Category: Destinations

Madagascar, a land rich in history and culture, offers a captivating journey through time. This island, once a crossroads of ancient trade routes, has been shaped by diverse influences, from its early Austronesian settlers to the arrival of Arab, European, and African traders. The island’s unique blend of traditions and cultures is reflected in its architecture, from the Royal Palace in Antananarivo to the historical ruins of Ambohimanga, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Madagascar’s complex colonial history also adds depth to its story, with the legacy of French influence visible in its cities and coastal towns. Visiting Madagascar is like stepping into a living history book, where ancient traditions coexist with a vibrant, evolving culture.

Cities

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is a real concentrate of what the island reserves in an urban framework. It is the capital of Madagascar, and is called “the City of thousands, referring to 1000 treasures to discover. With your family, visit a “rova,” a palace of the royal era, or wander through the animal parks to discover the fauna and flora visible all around the island. In solo or in couple, there is a trek to go through the 12 sacred hills to discover the Malagasy gastronomy in one of the restaurants of the upper city. Antananarivo offers you a rich journey for young and old.There are numerous activities to do there, for everyone of different tastes. Whether you prefer historical culture, fauna and flora, or adventure, the capital of Madagascar will meet all of your expectations. To learn more about Malagasy culture and history, you can visit the royal palaces or historical sites such as the Upper Town of the Pavillion Market, filled with atypical architechtures. Alongside an experienced guide, you will have the opportunity to quickly learn more about Malagasy people and their history. Customs are one aspect that makes the charm of the population, which will fill your outings with big smiles and greetings.

Nosy Be

Nosy Be is the main island of an archipelago of a dozen small islands. It is called the island of perfumes because of its scents of ylang ylang, sugar cane and spices. It is a land of dreams and adventure, and you can practice many activities there. You can also enjoy the heavenly beaches littering the coasts. Situated in the Mozambique Canal, near the north-western coast of Madagascar, Nosy Be is called Ambariobe (“the great island”) by the inhabitants of the region. This volcanic island of approximately 320 km² is the ideal starting point for cruises to paradisiac archipelagos, or to the west coast of Madagascar. Nosy Be contains many other surprises! The island is overflowed with a dense forest sprinkled with volcanic lakes, and an exceptional fauna and flora. The archipelago has many islands that are very easy to visit. The most famous are Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely, Nosy Sakatia, and Nosy Iranja.

Diego Suarez

Diego Suarez is the main town north of Madagascar. It is a dreamy destination and offers a range of nautical and land activities, in an incredible and breathtaking setting. From beaches to imposing mountain massifs, you will discover a different setting at each stage of your journey. This will be an epic journey that will offer you a lot of memories!The city of Diego Suarez, also called Antsiranana is the largest city north of Madagascar. It is also the 3rd port of the island. It was for a long time, the former French garrison, where the remains of colonization is still seen today. Diego-Suarez and its region are full of incredible landscapes – Ramena beach is the most obvious. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with miles of turquoise water and white sand bordering it. The region has many fishing villages and offers the Amber and Ankarana Mountains as background. You can’t miss the many other sites with grand landscapes that Diego-Suarez has to offer, like the red Tsingy or the Emerald Sea. An exceptional stay filled with flamboyant colors awaits you!

Language

The main language of Madagascar is Malagasy, but English and French are also recognized as official languages, with a preference in use for French.

Weather

The climate in Madagascar is very varied according to the regions. The Highlands have a mild climate, the West is warm and dry, the East coast is rainy, the North is hot and humid, and the South semi-arid. The dry season runs from April to October, and the summer, the rainy season, from November to March. The ideal is to leave between September and October or from April to June.

Electricity

Electricity is generally at 220V. Most hotels have their own generators. Provide a battery-operated device for extreme cases. For your calls, the code of Madagascar is 261, and the broadband internet is generalized in the hotels.

Useful links

What Exotik can offer

Belgium is Europe in a word, with 35 World Heritage sites. Do not be fooled by its size, however, Belgium has something for everyone: more than 200 museums, 300 art nouveau buildings in Brussels, 650 different styles of beer and more than 2,000 chocolate shops! It is one of six founding members of the European Union which it receives in its capital Brussels, the main institutions (the European Council, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission), as well as other international organizations such as NATO, Eurocontrol and the ACP. It is surrounded by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France and the North Sea. Belgium is a constitutional monarchy whose king is Philippe, the seventh king of the Belgians, since 2013.

