Articles in the 'South America' Category

A Path Less Trodden: Uruguay

Uruguay is a little-known country that rarely hits the headlines and has somehow managed to keep its delights under wraps. A quick poll in the non-Latin American sections of our office came up with Fray Bentos corned beef and the footballer Diego Forlán as its most famous exports, neither of which are really reason to visit. However, there is much more to this tiny South American country.

South America

This special feature aims to shine a spotlight on South America as we launch our brand new brochure for the continent.

Digital Dispatches

For Latin America specialist Sarah Powell it is often the little things that produce fascinating photo results. Here, she picks out three of her favourite images from her travels around South and Central America.

Costa Rica

In 2009 Costa Rica topped the Happy Planet index, reporting the highest life satisfaction in the world, and, once you’ve visited this beautiful and diverse land, it’s easy to understand why.

Work, Rest and Play

One of the most rewarding aspects of travelling is meeting local people and really getting to know their culture and lifestyle. At Audley, we aim to help you do just that, and have a number of properties around the world where it’s possible to get involved, work alongside the locals and really get a feel for a place. Here are some of our favourites.

A Path Less Trodden: Bolivia

all over the world and, we will admit, sometimes concentrate a little too much on the more ‘A-list’ destinations. With this in mind, we thought that a regular feature on off the beaten track destinations would be of interest to the more intrepid Audley traveller. Sarah Powell starts this series with a look at Bolivia.

Travellers’ Tales

We’re always interested to hear about your travels, from the epic trips to Everest, great moments captured on camera to the smaller things that help make a enjoyable trip, such as a great restaurant, good book or a piece of travel advice.

Travel Briefing: Brazil

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and one of the most diverse, with a huge array of landscapes, people and culture. Although famous for the Amazon, its beaches, football and samba, there is in fact a great deal more to the country. Cities such as Rio, Salvador and Brasilia boast striking architecture, the Pantanal has some of the best wildlife spotting opportunities in Latin America and there are endless walking options in some of its less well known national parks.

Peruvian Peaks

Phil Chanel recounts his most recent trek in Peru and draws some very different experiences to his previous walking trips in the country.

Life in the Desert

Located in the north of Chile, the Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth. The largest town in this region is San Pedro de Atacama, full of colonial Spanish charm and also a perfect base from which to explore the surrounding volcanoes, geysers, salt flats, moon-like valleys and remote villages. This array of attractions has made it one of our clients’ favourite destinations. Here, our Chile specialists break down the attractions and share a few of their own personal highlights from their travels to the region.

The Ultimate

For humans travel is a passion or an enjoyable break from daily life but for some species it’s a necessity and one that take’s them considerable distances in search of food or as a means of escaping predators. Here we look at some of the most spectacular migrations that can be witnessed around the world.

Condors and Quetzals

Our Latin America specialists pick out their birding highlights of the region.

Life in the Polar Food Chain

Boarding a boat for a cruise in the polar regions is the start of an incredible journey, and one that will most definitely have wildlife encounters of the most unbelievable kind. Over the next four pages we have had a look at the animals you will definitely or hopefully see, and how they fit into the polar food chains. Deciding to write this piece was a challenge and something of a break from the usual format of articles, and we also couldn’t resist sharing some of our personal polar wildlife moments, including ones where we ourselves could have become part of the food chain (so we would have ourselves believe)…

Polar Expedition Cruising

I do not believe it is an overstatement to describe a visit to a polar region as a trip of a lifetime. And I believe that if you visit one end of the earth you will feel an inexorable pull to visit the other. Well, that is what I, a couple of my colleagues, and many of our clients have discovered over the last few years, and this has led to the development of our dedicated team of Polar cruising specialists.

The easiest way to visit a polar region is on a cruise, in our summer time to the Arctic and in our winter time to Antarctica, but these cruises are unlike any other. They are journeys of generally between 7 and 21 days on boats specially designed for navigating these waters.

If you are unsure which to visit first, then I would say where better to start than with a simple question: polar bears or penguins?

Travel Icon: Statue of Christ the Redeemer

A symbol of Brazil’s strong Catholic faith, the arms of ‘O Redentor’, Christ the Redeemer, embrace the city of Rio de Janeiro,  its beaches, forested hills, homes, hotels and all those in it. On July 7th 2007, the concrete and soapstone statue was voted one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ and it is undeniably deserving of its prestige as a local, national and international icon.

Buenos Aires: An Insider’s Guide

Buenos Aires is often high on the list of the best cities in the world to visit, but to truly appreciate all it has to offer, insider advice from the locals is imperative. We therefore asked one of our top guides, Maria, to share a few of her favourite places to visit, eat, drink and tango!

