The Peninsula Valdes is one of Argentina’s hidden gems – a natural paradise that’s off the beaten track for many travelers, but a perfect destination for those interested in wildlife, nature photography and adventure. It’s also a great place for a family trip with younger children. Located on the Atlantic Coast, the peninsula is an important nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 3,625 sq. km peninsula is home to sea lions, the largest continental elephant seal colonies in the world, Magellan penguins, various seabirds and terrestrial animals, and is an important site for mating and calving southern right whales and orcas.

I had the chance to visit the peninsula in November 2009, one of the best months for top wildlife encounters – an enormous whale mama and her baby, colonies of charming penguins, a nandu (less rhea) dad with his flock of chicks, and got up close and personal with a wide-eyed curious baby elephant seal. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, to say the least!

The peninsula is reached by a flight to Trelew, in the province of Chubut. There is then a 2 1/2 hour drive to reach the peninsula. The largest town on the peninsula is a the tiny hamlet of Puerto Piramides, which is also the launching place for boat rides to spot whales. However, the best accommodations, the ones that let you sample a luxurious version of ranchers’ traditional lifestyles combined with access to some of the most breathtaking sites, are outside town and deep in the peninsula’s arid grasslands.

My favorite is Estancia Rincon Chico, an owner-operated property near the coast, which continues to operate as a traditional sheep ranch. A charming guest house has rustic, elegant rooms and a cozy living room where guests can relax by the fire with an Argentine vintage. A collection of treasures found while beach-combing is displayed in the entryway, and books and magazines in the living room are perfect evening reading material. Within the estancia property there is access to several private beaches for elephant-seal expeditions. In fact, the owners have been involved in preservation efforts and scientific studies of these enormous creatures for the past 15 years, and both are locals. Watching the big bull seals fight, and seeing the sweet faces of the babies at short range makes for an exciting day.

An ideal stay at Rincon Chico is 2-3 nights, with visits around the property, and a day of whale-watching from Puerto Piramides.

Or, combine Rincon Chico with El Pedral, with two nights at each property. El Pedral is another favorite, located at Punta Ninfas (not on the peninsula). El Pedral is an early 20th century Norman-style house that was shipped piece by piece to Argentina from France in the 1920s. Lovely gardens surround the house, and there are views to the ocean. The estancia has activities like ATV rides along the beach (where you can beachcomb to your heart’s delight), horseback riding, bike riding, and hikes along the beach. They have a boat for whale-watching, and there is a small but growing penguin colony at one end of the beach.

Contact us for information on these properties and others, as well as visits to the Punta Tombo penguin colony, tea houses in Gaiman and the paleontology museum in Trelew – all fantastic activities for all ages. The best season for visiting this area is September-December.

Tags: atlantic, Chubut, coast, penguins, UNESCO

After the huge 8.8 earthquake this past Saturday, February 27, we’d like to provide an update to those already traveling to Chile, or thinking about future Chile travel plans.

The main damage occurred near Concepcion in the Bio Bio Region (515 km south of Santiago), and in coastal regions where buildings are often wooden and more vulnerable.

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Tags: earthquake, travel

Torres del Paine National Park is perhaps one of Chile’s most stunning national parks, and a must-see for any traveler to Chile. Located at the southernmost tip of one of the world’s longest countries, Torres del Paine is a paradise for outdoor lovers, hikers and photographers.

I was in Torres del Paine in December 2009 to explore some luxury properties within the park, experience the beautiful vistas and hike some of the legendary trails. It was, quite simply, the trip of a lifetime.

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Tags: arenas, natales, national, park, Patagonia, punta, purto

Panama’s coastal beaches and tropical rainforests make it a perfect destination for nature lovers looking to combine adventure with relaxation. Less touristy than its central American  neighbors, Panama provides a more off the beaten track experience, alluring visitors with the gems of its Caribbean and Pacific coastlines.

