Travel Informations » South America

Travel To South America – The Three Faces of South America

admin — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:35:02 +0000

There it is, plenty of mountains, beaches, adventures and history, all at an affordable price. What are you waiting for your next trip to South America?

As a matter of fact, if you are reading this, you have already decided to go there or, at least ,you are thinking about it. But, where to? I will show you my three favorite locations in South America, you choose by your own.

Peru: Macchu Picchu and The Incaâ€???s Road

Are you the kind of person interested in history and archeological marvels or you would rather go looking for adventure, and a little (or more) fun within it? Whatever option you chose, Peru is the right place for you to go.

Five hundred years ago, the Spaniards ransacked and destroyed most of the legacy of the Inca Civilization. They could not, however, reach the sacred city of Macchu Picchu. These almost intact ruins where found in the twentieth century, and access to the city is believed to have been reserved for the emperor (the Inca) and the nobility (Hiran Bingham, founder of the remains, held that priestesses were raised and prepared here, but this is refused by current scientists)

Macchu Picchu is also some kind of world spiritual centre, people of all credos consider it an incredible point of contact with the spirit. But reaching the Macchu Picchu without walking the Incaâ€™s Road, one of the most spectacular walking roads of the world, would be a sin. The Incas had built a road system only comparable to the one that the Ancient Romans built. The best kept part of the Incaâ€™s road is the one that goes from Aguas Calientes to Macchu Picchu. After paying a USD 50 rate (USD 25 for students with international card), you will be able to start three unforgettable days in which you will walk 60 miles of mountains, with incredible vegetation and landscape.

The contact with the local people is one of the most attractive sides of traveling to South America, and this is particularly noticeable on the Incaâ€™s Road.. You will find several â€œpostasâ€ all along the way (the antique places where Incas messengers got rest), and the natives hired for carrying the heavy luggage (the â€œportadoresâ€) still resemble those antique messengers: they run at an incredibly rhythm; when you arrive to the â€œpostaâ€ they will have already set up your tent. However, not only rest is to be expected at the end of the day: depending on which â€œpostaâ€ you choose to stop, you can be received but one of the parties enjoyed by the innumerable youngsters that visit Macchu Picchu from all around the world.

The Incaâ€™s Road is usually preceded by a visit to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, and one of the greatest urban monuments from Colonial times in Latin America.

Yet, if I were you, I would start from the Argentine city of Salta, visit Bolivia, the Titicaca Lake, and just then go to Cusco. It is a bit longer, yes, but you will never forget it.

Brazil, always Brazil

What else can be said of Brazil that you have not heard about? Brazil is not a place to be visited once, it is a place to fall in love with. Brazil is also one of the largest countries of the globe, so my first advice is to get a travel guide book, and also one of those promotional plane tickets including 5 destinations for a reduced price.

Brazilians are worldwide known for their eternal smile and happiness; they tend to have less prejudices regarding human relations. That may be the reason why you will find a party almost wherever you find a Brazilian. Although Rio is â€œtheâ€ place for nightclubs, discos, and related events, the entire coast of Brazil is a permanent party.

If you are planning a trip for two, let me recommend you Trindage, an almost unnoticed place between Rio and Sao Paulo. The road ends at Parati, a beautiful beach town known for its Colonial architecture. After Parati, you will have to walk 8 kms. (around 3 miles). Renting a car is an option too, but I prefer hitchhiking. Every night there are reggae parties on the beach, and the sky is so clean that you will see several falling stars. You can a take a bath in of the rivers of the zone, but please remember not using soap in order to keep the environment unpolluted.

For those who enjoy adventures, the Amazon is a huge challenge. If you want to visit the jungle but without taking big risks, it is always nice to visit the mythic city of Manaos, with its Opera and its glorious past. Manaos is today a tax-free zone, so you may also find very cheap electronic devices.

