Maria Eugenia is a proud Colombian coffee farmer, locally known as “chapolera”, who picks coffee at Finca del Café in the Colombia’s Coffee Triangle and shows visitors how to make some of the greatest coffee in the world using generations-old methods. She discusses her passions, struggles, and what pushes her to accomplish her everyday work. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? My name is Maria Eugenia and I’ve been working at Finca del Café for the past nine years. We’re around three miles outside of Santa Rosa de Cabal, Risaralda, Colombia. During harvest time, I pick coffee cherries in the plantation, and I look after the workers by providing them with food, all year round, I am the one who welcomes tourists with a great cup of coffee! Where does the name ‘chapolera’ originate? In Colombia, “chapoleras” are all the women who, for generations, have harvested coffee from…
…with Paul, Oliver and Mihaela In the latest instalment of the popular Our Routes series, our Senior Sales Manager, Paul Nolan , Senior Travel Specialist, Oliver Pryse, and Marketing Executive, Mihaela Enasoae, take us on a tour through Colombia. From the bustling streets of Bogotá to the lush Coffee Region, the innovative city of Medellín, and the coastal charm of Cartagena, their first-hand insights offer a deep dive into Colombia’s diverse culture, rich history, and breathtaking scenery. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? We spent one day in the capital city, Bogotá, two days in the Coffee Region including Santa Rosa, Cocora Valley, Filandia and Salento. Further up, we went for two days in Medellín and Guatapé , and spent the last four days in Cartagena. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? We took a direct flight from London Gatwick to Bogotá El Dorado with Avianca. All domestic flights were with Avianca, too. FIRST TIME…
The awesome Amazon River is one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. It weaves through the heart of South America and supports an ecosystem that is unmatched in its diversity. While the river’s journey starts in Brazil, it meanders through several other countries, ultimately connecting distant lands and cultures before its waters reach the Atlantic Ocean. This incredible river spans nine countries, each contributing to the Amazon’s unique and awe-inspiring character. The Source: Brazil’s Highlands The Amazon River begins its journey high in the Andes, specifically in the Nevado Mismi region of southern Peru. Here, the river starts as small glacial streams that trickle down the mountains, gradually combining to form larger tributaries. These early waters join together to become the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which are considered the main headwaters of the Amazon. Brazil is most often associated with the Amazon River, as its largest stretch and its…
Easter, or ‘Holy Week’, has profound religious significance in Latin America, along with famous, vibrant cultural celebrations. Each country boasts its own unique traditions and customs, from solemn processions to joyful feasts, let’s delve into these diverse Easter traditions in five Latin American countries, take your pick on which of these you would like to experience for yourself, on your next holiday to Latin America… Argentina Semana Santa or Holy Week in Argentina is a time for both celebration and relaxation. Many Argentinians will attend church services and participate in processions throughout the week. One of the most famous Easter traditions in Argentina is the “Vía Crucis” ceremony. During this event, the procession works its way through 14 stations of the cross towards the cathedral, and participants are encouraged to bring candles. Peru As in Argentina, in Peru, Holy Week usually begins on Palm Sunday, a week before Easter Sunday….
..with Senior Marketing Manager, Felipe Francisco In the next installment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, we dive into Colombia with thoughts from Senior Marketing Manager, Felipe Francisco, who recently enjoyed a special trip across this dazzlingly varied country. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Bogota, Coffee Region, Medellin, Cartagena, Minca and Tayrona National Park. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? Flight to Bogota via Madrid with Iberia and a mix of domestic flights and driving in Colombia. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? First time – after years and years dreaming about exploring Colombia, I finally made it! FAVOURITE LOCATION? Colombia is one of the most exciting destinations in Latin America, there is so much to see and do, the people are amazing, and the food is superb! It’s hard to pick favourites as the entire country is impressive but I was especially surprised by Medellin – I can…
Colombian Chocolate aficionado José Luis Pérez is a host at Casa Rivera del Cacao. Here he discusses the child-like magic of his small natural paradise in the foothills of the Andes, Córdoba, Quindío – the perfect place to explore the gastronomic applications of Colombian biodiversity and where several of the best cocoas in the world are grown and produced. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what attracted you to work in this role? I fell passionately in love with cacao and chocolate. Its history, biology, and all the agricultural process around it. Cacao is something that is very dear to our hearts as humans, but most of us don’t know much about it. When I started to discover all that surrounds chocolate I didn’t want to be anywhere else. How does a typical day start for you? A lot of the experience in our property revolves around…
All four seasons (sometimes in one day!) can play their part in shaping your experience throughout Latin America, so let’s delve deeper into the rolling peak and shoulder seasons that dominate the sky, land, and sea on your next trip to this stunning big outdoors continent. Argentina High Season: November – February & July The Patagonia region in southern Argentina hits a peak from December to February with the best weather for pursuing outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a Christmas / mid-winter getaway, the beaches from late December through January are popular times along the Argentine coastline as well. For skiers, July is the best time to hit the big resorts of Mendoza and picturesque areas like Bariloche. Shoulder Seasons: September – November & March – May Buenos Aires enjoys ideal temperatures in shoulder seasons, and it’s also a good shout for seeing Patagonia with the beautiful Lake District…
People from Asia arrived in the Americas at least 15,000 years ago, but by the European arrival in the 15th century, many South American civilisations had either disappeared or would later fall to new empires. There were still many, however, which were vast and thriving, constructing incredible monuments that we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy today. Read on to find out more about these societies’ fascinating histories below. The Caral-Supe Civilisation The Caral Supe are the oldest known advanced civilisation in the American continents discovered to date, dating back to 3000-2500 BC. Nearly twenty separate villages have been identified in north Peru, with a centre in the urban community at Caral. The city of Caral included enormous earthy platform mounds, which for centuries were considered just to be low lying hills, until more modern archeological techniques uncovered their true origins. Nazca Civilisation The people of the Nazca…
Imagine a continent with over 300 national parks to choose from, ranging from rugged rocky peaks to palm tree-lined beach forests! To help narrow such an astounding choice down, we have handpicked ten of the most incredible national parks in South America to help you get started. Argentina Tierra del Fuego National Park This 245-square-mile park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Argentina’s only coastal national park. Just outside the park’s border you’ll discover Puente Quemado (“the burned bridge”) and Macarena Waterfall, plus the Pipo River, which flows into the park and runs alongside the peat bog, giving the Laguna Negra (black lagoon) its colour and name. Inside the park, sits the sixty-five-mile-long Lake Fagnano which offers views of Andes Mountains. Los Glaciares National Park At a whopping 2,800 square miles, this is the largest national park in the country and another one on UNESCO’s list. As the park…
At 4,500 miles long spanning the west coast of South America and bisecting seven countries – Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina – the Andes is the longest chain of mountains in the world and includes many of the highest peaks in the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Formations Formed around 45-50 million years ago, the process that created them had already begun 140 million years ago when the largest dinosaurs that ever lived were roaming these lands. This process has continued to this date and causes earthquakes and volcanic activity in the region, and as a result of the subduction of the Nazca and Antarctic Plates beneath the South America Plate, many active volcanoes are located in the Andes Mountain Range. The highest volcano in the world, the Ojos del Salado, is located in the Andes on the Chile-Argentina border. Mount Aconcagua in Argentina is the highest peak at 22,481ft, with…
