…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 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…
Estancia Los Potreros in Cordoba, Argentina is a beautiful, remote ranch offering guests the opportunity to experience rural life in Argentina, enjoying horseback riding, fabulous home cooking and amazing local wine. We recently spoke to Georgia Beech who works at the Estancia to find out what life is like for her… How does a typical day at the estancia start for you? My mornings vary depending on the time of year but usually, in the summer months, my days start when the sun rises. I take the dogs out for a stroll in the early morning – usually along one of the tracks. We often pass the burrowing owls, who are beginning their days sitting on the posts watching over the estancias herd of Aberdeen Angus. The dawn or ‘madrugada’ is really the best and most beautiful time of the day; it is warm but not too hot and the…
As one of the world’s top 10 largest countries, the diversity of landscapes in Argentina is vast and whilst the big cities and urban regions relay the country’s rhythmic culture, the true beauty of the country lies within its many natural wonders. Below we guide you through some of our favourite Argentinian natural wonders. Iguazu Falls It would simply be impossible to not include Iguazu Falls on this list. The sheer force of water thundering over the basalt cliffs to the backdrop of jungle terrain is a true assault of the senses, and undeniably one of Argentina’s most spectacular sights. Whilst the falls straddle both Brazil and Argentinian borders, the Argentinian side affords a closer experience of the aptly named ‘Devil’s Throat’, best observed from elevated aluminium walkways. Perito Moreno Glacier There are few places on earth that can demonstrate the fragility and the constant movement of our natural world…
Latin America has no shortage of exceptional beaches. From secluded tropical paradises with sweeping golden sand to some of the most world’s most iconic beaches such as the Copacabana. Here we list five of our must-visit beaches, although with coastlines stretching across the Atlantic & Pacific oceans plus the Caribbean Sea, there are so many fantastic beach holiday destinations across this diverse continent… Jericoacoara, Brazil Getting here isn’t easy, but a journey where part of the route needs to be navigated by dune buggies must surely prick up the ears of the more adventurous traveller. Those who do make it to this beach in the northeast of Brazil are well rewarded with some of the continents most spectacular natural diversity. ‘Jeri’, as it is affectionally known as by the friendly locals, is much more than just a picturesque beach town, it is a national park, a mangrove swamp, a vast…
This post could also be called ‘the five must-see places in Latin America’ as they should be on every traveller’s wishlist not least because they offer up some of the most tremendous vistas in the region. Which of these stunning destinations will you be adding to your bucket list? The Atacama Desert – Chile The sheer size of the Atacama Desert, meteorologically the driest (hot) desert on earth, is astonishing. With miles and miles of salt flats extending in front of you, it’s not hard to believe that some areas of the Atacama have had no recorded instances of rainfall ever. If nothing else, this view will make you appreciate how vast the earth as a whole is – for some, it can be a life-changing experience. Christ the Redeemer – Brazil Arguably one of the most recognisable pieces of architecture in the world, the huge statue of Christ the…
Although we are unable to travel at the moment, it’s still possible to discover the joys of Latin America – from the comfort of your home! Each week we are giving you inspiration from a different destination in Latin America, sharing movies, music, books and recipes to pique your interest, and this weeks destination is the intense and seductive land of Argentina. From crackling glaciers to sun-scorched deserts, snow-capped mountains, emerald-green lakes and wildlife-rich wetlands, the spectacular variety of Argentina’s landscapes gives just a hint of the exhilarating variety of adventures that await in this wildly intoxicating country. Delve deeper into the wonders of Argentina with our favourite inspiring read, film, food and music below. Watch: El Hijo de la Novia (The Son of the Bride (2001) This comedy drama was released at the peak of the economic crisis in Argentina, and no doubt brought a much-needed lighthearted release! It follows the story of Rafael, a restaurant owner from…
Latin America hosts some of the most vibrant, colourful and exciting carnivals in the world, showcasing amazing costumes, delicious food, traditional dance and of course, Latin America’s famously lively and infectious enjoyment of life, so it’s no wonder the festivities draw visitors from all around the world, every year. Rio’s incredible carnival, which is drawing to a close this week, is undoubtedly the most famous, but in a continent as lively as this you can rest assured there are plenty of other opportunities to experience the unparalleled buzz of a Latin America fiesta! Here a few of our favourite carnivals across Latin America… Rio Carnival, Brazil Considered the biggest carnival in the world, this is the ultimate way to party in Rio! Ready to join in the fun next year? Speak to our Travel Specialists to feel the rhythm in Rio for yourself in 2021, with one of our Tailor-Made Holidays…
