Not Just a Day in the Park
As a kid, I would lie awake in anticipation of the next day whenever a storm was on the horizon and I didn’t yet know how much snow would fall on the local ski mountain. When I opened my eyes in the morning I would jump from bed and run to the window, hoping to… Read Full Post
Lutz Go, Part II: A 5 Month South American Odyssey With My Wife and 3 Young Kids
Recap of Part I: At the end of August 2016, I set out with my wife Carly and our three young kids for a journey through South America. Well, the trip actually happened. It ended up being shorter than originally planned for reasons I’ll explain, but long story short: it was exhilarating, exhausting, eye opening,… Read Full Post
New Ecuador Entry Requirements
Effective September 2017, the Ecuadorian government will now require all tourists to carry proof of health insurance that covers them during their stay in Ecuador. While the government has yet to issue the exact details on how the immigration officials will be enforcing this new law, Vaya recommends that all travelers now carry the following… Read Full Post
El Morado: Hummingbirds, Bacon-Eating Finches, and Glaciers on a Day Hike from Santiago
Adventure-seekers and nature-lovers headed to Chile to hike and enjoy the outdoors usually focus on the spectacular national parks in the south of Chile, and for good reason: Chile’s largest and wildest national parks are in the south. Torres del Paine National Park, for example, which covers 927 square miles of southern Patagonia (about three… Read Full Post
Experience Awasi Patagonia
Yvon Chouinard, founder of the Patagonia clothing company, once said “You know where I wanna be right now? Right here. Nowhere else. Not in the future, not in the past.” This is the feeling one experiences at Awasi Patagonia, an incredible 14-villa property located at the southern tip of South America. At Awasi, it isn’t… Read Full Post
Wildlife Experiences Found Only in the Galapagos Islands
The first time I visited the Galapagos Islands, I assumed my experience there would be the same as in so many other places famed for their wildlife – actively searching out animals, sometimes seeing nothing but a glimpse of a fleeing creature, or waiting patiently for an appearance, where even the click of a camera… Read Full Post
2016 Vaya Photo Contest Winners!
From the stiff breeze of Patagonia at the bottom of the Southern Cone, to the lush green landscapes surrounding Machu Picchu, all the way up to colorful markets of Colombia and everywhere in between, this year’s photo contest made it difficult for us to choose the winners. In no specific order, here are the winners… Read Full Post
A day and night in the Colchagua Wine Valley
Located just 3 hours south of Santiago can be found one the top wine producing valleys in Chile, the Colchagua Valley. A visit here is definitely worth the time, especially if you like red wine. The “capital” of this wine region is Santa Cruz where you will find many small boutique hotels to stay the… Read Full Post
Puerto Natales Airport starts receiving commercial flights
Previously, the journey to Torres del Paine or Puerto Natales included a flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas followed by a 3-4 hour drive. However, beginning on December 6th of this year, Puerto Natales Airport expanded their runway to allow the arrival of commercial flights. This means that you can now arrive to downtown Puerto… Read Full Post
Luxury in the Lake District: Vira Vira and The Araucanía Region of Chile
In the northern part of Chile’s Lake District is a region called Araucanía. Its name derives from the Araucaria Tree (often referred to as the Monkey Puzzle Tree in English). In the last few years the main airport of Araucanía, Temuco, has gotten a major facelift, with multiple flights per day to and from Santiago…. Read Full Post