Buenos Aires: the most pretentious city in South America

I was not surprised when I read that a London magazine has chosen Buenos Aires as the â€˜sexiest city in the worldâ€™. With most of its population of European origins, and the frenzy proper of a big city, Buenos Aires has an incredible night life. Fancy nightclubs and pubs (accessible to the tourist, because of the low local currency, the Argentine Peso) are concurred by both young and mature people.

I would recommend going to one of the exclusive restaurants located in Puerto Madero, eat some Argentine meat, and then start the night at the Recoleta, the fanciest zone in Buenos Aires. You will ask yourself whether you are in Milan or Paris (do not dear to remind an Argentine they are from South America, they will get mad at you!).

Culturally, Buenos Aires is the most active city in South America. Writers, film directors, philosophers and artists of all kind are usually in the city giving performances or conferences.

If you like Theater, Corrientes Av. is some sort of local Broadway, all along which you will find uncountable spectacles. Of course, you cannot leave Buenos Aires without visiting the Colon Theatre, the most refined of its kind in South America.

During the day, you can visit San Telmo square, place of bohemians and artists, home of Tango, the Argentine typical dance. You can always go to a â€œtangueriaâ€ (tango bar) and get some lessons or just enjoy the sensual movements of the dancers.

For the weekend, going to a soccer match is a must. If you want to go to the biggest stadium in Argentina, go to the River Plate Stadium. However, if you prefer something slightly smaller but much more intense, go to the antagonist Boca Juniors Stadium, where 60,000 souls tight in a reduced space make literally vibrate the concrete. Soccer is not just a sport for the Argentines, it is a passion. Although Argentine beaches are not famous, you can enjoy several near Buenos Aires.

The most crowded is Mar del Plata, but the most beautiful is perhaps Necochea. If you are thinking on going a little more to the south, you can visit Las Grutas, the most southern beach where you can take a bath (below that, it is freezing cold). As a matter of fact, this would be an excellent excuse for visiting the entire Patagonia, with the lakes, the mountains and the Pampa, but this is subject for another article on traveling to South America…

Additional resources and information can be found by going to: http://www.TravelToSouthAmerica.com

Must See Places In South America

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:35:38 +0000

Set between the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and the South Atlantic Oceans, South America is the land of attractions. This continent can also be referred as the land of superlatives. The continent is the home to Amazon, The world’s biggest rainforest, Angel Falls, the world’s tallest waterfall, and Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego, the frozen landscapes. While the Remote islands like Galapagos Islands, Easter Island and Fernando de Noronha are great attractions of South America, the pristine beaches in Brazil’s Northeastern region also have their own magic.

Apart from breathtaking natural attractions, South America treasures ruins of ancient civilizations. Machu Picchu and other Inca cities are fine examples of these. One can also explore the Serra da Capivara, the oldest rock paintings or admire the modern architecture of Brasilia. While traveling to South America, do not miss out the chance to take part in colorful festivities. Some of the most remarkable names in this context include Rio’s Carnival, the Vendimia festival and Belem’s Cirio de Nazare, etc. Featuring all these fascinating attractions, South America continues to allure visitors like no other place on the earth.

South America, the southern continent of the Americas, covers about 3.5% of world’s total land area that is approx 17,840,000 square kilometers. It is surrounded by Pacific Ocean to the west and north, the Atlantic to the east, North America and the Caribbean Sea to the northwest. South America consists of 15 countries. The continent has a population of approx 371,090,000.

Machu Picchu, Peru: Machu Picchu, the fortress city of the Incas is situated 8,000 feet above sea level. This pre-Columbian ruin is the scared symbols of the Inca Empire. Constructed, during 1430 AD, this ruin was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1983. Situated on a mountain ridge, Machu Picchu was made in the traditional Inca style.

Salar de Uyuni: Salar de Uyuni, largest salt flat in the world is one of the major attractions in Bolivia. 3,656 meters above the sea level, it is located near the peak of the Andes. Salar de Uyuni is at present a dried hill with enormous cacti. In this site you can explore tourist areas like Bloques de Sal, Salt-mining area, Laguna Colorada, Laguna Celeste, Valles de Rocas, Train Graveyard and Laguna Hedionda.

