Nicaragua, situated between the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, is a country of natural abundance and colonial masterpieces. On Nicaragua tours, travelers can easily enjoy the blend of indigenous culture, colonial creations and untouched landscapes.

As Central America's largest and least populated country, Nicaragua tours create an understanding not only for what life is like in modern Nicaragua, but a deeper understanding of the history. Pre-Columbian civilizations have existed in this area, considered a crossroads of mesoamerican cultures, for six millennium.

On the island of Ometepe, which is dominated by two volcanoes that rise dramatically inland from the Lake Nicaragua island, carvings in basalt boulders can be found dating back to 1000 BC.

Nicaragua was conquered in the 16th century until gaining independence in the early 19th century, producing two town centers once considered jewels in the Spanish colonial crown. Follow along the cobblestone streets to cathedral dominated plazas in the well preserved and brightly painted town of Granada. Further north, take your curiosity and your love for architecture to the buzzing city of Leon. Streetscapes as well as the politics occurring within the buildings have inspired generations of artists, including the master poet Ruben Dario who hailed from Leon.

The colonial towns stand in stark contrast to the simple villages such as Los Pueblos Blancos. A series of isolated villages cling to the twisting thin roadway that climbs up the Masaya Volcano. The buildings were created by a mixture mostly consisting of volcanic rock and the white colour of the towns are said to ward off evil spirits.

With each village boasting a particular craft, and undeniably beautiful views, one particular viewpoint in the village of Catalina has ties to the revolutionary spirit of the 20th century. A young Augusto Sandino contemplated the liberation of his country from the US occupation, eventually creating a legacy which would lead to the formation of the Sandinista National Liberation Front who would continue the revolution for most of the 20th century.

These days, residents enjoy the quiet life and Nicaragua is one of the safest countries in Central America to travel to. The peaceful countryside consists of coffee plantations found sprawling over the fertile highlands as the mountainous areas are home to fauna as diverse as oak, pine and orchids beneath cloud forests.

In the lowlands, dense rainforests with lagoons are hardly populated on the Caribbean side while the lush Pacific lowlands are punctuated by nearly 40 volcanoes and Nicaragua Lake, the large freshwater lake populated by many freshwater sharks.

On Nicaragua tours around the Granada area the country's nickname of the "land of lakes and volcanoes" becomes extremely apparent. Easily accessible volcanoes include Mombacho along with the stunning Laguna de Apoyo crater lake.

Glimpse into the belly of a volcano at Masaya National Park, and watch the birds fly by while cruising the 365 volcanic islands of Granada Inlets.

Whether for the history, the culture or the landscape, a tour to Nicaragua does not disappoint.