Latin Excursions Best Beaches trip begins with one night in Panama city before your flight to San Blas islands-a pristine paradise of sandy beaches with a backdrop of lush rainforests.

You will learn about the local customs and traditions of the Kuna community which inhabit the islands and have plenty of time for water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling. Your home for this part of the trip is a private thatched bungalow perched above the turquoise water.

After a few days soaking in the sun in San Blas Caribbean paradise, you’ll make your way to the Pacific Islands of Boca Brava Island. Boca Brava’s 3,000 hectares of hiking trails, wilderness, and sandy beaches make it a top destination for wildlife viewing. Monkeys, sea turtles and over 280 types of bird species are just a few of the creatures that inhabiting this region.  Your home away from home in San Blas is a private bungalow with spectacular view of the ocean coastline. Surfing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, hiking, and beach tours are just some of the many ways to spend your days.

Tags: Boca Brava, Panama, San Blas

Argentina and Chile are the undeniable heavy weights for producing South America’s finest wines. Latin Excursions new Argentine and Chile wine tours-designed for the true wine enthusiast-allows travelers to sample the best vineyards and up-and-coming wineries of both sides of the Andes border. For red wine lovers, Chile produces a hearty and complex Cab that will give Napa Valley a run for their money and for white wine lovers a crisp and fruity  Chardonnay pairs nicely with Chile’s tasty seafood  dishes.

Argentina is renowned for their huge spicy Malbecs that pair perfectly with some of the world´s best steak and a less known floral wine- Torrentes is another standout.

The itinerary begins with a few days in Argentina’s tango capital exploring the many colorful neighborhoods this cosmopolitan city has to offer.  After a few days of tasting the cultural and historical delights, you’ll head to Mendoza for wine tasting and fine dining that would make Dionysus proud. The itinerary visits both smaller, family-ran vineyards and larger, elaborate wineries with time for learning about the Argentina wine production, picnics in the rolling vineyards, bike rides, and leisurely lunches at top restaurants.

You’ll cross the Andean border with breathtaking landscapes of the massive Andes before landing in Chile. During the Chile visit, explore two valleys-Maipu and Colchagua Valley staying at picturesque wine lodges and personalized guide with numerous wineries. The tour ends with some time visiting Santiago’s highlights for more insight in the countries divided past.

For those with more time to spare, a visit to Chile’s coastal sandy beaches and cultural port city of Valparaiso is a must! All of our tours are customized for your specific enjoyment. So tell us how you would like to adjust to fit exactly what you want.

Tags: Argentina, Chile, Colchagua, Maipu, Malbec, vineyards, wine, wineries

More like a journey, our Colonial Mexico Tours take you on a cultural adventure through the colonial central region of the country, visiting the cities of Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Morelia and Mexico City . The trip begins with a visit to picturesque Guanajuato -a Unesco World Heritage Site – created from a labrynth of winding alleyways, small plazas and impressive Spanish architecture. The Mummy museum, home to over 100 mummies from different ancient cultures is just one of the many attractions this intriguing colonial city offers.

Guadalajaraalso known as the city of the roses, famed for its colorful mariachi music, tequila and rich traditional heritage is our next destination filled with monuments of historical significance. Followed by the peaceful colonial city of Morelia, with its wide boulevards and elegant plazas is also the home of the monarch butterfly migration each year from October to March. After a few days relaxing, shopping and touring around Morelia, the tour ends in bustling Mexico City.

Your visit wouldn’t be complete without a day exploring the gems of Mexico city. The National Anthropology museum is a must see with 12 exhibit halls showcasing the numerous indigenous culture artifacts. Other highlights are the Templo Mayor where the Aztec ruins were unearthed, The Palace of Fine Arts, and charming neighborhood and parks.

Our expert guides will personalize the tour to your interests to ensure a special experience exploring Mexico’s exciting capital city. Contact us today for more information.

Tags: colonial, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Mexico, Mexico City, Morelia