Lake Titicaca: This fascinating lake is located between Bolivia and Peru. Tourists throng to this lake each and every year. 3800 meters above sea level, a tour to this lake will be an unforgettable experience for you. This lake was once the sacred place for the Inca civilization.

Angel Falls: The highest waterfall in the world is located in the Canaima National Park. Situated in Venezuela, this waterfall was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Other must see places in South America are Amazon, Nazca Lines, Peru, Cartagena, Colombia, Patagonia, Easter Island, Rio de Janeiro, Galapagos Archipelago, Santiago, Iguazu Falls of Argentina a, Tierra del Fuego, The Great Blue Hole, Los Katios National Park Colombia, Buck Island Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, La Antigua Guatemala, Placencia Beach Belize, Huacachina and Historic Centre of Salvador.

Holidaying in South America:rio De Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo

admin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:35:39 +0000

South America is a vast continent of jungles, rain forests and some of the world’s most exciting cities. Miles and miles of fabulous beaches, soaring mountains and a passionate culture that thrives on music and dance make the region a must for a holiday.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio sits between lush mountains and the glorious beaches fronting the Atlantic and is a true city of the imagination. The pulse of the samba is rarely absent from this city in which every day is a celebration.

Climate

Like all of coastal Brazil, Rio is sultry and humid for most of the year. Summer temperatures hover around 28 C. The rainy season occurs from October to January. Winters in Rio feature temperatures of around 23 C.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Flights connect Rio with all of Brazil and Latin America, as well as many other major cities. Buses depart for most destinations from Novo Rio Rodoviaria.

City buses are often crowded and struggle through Rio’s traffic. Rio has an excellent, air-conditioned subway system but it only covers points north of Botafogo.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Rio de Janeiro hotels

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

*Carnaval is the five-day internationally-famous extravaganza beginning at midnight on the Friday before Ash Wednesday. Dancing, parades, head-dresses and flaunted bodies make up this unforgettable spectacle.

*The Fiestas Junina’s is celebrated in public squares throughout June.

*August 15 sees music, colorful stalls and a parade celebrating the Festa de NS da Gloria do Outeiro.

*Festa da Penha is one of the largest religious festivals in the city. It’s held every Sunday in October.

Buenos Aires

With its fading architecture, grand boulevards and old-style cafes Buenos Aires seems like an European city of another era.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Buenos Aires is a major transport hub for the southern part of South America. The city has two airports: Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarni (known as Ezeiza), for international flights. Domestic and regional flights use Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (Aeroparque) which is just five miles out of town. Both airports can be reached by bus.

Getting around Buenos Aires is easy. The city boasts an efficient underground known as the Subte and a round-the-clock bus system. Plus the major tourist attractions are near each other so it’s well worth exploring on foot.

Climate

Summers are hot with the temperatures reaching 40 C and winters can get very cold. Spring (October to November) and Autumn (March to May) are warm and pleasant. Rain can come at any time but it tends not to be heavy.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Buenos Aires hotels

Events

* Buenos Aires Tango is a tango festival that takes place between late February and early March all over the city.

* The Feria del Libro annual book fair celebrates Latin American literature in April at the Centro Municipal de Exposicions.

* Mid-May sees the art fair, Arte BA.

*More tango related activities on June 24 when aficionados remember Carlos Gard el, the man who made the tango famous.

*December features the Campeonato Abierto Argentino de Polo.

São Paulo

São Paulo is the largest city in South America. It’s also Brazil’s most cosmopolitan and boasts pulsating nightlife, fine restaurants and an impressive cultural and arts life.

Transport:getting there and getting away

São Paulo has three airports: São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU, for domestic and international flights) and Congonhas, (CGH, for domestic flights).

The city is very congested so the subway is the best method of getting around.The buses are very crowded.

