The interior of the greenhouse is divided into three separated parts with different temperature and humidity. The visitors can see the vegetation of the tropical and partly subtropical regions. Plants are arranged to evoke the idea of ​​natural plant communities. Unlike in other greenhouses there are numerous species of plants that are very common in the tropical areas and apparently have little significance. However an overall collection of these species is very valuable.

Visitors at first see the dry Australian bush and rare flora from the island of Madagascar. Then walk through xerophilic vegetation of southern Mexico and some areas of Africa, among which the most popular are Namaqualand and Little Karoo. The middle and largest part of the greenhouse is humid lowland rain forest. It is connected to other parts by an underground tunnel which is built between two large freshwater aquariums. Here you can see a number of tropical fish and other animals.

The biggest part consists of tropical plants of South America, and selected locations of Central America. Other parts are reserved for flora of Australia and Oceania, Africa and Madagascar, Vietnam, Sunda Islands and the Philippines. Visitors can watch the life in tropical lakes, or may rest for a moment on the panoramic terrace listening to a nearby waterfall. The last part is cold and evoke the life in the high mountains. There are plants from American Andes. The central part of the exhibition is devoted to rare vegetation of table mountains in Venezuela.

Trip to tropical nature is not only a dream, any more. Walk across exotic mountains, forests and semi-deserts in Europe.

Tropical greenhouse Fata Morgana is a part of Prague’s Botanical Garden in Troja and the basic admission is 70CZK (€3). For further details see the official website of Prague’s Botanical Garden.

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You can see about 40 species of fish with a total number of more than 500. Enjoy a walk through an underwater tunnel and rainforest. If you are tired you can rest at Piranha Cafe – where you can freshen up while observing predatory piranhas. There is also available a family sport area with a ricochet court, sauna and gym, which offers active relaxation in privacy with your family.

In Giant Aquarium you have a unique opportunity to see tropical nature of South and Central America. In the first part of the tour, called AVE NATURA, you can see the exhibition which currently consists of a unique collection of skulls of exotic fish.

In the second part of the tour you get to the tropical rainforest, where you can learn what it means to stay in the tropics – a combination of heat and 85-90% humidity. Here you can admire the beauty of plants such as orchids, Bromelia or Tillandsia in amazing shapes and color diversity and in more than 150 species and varieties. The impression is enhanced by occasional tropical rain and artificial fog.

After passing through the forest you get to the bottom of freshwater tropical ponds with the fish community of South and Central America. Besides the fish that you can know from your home aquarium, you will find real rarities here. The most species belong to the family Cichlidae. You can see here a big, up to 90 cm long fish of the Colossoma Serrasalmidae weighing up to 23 Kg.

The total volume of the exhibition tank is 130 000 liters of water, which means the mass of 130 tons and for your idea it is a weight of about 40 elephant females. The aquarium is 5 meters long and 8 meters wide. The great view from the bottom of the pool is allowed by the tunnel of acrylic glass with a thickness of 6.5 cm, specially imported far from Japan.

Every Thursday afternoon you can see the unique fish feeding with divers in the tank.

The Giant Aquarium is open all year round (except of Mondays) from 9:00 to 18:00 and the basic admission is 120CZK (€5).

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In summer, the mountains are the only place of the island, where you’ll find rivers full of water, waterfalls and lush green trees. Below the highest peak you will find Troodos mountain resort – a place with shops, hotels and campsites. From the mountain resort, you can take the marked trails in the valley. Most of them lead along the streams, which even in the warmer months such as August or September have a lot of water. Pathways usually lead through the small mountain villages with typical Mediterranean architecture of narrow streets and Orthodox churches.

Trails of the Troodos National Park

• Atlanta Trail Trail – 9 km long. A nice easy walk.
• Caledonia Trail Trail – begins a short distance from the Presidential Cottage. 2 km long, ending in a place called Caledonia Falls. The trail runs along the river Kryos Potamou.
• Artemis trail – to the top of the highest mountains. 7 km long. In addition to the pleasant scent of gigantic pines, educational descriptions of trees with beautiful views of the whole Cyprus.
• The trail from Dendro Psila Pouziaris – begins at the junction of the roads into the forest and Platres Potamos Mesa. Trails and paths can be combined in various ways and you can choose the length and difficulty of the route.
• Persephone Trail – at easiest trail. It provides a view of the village of Pano Amiantos and a view of asbestos mines.

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Laurisilva forest was classified by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1999, and it is still the only natural UNESCO site in Portugal. Such a forest exists now only on the Atlantic Islands, forming the so called Biographical Region of Macaronesia – Madeira, Azores and Canaries Islands, however the most extensive laurisilva forests remain on the island of Madeira.

Close to the Laurisilva forest you can visit also Santana 12 km, Ponta Delgada 7 km, Machico 23 km, Pico Ruivo 5 km, Pico do Arieiro 8 km, Madeira 3.8 km, Fortaleza do Pico 15 km, Monte 14 km or Madeira Theme Park 11 km.

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