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Our Routes in Ecuador & Galápagos Islands

March 18, 2024
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Ecuador, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands, Our Routes

…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,…

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The Big 15 of the Galápagos Islands!

March 12, 2024
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Ecuador, Galapagos, Galapagos Islands

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…

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When Darwin Discovered The End Of The World

February 26, 2024
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Argentina, Chile, Patagonia

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,…

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Our Routes in Argentina

January 12, 2024
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Argentina, Our Routes

…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…

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Raising The Christmas Spirit In Rio!

December 15, 2023
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Brazil

…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…

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Our Routes in Guyana

Laura next to ant hill
November 17, 2023
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Guyana, Our Routes

…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…

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Our Routes in Chile & Easter Island

September 22, 2023
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Chile, Easter Island, Our Routes

…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…

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Our Routes in Costa Rica

Gaynor visits the peaks of Torres del Paine
September 8, 2023
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Costa Rica, Our Routes

…with Lydia and Sarah, Senior Travel Specialists In the next instalment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, we have a doubleheader treat of pura vida for you! Two of our senior travel specialists, Lydia Groom and Sarah Slocomb, both went to lush Costa Rica together but took different routes across the country to experience the great variation it has to offer. Read on to find out where they went and what really stood out for them there. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS?    Lydia: Turrialba, San Gerado de Dota and Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica. Sarah: Tortuguero, Arenal and Monteverde in Costa Rica. HOW DID YOU GET THERE?   Sarah: We overnighted in Madrid from Heathrow on the way out – it was easy enough to navigate through the airport to collect our bags and check back in the following morning. In Tortuguero when coming home, we…

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Our Routes in Northern Brazil

August 25, 2023
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Brazil, Our Routes

…with Product Executive, Hannah In the next instalment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, we take a look at a road less travelled with product executive Hannah Finch, who had a blast over the sandscapes of the Route of Emotion’s Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in the northeast of Brazil. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS?    Route of Emotions – Sao Luis, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Parnaíba, Jericoacoara. HOW DID YOU GET THERE?   Via Lisbon and Recife with TAP, then overland travel by 4X4, dune buggy, boat, and ferry-raft. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP?   First time to Brazil… definitely not my last though! FAVOURITE LOCATION?   Lençóis Maranhenses National Park – I’d seen pictures but they don’t do it justice. The park is so vast, pristine, stunningly beautiful and feels out of this world. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT?    Driving around the dunes in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, taking in…

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A Day In The Life Of…A Costa Rican Jungle Tour Guide

Isaac and his amigo snake
August 9, 2023
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A Day In The Life Of, Costa Rica

Hailing from the lush lands of northern Costa Rica, Isaac Méndez Valerio is a professional tour guide for Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in Golfo Dulce, near the Osa Peninsula. We found out what inspired him to be a guide and what he loves most about living out his passion in a remote part of this Central American wildlife wonderland. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to work in this role?  I have always been a curious person and always wanted to see more of the world around me, to understand more. I grew up near Juan Castro National Park surrounded by nature: from endless woods to rivers and waterfalls, and having family at the beach alongside friends who are farmers, provided me with a lot to learn, observe, and explore. There was not much of a surprise when at 19 years old I heard…

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