Climate

Not as pleasant as other Brazilian cities but generally warm and sunny all year round. Rainfall is highest during the summer months.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Sao Paulo hotels

Events

*São Paulo Fashion Week is the crowning event in the Brazilian fashion scene.

*São Paulo Gay Parade in June features a huge carnival.

*Brazilian F1 Grand Prix is in October.

Ski Portillo, Chile

admin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:35:16 +0000

Portillo is the oldest ski area in South America. Its enviable Andes Mountain location just two hours northeast of Santiago, one big yellow hotel, one big beautiful ski mountain, lack of commercial distractions, and Saturday to Saturday all-inclusive hotel plan, make the Portillo skiing and resort experience unlike that of any other commercial ski resort. The ski season runs from June to October, with discounts available at the beginning and the end of the season.

Santiago is the capital and largest city of Chile, boasting a metropolitan population in the area of seven million people. The international airport is one of the busiest in Latin America, with around twenty international airlines servicing this airport. There is shuttle service available on Saturdays and private transfers are available every day.

Since there is no town surrounding this international resort destination, your ski week in Portillo is one free of commercial expansion and distractions. The mountain is free of crowds and some of the hotel features include a classic main dining room and cozy bar, fitness room, yoga room, heated pool and hot tub, sauna, massages, game room and climbing wall, full court gymnasium, and a cinema.

The terrain is best characterized as having open powder fields, steep powder runs, tight chutes, long groomed trails and gentle wide beginner slopes. The mountain base and hotel sit at 8,195 and 9,350 feet respectively, and the highest lift served ski point is 10,859 feet. The area receives an average annual snowfall of around 300 inches and experiences 80% sunny days. Fourteen lifts service the 19 slopes and 35 runs. At Portillo, all of the 35 runs are groomed nightly and there is also extensive skiing on unpacked runs and off piste. The bowls and shoots perfectly collect the light, dry snow and with such a low weekly guest capacity, guests don’t have to worry about getting up at first light to get first tracks. In-boundary terrain is rated at 15 beginner, 30% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 25% expert.
Heli-skiing is offered for access to fresh powder snow in the mountains that surround the resort. At elevations of up to 14,000 feet, runs average 2,400 vertical feet, with some around 4,000 vertical feet. Heli-skiing around Portillo is characterized by alpine bowls, couloirs, and big mountain faces.

For alternative skiing and snowboarding, visit Chile’s Three Valleys ski region, located just south of Portillo ski resort. There, you’ll find three lift-linked resorts and the most ski-able terrain in South America.

onlySkiing.com – your adventure starts here…

South America – the Top 10 Destinations This Year Part Two

admin — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:35:30 +0000

In the previous part of this article I began covering the top ten locations for UK tourists to visit this year in South America, already covered was Panama City, The Atacama Desert in Chile and cookery classes in Mexico. The rest of this list continues with some destinations a bit further south including Brazil, Peru and even director Francis Ford Coppolla’s lodge in Guatemala.

7. Pantenal, Brazil
>Brazil is famous for their football team, carnivals and the enormous statue of Jesus that overlooks Rio de Janeiro but aside from these iconic symbols there is a wealth of nature lurking just miles away from the cities. One such location is Pantenal; it holds the title of the world’s largest wetland and many people in the know claim that the amount of nature present rivals even the Amazon!

Pantenal is just one of the many emerging holiday hotspots in Brazil as well as the Serra Geral Mountains in the southern part of the country. Recently interest in Brazils has been sparked by the sighting of tribesmen in the jungles within Brazil. You may not be looking to join a native tribe but the nature in Brazil can certainly rival the draw of the big city.

6. Peru
Peru is a popular destination amongst backpackers and gap year students partially due to all the ancient ruins which are a spectacle to see. Manchu Picchu is a popular hot spot for hikers, but beware; the hiking is tough going.

The culture of Peru is a historic one too with many of the communities sticking to traditions that have lasted generations free of the trappings of modern life. Some holiday companies have an easy time getting people to come to Peru because in some cases the locals will insist you stay with them as hotels are few and far between in the mountainous areas.

