You may be asking yourself, ‘what is a reality tour?’ And it’s a good question. Because this, what I am doing, beginning tomorrow, is Collette’s first foray into such a concept. And… I’m excited! As a travel writer, this is what I live for – blogging on tour while a fellow travel marketer documents our [...]
I have a little down-time at the airport. I’m glad to be on my way… even though I’m still in the United States. But this week at work, I have found myself daydreaming about my trip to South America, so it’s high time this journey began already! As a first time traveler to South America and [...]
I love my fancy phone… I can sit on the plane and still get on the internet. But I can’t say that in South America. I will blog when I’m connected while there, so wish me luck on that! I am now seated, belted and ready for take-off, and able to stretch my legs in [...]
I don’t envy the tour manager’s job. He or she handles so many behind-the-scenes details many of which entail a steady stream of communicating with step-on guides, restaurant managers, hotel reservations staff, and goodness knows who else. They seem to take pride in the fact that you will never again have to touch your overweight [...]
The rest of the morning was great today! With the briefing behind us, Debbie and I take our information-addled brains to a money exchange with Kevin and a few other passengers.
Armed with Chilean pesos, we are now ready for our afternoon city tour of Santiago, a city of 6 million inhabitants wedged between the Andes [...]
The park on top of Cerro San Cristóbal, the big mountain overlooking Santiago, was incredible.
Our group took the 10-minute tram ride to the top, where a few last steps (o.k., it was a workout and Debbie and I were the only takers) led up to the 72-foot statue of the Virgin Mary, who seems to [...]
Today is what our itinerary calls a day at leisure. What this means, essentially, is that you are on your own to explore. I can see where this is a good thing on an escorted tour. Everyone has different interests—some like to while away an afternoon at an outdoor café, some like to shop and [...]
Seriously! It’s a bit rough around the edges but a gem nonetheless. Valparaiso is built on two hills and its 264,000 residents could probably relate to Spider Man as they literally cling to the steep narrow streets punctuated by mural-lined alleyways, steps and the occasional iconic ascensores. Valparaiso has used these funiculars to transport people [...]
Today we will climb aboard Chile’s famous wine train, the Tren del Vino and Debbie and I are excited for our journey through the Colchagua Valley which is often compared to California’s Napa Valley.
Late yesterday on the way back to the hotel from Vina del Mar… (see video)
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Debbie and I board the vintage train and grab seats up in the front of the car which our group has been assigned. Burgundy velvet seats and wood paneling gives the 1913 train a nostalgic feel.
I must admit I’ve never been much of a train person …it brings me back to family vacations when my [...]
We depart the hotel this morning at 8 a.m. leaving behind great memories of our time in Santiago, Chile. Our destination is Mendoza, Argentina, the land of sun and wine. But first we must cross the mighty Andes Mountains by motor coach and survive impatience and ennui at the border crossing which Max has warned [...]
Our last stop before a late lunch at a road side restaurant frequented by locals was the remarkable bridge, Puente del Inca, a natural stone bridge believed to be used by the Incas to cross the Río de las Cuevas.
Ever helpful, Max, relays to our group that the bridge was once made of ice that [...]
It’s early in the morning but I wanted to get up and check out the fitness facility at the Hotel Huentala Boutique.We arrived here last night, the last leg of our Andes drive reminding me of America’s Grand Canyon National Park—colors seem to shift from reds and oranges to blues and grays. Cutting a ribbon [...]
Loved our morning city tour of Mendoza! We learned so much from our local guide, Diego, about the changes in Mendoza’s city streets since its founding in 1561 by the conquistador Pedro del Castillo. One of the most interesting things about Mendoza is that it is an artificial oasis. Everywhere giant sycamore trees line the [...]
Cómo está? How are you? Thanks, for checking back…
An afternoon at leisure was the perfect way to absorb the tranquility of Mendoza. Debbie, Kevin and I had lunch at an outdoor café and with our table situated on the outskirts we were in prime position to people watch. Our positioning, however, also made us the [...]
I will try my best to convey this evening but may have to rely on photo and video to help as it is quite late (remember what I said about things getting started late in South America?).
Debbie and I along with Kevin, Pat and Bob, Maggie, and Carolyn and Elizabeth from Texas –those from our [...]
Debbie and I are repeatedly asked, “Who decides and plans everything we are seeing and doing in South America?” Answer: Allison, Collette’s product manager for South America. The passengers are very intrigued by Allison’s job and we tell them about the product department and what the product manager’s job entails (as best we marketers know!). [...]
Outside Mendoza city, we wind and weave along Los Camino del Vino through vast dry valleys with the beautiful snow-capped Andes dominating the breathtaking views. Fabian tells us that melting snows and glaciers in the Andes Mountains runs into the Mendoza desert through extensive man-made irrigation systems. The question on my mind was how wine production [...]
While you could spend a month in Mendoza and not see everything, having three nights in Mendoza gave us a good taste of what this city and its beautiful surroundings offer. So this morning we bid a fond farewell to the ‘land of sol y vino’ and another new friend, Fabian, and we head to [...]
After arriving in Buenos Aires and checking into our room at the Panamericano Hotel & Resort, right on the famous Avenido 9 de Julio (9th of July Boulevard), it was a welcome respite to have the afternoon free before this evening’s home hosted dinner. Avenido 9 de Julio is the widest road in the world [...]
This evening we split up into two groups and travel by coach to the homes of two Buenos Aires families where we have been invited to dine this evening. Home hosted dinners are something Collette does in various cities and countries it visits as a way to culturally immerse its passengers in the destination. It [...]
Today started off on a healthy note. Our tour manager, Kevin, who has competed in a triathlon, has convinced me to run through the streets of Buenos Aires with him this morning. In my defense, I spin, hike, walk, do the elliptical trainer, lift weights occasionally …running, however, is not my thing. My chiropractor will [...]
Just back from the Porteños tour of the capital of Buenos Aires with our new local guide, Marcella, and one word comes to mind…EVITA!
We start out driving around the Obelisk and make the first photo stop practically across the street from our hotel crossing the 16 lanes of Avenida 9 de Julio. The Teatro Colón, [...]
After our Porteños city tour yesterday, we had the afternoon and evening free! As much as I enjoy the guided parts on tour (where else can you learn so much covering so much ground in such a short time), the free time is exciting because you have a chance to see things that interest you. [...]
Today we headed out of Buenos Aires for a bit of fresh air in the countryside.Our journey took us across the legendary pampas, the flat fertile plains that stretch from Argentina’s Atlantic coast to the Andean foothills.Our guide told us some interesting information about the history of the gauchos (hard working horsemen) and Argentine ranches [...]
Tonight was our bittersweet farewell dinner. These dinners typically are where the tour manager toasts to a wonderful trip and basically gives everybody one last chance to reminisce and say their good byes. There was only one problem with tonight’s farewell dinner…it also included an amazing tango dance show!
The music, provided by a small band [...]
Today is our travel day home. I’m sad to say adiós to South America but am looking forward to seeing my family! International flights to the U.S. don’t leave Buenos Aires until evening and because this is an escorted tour, transportation to the airport is handled for us as is getting our over-burdened bags out [...]
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