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…
Last week Martin from Latin Routes was lucky enough to be invited to Expocom 2013 in Patagonia Chile, find out about his adventures. Expocom is a showcase of Patagonia’s best hotels, attractions, tour companies and suppliers which is now in its 4th year. Organised by several government bodies from Chile my invitation came from Turismo Chile who essentially operate as the Chilean Tourist Board. The 6 day programme organised was designed to showcase the best things the region has to offer. So without hesitation I headed off on my long 32 hour journey to the end of the world! The expo was held in Punta Arenas which many will only know as the gateway to the region. Most people normally by-pass the town to head off for the bigger attractions in Puerto Natales and the Torres Del Paine National Park. The town has an attractive square from which the town…
Enotourism (also known as Vinotourism) has grown in popularity over the past few years, with more and more people becoming interested in not just the history behind the wine they drink, but also the process of fermenting, types of grape and differences between vintages. Wineries in South America now offer various levels of accommodation for guests looking to learn more about their vineyards – from simple guest houses to lavish rooms accompanied by a plethora of wine-tasting activities and events. The Vina Matetic in Argentina, for example, is a luxurious guesthouse with stunning views of the Rosario Wine Valley. Along with its own mini lake, flocks of ducks and geese, a swimming pool and miles and miles of vineyard, the Vina Matetic has its own bodega which you can access. Here you can learn all you need to know about wine production, sample some of their famous wines and have…
South America has a sterling reputation not only for some of the best golfers in the world, but also some of the most spectacular courses. Here are the 5 best golf courses there are: Chapelco, Argentina A creation of Jack Nicklaus, this stunning golf course is simply unique. Not only is the course itself a masterpiece of flowing fairways and expertly positioned bunkers, but it also holds a challenge for even for the most experienced of players. However, this is not to say that amateurs will take nothing from the Chapelco – it is set against a beautiful backdrop with the Andes framing the skyline. This is especially beautiful in the evening when the last of sun’s rays provide an incredible red glow over your last round of the day. Once you’ve finished your game, you could stroll back to the on-site 5* accommodation in the form of the LOI…
One night whilst staying at the brand new Palacio de Astoreca in Valparaiso, Chile we were feeling a bit lazy so for dinner booked into their restaurant which was simply called Alegre. We sat down at our table completely unaware of the culinary delight that we were about to receive. Our very nice waiter handed us our menus and in his best English said that he would recommend the chefs taster menu. 7 courses of whatever the chef feels like cooking, based on the ingredients that are fresh at the time and each menu is individual to the table. Rather mysterious but we thought we would give it a go. Before we even had the first course we were treated to 2 amuse bouches. We immediately realised this wasn’t going to be a normal dining experience! What followed were 7 of the best courses of food we had both ever…
Many travel from Santiago to Valparaiso, and along the road between the two you will find a turn-off sign posted Vina Matetic in the Casablanca Wine Valley. Take the turn and in minutes you will arrive at a luxury, retreat where tranquility and wine await. The guesthouse is a beautiful 7 room boutique hotel in the heart of the vineyards, built in a traditional colonial style with galleried walkways and period touches, surrounded by extensive, perfectly-manicured gardens. Within minutes the hustle and bustle of the cities will be a distant memory. Find yourself at the end of the garden and you will find a lovely pool area complete with cabana style beds that are perfect for easing away a few hours in the sun. Of course all this relaxing is thirsty work, and the best thing about staying on a vineyard is refreshment is not far away. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc…
