Travel Tips
Discover Quito: not just a Galapagos stopover
Your once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos itinerary will invariably include at least one night in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. More than likely you’ll spend two nights there – one before your Galapagos transfer and one after – so it really makes sense to take the time to discover Quito. Discover Quito’s geography Quito is the closest capital… Read Full Post
Peru highlights: condors in the Colca Canyon
Your Peruvian itinerary will almost certainly include Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu, but this amazingly diverse country has so much more to offer. For breathtaking views, up-close encounters with condors, and an authentic slice of real Andean life, it’s hard to beat the Colca Canyon and its surrounding valleys and villages. Go back in time… Read Full Post
An introduction to South American wines
Chile and Argentina are two of the world’s biggest producers and exporters of wine, and their wines are readily available in the US and Europe. Plenty of their excellent wines don’t make it to the foreign market, however, and are waiting to be discovered on your visit to the region. Use this guide to scratch… Read Full Post
For the best views of Quito, ride the teleferico
If you have some free time in Quito (as I did on my last visit) you may wish to get a bird’s eye view of the city by taking a ride up the teleferico (gondola) to be near the summit of the Pichincha Volcano. From the top you can take in the best views of… Read Full Post
10 fascinating Machu Picchu facts
You’ve probably been dreaming about your bespoke Machu Picchu trip for yonks, but – if you’re anything like me – this is probably based on seeing millions of photos and knowing a little about the Incas. Here are ten fascinating Macchu Picchu facts I unearthed. Some are straightforward, others not so much, but they’re all… Read Full Post
Salta travel tips
Most Argentine itineraries include Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Iguazu and – possibly – the wine country around Mendoza, but the country’s real rough diamond is routinely overlooked. The colonial city of Salta and the kaleidoscopic landscapes surrounding it are simultaneously spectacular and quaint, and are in my opinion the most wonderful part of an altogether wonderful… Read Full Post
Machu Picchu Travel Tips
Visiting Machu Picchu will almost certainly be the highlight of your Peruvian adventure. With real bucket-list destinations it pays to do your homework before you go, so that you can make the experience everything you imagined it to be. Follow these Machu Picchu travel tips to get the most out of your visit. Three ways… Read Full Post
Conference Highlights Galapagos Conservation Efforts
This past April I participated in the annual conference of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) in Miami. I’ve been on the Board of IGTOA for 3 years, and the annual conference has been a great way to meet some of the people most actively involved in Galapagos conservation. The funds that members… Read Full Post
Trips to Uruguay from Buenos Aires
Uruguay, with its pre-Hispanic name, sounds a lot more exotic than it really is. Many people imagine it to be buried deep within the Amazon, but it is actually right on Buenos Aires’ doorstep. The entire country, wedged between its huge neighbors Argentina and Brazil, fits on to a coastal plain whose highest point is… Read Full Post
Easter Island: debunking the myths
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as it is known in Polynesian, must be one of the most enigmatic places on earth. Thousands of miles from anything, including the Chile coast, and littered with almost 900 moai, the angular figures carved from volcanic tuff which have made the island world-renowned, it is a deeply haunting place…. Read Full Post