Language

Dutch, French and German

What Exotik can offer

Situated in the heart of Europe, Germany has plenty of fantastic tourist attractions and unique sights to offer. Visitors from all over the world travel to Germany to see architectural treasures and fascinating places of natural beauty. Experience the majestic beauty of castles and palaces, explore fascinating museums, or delve into the music of some of the most famous German composers. Explore the wine and beer festivals and visit the home of the discovery of Nutcracker! Germany’s landscapes offer a wealth of options for an unforgettable holiday: long sandy beaches on the coasts and lake shores, enchanting lowland plains, extensive ranges of hills and the high peaks of Saxon Switzerland. Whether you choose leisurely exploration, a spa or wellness break, or a sports activity, you’ll be amazed at what Germany’s natural landscapes have to offer

Cities

Berlin

Berlin is the largest city and capital of Germany. Berlin is best known for its historical associations as the German capital, internationalism and tolerance, lively nightlife, its many cafés, clubs and bars, street art, numerous museums, palaces, and other sites of historic interest. Berlin’s architecture is quite varied. Although badly damaged in the final years of World War II and broken apart during the Cold War, Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, especially with the reunification push after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Munich

Radiant Bavarian culture, Munich is a charming and most popular city in Germany. Called München in German, the town takes its name from its first monastery where monks began the now traditional beer brewing. Although best known today for its annual beer festival, Oktoberfest, Munich also has an artistic side with important European art collections in many art galleries. Whether you are looking for perfect summer days in a garden café or a touch of festive magic of the snowy Christmas markets, Munich is guaranteed to please!

Frankfurt

Welcome to Frankfurt! The most international city in Germany, the largest financial centre on the continent, the historical city of coronations, the city of Goethe and the Frankfurt School… In brief, be ready to explore the smallest metropolis in the world, in which there is a lot to see at close hand! Whether this glance at the city’s home page is the start of a longer, maybe even permanent, stay on the banks of the Main, or if, as a business visitor, you only have a limited amount of time available: you will find that the city has interesting offers for extensive tours of the city, cultural enjoyment and attractive shopping trips waiting for you. No matter where visitors come from, they will always meet people in Frankfurt who speak their language and a restaurant that serves their favorite food. The open and hospitable atmosphere in Frankfurt stems from its centuries-old role as a trading centre.

Language

German and English

Electricity

The electricity is 230 volts; therefore, an adapter and/or converter will be required

Entry requirements

Kindly make sure to have the proper documents required to enter the countries you are visiting. Please refer to www.travel.gc.ca for updated information. Regarding visas, you can refer to the link: www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
Failure to obtain these documents prior to travel can result in being denied entry or exit from the country.

Communication

International access code (exit code in Europe): 00 International dialing code: 49 If you are calling from any other European country, the international dialing code 49 is only required to call Germany from abroad. So it will be: 00 49 and local phone number. Concerning national calls made in Germany, it is not necessary to dial the 49 country code. If you are calling from Canada, please dial 011, then 49 and finally the local phone number in German.

Linking the East and West, Bahrain – which means “Two Seas” in Arabic – is set among several islands in the Arabian Gulf. Its strategic position has made it one of the region’s most significant commercial crossroads for over 4,000 years as a trading hub and route for the pearl-diving industry.

Language

The official language of Bahrain is Arabic. English and Persian are also actively used.

What Exotik can offer

Plucked straight from a film set or a coffee-table book of picture-perfect scenery, New Zealand is jaw-droopingly gorgeous. “Wow!” will escape from your lips at least once a day. Filling in the gaps are the sublime forests, mountains, lakes, beaches and fiords that have made NZ one of the best hiking (locals call it ‘tramping’) destinations on the planet. The popularity of New Zealand with international visitors is growing year by year. It is a land of contrasts, from pristine wilderness areas to modern and sophisticated cities there is something for everyone. New Zealand also enjoys an international reputation for being safe and friendly. NZ’s cool-climate wineries have been collecting wine-award trophies for decades now, but the country’s booming craft-beer scene also deserves your serious scrutiny. And with coffee culture firmly entrenched, you can usually slake your craving for a decent double-shot.

Cities

Auckland

National parks ring the city and penetrate right into its heart. Large chunks of the harbor are still edged with bush, while parks cut their way through the skyscrapers and suburbs. There’s always a new restaurant to try, undercover bar to hunt down, hip band to check out, sports team to shout at, show to see or crazy party to attend. The city’s pretensions to glamour are well balanced by a casualness that means a cool T-shirt and a tidy pair of jeans will get you in most places. But if you want to dress up and show off, there’s plenty of opportunity for that among the sparkling lights of the harbor. Book a window seat for your flight to Sydney: day or night, this city sure is good-looking. Scratch the surface and it only gets better.