By sharing the living space of a local family you can get the most authentic feel of what life is like in the region, plus all you’d need to pay for is your flights to the country which doesn’t hurt!

5. Guatemala
When the man who directed the Godfather and slaved over Apocalypse Now to the point of exhaustion chooses a holiday spot you can rest assured that it will be worth it. Francis Ford Coppolla owns a lodge in Guatemala called La Lancha and is set in an amazing area of Guatemala that should impress the Indiana Jones’ out there.

There are many ancient Mayan ruins which served as inspiration for the latest adventure of Dr. Jones this summer nearby such as Tikal which is home to the enormous pyramids and encroaching jungle undergrowth seen in many movies. Similar architecture can be found at Uaxacatún which is home to large stucco sculpture traditional to the area. Yaxhá is a wonderful lakeside location that many people who have seen Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skulls will be familiar with. It is most definitely worthy of booking flights, packing the fedora and bullwhip to go exploring if you are looking for a more historic and interesting holiday.

In the final part of this article I’ll be covering the final four destinations that I recommend for holidays this year. With cheap flights to Mexico and other countries now may be the best time to explore new grounds.

Escape to the Wine Country of South America

admin — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:35:32 +0000

Set against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains, the coastal region of Chili is a great place to start any journey through the wine making country of Chili and Argentina. The Casablanca Valley receives cool coastal breezes that make this area ideal for white wine production. Many start their trip in Santiago, one of the most bustling and modern cities in outgoing/article_exit_link’);” rel=”external nofollow” target=”_blank” href=”http://www.prototravels.com/south_america.htm”>South America. From there it is not far to some of the best local wineries. Heading west towards the ocean and into the Valley, many choose to stop at Viñedos Organicos. This winery is dedicated to organic and biodynamic winemaking. It offers some of the most interesting flavors in the region, using all natural production methods. Another popular winery in the area is the Morandé winery, famous for using ‘smell boxes’ in their tours, with the goal of helping visitors to recognize the importance of aromas when it comes to high quality winemaking. Also situated along the coast, and a popular destination for tourists, is the city of Valparaiso. Although it is not famous for its wine, it is one of the first established cities in South America, and rich in culture and history.

Central Chile has much to offer in the way of fantastic wine. Maipo Valley, located southwest of Santiago, is recognized as producing the traditional flavors of Chilean wine. In addition to some of the oldest wineries in the country, this region also boasts a decent number of new boutique wineries that are bringing new flavors to the mix. South of Maipo Valley is Cachapoal Valley, which boasts a number of great wineries and some of the most fantastic views of the central valley region. Perhaps the most famous wine making region in Chili is the Colchagua Valley. It is in this area that the majority of the country’s red wines are produced. Here we find Vina Bisquertt, not only one of the oldest wineries in the country, but also one of the first in the way of boutique wine making. These are only a few of the hundreds of amazing wineries in the region.

Heading over the Andes Mountains it is only little over an hour by plane to Mendoza, Argentina. In the closest region to Mendoza city, Lujan de Cuyo, visitors can find the best wineries of Argentina in one of its most traditional and developed wine making regions. An hour south of the city brings you to Valle de Uco. Because of its higher altitude and greater variance in temperature, this region offers adds a more complex flavor to its wine. In the Maipu region visitors are invited to tour wineries on bicycle; a fun alternative to the standard tour and tasting. Deep in the heart of South America, these two countries have much to offer in the way of culture, fine wine and dining, and an enjoyable vacation.

South America – the Top 10 Destinations This Year Part Three

admin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:35:29 +0000

The previous two parts of this guide explored six possible holiday destinations in South America that were worthy of visiting this year. As well as well known locations such as Peru and Brazil there are plenty of other locations such as Guatemala’s ancient ruins and the Chilean Desert which can offer all sorts of holidays from adventure holidays to relaxing beach lounging trips.

