Things to Do in Noosa & Sunshine Coast

Allegedly established by a Roman centurion named Amarantus, Amarante is situated between the steep sides of Serra do Marão and the curves of the river Tâmega, the longest tributary of the river Douro. Modern Amarante is actually rooted in the 13th century, when the Benedictine monk St. Gonçalo settled in the area after completing a pilgrimage to Italy and Jerusalem. He is said to have commissioned the original bridge over the river Tâmega, located in the same spot as modern times.

In addition to its centurion, saint and bridge, Amarante is known for its sweets and cakes, and these are easy to find in many of the region's cake-shops and cafés. However, during the Feast of Sao Gonçalo, Amarante’s baked goods become famous for a different reason: they’re baked in the shape of phalluses, Sao Gonçalo is the patron saint of marriage and lovers. As suggestively shaped confections are not the norm for a Catholic Saint’s day, the tradition is likely rooted in a pagan fertility ritual.

Visitors to Amarante will want to take advantage of the region’s natural beauty and outdoor activities. Not to miss: hiking up to Serra do Marão in order to admire its breathtaking landscape. Near this mountain is Ansiães Valley. Here you will find trout farms on the right bank of the Ovelha River, as well as gorgeous sylvan scenery.

Created by a network of lava tubes, the thundering blowholes at Alofaaga are arguably the most popular visitor attraction on the island of Savai’i. When waves crash on the coastal shelf outside the village of Taga, some of the water gets trapped in the tubes that are right by the surface of the water. When the pressure simply becomes too much and it notices an opening to escape, it erupts as a natural, saltwater geyser that often reaches neck-craning heights of over 100 feet. Depending upon the swell angle and tide, multiple blowholes can all erupt within powerful moments of each other, and are often accompanied by a deafening roar of water being jettisoned through the hole. Because the spot is popular with visitors, local villagers will often be there to offer their services as a guide—or simply to toss a few coconuts in the hole and then watch as they take off like cannonballs. The blowholes are part of south coast tours that leave from Salelologa, and if you choose to visit the site on your own, the drive to the blowholes can sometimes be rough, especially for low-clearance cars.

An enduring symbol of São Paulo’s 20th-century race to modernity, the Edifício Altino Arantes—more commonly known as the Banespa Tower or Banespão—remains one of the most notable landmarks on the city’s exhaustive skyline. Originally built as the headquarters of the State Bank of São Paulo (Banespa) and named for one of the bank’s first presidents, the tower rose over an eight-year period, crowning the city as its tallest building in 1947, a title held for the next 18 years. At completion, the 528-foot tower also held the title of tallest reinforced concrete structure and tallest building outside of the United States. Inspired by New York City’s Empire State Building, the tower exhibits Art Deco styling both inside and out.

Despite being the third-tallest building in the city, the Banespa is situated on the highest point in downtown São Paulo, giving it the appearance of being even taller than the Mirante do Vale, today the tallest building in Brazil at 558 feet. Panoramic, 360-degree views of the city from the 35th-floor observation deck extend to over 25 miles, encompassing all of downtown and even the verdant Serra da Cantareira mountain range to the city’s north. The observation deck and the first-floor building museum is free to visitors and open Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 10am to 5pm.

The Almudena Cathedral is the official Cathedral of Madrid and is dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena. Taking over a century to complete, the Almudena is one of the youngest cathedrals in Europe, consecrated by Pope John II himself in 1993. A statue of the pope stands outside of the cathedral to mark the momentous occasion.

The lengthy construction process was due to the change in status from a church to a cathedral a year after breaking ground, which warranted an upgrade in style from Neo-Gothic to Neo-Classic and required new blueprints. Another event that put construction on hold was the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, during which building stopped entirely until 1944.

Palm-lined Amador Causeway is famed for the fantastic views of Panama's skyscraping downtown, a yacht-strewn panorama across the Panama Bay to the graceful steel span of the Bridge of the Americas at the entrance of the canal. Scenic running paths follow the water, paved with stones used in the Canal's construction, along a causeway that stretches almost 3km (2mi) into the Pacific, connecting the city to three small islands: Noas, Perico and Flamenco.

Visitors from around the city and world come to here to play, plied by upscale shopping centers and local vendors displaying their wares to crowds strolling the causeway. It's also the city's hippest nightlife district, home to elegant bars, casual clubs and other entertainment venues.