Nicaragua Holiday

If you've basked on Balinese beaches, trekked through deepest, darkest Africa and danced the night away in the feverish heat of a Caribbean sunset, chances are you're looking for something else to satiate your traveller's appetite.

For globetrotters who've ticked the traditional travellers' destinations off their list, a visit to Nicaragua is the type of trip that inspires jealousy among even the most worldly of folk.

Low down on the list of dream destinations for most travellers, Nicaragua's picture-perfect landscape has been marred by political turmoil, earthquakes, hurricanes and civil war.

However, it is emerging butterfly-like from its tumultuous past, putting its dark period firmly behind it and once again opening up its arms to curious travellers, giving those who visit a historical glimpse into a country emerging from troubled times.

Nicaragua is a small country which has been groaning under the weight of violent political uprisings and war for centuries.

Sandwiched between Honduras and El Salvador to the north and Costa Rica to the south, Nicaragua is an unimposing little country.

A former Spanish colony, Nicaragua was ruled by the Spaniards in the early 16th century.

Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838 only to be impinged upon once again when Britain occupied the Caribbean coast in the first half of the 19th century.

Savage clashes ensued and remained commonplace up until 1978 when violent opposition to government manipulation reached a head.

A short-lived civil war resulted in bringing Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power a year later, who held the country in an iron grip for much of the 1980s.

Free elections occurred throughout the 1990s and the Sandinistas were finally defeated in 2001, giving the country a chance to finally rebuild itself and lick centuries of wounds.

There is now little evidence of the country's violent and oppressive past, but travellers are warned to steer clear of the Corn Islands where armed criminal groups have been known to operate.

However, the mainland offers a warm welcome to visitors who want to experience the flavour of exotic and exuberant Latin American culture.

An ideal starting point is the capital Managua, from where travellers can easily reach most other destinations in Nicaragua.

The capital has been rebuilt since it was devastated in an earthquake in 1972, and even though it has not been fully returned to its former glory, there is still plenty of opportunity to see stunning examples of colonial architecture as well as the pretty pastel-coloured cathedral which has become a main attraction.

Poignant reminders of the city's turbulent times are seen in the form of bullet-riddled murals and shrapnel-scarred pavements.

If you're in search of out-of-this-world beauty head out from the capital to the 'Gates of Hell', as it is known to locals - the craters of Volcán Masaya National Park.

The park is made up of a pair of volcanoes which have five yawning craters, of which one is still active and is often seen steaming and smoking.

A more relaxing option for travellers comes in the form of the Granada. Situated on the Lago de Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, Granada boasts a pretty main street, lined with colonial houses and is a good place to try local delicacies such as fried pork rings and boiled Yucca.

If you've come to Nicaragua inspired by tales of swashbuckling pirates, head for Bluefields, on the coast.

The Caribbean coast was dominated by the British from the 1500s to the mid-1800s, making it the scene of many a pirate adventure.

Bluefields suffered almost complete destruction after Hurricane Joan in 1988, and even though its beautiful colonial structures have been wiped out, its Caribbean vibe and beautiful tropical setting has remained intact.

Wind up your trip with a visit to the quaint fishing village and beautiful beaches of San Juan del Sur and a trip to the Miraflor Nature Reserve to search for orchids and other rare flowers.

To say that Nicaragua has had it a bit rough in the past is an understatement, but in spite of this, hurricanes, earthquakes, civil wars and government oppression have failed to quash the feisty Latin spirit of this plucky country.