The final four are locations that you certainly wouldn’t normally expect to see on a list of top holiday destinations but as trends are changing they very well may end up being the must-go-to spots this year. This final part covers some more northern areas of South America, specifically some Caribbean locations that are becoming popular this year.

4. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has the benefit of both the Caribbean sea and the Pacific Ocean on either side but despite having a vast amount of coastline it still has vast mountain ranges and not just rainforests but cloud forests. These forests almost look like they are perennially foggy but in actual fact they are so high up that they are within the clouds.

A lot of nature photography taken of rainforests with the dense clouds interspersed with the trees will likely be of these cloud forests in Costa Rica. There are plenty of activities and hotels to stay at deep within the jungles themselves. The aptly named El Silencio lodge and spa is located within the these cloud forest and has a yoga platform, full-service spa and for those looking for more adventure than relaxation can go horse trekking or rafting down a river.

3. The Corn Islands, Nicaragua
The Corn Islands whilst just off the coast of Nicaragua are still considered to be within the Caribbean Sea. Obviously like all other Caribbean Islands it has great reefs and coastlines for diving. Deep sea diving is popular in the region and is becoming a well known spot in the scuba world.

The Corn Islands doesn’t sound too Latin in name; that is because it is a former British Protectorate and has recently been hoisted to the top of the list of best holidays for 2008 by a South American tour company due to its undeveloped land and superb marine life. There are a few lodges and hotels on the island that people are flocking to this year.

2. Belize
Belize is quite similar to the Corn Islands as it too is popular for diving with its Caribbean coastline and varied wildlife. But more than this the southern Toledo district is an immense jungle that you can visit on nature trips to see the bird life in the area.

One particular attraction is the region’s cocoa farms; chocolate fiends will be in heaven as this is where Green and Blacks’ Maya Gold bars are sourced from. Belize is able to offer both of these attractions: warm Caribbean beaches and dense jungles that can offer a bit of shade.

And now the last of the ten recommended holiday destinations in South America…

1. Zona Cafetera, Columbia
Columbia is at the top of this list as it is highly tipped to be the most visited South American location this year. With the film ‘Love in the time of Cholera’ being set in Cartagena it will no doubt draw in a lot of tourists from around the world.

Couple that with the New York Times putting Bogotá down as one of the must visit locations this year Columbia is likely to see a large influx of people getting hotels in one of the main cities.

So there you have it, the ten best locations in South America. Some of the locations listed you may never have heard but many experts on the region have recommended them to the public this year. If you book your holiday yourself you may be able to score cheap hotels if you just want to see the region or you could try one of the luxurious lodges or spas mentioned in this article. Either way South America has a whole lot to give and will likely turn out to be the hot holiday location for 2008!

Ski South America

admin — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:35:31 +0000

With skiing in the northern hemisphere winding down, it’s time to look deep into the southern hemisphere to feed your passion! In the case, I’m talking blank” href=”http://www.onlyskiing.com/?id=Destinations_SA”>South America and the countries of Chile and Argentina.

Here, the ski season runs from mid June to late September and Within the Andes Mountains are some of the best ski resorts in the world. The easiest ones to get to are located just two hours outside of Santiago, Chile. Santiago-Benitez International Airport is the main air hub for the region and has good transfer services via shuttle bus to nearby resorts.

Chile

In Chile, the more modern ski resorts are located in the Central Region, easily accessed from Santiago. Valle Nevado, Portillo, and Termas de Chillan are internationally known ski destinations. The Valle Nevado complex straddles the imposing peak El Plomo, and includes the 5-star Hotel Valle Nevado, the 4-star Hotel Puerto del Sol, and the 3-star Hotel Tres Puntas. Portillo is the most famous and oldest ski area in South America. It is more of a “boutique” ski resort, with limited hotel capacity, no lift lines and uncrowded slopes. Termas de Chillan, another popular destination 6 to 7 hours south of Santiago, is Chile’s most complete Ski and Spa center.

