Category: South America

5 wild mating rituals from the Galapagos Islands

5 wild mating rituals from the Galapagos Islands

By on Feb 05, 2013 in Adventure Travel, Ecuador, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Videos

In evolutionary theory, “survival of the fittest” doesn’t capture the whole picture. As Charles Darwin pointed out, it is not brute strength alone that wins out in evolution but the ability of a species to adapt to change. Courtship matters. Attractiveness to mates is quite important for the passing along of well-adapted genes. The Galapagos […]

5 of the best places to see big cats

5 of the best places to see big cats

By on Feb 05, 2013 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Asia, Brazil, Hotels, India, Kenya, Regions, Resorts, South America, Speciality Travel, Tanzania, Zambia

If you want to see big cats but aren’t sure where to go to get the best chance of seeing them, here is our pick of some of the best places to go for different cats. Look for lions in Botswana, try for leopards in Zambia, don’t miss cheetahs in the Masai Mara, head for […]

An insider's guide into bar hopping in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

An insider’s guide into bar hopping in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

By on Feb 01, 2013 in Bars, Brazil, Food and Drink, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has long been celebrated for its natural beauty and as the home to the most spectacular of all Carnival celebrations. As you can imagine, Rio locals (known as Cariocas to their friends) are a lively bunch who like nothing better than to gather with friends at the end of the day, […]

The luxury sport of ice golf

The luxury sport of ice golf

By on Feb 01, 2013 in Adventure Travel, Arctic, Argentina, Austria, Europe, Events, Fun Stuff, Leisure Travel, Minnesota, North America, Polar Regions, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Switzerland, Travel Miscellany, USA, Western Europe

Statistics say that more than 60 million people in the world have tried to play golf. What do you think how many of them tried to play snow golf? That’s right, not too much. Snow golf is much more rare and unusual kind of sport. Here the green grass is white snow, the balls are […]

Parachuting off Machu Picchu

Parachuting off Machu Picchu

By on Jan 27, 2013 in Adventure Travel, Air Travel, Peru, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Videos

This video shows what is reputedly the first ever speedflight off Machu Picchu, made in November 2012.  It is said to be a  highly technical flight due to its tricky launch, complex rotor and variable winds.  I should also mention that it is strongly NOT recommended that you attempt this yourself… unless of course you […]

The top 10 wine destinations to visit in 2013

The top 10 wine destinations to visit in 2013

By on Jan 14, 2013 in Africa, Australia, Austria, Brazil, California, Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, New York, North America, Oceania, Oregon, Portugal, Regions, South Africa, South America, Spain, Travel Miscellany, USA, Western Europe, Worldwide

France is not going to be happy. Remember our ‘5 best wine destinations’ post a few months back?  Well, France – often regarded as one of the best wine producers in the world – was excluded from that TripAdvisor list.  And now they’ve been snubbed again, this time by Wine Enthusiast, who have declared the […]

Peru - the perfect pick for a honeymoon

Peru – the perfect pick for a honeymoon

By on Jan 08, 2013 in Attractions, Going Out, Honeymoons, Leisure Travel, Peru, Regions, Restaurants, South America, Speciality Travel

Picture this: you’re relaxing in a natural health spa, enjoying a luxurious couple massage with your significant other, discussing the ancient temple you just visited with a personal guide, and anticipating tomorrow’s luxury train ride to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. For couples looking to combine elite luxury with light adventure and cultural exploration, […]

Galapagos cruises versus hotel-based island hopping

Galapagos cruises versus hotel-based island hopping

By on Jan 07, 2013 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Cruises & Boat Travel, Ecuador, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel

Sea legs. Of all the new sensations during my visit to the Galapagos Islands, that was perhaps the strangest. On about day five of my seven-day catamaran cruise aboard Treasures of Galapagos, I began to notice it. When we made it ashore to a visitor site, I was still swaying, still compensating for the gentle […]

Combine two World Wonders with a Machu Picchu Galapagos vacation

Combine two World Wonders with a Machu Picchu Galapagos vacation

By on Jan 04, 2013 in Accommodation, Cruises & Boat Travel, Ecuador, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Peru, Rail Travel, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel

With frequent and reliable flights throughout South America, luxury travellers are now taking full advantage of everything that South America has to offer, and combining multiple destinations in one comprehensive vacation. One of the most in demand trips combines the highlights of Ecuador and Peru, to create a once-in-a-life-time Machu Picchu Galapagos vacation. There are […]

Stargazing in Chile

Stargazing in Chile

By on Jan 04, 2013 in Accommodation, Chile, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, South America, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel

There’s something magical about a star-filled night sky. You don’t have to be an astronomer, or know the names of the constellations to appreciate it, but one look at the sky over Chile’s Atacama Desert and you’ll want to know more. Some of the world’s best astronomical science is conducted here, thanks to the dry […]

The World’s Leading Culinary Destination 2012: a surprise winner

The World’s Leading Culinary Destination 2012: a surprise winner

By on Dec 18, 2012 in Food and Drink, Going Out, Peru, Regions, Restaurants, South America, Travel Miscellany

When you talk about the best gastronomic countries in the world, you probably think of Italy, France, Japan or perhaps China. So you would be surprised to find out that at this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards the winner for the World’s Leading Culinary Destination of 2012 was actually Peru. Beating off strong competition from […]

Photograph of the week: Sunset in the Cordillera Blanca of the Peruvian Andes

Photograph of the week: Sunset in the Cordillera Blanca of the Peruvian Andes

By on Dec 12, 2012 in Adventure Travel, Peru, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel

This photo was shot near sunset, high in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru’s Andes mountains. On this particular climb Dave Thompson was attempting the 6,000+ metre Tocllaraju Mountain (the peak on the left of the photograph). This is the view from his tent at just over 5,000 metres. Tocllaraju in Quechua language means something akin […]

3 of the ultimate luxury Peru vacations

3 of the ultimate luxury Peru vacations

By on Dec 10, 2012 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Attractions, Cruises & Boat Travel, Featured, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Peru, South America, Speciality Travel

If you are tempted by luxury travel in South America, have you considered a trip to Peru? Most luxury travellers to South America associate the continent with attractions like the elegant city of Buenos Aires, the wine regions of central Chile or perhaps the picture postcard settings of Rio de Janeiro. Of course these are […]

Walk in the footsteps of royalty with a luxury Inca Trail package

Walk in the footsteps of royalty with a luxury Inca Trail package

By on Nov 28, 2012 in Adventure Travel, Peru, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel

You couldn’t find yourself any further from reality when hiking Peru’s famous 4-days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The trail which navigates its way through awe-inspiring Andean scenery, frequently passing by remote Inca ruins and descending slowly into the prime Amazon cloud forest is truly one of the world’s best trekking experiences. And now it’s […]

5 reasons to travel to Peru in 2013

5 reasons to travel to Peru in 2013

By on Nov 23, 2012 in Accommodation, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Peru, Regions, South America, Travel Miscellany

In 1911, Hiram Bingham, the Yale University lecturer and explorer stumbled upon the lost Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Although some say that Machu Picchu was never lost, but simply re-discovered, Hiram Bingham’s finding certainly triggered huge international interest in a relatively unknown country, changing the tourism scene in Peru forever. After a few recent […]

Photograph of the week: Valley of the Moon in the Atacama desert

Photograph of the week: Valley of the Moon in the Atacama desert

By on Nov 21, 2012 in Chile, Regions, South America

Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) is located 8 miles west of the beautiful town of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, in the Atacama desert, considered one of the driest places on earth as some areas have not received a single drop of rain in hundreds of years. The Valle de la Luna […]