…with Travel Specialist, Julia In the next instalment of Our Routes series, our travel specialist Julia Ross walks us through a fantastic trip through Costa Rica, focusing on her favourite area, Manuel Antonio, with its wildlife-abundant national park backing onto glorious sandy shores and a stunning array of quality hotels set in gorgeous grounds. WHERE DID YOU GO & WHY IS THIS PLACE ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS IN COSTA RICA? Manuel Antonio is by far one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica! This is due to its unique combination of stunning natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and a range of activities and attractions. The combination of pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and lush greenery creates a picturesque and scenic environment make Manuel Antonio a MUST in your itinerary. Whether you’re hiking through the rainforest, enjoying a sunset on the beach, or admiring the panoramic views from elevated viewpoints, the natural beauty…
…with Head of Trade Sales, Gaynor With its i-conical volcano, forest canopies, thundering waterfall, and thermal springs, Arenal was a true adventure for our team as they hiked through its pathways and crossed the lake by boat through the region. Our Head of Trade Sales Gaynor Atherton shared with us why this was her favourite part of the trip to Costa Rica. YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION IN COSTA RICA? Arenal – the hotels and town of La Fortuna, sit under the shadow of the majestic Arenal Volcano with stunning scenery all around this area and lots to see and do. We had a mix of wildlife which is in abundance in Costa Rica, so no area disappoints with this. It really is a beautiful area with lots of Hot Springs to choose from, stunning scenery, hikes and lots of amazing activities to suit the whole family with the added bonus of…
Easter, or ‘Holy Week’, has profound religious significance in Latin America, along with famous, vibrant cultural celebrations. Each country boasts its own unique traditions and customs, from solemn processions to joyful feasts, let’s delve into these diverse Easter traditions in five Latin American countries, take your pick on which of these you would like to experience for yourself, on your next holiday to Latin America… Argentina Semana Santa or Holy Week in Argentina is a time for both celebration and relaxation. Many Argentinians will attend church services and participate in processions throughout the week. One of the most famous Easter traditions in Argentina is the “Vía Crucis” ceremony. During this event, the procession works its way through 14 stations of the cross towards the cathedral, and participants are encouraged to bring candles. Peru As in Argentina, in Peru, Holy Week usually begins on Palm Sunday, a week before Easter Sunday….
…with Product Executive, Hannah In the next instalment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, Product Executive, Hannah Finch describes her amazing journey to Ecuador. From Quito’s historical marvels and Otavalo’s colourful markets to the natural wonder of the Ecuadorian Amazon and rich wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, her adventure was a mosaic of experiences. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Ecuadorian Amazon, Quito, Otavalo and the Galápagos Islands. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? From London to Quito, via Miami – with American Airlines/British Airways. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? (IF REPEAT, WHAT WAS DIFFERENT THIS TIME?) First time, it’s somewhere I’ve wanted to go for years and was so magical to be able to take my son. FAVOURITE LOCATION? The Galápagos Islands, they are just so unique and so well protected it’s incredible. It felt like we’d gone back in time, everything – the terrain,…
The idea behind the ‘Big 15’ concept is to showcase how important and valuable the Galapagos Islands wildlife truly is. Though there are different opinions on which animals should be included in this by no means comprehensive list, it’s a great starting point for learning about the island’s wild side. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador, this archipelago is renowned for its unique biodiversity. See which iconic animals make the cut, and be inspired to make your personal wish list for a Galapagos wildlife safari! Giant Tortoise These gentle giants are perhaps the most famous residents of the Galápagos Islands. They can live for well over 100 years and weigh up to 64 stone! Blue-footed Booby These seabirds are known for their bright blue feet, which they use in elaborate courtship displays. They are excellent divers and feed primarily on fish. Galápagos Hawk These apex predators…
Diving Deeper Into Darwin’s Patagonia In 1831, Charles Darwin, then a young naturalist, embarked on a five-year journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, a British naval vessel, as part of a global survey expedition. The primary purpose of the expedition was to conduct hydrographic surveys of the coast of South America, but it also involved various scientific investigations. The Beagle’s voyage and Darwin’s experiences during that journey remain one of the most significant events in the history of science, fundamentally altering our understanding of life on Earth and sparking a revolution in biological thought. We explored just how much Darwin’s legacy has imprinted on this fascinating part of the continent. The Beagle Has Landed Although this passage through the Galápagos Islands would eventually become world-renowned, one-half of their total exploration is less celebrated: that of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, where the Beagle’s crew spent nearly three years documenting places such as Bahia Blanca,…
…with Senior Product Manager, Catrin In the next instalment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, Senior Product Manager, Catrin Davies describes her unforgettable escapade in Argentina. From the bustling streets of Buenos Aires to the pristine wilderness of Patagonia, her adventure is a captivating tale of culture, nature, and the unmissable experiences that define this beautiful corner of the world. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Puerto Madryn, Gaiman, El Calafate, El Chalten HOW DID YOU GET THERE? I took the direct flight from London to Buenos Aires with British Airways, and domestic flights with Aerolineas Argentinas. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? (IF REPEAT, WHAT WAS DIFFERENT THIS TIME?) A repeat trip to Buenos Aires and Iguazu, but my first time to everywhere else. FAVOURITE LOCATION? This is a really hard question to answer as everywhere was so different! Even though…
…with Marketing Executive, Lewis Are you dreaming of getting away from the wet and windy winter days at home for your next Christmas break? Perhaps you’re wondering how the festive season is celebrated in a city as dazzling as Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, and how a tropical city like Rio gets into the Christmas spirit in the middle of summer. What should you expect at the world’s biggest outdoor New Year’s Eve party soon after? Our Marketing Executive Lewis Freeth spent Christmas and New Year in Brazil’s holiday capital in the sun, and tells us what there is to experience over the festive period in this merry South American metropolis. Almighty Sights Although at first the blue skies, beach activities, and samba culture of this part of the world don’t exactly scream ‘classic Christmas’ to a seasoned European traveler, Rio is perhaps one of the best places anywhere to celebrate…
…with Senior Marketing Executive, Laura In the next instalment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, Senior Marketing Executive Laura Radford explored the savannahs and rainforests of mysterious and magical Guyana. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Guyana – Georgetown & the interior (the Rupununi Savannah & the Iwokrama Rainforest). HOW DID YOU GET THERE? I flew direct from Gatwick Airport on British Airways, with a brief touchdown in St. Lucia. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? This was my first time visiting Guyana, but it has ALWAYS been high on my list. Ever since I watched Lost Land of the Jaguar on BBC, I have been intrigued to visit this country rich in culture and biodiversity. FAVOURITE LOCATION? It’s a tough one to choose, as I loved both the Rupununi region and its vast savannahs and wildlife, plus INCREDIBLE sunsets, but I’d have to say the…
…with Gaynor, Head of Trade Sales In the next instalment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, Head of Trade Sales Gaynor Atherton visited an array of wondrous landscapes in her Chilean adventure, from the sands of the Atacama desert to the vast views of Patagonia and the epic Easter Island. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Santiago, Easter Island, the Atacama Desert, the Winelands and Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? I flew direct from London Heathrow to Santiago and was lucky enough to fly Business Class which was a lovely treat. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? First time, so I was excited to finally see these places first-hand. FAVOURITE LOCATION? I struggled to choose a favourite location as they were all amazing, but if I had to then I would say Patagonia. It’s just stunning – wide-open spaces…
