It is full of wonderful sites that are often overlooked by travelers to Brazil, and here are some of those must see places while in Foz do Iguaçu.

1) The Iguaçu Falls (Cataratas do Iguaçu)

The waterfalls of the Iguaçu River are located between Brazil and Argentina; on the border of the Argentinian province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. They are the largest waterfalls system in the world, with more than 200 individual waterfalls. The biggest and most impressive is “the Devil’s Throat” (garganta do diabo), a U-shaped waterfall of 82 meters.

80% of the waterfalls are on the Argentinian side, allowing you to do a full hiking day to just take in the view. On the Brazilian side, you will get the chance to experience the falls from below and be on the edge of several of the waterfalls. You can even go on a boat ride around the waterfalls.

Visitors have the chance to be at the edge of several waterfalls while being surrounded by beautiful nature as the falls are part of a protected national park. You will also be able to see animals such as coatis and monkeys, but be careful they don’t steal from you.

2) The ‘Parque das Aves’

The ‘Parque das Aves’ (Portuguese for “Bird Park”) is located just in front of the entrance to the Iguaçu falls on the Brazilian side. The park offers a unique opportunity to be in direct contact with more than 1320 birds from 143 different species while walking in the natural lush Atlantic Rainforest. The park is managed by a non-profit organization that is very active in taking care of birds that are unable to continue living in nature without supervision or those that have been rescued from trafficking. So make sure to buy a souvenir and support the good cause.

3) The Itaipu Dam

This is a hydroelectric dam on the Paraná River located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. As the Dam is located on the border, Paraguay and Brazil are both owners of it. In 2016, the Dam set a new world record for producing the most energy and surpassed the Three Gorges Dam in China. Today it can produce an amount of power that would be enough to supply the whole world with energy for 40 days.

Visitors can experience two different kinds of visits: the panoramic tour and the Special tour.
The first one is a bus tour making stops on the most important places at the top of the dam, giving you a panoramic view of both sides, while the other one will take you to the interior of the largest power generator in the world. It should be mentioned that the second tour is restricted to all children under the age of 14 years old, and it is mandatory to wear clothing under knee-length. Whichever one you choose, you are guaranteed to feel small, faced with this impressive structure.

4) The Triple Frontier

As you might have guessed from reading this article, Foz do Iguaçu is at the intersection of three countries: Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. The Triple Frontier is the exact place where the tri-border area is, at the junction where the Iguaçu and Paraná Rivers converge. Every country has a marking that can be seen from all sides regardless of which country you are in.

Overall, Foz do Iguaçu is a magical place that deserves to be seen by more people around the world. Trust me; you won’t regret it!

The post Foz do Iguaçu: An adventure waiting to happen appeared first on Brussels Express.

So, in case you are thinking about getting a pet or arriving to Belgium with one, here is what you need to know for being a pet owner in Brussels.

1. Legal obligation of pet owners

Brussels imposes that all animals have an electronic microchip, allowing shelters to easily bring you back lost pets to their families. In order to have your animal microchipped, all you need to do is go to your local veterinarian and he will procced to the registration.

2. Expats bringing pets

If you are coming to Brussels from another country with an animal, you are required to follow specific steps. All animals must have a European passport delivered by a veterinarian and carnivores (dogs, cats, ferret etc…) must be vaccinated against rabies. Regarding dogs, if your dog is more than 8 weeks old at the time of its arrival in Belgium, you must register him within 8 days after arrival. This rule does not apply to foreigners who stay less than 6 months in Belgium. A dog coming from abroad, identified by a tattoo, must be re-identified by the implantation of an electronic microchip. Regarding cats, it is important to underline that Belgian legislation will change this year to better fit the national “Cat Plan” against subpopulation. Since 2014, all cats must be sterilised: only cats used for professional reproduction can be acquired without sterilisation. Regarding other animals, identification (microchip or other forms) is also required. If you plan on buying an exotic animal, make sure that the breeder has a CITES certificate.

3. Renting an apartment with a pet

Belgium law states that landlords are advised to simply not just write in the contract « all animals are forbidden in the dwelling », but really justify which types of animals are not allowed and for which reasons. Some judges have indeed allowed a tenant to have animals despite being prohibited by the lease. These decisions were made on the grounds that “the total prohibition of having animals violates the private and family life of tenants”, making Brussels a friendly pet city.

If you wish to have additional information about being a pet owner in Brussels, get in touch with your commune.

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Without further ado, here are my most see castles and parks of Île-de-France:

The Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous French palace which embodies the glory days of the kingdom of France. Built during the 17th century, it was the resident of the French kings until the French revolution. The park has 800 hectares of forest and gardens and was created by the famous royal gardener André Le Nôtre. The park stands out with its great canal and its beautiful fountains. If you are visiting Versailles in the summer be sure to stay for the fountains night show.

The castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte

If you are a fan of Versailles then Vaux-le-Vicomte is for you. This castle is actually what inspired the King Louis XIV to build the palace Versailles. The estate is nearly 500 hectares and is a great example of “French formal garden” based on symmetry and the principle of imposing order on nature. Vaux-le-Vicomte is also home to the carriage museum.

Fontainebleau Castle and Forest

This one is definitely my favourite. This castle has been marked by centuries of rolling densities. From the Capetian dynasty to Napoléon Bonaparte, every roller has left his mark on the castle, giving visitors a sense of what it was like to be the king at different point in time. I personally remember being fascinated as a child by the huge fishes in the artificial lake and exploring the beautiful forest of Fontainebleau that any hiker will appreciate.

The domain of Chantilly

This domain is a must see for every museum junky as it is home to the second biggest French collection of ancient paintings after the Louvre. Lovers of horse riding will also appreciate it, as it has the biggest stabiles of the world. Visitors can enjoy the museum of the horse and equestrian shows.

The park is a great example of the evolution of gardening styles, as it combines French formal style, English-chinses style from the 18th century and traditional English styles from the 19th century.

Malmaison & Parc Bois-Préau

Last but not least, this was the castle of Joséphine Bonaparte. It is well known for the empress’s collection roses of and rare exotic plants. Visitors passionate about the 1st Empire will enjoy the beautiful collection of Empire style furniture and objects. The castle also offers a series of family fun activities, perfect for every age.

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