What a Performance

Audley’s specialists pick out some of their favourite music, dance and drama performances from around the world.

A Natural Selection

Audley’s Mark Garrett answers some common questions about travelling to the Galapagos Islands.

Perfect Peru

Peru’s prices keep rising, but it’s still possible to explore this rewarding destination without breaking the bank. Our Regional Manager for Peru, Mark Garrett, discusses good value options for discovering this wonderful country.

Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in rural life on a working farm or ranch. From tea plantations in Africa to the fertile floodplains of Brazil’s  greatest wetlands, friendly family-run properties introduce frontier life as it interacts with nature. Our specialists reveal their favourites.

The Sky at Night

There are some immensely clear and gloriously spectacular night skies across the world, many that must be seen to be believed. Here, our specialists choose their favourites.

Patagonia - at Any Price

Patagonia has something of a reputation as an expensive destination. Jonathan Goldsmith reviews the reasons for exploring
Latin America’s greatest wilderness region and says a careful choice of accommodation can keep costs under control.

Patagonia at Any Price

Patagonia has something of a reputation as an expensive destination. Jonathan Goldsmith reviews the reasons for exploring Latin America’s greatest wilderness region and says a careful choice of accommodation can keep costs under control.

Amazon Takes Wing

Peru and Ecuador might not control the largest part of the Amazon rainforest. But the western Amazon has been showing the way in conserving the natural environment and indigenous communities.

Why Paraguay?

Malachy O’Neill gets off the beaten track in the heart of Latin America.

The end of the world

Craig Burkinshaw, Audley’s Managing Director, recounts his recent travels to the southernmost parts of South America.

Oh to be in Bahia

Paula Kirby discovers a Brazil of empty beaches, sleepy islands and stimulating streetlife.

The Connoisseur’s Choice

Whether you’re a serious wine buff, teetotal, or simply enjoy the odd tipple, winegrowing regions are always fascinating places to visit.

Country Briefing: Colombia

City chic and coffee plantations with Anthony Lynch.

In Search of my King

Jonathan Goldsmith encounters the special wildlife of the Falkland Islands

Wetlands Magic

Many people automatically think of the Amazon as the place to view wildlife in South America. If you are a wildlife fan then the wetlands of South America are without doubt the most rewarding to visit and there’s no better place that Los Llanos in Venezuela.

The Galapagos Question

We consider the issues surrounding travel to the Galapagos with Graham Watkins of the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Buenos Aires, Latin America’s Favourite City

Malachy O’Neill considers the best of the new boutique hotels within this vibrant metropolis.

Another Brazil

Brazil specialists Anthony Lynch and Oliver Lever take on the enviable task of discovering some of Brazil’s lesser known beach destinations.

Showing the Way

An interview with one of our favourite guides. Juan has taken many Audley clients around Cuzco and Machu Picchu in Peru.

A Year in the Life of the Galapagos

Our specialists take a month-by-month look at the wildlife experiences on offer in the Galapagos Islands.

Gauging Enthusiasm

Mike Foreman, a rail enthusiast, recounts his experiences of Peruvian train travel.

Drive Chile

Nick Giles discovers the best of Chile by driving north to south.

Country Briefing: Venezuela

Learn more about this land of incredible natural beauty and contrasts.

Guinea Pig to Go

South America may not be known for its cuisine, but that is not to say that a trip there is without interesting food.

A Corner of Argentina

Exploring the Peninsula Valdés in Argentina.

South America Covered

From the sapphire waters of Lake Titicaca to the surreal salt flats of southwest Bolivia.

The Path to Machu Picchu

Taking the high road to this must see city.

On the Hoof

A journey through Argentina, South America’s wild west.

Galapagos Diary

A colourful cruise around this famous archipelago.

Postcard from the Falkland Islands

Stunning landscapes and wonderful wildlife in Britain’s furthest-flung territory.

A Corner of Brazil

The towns and beaches of north-eastern Brazil.

Amazon Creatures & Comforts

Carolyn Foreman explores the rainforest in style.

Travels in a Thin Country

Our Chile specialist recounts her trip to this diverse country.

Peru Perhaps

Rhian Williams recounts her recent trip to Peru.

Flying Down to Rio

It’s admittedly a long way to go for a weekend, but Carolyn Foreman highly recommends Rio de Janeiro as a short break destination.

Highlights of South America

Our specialists pick out the best bits of South America.

In the Galapagos

Carolyn Foreman gets up close and personal with the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands.