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Easter Island 5 Day Itinerary: Things to Do and See
Few places in the world can rival Easter Island when it comes to capturing the imagination of travelers. Known locally as Rapa Nui, this small speck of land—sitting smack in the middle of the wild Pacific—is like no other places on Earth. The island’s wild beauty and mysterious history have inspired dreamers, enthralled travelers and baffled historians. Easter Island is Polynesia at its best—still untouched by the masses, still untarnished by overdevelopment and still clinging to a slow-paced lifestyle that runs on island time. Forget cruise ships, mass tourism and…
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Valparaiso Day Trip from Santiago
Valparaiso weaves a colorful web of character and charm. Known lovingly as Valpo, the artsy Chilean city sprawls across a series of hills that overlook the sea. The city is an assault to the senses. It is an artist’s dream; a photographer’s playground. Colors burst from every inch of Valparaiso’s real estate. Art seeps into its every pore. Perhaps Pablo Neruda, who was inspired by this hard-working city, said it best: ‘Valparaiso, how absurd you are…what a lunatic crazy port…you haven’t combed your hair, you’ve never had time to get…
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Visiting Iguazu Falls: Brazil and Argentina
Iguazu Falls is one of the planet’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Situated in the heart of a verdant rainforest and featuring hundreds of cascades, the falls are global treasure and one of the top places to visit in South America. Visiting Iguazu Falls is a jaw-dropping visceral experience. It is a sensory overload—engaging, in equal measure, all five of the senses. I traveled to Iguazu Falls as part of a backpacking trip to Patagonia and Buenos Aires. Visiting Iguazu Falls was never part of the original plan. I had originally hoped…
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Buenos Aires: The Paris of South America
With its wide, tree-lined avenues, art nouveau architecture, cobblestone streets and sidewalk cafes, it is no wonder that Buenos Aires is often regarded as the Paris of South America. Buenos Aires has long been a tourist favorite, enticing visitors from around the world with its fascinating neighborhoods, vibrant atmosphere and party-till-you drop nightlife. Like Sao Paulo, however, I found Buenos Aires to be a bit hard on the exterior. At first, I had a difficult time looking past the city’s dirty streets and rundown buildings. It was only after roaming the tree-lined boulevards and soaking up its energy and…
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Spectacular Day Hikes in El Chalten, Patagonia
Situated in the stunning northern reaches of Patagonia’s Los Glaciares National park and tucked under the shadow of Mount Fitz Roy, sits the tiny mountain town of El Chalten. The area around El Chalten encapsulates everything that travelers love about Patagonia. It is home to hanging glaciers, sculpted mountains, and crystalline lakes. One would be hard pressed to find a town with a more picturesque setting. During Patagonia’s summer, El Chalten bursts with backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts who flock to the area for the abundant hiking and climbing opportunities that lie…
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Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek
The Perito Moreno Glacier is a dazzling blue and white expanse of pure awesomeness. It is one of Earth’s most dynamic and accessible ice fields and a highlight of traveling in Patagonia. The glacier is huge —30km long, 5km wide, and 60 meters tall—and growing every day. With colossal chunks of ice that break off its face and plunge into the turquoise waters below, Perito Moreno provides an immersive experience that is both visual and auditory. The glacier is a masterpiece of nature. A a stunning example of earth’s forces…
