Traveling to Calgary, particularly Banff and Lake Louise, has always been a dream of mine. Anyone who’s ever seen photos of this destination understands exactly what I’m talking about.  The soaring Canadian Rocky Mountains with their steep slopes and jagged edges, the greens and blues of the lakes and rivers!  Please see below. Photo credit: Banff & Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka Photography   That said, the photos I share now may not have many vibrant blue or green shades.  Instead of visiting during the summer when the colors are most… Read More

While Chile in the past was known for it’s decent wines and value, a lot of things have changed drastically over the last few decades.  Chile is now known for some spectacular options, offering more complexity, flavors, and uniqueness with a focus on quality.  They are delicious and yet remain a really good value. We had the opportunity to visit one of the finest wineries in all of Chile, Viña Casas del Bosque.  It is located about 40 miles from Santiago, the Capital of Chile, in the heart of Casablanca Valley.  It was… Read More

After spending six magical days in Torres del Paine, we crossed over the border between Chile and Argentina, heading to El Calafate.  The border crossing was a little tedious.  There were very few people there, but the guards took a while checking all of the paperwork required to cross.  Thankfully we had a driver guide who took care of everything, and within 45 minutes we were on our way. The whole journey between Torres del Paine to El Calafate was around 5 hours total.  Once we reached our “home” (Xelena Suites) for… Read More

Patagonia Camp is a rustic, sustainable, eco-friendly camp dedicated to helping guests experience all that their beautiful surroundings have to offer.  While there are definitely more luxurious options in the area, Patagonia Camp is unique in many different ways.  For one, it is set on a lake and surrounded by beautiful forested land that you can hike through.  Granted, most lodges are set in spectacular settings, but Patagonia Camp is on its own, which makes for a more intimate overall experience. Secondly, your accommodations are not the typical hotel rooms we are… Read More

Elegant animals with slender necks and long, beautiful eye lashes, Guanacos are a relative of the camel and llama, but in my opinion, so much more graceful.  They travel in female herds with one dominant male and their babies, affectionately called “chulengos.”  If the baby is male, however, he is only allowed to stay with the herd for about a year before he is kicked out, and forced to make it on his own.  Many die, but the ones who survive are strong, and often form herds of their own. We often… Read More

Our first stop on our three week anniversary adventure was Santiago, Chile, one of the most developed cities in South America.  In addition to fighting its way into the spotlight, it is a culturally rich city full of energy and world class chefs creating new and delicious Chilean and Peruvian specialties.  That was a huge surprise to us. But as much as we love exceptional food, we fell in love with the hearts of the Chilean people even more.  It’s hard to describe the thoughtfulness and care we encountered wherever we went. … Read More

Welcome to Santiago and the luxurious Ritz Carlton.  This was our first stop and we stayed for four days.  The staff was excellent, always courteous, thoughtful, and helpful.  We loved the location of the hotel, as it was walking distance from great restaurants and shopping.  There was also public transportation (El Golf Metro) right outside, and taxis were plentiful, so the whole city was easily accessible. The lobby is charming, decorated in rich, warm traditional wood tones and a lovely marble floor. Adjacent to the lobby is a marvelous, sizable yet very… Read More

This beautiful resort is set high above the city of Ushuaia, with spectacular views of the city, the sea, and the surrounding snow capped mountains.  It does not have the most appealing outer appearance, but once you enter the front doors, everything is different – just gorgeous. While the Arakur is only fifteen minutes away from downtown where you can find excellent dining and activities, the resort’s panoramic setting is set apart from the hustle and bustle, instead offering quiet relaxation in a comfortable setting.  Think wood, stone, marble, leather, and comfy… Read More

“For our honeymoon, we’d love to go to Patagonia!”  These were the words my clients shared a few years ago that first sparked my interest in the region.  Even as a travel agent for more than ten years at the time, I had absolutely no knowledge of Patagonia.  No one had ever requested this destination before, so I knew I had my work cut out for me.  I was excited albeit a little nervous! As  I researched, planned, and created an itinerary for this special couple, I realized I had stumbled upon… Read More

The Hills are Alive, Maria, and Captain Von Trapp (aka Christopher Plummer – one of my favorite actors) are the first things that come to mind when I think of Salzburg.  Quickly following are Wolfgang Mozart and the delicious chocolate balls named after him, Mozart Kugel. But there is so much more to this charming city that will capture your heart.  Let’s take a stroll together… The Salzburg River and Mirabell Gardens, where the famous Do Re Mi scene from Sound of Music was filmed. How about some shopping?  We enjoyed strolling… Read More