Located in Northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is, meteorologically, the driest place on Earth. Magnificent, otherworldly and utterly unique, the Atacama is like nowhere else on the planet. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, then this is certainly for you. Dramatic, rocky landscapes, deep valleys and glistening salt lakes are all in a day’s work as you cruise around the vast expanses of the desert in a 4×4 on a day tour. The best thing about the Atacama is that there is no bad time to visit! Bear in mind that temperatures can reach highs of 25-30 degrees Celsius so pack your sun cream! Today we’ll be having a look at some of the more outstanding highlights of this beautiful place. The Moon Valley One of the most striking locations available to visit on your holiday to Chile, the Moon Valley is covered by a beautiful white mantle. Escarpments composed of a variety of colours stand out against…
One of the most vibrant and exciting cities in South America, Buenos Aires is a bustling hub of activity. Restaurants, bars and hundreds of years of culture blend perfectly together – Buenos Aires will not fail to keep you coming back for more! The City Founded in 1580, Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina, home to over a third of the population! Known for its stunning architecture, thriving markets and rich history, the city is as diverse as it is exciting. Don’t miss the atmosphere at the famous Sunday market in San Telmo, packed with market stalls selling food, drink and a vast array of beautiful hand-crafted goods. Afterwards, why not visit one of the 57 museums dotted around the city, each one housing a different portion of the continent’s rich artistic history. Recoleta Cemetery is another highlight – a network of Gothic tombs housing hundreds of famous Argentines, including the hugely influential…
The excitement is building in the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro, as the world-famous Carnival is just a few days away! Beginning on the 28th February, the celebrations will continue for 4 days including the Monday and Tuesday, which are national holidays in Brazil. Today we’ll be running you through a few hotels you might want to consider if you’re planning on joining the party. Since the seasons are reversed in South America, February is one of the hottest times of the years. With temperatures set to reach 32 degrees on Friday, proximity to Brazil’s famous beaches is a priority. With so many to choose from, this is no easy task! Pousada La Chimere, Buzios Located in the heart of Buzios well within walking distance of Bones, Azeda and Armacao beaches, this traditional, stylish hotel is a rustic alternative well worth considering. However, this certainly doesn’t mean you’ll have to compromise on comfort. The interior is…
It’s that time of year again! Brazil’s finest dancers, costumes and partygoers will come together over one spectacular weekend to celebrate before the beginning of lent. The Party The festivities have grown enormously over the years, having started with just a small street parade in 1823. It is now known universally as the biggest carnival in the world, with upwards of a two million people expected to hit the streets of Rio de Janeiro over the 4 day celebration between 28th February and 4th March. With a number of celebrities, including YouTube sensation PSY rumoured to be attending this year, 2014 looks to be bigger and better than ever. Interestingly, of the total 5 million of so people that will be present over the 4 day weekend, around 500,000 will be tourists. This number has been steadily increasing for years, since the inception of the ‘Sambadrome’. This stadium-like construction is formed of two…
Earlier this week we had a look at why booking your Antarctic Cruise with Latin Routes is the best decision you’ll ever make! While our Cruise Operators are certainly fantastic, today we’ll be going into more depth about what to expect from your Antarctic Cruise. We’ll give you a clue – you certainly won’t be disappointed. The Antarctic Classic If you’re looking for the real Antarctic Experience, then the Antarctic Classic is the way forward. One of our best-selling Antarctic Cruises, this package gives you the opportunity to take in the highlights of the area (and there are many) in just 11 days. Choose the Cruise Operator that suits you and get ready to meet your fellow passengers for the experience of a lifetime! The Itinerary So how will your 11 days in the icy water of Antarctica pan out? Expect snowy mountains, clear waters and some beautiful and unique wildlife! Day 1: Ushuaia,…
With the 2014/15 Season starting in November, now is most certainly the time to take the opportunity of a lifetime and book your Antarctic Cruise with Latin Routes. Latin Routes works with the best operators in the business when it comes to Antarctic Cruises and what’s more, you can choose exactly which one is right for you. Each company is slightly different – some offering an emphasis on exploration and adventure, and other leaning towards travelling in style and comfort. We’ve taken the time to give you a bit of detail on each below so you can get a sense of what your ideal trip would look like. Exodus The largest and most diverse of our cruise operators, Exodus have the widest range of ships to choose from, along with a greater variety in their itineraries, meaning you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t appeal to you. Their Polar Expedition Ships offer all the excitement…
If our previous suggestions weren’t enough to make you drop everything and book the Valentine’s holiday of a lifetime, then these surely will! With February 14th looming large in the minds of many, Latin Routes are here to clear the air and help you on your way to an unforgettable day. So you’ve decided on a romantic trip for you and your significant other? Well South America is certainly the place to do it. Earlier this week, we had a look at the spectacular views of the Iguazu Falls in Argentina and the peaceful serenity of the Chilean Winelands. However, there are a couple of other places to bear in mind if you really want to impress… Peninsula Valdes, Argentina A wildlife hotspot like no other, Peninsula Valdes is the place to visit if you’re looking for some of the world’s most fascinating and beautiful animals. Although home to a wide variety of species, including the rare Argentinian Grey Fox,…
Valentine’s Day. The words strike fear into the hearts of men around the world. Gifts, cards, flowers – they’ve all been done before. However, here at Latin Routes, we have the answer. A romantic trip is guaranteed to do the trick, and where better than the beautiful continent of South America? So without further ado, here are some destinations that are bound to set your significant other’s heart a-fluttering. Everyone’s different, so we’ve taken the liberty of suggesting two routes you might take – a show-stopping, all-out luxury extravaganza or an intimate, romantic trip for two. Iguazu Falls, Argentina A spectacular trip like no other, the eighth wonder of the world simply does not disappoint. An astonishing volume of water flows over the basalt cap of the Devil’s Throat, a vast chasm that stands at just over 82 metres high and around 150m wide. If you’re looking for show-stopping, you’ve come to the…
It’s that time of year again, and the biggest party on Earth is set to kick off on Feburary 28th. Dancing, samba, fireworks, music and excitement are all integral parts of what makes Carnival in Rio de Janeiroone of the most spectacular events on the planet. Earlier in the week we investigated what Carnival is and how it works. Today we’ll be looking at the setting for this monster party – Rio de Janeiro itself. The City As one of the most-visited places in the Southern Hemisphere, you would be forgiven for wanting to spend more than just a few days in this beautiful city. A bustling metropolis, Rio is famed for both its diversity and its energy – from the many bars and restaurants that line the Copacabana to the samba schools packed with locals and visitors alike, there is never a dull moment in this thriving city. The Corcovado Rio’s skyline is likely…
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that Brazil is a country full of everything; enthusiasm, vibrancy, colour, and, above all, life. The cities, culture and most importantly the people of Brazil are some of the liveliest in South America, a continent already famous for its extravagant tastes. Even on the dullest days, the Brazilian people can surprise you with a lust for life that just isn’t found in the UK! What happens, then, when the liveliest people in the world come together in the bustling streets of Rio de Janeiro to celebrate one of the most important religious dates in the calendar with an all-out, no-holds-barred, three day extravaganza? Rio de Janiero’s Carnival. On February 28th, upwards of a million people – tourists and locals alike – will grace the streets of Rio de Janeiro to dance, drink, sing and catch a glimpse of the spectacular show on offer. What is Carnival?…
