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ABOUT ASUNCION AND SURROUNDINGS - Courtesy of InterTours:

ASUNCIÓN
Founded on August 15, 1537, day of the Assumption of the Virgin, it is the Paraguayan capital and maintains much of a colonial profile; it is also a city with a luscious tree and flower population, and peaceful avenues and gardens, by the bay on the Paraguay River. Nowadays, Asunción and its Metropolitan Area have a population of approximately 1.4 million people and everything a modern and cosmopolitan city can offer. Among the most interesting places for the tourist, we can mention the Cathedral, the Government Palace, a building that dates back to mid-19th Century and is currently the seat of the Presidency, the oldest one in South America; several museums, among them, Museo de Bellas Artes and la Casa de la Independencia, that keep true jewels of the national history. Panteón de los Heroes, built in 1863 as an oratory for the Virgin Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and holds the remains of the countries’ forefathers. Manzana de la Rivera, a complex of eight homes recently restored, which summarizes the architecture of the 18th and 19th Centuries in Paraguay. It is a cultural center, a space for recreation and reflection. Permanent artistic shows take place there, in addition to holding the Municipal Library. At Casa Viola, the oldest home at Manzana de la Rivera is the Museum Memoria de la Ciudad. Leaving the central part of downtown, we have long avenues bordered with trees, like Avenida Mariscal López, surrounded by beautiful and luxurious residential areas. For those wishing to do some shopping we have Calle Palma and its surrounding areas, and just outside downtown, several malls like Shopping del Sol and Mariscal López Shopping.

The Railway Station - Over 100 years of history and traditions.
Ferrocarril Paraguayo was one of the first ones in South America and today is the only one in the world still in operation. Towns and customs born along with the steam now rest next to old colonial-style railway stations. Ferrocarril Carlos Antonio López allows us to travel into history and enjoy green valleys among undulated hills, picturesque towns, traditions, and customs that accompany its railroads, now far from modern highways.

SAN LORENZO
Located 12 km from Asunción. Among its numerous colonial-style homes, you may notice the only temple of Neo-Gothic style in the country. It is home to the Guido Boggiani Museum that displays pieces of archeological Indian handicraft.

ITA
Located 36 km away from Asunción, is picturesque because of this colonial architecture, at the heart of which there is a pond. One of its most typical pieces of handicraft is the famous Black Crested Hen, made of clay. It also offers works in wood, clay and leather as part of its attractions.

YAGUARÓN
Located some 48 km from Asunción, this town was the seat of the Franciscan Priests in their evangelization work. They left us a magnificent Hispanic-Guarani Baroque style temple with altarpieces and gold plates, columned portals and a beautiful pulpit carved in wood.

PARAGUARÍ
Located 63 km from Asunción, it sits on a flat and picturesque location, near the foothills of Cordillera de Altos, from which the sumptuous hills of Santo Tomás, Jhu, Cristo Redentor and the legendary Cerro Mba’e branch out, completing the extraordinary beauty of the peaceful town.

SALTOS DE PIRARETÁ
Located 80 km from Asunción, in the middle of rustic vegetation, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. The crystalline waters and the exuberant vegetation join to complete the ingredients of pleasure.

PIRIBEBUY
Distant 73 km from Asunción, beautifully located. The historic capital of Paraguay during the War in 1870, it offers for visiting the Pedro Caballero Museum and the Church, an authentic Franciscan jewel, the main religious center in the 18th Century.

CAACUPÉ
Located at 57 km, from Asuncion, it's important and imponent Basílic with the image of the mother of all paraguayans the Virgin of Caacupe.

TOBATY
70 kilometers away from Asunción, it is known for its world known wooden saint images.

ATYRA
Located 66 km from Asunción, it is the country’s cleanest city and the eight in the world. Amidst lush vegetation we find one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. The crystal-clear water and the exuberant vegetation join to complete the ingredients to pleasure. They also produce leather goods.

AREGUÁ
Located 30 km away from Asunción, and sitting right on Lake Ypacarai, it has the best items made of clay in the region. It maintains its colonial architecture, the 19th century railway station, and its church.

ITAUGUÁ
Located 30 km away from Asunción, it presents its artisanal production of the ñanduti fabric, Spanish for spider web.

LUQUE
20 km away from Asunción; it is famous for its gold and silver jewelry and for making musical instruments from generation to generation, with guitars and harps being the most popular.