golf and tennis, shopping, downtown Las Mercedes and downtown Caracas, Parque del Este and Bellas Artes Museum.

Hotel amenities include three restaurants, two bars, 24-hour front desk, golf, on-site fitness center, outdoor pool, sauna, complimentary newspaper, dry cleaning/laundry services, on-site self-laundry facilities (washer/dryer), fax/photocopy services, business services, beauty salon, shoe shine, babysitting services, room service, airline, car rental and tour desks, currency exchange, and a multi-lingual staff.

Guest rooms feature high-speed Internet, cable/Satellite TV, stereo, DVD player, air conditioning, coffeemaker, hairdryer, irons and ironing board, AM/FM alarm clock radios, mini bar, full kitchens, and safe deposit boxes.

Parking (additional fee)

JW Marriott Caracas

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:31:34 +0000

JW Marriott Caracas is located approximately seven miles from El Hatillo and 18 miles from Simon Bolivar International Airport. This location is also three miles from Sambil Mall, seven miles from Capitolio and the Teresa Carreno Theater, and 30 miles from Colonia Tovar.Hotel amenities include the fitness center, sauna, outdoor heated pool, full-service spa, Sur New World Fusion (South American cuisine), La Casa del Cafe, and Lobby Bar. The hotel also offers room service, complimentary valet parking, concierge, air-conditioning, bottled water, irons and ironing boards, sofa beds, safes, trouser pressers, and 24-hour front desk service.

All rooms feature cable TV, free coffee/tea, free weekday newspapers, minibars, bathrobes, hairdryers, separate tubs and showers, CD players, voicemail, and multiple dataports.

Note: the bridge on the Caracas-La Guaira Highway is currently closed. For airport transportation or further information, guests should contact the hotel directly at 58 212 957 6023.

Hilton Caracas

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:30:28 +0000

In the heart of Caracas’s financial and cultural district, the Hilton Caracas hotel has 37 meeting rooms, a large ballroom and Executive Lounge with panoramic city views. Soak up the sun by 2 outdoor pools, de-stress in the spa or enjoy a work out in the gym. Afterwards, unwind in one of 5 restaurants and bars. Enjoy the outdoor swimming pools, spa, fitness centre with gym and tennis courts at the Hilton Caracas hotel. Visit beautiful Caracas attractions like Los Roques Archipelago National Park or the Botanic Gardens. Enjoy everything from Italian cuisine in L’Incontro to sushi in the Daruma Sushi Bar or sip cocktails at the Tower Lounge Bar in the Hilton Caracas hotel. All Hilton Caracas hotel rooms have high-speed internet access on request. Step up from a Hilton Room to an Executive Room with Executive Lounge access. There are 37 meeting rooms with a ballroom for up to 4000, including a business centre and Executive Lounge.