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Descriptive Tour of Old San Juan
A primer descriptive tour
The city is surrounded, enfolded, enwrapped by its
Botanical Garden
Enjoy an intimate Garden in the middle of San Juan.
One area boasts 30,000 orchids, another an exotic collection of Helliconias. A young palm garden gathers 125 species and the bamboo collection includes one variety that can grow 4 feet in one day. An aquatic garden is peppered with water lilies and Egyptian papyrus. Most people stroll at random for an hour or so among the main path that eventually leads to the orchids, or picnic under cinnamon or nutmeg trees and numerous exotic fruit trees. Serious naturalists should study the Herbarium (36,000 samples to dates) or the protected orchid collection. Finish with a visit to "Jardin Monet" with a display of terrestrial and aquatic flowering plants. |
narration
of Old San Juan is the fastest way to get acquainted with the fines and
most exquisite example of neo-classic and military architecturally
designed city in the new world. According to the people in the field
of architecture, neither in Spain, nor in other Latin American country will you ever find a perfect line of continuity, architecturally speaking
as you will find in Old San Juan.
magnificent
wall. Learn to identify such architectural landmarks with your guide
as the Capitol building, La Casa de Espaņa, El Casino de Puerto Rico, Fort
San Cristobal (bus stop), the first University of General Studies in the
new world, the Oldest Catholic church still being used in the New World,
the Palace of Santa Catalina. Engaged columns, rustication elements,
house structures crowned with cornice, single, double, triple balconies,
blue "adoquines" on the ground, and watch the people as they
visit the new Pirates of the Caribbean in the jewelry shops. (When open,
AS AN EXTRA, our bus will top at the Bacardi Rum Plant where you could
take pictures of the city surrounded by wall while you enjoy 2 free
drinks. Shoot pictures against the walls and conquer the city
(Entrance fee to the fort not included)
Many residents consider the Botanical Garden of the University of Puerto
Rico as their private reserve, but it is open to the public. This
lush 75 acre urban garden can fill you with hours of delight.
Hundreds of species of tropical and subtropical vegetation line the paths,
ponds and bridges of the Garden.