Trip Highlights
The Mangrove Labyrinth
It was a hot, sunny morning when we pulled up to La Boquilla, a small fishing village on the outskirts of Cartagena, Colombia. The white sand beach was wide and flat and the ocean calm and inviting, but we were headed away from the coast and into the mangrove swamp in a dugout canoe. The… Read Full Post
Delfin Amazon Cruises becomes a Relais & Châteaux member
Delfin’s Amazon Cruises have long been one of Peru’s top offerings for exploring the Amazon rain forest. Their vessels allow you to immerse yourself in the jungle while still enjoying all that an upscale cruise can offer. Now, new for 2018, the Delfin Amazon Cruises have been listed as Relais & Châteaux members. What does… Read Full Post
The Three Houses of Pablo Neruda
He who does not travel, who does not read, who does not listen to music, who does not find grace in himself, she who does not find grace in herself, dies slowly. “Die Slowly” by Pablo Neruda In Chile, Pablo Neruda (July 12, 1904-September 23, 1973) is a beloved poet, politician, and personality. He started… Read Full Post
A tale of two hikes – Argentine Patagonia (El Chaltén)
Tale 1 – Hiking to Laguna de Los Tres Waking up to the patter of rain, one might be tempted to stay in in bed. When in El Chaltén, however, a light rain is not a deterrent for the trekking enthusiasts. On a recent trip there, my wife and I found ourselves waking up to… Read Full Post
Exploration of the Amazon River
The sun rose cotton candy pink as we cruised over the placid water of the Amazon. Even now I can imagine the scent of the river first thing in the morning, woody, earthy, damp. We were bird spotting, and we did catch sight of a few toucans, macaws, and herons. Even more exciting, though, was… Read Full Post
Hiking in Comfort and Style: The Lodge-Based Salkantay Trek
A few years ago I was fortunate to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This was a beautiful experience, and I loved almost every moment of this iconic hike. That being said: while I’m the kind of person who is thrilled to hike for hours every day, the need to crawl into a tent… 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