Peaks of Patagonia & Chilean Vineyards

Dramatic landscapes provided us a continual Kodak moment throughout. It is late spring in the region and the weather was cooperative with a lot of sunshine. This however is a land where the unexpected is the norm, so we came prepared for occasional wind and rain.

After a rest at the lovely Hotel Neruda and a city tour in Santiago, we flew south to Punta Arenas. There we transferred 2 hours by coach to Puerto Natales at the Patagonia steppe. We welcomed an overnight at the spartan but cozy Charles Darwin Hotel and a fabulous dinner of king crab and fresh salmon.

The following day we sailed several hours on the cutter vessel “21 de Mayo” up the fjord of Ultima Esperanza. We stopped for a hike around the fabulous Serano Glacier and a lunch on lamb at a remote cattle ranch. Later we boarded zodiac boats for a thrilling ride to our lodge located inside Torres del Paine National Park. Hosteria Pehoe is rustic for a rate of $200 per room but it lies on the edge of a turquoise glacial lake with an indescribably beautiful view. The backdrop of the spiny tall rugged mountains capped with ice was as vivid as a postcard.

Three days were spent touring the park. We were able to photograph the wildlife including guanaco’s of the llama family, foxes, flamingo, sea lions, black neck swans, condors, cormorants and more. Several in our group arranged a nocturnal hike to view the elusive puma but none were spotted. Free time was provided for horse riding and boating to magnificent Grey Glacier which was a delight. Some people opted for an arduous 8 hour hike up the famous towering peaks known as The Torres.

We flew on to Puerto Montt and checked into the first class Hotel Gran Pacifica for four glorious nights to explore Chile’s lake region. It began in Puyehue National Park with the backdrop of two spectacular and very active volcanos named Osorno and Calbuco. The afternoon was spent at the hot springs area of Aguas Calientes for a soak in the 110º crystal clear water. Here we participated in an optional canopy cable swing adventure through the treetops which was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Enroute back to our hotel, we visited a handicraft market with excellent buys on alpaca sweaters and blue lapis stoned jewelry.

The next day we rafted the powerful Petrohue River on class 3 and 4 white water rapids. Four people fell out of an overturned raft but wet suites provided protection from the frigid water and expert guides in kayaks were able to quickly retrieve all. This excursion for me was the highlight of the trip.

On day 8 we enjoyed a catamaran cruise along the shores of All Saints Lake also named Emerald Lake for it’s vibrant color in Peulla. The lush green forest here is set in the Andes foothills and covers 220,000 acres. We photographed a succession of beautiful and powerful waterfalls cascading over volcanic boulders of the ice capped Osorno.

Our vacation experience culminated back in Santiago with a farewell feast of seafood at a deluxe local restaurant. Prior to airport departure, we toured the Cavas del Maipo Winery. We enjoyed a lunch of fantastic BBQ steak and imbibed on endless wine, including several vintages which rank among the nations most esteemed exports.

Ten days was sufficient here to see an eyeful. I’ve had my fill of salmon and lamb for a lifetime and reflect back on a journey well done. We had a wonderful group of 35 participants, most who met as strangers and returned as lifelong friends. The cost of this trip was $2397 plus taxes which included roundtrip air from Miami and all internal flights. The $100 Chilean entry visa was extra. It was a good value and the guides throughout were excellent.

I have toured over 30 countries. The beauty here lies simply in the remoteness; pristine and unscarred nature in her finest glory. In Patagonia God created a perfect juxtaposition of New Zealand’s fjords, Switzerland’s Alps and British Columbia’s forests and lakes. Chile is a misnomer with no connection to peppers. It was the Incan word for “land far away.” I felt far removed in this narrow land that stretches to the end of the world yet was able to experience all the comforts of home. It certainly exceeded my expectations and I recommend it for any intrepid travelers list of must-see destinations of a lifetime.

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Tips For a Fabulous Single Holiday

Who says singles holidays cannot be exciting and fun?! In reality, it is a great opportunity to meet new people, make life long friends and establish relationships. A lot of people continue to believe that going on holiday alone is boring. On the other hand, it could actually be an advantage on your part. You just have to learn how to survive it.

Here are my top tips for the singleton planning their perfect single holiday.

1. Create the right environment when booking your holiday

If you are feeling exhausted or rushing through a last minute booking, you will not be clearly considering your criteria for the perfect holiday. Booking, whether online or in the travel agent invariably takes longer than you think so give yourself plenty of time and don't be hasty in picking the first holiday that presents itself

2. Be clear about the kind of holiday you want

It sounds logical, but the more clear and specific you are about your requirements, the more likely you will get what you want. Wanting a 5* resort in the sunshine just isn't specific enough so make a list of what's important to you. Do you want a quiet location, a family resort of somewhere buzzing with nightlife? A self-catering apartment or an all-in luxury hotel? Do you want plenty of facilities in walking distance or is there plenty of local transport?

3. Use a holiday company that others have recommended

Word of mouth is always the best recommendation if you have not previously used a travel company yourself. Listen to your friends' and work colleagues' experiences, especially those who have similar needs and criteria to your own.

4. Have a backup plan

Some things, like the weather, are out of your control. Have some back ups, a good book and your MP3 player in case there is no sunshine to laze around in. Check out a travel book or two before you leave home so you have an idea of alternative activities and places of interest. If it's not a great sun-bathing day, rent a car and do some sight seeing, places you have already researched and marked out on a map.

5. Ensure your Personal Security

Though there is no reason to believe you will fall prey to weirdos or muggers, as a single person travelling alone you are a little more vulnerable than other people. Choose an area that is noted for its safety or a hotel that is well-populated or popular with other solo travelers. Keep your cell phone charged up and let the hotel know if you are exploring on your own and what time you expect to be back.