Rotorua

Designed by visionary American architect Walter Burley Griffin, who was assisted by his wife Marion Mahony Griffin, Canberra features expansive open spaces, aesthetics influenced by the 19th-century Arts and Crafts Movement and a seemless alignment of built and natural elements. Though it seems big on architectural symbolism and low on spontaneity, there is a fair bit going on behind the slightly sterile exterior. The cultural institutions have lively visitor and social programmes, there’s a limited but often excellent choice of restaurants and cafes and there’s also a lively bar scene that is fuelled by the city’s university students

Wellington

A small city with a big reputation, Wellington is most famous for being NZ’s capital. It is infamous for its weather, particularly the gale-force winds wont to barrel through, wrecking umbrellas and obliterating hairdos. It also lies on a major fault line. And negotiating the inner-city one-way system is like the Krypton Factor on acid. But don’t be deterred. ‘Welly’ is a wonderful city, voted ‘the coolest little capital in the world’ in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel (2011). For a starter it’s lovely to look at, draped around bushy hillsides encircling a magnificent harbor. There are super lookouts on hilltops, golden sand on the prom, and spectacular craggy shores along the south coast. Downtown, the city is compact and vibrant, buoyed by a surprising number of museums, theatres, galleries and boutiques. A cocktail- and caffeine-fuelled hospitality scene fizzes and pops among the throng.

Queenstown

No-one’s ever visited Queenstown and said, ‘I’m bored’. Looking like a small town, but displaying the energy of a small city, Queenstown offers a mountain of outdoor activities. Maximize bragging rights with your souvenir T-shirt in the town’s atmospheric restaurants, laid-back cafes and bustling bars. Be sure to also find a lakeside bench at sunrise or dusk and immerse yourself in one of NZ’s most beautiful views. The town’s restaurants and bars are regularly packed with a mainly young crowd that really knows how to enjoy themselves on holiday

Dunedin

The first sight of Milford Sound is stunning. Sheer rocky cliffs rise out of still, dark waters, and forests clinging to the slopes sometimes relinquish their hold, causing a ‘tree avalanche’ into the waters. The spectacular, photogenic 1692m-high Meter Peak rises dead ahead. A cruise on Milford Sound is Fjord land’s most accessible experience, complete with seals and dolphins. Milford Sound receives about half a million visitors each year

Christchurch

Welcome to a vibrant city in transition, coping resiliently and creatively with the aftermath of NZ’s second-biggest natural disaster (especially as tremors can still be felt regularly). Traditionally the most English of NZ cities, Christchurch is now adding a modern and innovative layer to its damaged heritage heart. Punts still glide gently down the Avon River, and the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park are still among NZ’s finest public spaces, but an energetic entrepreneurial edge is also evident, harnessing the opportunities emerging from the city’s recent seismic heartache

Language

English

Electricity

The electrical current is 230-240 volts, AC 50Hz, you will need an adaptor.

Communication

International access code: 00 International dialing code: 64 Concerning national calls made in New Zealand, it is not necessary to dial the 64 country code.If you are calling from Canada, please dial 011, then 64 and finally the local phone number in New Zealand

Useful links

Situated in the heart of Europe, Germany has plenty of fantastic tourist attractions and unique sights to offer. Visitors from all over the world travel to Germany to see architectural treasures and fascinating places of natural beauty. Experience the majestic beauty of castles and palaces, explore fascinating museums, or delve into the music of some of the most famous German composers. Explore the wine and beer festivals and visit the home of the discovery of Nutcracker! Germany’s landscapes offer a wealth of options for an unforgettable holiday: long sandy beaches on the coasts and lake shores, enchanting lowland plains, extensive ranges of hills and the high peaks of Saxon Switzerland. Whether you choose leisurely exploration, a spa or wellness break, or a sports activity, you’ll be amazed at what Germany’s natural landscapes have to offer

Cities

Berlin

Berlin is the largest city and capital of Germany. Berlin is best known for its historical associations as the German capital, internationalism and tolerance, lively nightlife, its many cafés, clubs and bars, street art, numerous museums, palaces, and other sites of historic interest. Berlin’s architecture is quite varied. Although badly damaged in the final years of World War II and broken apart during the Cold War, Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, especially with the reunification push after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Munich

Radiant Bavarian culture, Munich is a charming and most popular city in Germany. Called München in German, the town takes its name from its first monastery where monks began the now traditional beer brewing. Although best known today for its annual beer festival, Oktoberfest, Munich also has an artistic side with important European art collections in many art galleries. Whether you are looking for perfect summer days in a garden café or a touch of festive magic of the snowy Christmas markets, Munich is guaranteed to please!