Portillo is unique because there is no town and only one hotel: the grand Hotel Portillo, which has 123 rooms. In this regard, the Portillo skiing and resort experience is unlike that of any other commercial ski resort. Portillo operates as a weeklong, Saturday to Saturday, all-inclusive resort, with packages that include: lodging; lift tickets; four meals a day (breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner); use of pool and fitness center; and other hotel facilities such as a cinema, game room, and more. Guests are given an eighth day of skiing if they return their room before 10am on check-out day.

Valle Nevado is another resort close to Santiago, Chile. At just over 35 miles from Santiago and an altitude of 9,925 feet, Valle Nevado sits in the midst of the most spectacular landscape of the Andes Mountains. The resort was created with the inspiration of french ski resorts and features modern buildings, hotels and lift equipment, like the Andes Express ski lift, the most advanced of southern hemisphere. It’s also part of Chile’s ‘Three Valleys’ ski region, putting you close to other ski resorts like La Parva and El Colorado.

El Colorado, linked to Valle Nevado by special pass, is ideal for families and youth since unlike many other ski resorts, El Colorado offers a large number of runs devoted to beginners.

La Parva is suspended on the mountainside of the Andes high above the city of Santiago. This small mountain town has modern buildings, over 1,000 houses and condominiums, and can accommodate 7,000 people at any one time during the ski season.

Termas de Chillan, located 310 miles south of Santiago on the slopes of Chillan volcano in the southern Andes Mountains, is the biggest single resort in South America, by skiable terrain. The most convenient means of transportation for getting to and from Termas de Chillan is to fly to Concepcion and take a shuttle bus or hire a car to the resort.

Termas de Chillan has it all: immaculate tree-lined slopes, a huge vertical, South America’s longest run, a snowboard park, plenty of quality off-piste terrain and famous hot springs. Termas de Chillan ski resort has a good choice of accommodation at the base, with six slope-side condos as well as a three-star and five-star hotel. Termas de Chillan spa offers beautiful mineral pools where you can relax.

Argentina

In Argentina, there are outstanding ski resorts specially designed for winter sports lovers with international quality ski runs and state–of–the–art lifts and infrastructure. They are located along the unique Andes mountain range at the western and southern regions of the country. Las Lenas and Cerro Catedral are the country’s most popular ski destinations. Las Lenas, located in the heart of the Andes and a short distance from the airport of Malaguean, is one of the finest ski resorts in South America. It is the vastest and highest ski area in Argentina, offering some of the most spectacular mountains in the world. Cerro Catedral is internationally recognized for its quality establishments and services.

Las Lenas is located in the middle of the Andes mountain range, in the province of Mendoza, and 2,240 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by the mounts Torrecillas, El Collar, Ponce, Las Lenas, Entre Rios, Martin and Los Fosiles. Las Lenas is the most modern winter sport resort in Argentina and offers 228 hectares of beautiful natural environment. The immense mountains covered with the region’s best snow provide the perfect background for its famous ski runs suitable for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers. Access to the Valley is direct, which ensures faster transfers and great enjoyment. It can be reached by plane, flights to San Rafael with transfer included and charter flights to Malargue; by car, it is only 1,212 Km away from Buenos Aires; and by sleeping car from the city of Buenos Aires and other major cities of the country. Las Lenas has several accommodation facilities such as an exclusive five-star hotel offering total comfort and amazing views of the Andes mountain range, hotels, apart-hotels, apartments and dormy-houses, restaurants, an international casino, and a disco, all of which make Valle de Las Lenas a remarkable resort.

Cerro Catedral is located in the Nahuel Huapi National Park, surrounded by a unique landscape of lakes and mountains, and only a 19 Km paved route away from San Carlos de Bariloche (Rio Negro), a city with lodging and food infrastructure at the most demanding international tourism level. Bariloche sleeps about 18,000 people. Lodging arrangements range from the more economic levels to a dozen four and five star hotels; some of these services can be found at the mountain base. Cerro Catedral receives thousands of visitors throughout the year who come to the mountain slope to take in the breathtaking landscapes and go hiking and mountan biking in the summer. In the winter months, Cerro Catedral becomes South America’s most highly developed winter sports center, given its 70km of ski slopes, 200 skiiable hectares and ski lifts, among which the six-seat chairlift with a polycarbonate super bubble is worth mentioning.