On the contrary, being alone would simply mean that you can freely look for someone who can spend the holiday with you. Here are effective guidelines that you can follow.

1. Going with a group is a good idea so that you will not really feel alone. However, you have to check out on some things before doing so. Know the size of the group as well as the age of the participants. Some people are more comfortable with a smaller group and similar age ranges. If you have the same stand about group singles holidays, it is best to find out the information in advance.

2. Do not fail to do a research about different holiday destinations. You should know where it would be best to spend your vacation. Beaches, bars, hotels and restaurants - you should know the place where you would definitely have a great time.

3. If you want to go with someone, you can look for a friend who is also spending the holidays alone so that you can go together.

4. Eating is indispensable when you spend your vacation. You have to carefully choose where to eat. Avoid romantic restaurants that would remind you about being alone. It would be better to choose busy diners where there are also other people eating alone so that you will not feel left out. It will not be helpful if you sit alone and let yourself fell miserable all the time.

5. Being alone may be a bit dangerous. You should always ask the hotel or resort where you are staying if there are places that you should not visit alone so that you can avoid accidents. Better be safe than sorry.

6. There are so many things that you can do alone. While traveling, you can read a good book so that you will never fell bored. Aside from that, you can also listen to music. You just have to avoid listening to love songs. It would be better if you listen to songs with fast beats. If you will do these things, you will never feel uncomfortable being by yourself.

7. There may be things that could go out of your control during your trip. It is important to have a mobile phone where you have the hotel phone number, hospital, local police and even taxi companies so that you can move freely within the city without any fear of threat to your protection and security.

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The Balmy Bahamas

Made up of over 700 small islands and cays, the Bahamas are a great Caribbean island destination spot for travelers. These islands are located east of Florida in the United States and North of the country of Cuba and make up their own English-speaking country. Tourists from around the world love to visit the Bahamas, and it is a popular travel spot for honeymoons and weddings.

The Bahamas are one of the most prosperous countries in the world because of their success with tourism and with financial institutions. Recently, urban renewal programs have been launched to keep the island safe and high-end for travelers. The country as the third highest per capita income in the West and is the most successful country in the Caribbean. The climate in the Bahamas is beautiful and comparable to the Florida climate enjoyed in cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Although the islands are highly susceptible to hurricanes, they usually have a very tropical and pleasant weather, influences heavily by the waters of the Gulf Stream.

If you are traveling to the Bahamas from the United States, the closest island is Bimini, known as the gateway to Bahamas. Here, they cater to tourists. Andros Island, which is to the south of Bimini, is the largest island in this chain, and the largest city on the island is the capital, Nassau, which is located on the island of New Providence. Other larger islands in this chain include Eleuthera, Cat Island, San Salvador, Crooked Island, Exuma, Acklins, and Long Island.

A number of great festivals take place in the Bahamas, so you can enjoy things like the Crab Fest on the island of Andros and the Puneapple Fest on the island of Eleuthera. This is also the birthplace of the rhythmic musical genera junkanoo, which is played heavily at festivals. Rake and scrape, calypso, and hymnals are also important in these islands.

If you decide to travel to the Bahamas to visit one or more of the great islands, you will have a variety of activities from which to choose. There are water sports like sailing and jet skiing to help fill your days, or you can relax on the beautiful sandy beaches near the clear ocean water. A variety of tourist attractions and tours can also be a part of your Bahamas vacation. Be sure that you book your trip well in advance to get the best prices and to be sure you have the chance to do everything you want to do while traveling in this Caribbean paradise.

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10 Must-Dos When In Bruges

A timeless spectacle, Bruges is a charming city full of medieval flavor. Its architectural treasures lure the eye, revealing a city of rich history. Serene canals and tight cobbled streets seize your imagination, enticing you to explore more and more.

1. Markt Square
Watch the world go by in one of the Markt Square’s multitude of cafes and restaurants. A vibrant open area, relax with a coffee as the rat race scuttles around you.

2. Basilica of the Holy Blood
Upon homecoming from the Crusades, the count of Flanders returned with what was believed to be the blood of Christ. Unopened to this day, the relic remains in this 12th century chapel.

3. Groeningen Museum
Bruges is blessed with many fine art museums, in particular the Groeningen, with Belgian and Dutch paintings including the works of Jan Van Eyck and Hieronymous Bosch.

4. Church of Our Lady
Believed to be the only sculpture to have left Italy in his lifetime, Michelangelo’s Madonna is a beautiful marble figure brought to Bruges in 1506 and housed ever since in the Church of Our Lady.

5. Memling Museum
Originally built as a medieval hospital, the Memling Museum offers a fascinating insight into Bruges ancient history. Today, the museum is part of the St John’s Hospital complex.

6. Zand Feasts
July, August and September are host to these ever popular flea markets. Crowds flock to inspect the arts, crafts and souvenirs on offer at the lively bazaars.

7. The Belfry
One of the great landmarks of the city, the 83 meter high Belfry tower dominates the main city square. Dating back to 1240, the original tower was destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt. Climb the 366 steps for a magnificent view of the city.

8. The Canals
Sometimes referred to as ‘The Venice of the North’, Bruges is a myriad of canal networks. Originally an important trade route, nowadays the canals are used solely for tourism and are a great way of seeing the town from a different perspective.

9. The Minnewater
Known locally as ‘The Lake of Love’, this enchanting lake stands at the entrance to the city. Elegant swans adorn the lake which affords commanding panoramic views across the city. During the summer, pop concerts play in the adjacent park, luring the crowds from near and afar.

10. The Beguinage
If the busy and overcrowded city centre streets become too much, tranquility can be yours in the garden of the Beguinage, a monastery for the Benedictine sisters who still live there today.

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