Continuing with our ‘Latin Routes Guide to…’, we now focus on the incredible country of Chile. Vast deserts, stunning mountain ranges and beautiful cities waiting to be explored – these are all great reasons to book yourself a trip. If you’ve already realised what wonders Chile has to offer, then you’ll perhaps be wondering what to expect from the locals – whether it be the food, currency or certain secret handshakes that will make your Chilean holiday a breeze, Latin Routes is here to help. The first thing to consider is, of course, the food. Unless you’re planning on booking an extra seat on the plane to transport vast quantities of pasta and tea, you’re most likely going to encounter some Chilean delicacies you may not have tried before. Much like its neighbour Argentina, Chileans have a penchant for anything meaty. Asado is widespread in both Northern and Central regions of Chile and families will often have their own…
Today, Latin Routes takes you through some of the lesser-known tips to do with travel, tipping and general etiquette. Travel. Argentinian taxis are often the best way to get around biger city. Public transport links often aren’t ideal (although coaches are usually available for long distance trips if you’re looking to save money). Taxis always have reasonable rates (at least compared to the UK), but make sure you don’t get charged more than you need to, as taxi drivers will occasionally look to cash in on confused-looking tourists. Furthermore, make sure to take some small change – taxi drivers will often pretend they have no change as a way to round up the fare. Tipping. Around 10% (although tourists are usually expected to pay a bit more) for things like taxis, baggage handlers and porters in hotels. Although tipping isn’t necessarily a requirement, it is usually a very small amount…
It’s all well and good receiving advice about the most spectacular destinations in South America, the best restaurants to visit in Argentina and the most exciting activities to pursue in Chile, but we at Latin Routes like to go the extra mile. Sometimes, the things that are the most helpful in a foreign country are the small tips you get just as you leave. Things like currency, etiquette and local travel advice are things we take pride in knowing about. These small touches are things you won’t find at big travel companies, as we rely on our personal experience and close connections with South America to give you practical, valuable and pragmatic advice before you leave for your trip. So, what can you expect from Argentina? The first thing to consider is money. In Argentina, the currency is the Argentine Peso, with an exchange rate of approximately 9.5 pesos to the…
Tuesday night saw Roy Hodgson’s team triumph over Poland 2-0, securing their place in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The victory came as a relief for England fans, many of whom are well-versed in World Cup disappointment. The history footballing history between England and Poland made the win especially satisfying for fans, who no doubt had memories of being knocked out by Poland in previous years. The match itself was tense and fast-paced, leaving no room for error. After a shaky start Engladn began to regroup and string together some quick, decisive passes. They were rewarded for their efforts in the first half with a goal from star striker Wayne Rooney, who headed the ball past a confused-looking Szczesny. Despite questions being raised prior to the game about the level of support England would be afforded by the fans (amidst stories of huge numbers of Polish fans living in…
With England’s final qualifier being played this evening against Poland, Roy Hodgson’s team will be hoping for a comfortable win to see them through to the World Cup. Although England have a history of World Cup misfires, they are currently sitting at the top of Group H alongside the Ukraine (both have won 5 of their 9 games). However, England need to win this game to gain automatic qualification – either a draw or a loss could leave England at risk of not qualifying at all, as they would be forced into the playoffs for the final qualification spot in Group H. With up-and-coming contenders such as Montenegro and Poland, England will certainly be looking to avoid any ambiguity and come out with a strong win. In their last match, England drew 1-1 with rivals Poland, and since then have picked up a few injuries, leaving their team at less than full strength….
This week at Latin Routes, we’ll be focusing on the best value hotels, tours and experiences that South America and Antarctica have to offer – whether you’re on a tight budget or just trying to fit as many things into your holiday as possible, Latin Routes’ tailormade holidays can help you find the ideal solution. Our first value hotel is the Alto Andito Urban Lodge, located in the beautiful port town of Ushuaia. Featuring a spectacular 360 degree panoramic breakfast room which affords you unrivalled views of the coast and the city itself, this hotel starts from just £138 a night. This is fantastic value considering it is one of the most luxurious 4* hotels in the area – certainly a wise choice if you’re looking to relax in style without breaking the bank. If you happen to be staying in the wonderful, vibrant city of Buenos Aires in Argentina, why not treat yourself…
Famed for its awe-inspiring vistas, variety of terrain and sheer volume of things to see, South America is considered among the leading areas in the world for walking and trekking holidays. Here is a run-down of some essential destinations if you’re looking for a walking holiday to South America. The first is the Torres Del Paine National Park. Time and time again, this stunning area is mentioned as the definitive place to go for outstanding natural beauty, stunning wildlife and more photo opportunities than you could possibly capture. The sheer scale of the park is one of its appealing aspects – it is almost 2,500 square km, and walking trails criss-cross most of the area. In addition to these walking trails, there is a huge choice of alternative activities, such as kayaking, mountain biking and horse riding, if you’re looking for new ways to explore the park. However, the definitive trail…
On his recent trip to Chile, Martin traveled back with Iberia. Find out what he thought of what he found on board. I think it’s fair to say that if you mention to someone you are flying with Iberia, you are generally greeted with either sympathy or wishes of luck! Not because of anything to do with Iberia’s safety record, but normally to do with Iberia’s service record. The airline has been sorting out several union issues over the last couple of years which resulted in walk outs of its staff and significant disruption to the travelling public. This seems to have now all be resolved, but even in times of calm the airline has a reputation for bad service, bad food and no seat back TV’s in economy, so why would you travel with them? Well the main reason is because Iberia flies to almost all major South American…
Argentina is renowned for some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world, and what better way to explore it than on a mountain bike. The Andean Northwest is a fantastic place to do this, with the beautiful red rock framing the surrounding area affording you some stunning vistas and hundreds of photo opportunities. With it being set at a high altitude, it is a mountain biker’s paradise. The Manantial Del Silencio is a perfect base from which to explore the surrounding area – not only is it great value, but it also rents out mountain bikes to guests (so you don’t have to bring your own!). After you’re done mountain biking, you can relax in the perfectly peaceful environment and enjoy some of the perks of the hotel – including a restaurant, swimming pool and a local market that sells traditional handicrafts. The natural terrain of both Argentina and Chile is so varied…
Kayaking can be great fun, good exercise and, especially when in some areas of Patagonia, exceptionally beautiful. Antares Patagonia run kayaking trips in the striking Torres Del Paine, following one of three routes. You can take the Colonist Route, which begins by paddling into the Eberhard fjiord and stopping at Estancia Consuelo to refuel. You are afforded 6 hours in the absolutely stunning fjord and then return to Puerto Natales. Another option from Antares Patagonia is their ‘Drifting in Patagonia’ kayaking route. This is a two day expedition which starts by paddling across part of Rio Serrano, arrives at a spectacular waterfall, and finishes the first day camping under the stars. The second day involves paddling through part of the Torres Del Paine national park, spotting some local wildlife and finally arriving at Puerto Toro where you’ll spend your second night. The final day will comprise of navigating in and amongst the icebergs of the Serrano glacier before packing…
