Argentina
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 bed. When in El Chaltén, however, light rain is not a deterrent for the trekking enthusiasts. On a recent trip there, my wife and I found ourselves waking up to this very… 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
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
Recommended Listening in South American Music
OK, big disclaimer: We’re not even going to be scratching the surface of the surface here. Latin America has an extraordinary history of musical output. Sometimes we just feel like we have to share some of it for those who might not be familiar. Here, in no particular order, is some great stuff from a… Read Full Post
Tierra del Fuego, the End of the World, and the Yamana People
The southernmost city in the world tends to inspire awe at first glance. While this city anywhere else might be just another habitable area filled with houses, industry, and businesses alike, Ushuaia sits along the Beagle Channel and is at the entryway to several amazing National Parks sitting at the end of the world. One… Read Full Post
Lutz Go: Taking My Family to South America for the Next 10 Months
It’s hard for me to believe, but on August 31 my wife Carly, my three kids (Cecelia, Sean and Colin) and I will all be boarding a flight to Rio de Janeiro to start a 10 month journey in South America. Carly and I have talked for years about how we should take the time… Read Full Post
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu the Vaya Way
Those of you who have traveled with Vaya before know that we like to put our own signature on classic South American destinations, elevating our travelers’ experiences wherever possible. In Chilean Patagonia, for example, most Vaya travelers trade what would be a five-hour van ride from Punta Arenas into Torres del Paine National Park for… Read Full Post
Cartagena, a must-see city
Throughout my life, I’ve had the good fortune of visiting many wonderful cities around the world. Few can match the vibrant atmosphere or history of Cartagena, Colombia. Perhaps the city’s wealth of history isn’t so surprising considering its prime location on the Caribbean coast, which invited settlers, pirates, and other colorful characters – but the… Read Full Post
End of the Argentina Reciprocity Fee for U.S. Travelers
As of March 24, 2016 the Argentine government will no longer charge a $160 reciprocity fee of U.S. passport holders who are visiting the country for less than 90 days. This fee, which was implemented in 2008, has been suspended until further notice as part of an effort to strengthen relations between Argentina and the… Read Full Post