Mar 6, 2012

(MIAMI, FL, March 2012) – LAN Airlines, South America’s premier carrier, and its affiliates invite passengers to celebrate the arrival of springtime by booking a trip to South America. Savvy travelers can get a head start on planning a summer getaway this year by taking advantage of LAN Airlines and its affiliates’ low fares on travel taking place from

Dec 4, 2011

 (MIAMI, November 28, 2011) – LAN Airlines, South America´s premier air carrier, and its affiliates announce the biggest deal of the year! Passengers looking to travel to South America next year can book now through December 12, 2011 and enjoy savings on trips to Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.   “LAN is making a big

Oct 11, 2011

(Anaheim, October 2011) – With family travel in high demand, Trafalgar has introduced four exciting new itineraries in the 2012 Family Experiences brochure. Now adding up to 18 itineraries, the Family Experiences guided vacations are activity-packed and designed specifically to meet family travel needs.   The four new itineraries invite guests to explore

Sep 2, 2011

Brendan Vacations, the Ireland Specialist, is also a leader in providing unique and memorable guided vacations to Latin America. Brendan is now pleased to announce their 2012-13 South & Central America 2012-13 Brochure highlighting the region’s vibrant culture and vast natural and historical treasures. Brendan knows it’s all about you, the

Aug 17, 2011

I had the good fortune to be in Cusco, Peru, for much of June with a group. The itinerary featured being in the city for Inti Raymi, the Return of the Sun. Marking the winter solstice, this is one of the biggest ceremonies in South America, held every June 24 in Cusco and not to be missed, according to the guidebook. This Inca ceremony was suppressed in 1572

Aug 15, 2011

(LIMA, PERU) – Given the situation of tourists unable to access Machu Picchu due to limited capacity, Rocio Merino, Director of Tourism Promotion of PromPerú, has stated: 1.     The Master Plan of the archaeological park of Machu Picchu, which was elaborated by the ministries of Environment and Culture established in 2005 that no more than 2,500

Dec 17, 2010

After four hours on a boat from Puno, its single engine huffed and puffed along the still waters of Titicaca, we arrived on Amantai, largest freshwater lake in South America. “Hola! Hola!” The locals were already waiting; arms waving, dressed in their cleanest traditional clothing, skirts and shirts and thick black woolly head dress, embroidered with

Jun 5, 2010

No longer is Machu Picchu a mere half-day train/bus journey from Cusco. (Note the Peruvian spelling, with an “s”, not a “z”.) The devastating flood in late January took out large sections of train track, stranding not only thousands of frightened tourists, but dozens of rail cars as well. There are still options available for travel to Machu Picchu,

On my last day in South America, I wake up to the calm sound of rain falling atop the metal roof.  Two days before I was tanning on a cushioned lounge chair along the water of Mancora Beach, Peru my mind dizzied, almost drunk, on sun and relaxation. But now I am in Quito, Ecuador on a rainy morning and my mind is dizzying from the prospect of leaving this great

The plan was to leave Lima early and spend the better part of the week soaking up sun on the sandy beaches of Mancora. The rumor is Mancora is a warm surfer´s paradise, and after spending most of the past five weeks in freezing temperatures I felt that I deserved a little sun. But as it goes with the best plans, when I got to the bus station I found that I had

Thursday- I find myself in an honest to goodness desert oasis. Huacachina is a tiny village that surrounds an even tinier lagoon in the middle of grand desert dunes. I sit at the edge of the lagoon under a palm tree and watch Peruvian children sled down the sands and bounce around in the mud colored water. The travel books call this destination one of the gringo

Tuesday – I eat my last Cuzco meal in the markets of San Pedro. The nourishing lentils and rice warms my belly and remind me of home, Peruvian comfort food. I stroll along cobble stone streets one last time to take it all in, stopping in the Plaza de Armas to watch a street mine take a break to sit close and chat with his girl. I make a lazy sketch of the

Monday – Sitting on top of a pile of carefully placed stones creating the edge of a terrace for ancient crops, my feet dangling over the edge of a gorge, my eyes keen on the sky that is continually brightening in a misty dawn. It´s about 6AM Monday morning in the ruins of Machu Picchu and the clouds are wrapping around the peaks of the Andes and

Upon arriving in Cuzco, Peru I was immediately astounded by the beautiful Colonial architecture (built on top of Incan structures), grand churches, quaint cobble stoned roads, and quiet plazas decorated with trees and fountains. I was quickly put at ease by the countless restaurants serving anything from Italian to Thai (and of course quintessential Peruvian

Lake Titicaca was known to the Incas as a sacred lake. Over the last few days, I have been able to visit islands on both the Bolivian and Peruvian sides, and walking the stoney paths, looking out to the ruins, marveling over the breathtaking views, it is easy to find the sanctity of the place. This lake inspires a holiness with the land, and even now at a