Other international resorts include Chapelco and Cerro Castor.

onlySkiing.com – your adventure starts here…

Travel To South America: A Land Of Immeasurable Majesty

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:35:07 +0000

South America is a continent of extremes, and there is not just one, but thousands of reasons to explore the human and natural wonders of this remarkable landmass. South America’s expansive human history is visible through some of the best preserved ruins in the world. The fusion of Spanish, Portuguese and native cultures is evident in the distinctive art, food and music of the 12 independent countries.

Though it was the last continent to be inhabited, South America has a long and delicate history of flourishing indigenous cultures before European arrival in the 16th century. Archeological sites in Peru reveal the practice of human sacrifice and other perplexing traditions by the Moche people who lived there 2000 years ago. South America’s most illustrious ancient people, the Inca, held their capital in modern day Cusco and sprinkled the Andes with remnants of their terraced farming and architecture. Machu Picchu, at 7,710 feet, is the best preserved and most breathtaking Inca town, well worth the 4 day hike along the Inca Trail (the less eager can opt for the train ride).

The Sky is the Limit

When it comes to breaking records, South America is the place to see. The massive north-south continent is spread through nearly every climate zone imaginable, which makes for very dynamic travel. The world’s highest water fall, Angels Falls, cascades over 3,200 feet in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park. The Amazon River, which winds across the north through Brazil, is the largest river in the world by volume while the Amazon Rainforest is the largest existing rainforest. Travel along the Andes, the world’s longest mountain range but make sure not to lose your way in Chile or you might end up in the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert. Catch your breath at 3,600 meters while visiting the highest capital city of La Paz, Bolivia. Then, gather your arctic gear and head south to Ushuaia in Argentina, which is – you guessed it – the world’s southernmost city! Along the way, stop by the steppes of Patagonia, which happens to be the cleanest place on earth aside from Antarctica. South America is also home to the stunning diversity of Darwin’s Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) and the most remote island on earth, Easter Island (Chile) with its mysterious stone head sculptures and an inexplicably large population of Pacific Islanders.

South America also offers the comforts and luxuries of modern metropolitan life in any of the countries you choose to explore. Pick up the pace in Brazil’s bustling Rio de Janeiro or immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan chic of Buenos Aires, Argentina, while still gaining an appreciation for the past in these remarkable historic cities. From big city life and resort towns to tropical rainforests and mountain peaks, there is no better place to embark on your world travels than South America, a true melting pot of culture, history and geographic phenomena.

The Mighty Amazon & River Dolphins -Wild South America – BBC

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:48:07 +0000

The Sky is the Limit

When it comes to breaking records, South America is the place to see. The massive north-south continent is spread through nearly every climate zone imaginable, which makes for very dynamic travel. The world’s highest water fall, Angels Falls, cascades over 3,200 feet in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park. The Amazon River, which winds across the north through Brazil, is the largest river in the world by volume while the Amazon Rainforest is the largest existing rainforest. Travel along the Andes, the world’s longest mountain range but make sure not to lose your way in Chile or you might end up in the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert. Catch your breath at 3,600 meters while visiting the highest capital city of La Paz, Bolivia. Then, gather your arctic gear and head south to Ushuaia in Argentina, which is – you guessed it – the world’s southernmost city! Along the way, stop by the steppes of Patagonia, which happens to be the cleanest place on earth aside from Antarctica. South America is also home to the stunning diversity of Darwin’s Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) and the most remote island on earth, Easter Island (Chile) with its mysterious stone head sculptures and an inexplicably large population of Pacific Islanders.

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SOuth America?
This question is kind of out there but can anyone give me a link to a realestate in some country/ies in South America? (preferably Mexico or Columbia)