MARTIN

Selling His Car To Fuel His Travel

It was over fifteen years ago when Martin first set foot in Latin America towards the end of an exciting Round the World trip. Having originally expected to stay just a couple of weeks before returning home, he quickly became intoxicated with the sights, colours and culture and knew that a couple of weeks was never going to be enough. With limited funds he got his Dad to sell his very old, but much loved car. This allowed him to give the area, the attention it deserved and kept him going for another 6 months! His travels took him from Mexico to Argentina, visiting almost every country between.

This passion led him to co-found Latin Routes in 2012 and since its humble beginnings in a tiny office above a pizza shop, Latin Routes has developed into one of the UK's leading travel companies to Latin America. Martin is also vice-chair of the Latin America Travel Assiciation (LATA) which is an association that aims to promote and develop tourism to Latin America. He regularly speaks as an expert on travel to Latin America and issues facing the wider travel industry as a whole. He also helps and advises a number of other businesses in the travel sector as well.

Favourite Place: Perito Moreno Glacier

My favourite destination would have to be the Perito Moreno glacier. Seeing this enormous glacier from so close is astounding. Add to that, because the glacier moves as much a metre a day it means, if you’re lucky enough, you’ll see massive segments of ice break away and fall into the lake with huge force, noise and impact. If you want to get even closer I couldn’t recommend the glacier trek enough. There are few places in the world you can trek on an actual glacier between the ice formations, crevasses and snow and the experience is amazing. To say I’ve been there is something, but to be able to say I’ve walked on it, is something else!

Favourite Hotel: Estancia Cristina

I love the wilderness and feeling like you have truly got away from it all. It doesnt get much more remote than Estancia Cristina which is only accessible by boat! By the time you have cruised past floating ice and the spectacular scenery, you will definitely feel like you left the world behind when you arrive at Estancia Cristina, near El Calafate. However, the journey is soon forgotten when you arrive at this charming, rustic lodge set on the bank of a huge lake with nothing but endless Patagonian countryside all around it. You can then join in with horse treks and fantastic walks or just relax in the cosy bar with a book and a nice big glass of wine.

Martin Inspiration

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