Frankfurt

Welcome to Frankfurt! The most international city in Germany, the largest financial centre on the continent, the historical city of coronations, the city of Goethe and the Frankfurt School… In brief, be ready to explore the smallest metropolis in the world, in which there is a lot to see at close hand! Whether this glance at the city’s home page is the start of a longer, maybe even permanent, stay on the banks of the Main, or if, as a business visitor, you only have a limited amount of time available: you will find that the city has interesting offers for extensive tours of the city, cultural enjoyment and attractive shopping trips waiting for you. No matter where visitors come from, they will always meet people in Frankfurt who speak their language and a restaurant that serves their favorite food. The open and hospitable atmosphere in Frankfurt stems from its centuries-old role as a trading centre.

Language

German and English

Electricity

The electricity is 230 volts; therefore, an adapter and/or converter will be required

Entry requirements

Kindly make sure to have the proper documents required to enter the countries you are visiting. Please refer to www.travel.gc.ca for updated information. Regarding 
visas, you can refer to the link: www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
Failure to obtain these documents prior to travel can result in being denied entry or exit from the country

Communication

International access code (exit code in Europe): 00 International dialing code: 49 If you are calling from any other European country, the international dialing code 49 is only required to call Germany from abroad. So it will be: 00 49 and local phone number. Concerning national calls made in Germany, it is not necessary to dial the 49 country code. If you are calling from Canada, please dial 011, then 49 and finally the local phone number in German

Le Chili est situé à l’extrême ouest de l’Amérique du Sud, il partage ses frontières avec le Pérou au nord, la Bolivie au nord-est et l’Argentine à l’est. D’une longueur d’environ 4 200 km et d’une largeur d’environ 180 km, ce pays est sans aucun doute le plus long et le plus étroit au monde. L’Île de Pâques et l’archipel Juan Fernandez (aussi surnommée l’île Robinson Crusoé) sont aussi des territoires chiliens. Sur cette bande étroite de terre se succèdent des paysages magnifiques et des plus diversifiés : déserts et canyons, volcans aux cimes enneigées, lacs, glaciers fjord, steppes, toujours avec, comme toile de fond, la majestueuse Cordillère des Andes

Language

Even if Spanish is the official language of the country, many other languages are spoken as the Quechua, the Mapudungun and the Rapanui spoken in the Easter Island

Electricity

The electricity is 220 volts. An adapter and a converter are required during your stay

Entry requirements

Kindly make sure to have the proper documents required to enter the countries you are visiting. Please refer to www.travel.gc.ca for updated information. Regarding visas, you can refer to the link: www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.Failure to obtain these documents prior to travel can result in being denied entry or exit from the country.

Communication

International access code: 00 International dialing code: 56 Concerning national calls made in Chile, it is not necessary to dial the 56 country code.If you are calling from Canada, please dial 011, then 56 and finally the local phone number in Chile.

Mauritius, sparkling jewel in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, will fascinate you. The contrast of colors, cultures and flavors give a charm to this island and sets the scene for an unforgettable holiday. Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy unparalleled luxury, a level of refinement far above other tropical destinations. Here, you will discover the true meaning of the word “beauty”, a statement that will bring you back to the shores of Mauritius, again and again. It takes its name from the Dutch prince Maurice van Nassau…

Cities

Pamplemousses

Pamplemousses is a district of northwestern Mauritius It includes the garden. Pamplemousses founded in the 18th century. This botanical garden is the most remarkable, recognized worldwide, it has an area of 37 hectares. It is considered a heavenly garden where you will discover a wide variety of species and scents from all over the world.

Port Louis

Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean. It is known for its French colonial style architecture and 19th century Champs de Mars hippodrome. The seafront of Caudan is the place for restaurants and lively shopping. Nearby stalls offer local products and crafts in the huge central market. The Blue Penny Museum is dedicated to the colonial and maritime history of the island, as well as its culture.

Quatre Bornes

Quatres Bornes is one of the largest Mauritian cities located west of the main island, in the Hautes Plaines Wilhems, about ffteen kilometers south of Port Louis. It happens to be the nerve center of Mauritius, popular for its famous clothes fair. You will stroll through the aisles feeling thetypical Mauritian atmosphere, you will fnd a lot of choice (all types of clothing and a lot of very colorful fabrics) and do not forget that the negotiation is part of the game.

Language

Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are equally fluent in English and French. Creole and French are the main languages in the everyday environment and several oriental languages are also spoken.

Electricity

The electricity is 230 volts; therefore, an adapter and/or converter will be required.

Entry requirements

 Kindly make sure to have the proper documents required to enter the countries you are visiting. Please refer to www.travel.gc.ca for updated information. Regarding visas, you can refer to the link: www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
Failure to obtain these documents prior to travel can result in being denied entry or exit from the country. 

Communication

International access code: 00 International dialing code: 230 Concerning national calls made in Mauritius, it is not necessary to dial the 230 country code. If you are calling from Canada, please dial 011, then 230 and finally the local phone number in Mauritius.

Useful links