Most holidays to Brazil begin and end in the country’s ‘marvellous city’ Rio de Janeiro. With a population of over 6 million and a unique topography spread across mountains, coastal beaches and hills – Rio can be challenging to navigate for first-timers. But, rest assured, most of our holidays to Brazil include a multi-day stop in the city, so we’ve put together a few things to do in Rio de Janeiro to help you make the most of your time in this vibrant city… 1. Visit Christ the Redeemer The Christ the Redeemer statue is a world-famous symbol of Rio de Janeiro. Overlooking the city from Corcovado Mountain’s 700-metre peak, this cultural icon has become a popular pilgrimage for almost two million visitors every year. How to get there: Most visitors choose to take the scenic tram up Corcovado; tickets can be purchased at the Corcovado tram station. Insider tip:…
Valparaiso is a beautiful, colourful city that will capture your heart. The best description for this bohemian port city came from the poet Pablo Neruda, who had a particularly beautiful view – “Valparaiso, how absurd you are… you haven’t combed your hair, you’ve never had time to get dressed, life has always surprised you.” There is indeed a certain chaotic beauty to Valparaiso, one that you will quickly discover on this journey through a few of the best things to see when in Valparaiso. La Sebastiana La Sebastiana was Pablo Neruda’s former residence and is now a house-museum that you can stop by when visiting Valparaiso. Getting there involves a lot of climbing but it is completely worth it, as you explore each floor of the house you’ll see why. – the most heart-stopping views of the harbour. Here you will also be able to see Neruda’s collection of ships…
The Pantanal in Brazil is the largest tropical wetlands in the world. Located right in the heart of South America it is home to an impressive variety of life, most notably the elusive and majestic jaguar, one of the main reasons to visit ‘Brazil’s best-kept secret’. As soon as you step foot in the Pantanal, it’s vast array of biodiversity is clear to see, spotting caiman, giant otters, iguana and capybara (a particular favourite!) just on a quick exploration of the surroundings. Over the next few days staying in the Pantanal, we enjoyed a variety of excursions, including a motorboat tour of the river, a night-time truck safari, a visit to Cuiabá Mirim (a riverside community) and horse riding. After our wildlife spotting, we were lucky enough to see some birds including heron, stork and great egrets. It really is natures paradise here. The Pantanal is often overshadowed by its…
Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic attractions in South America – and the world! and is a must-do if you’re heading to Peru. Located in the Cusco region, the mountain on which it stands is an impressive 2430m above sea level. These magnificent Incan ruins were built around 1450 as an estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti. The site features more than 200 buildings arranged on wide parallel terraces around a vast central square. It is regarded as one of the world’s most famous man-made wonders. The journey up to Machu Picchu is an experience in itself and there are a number of options available whether you are seeking an adventurous challenge or perhaps a more leisurely day just seeing the highlights. Here are some of the best routes to Machu Picchu… Inca Trail One of the most popular options for visiting Machu Picchu is the famous Inka…
Although we are unable to travel at the moment, it’s still possible to discover the joys of Latin America – from the comfort of your home! Each week we are giving you inspiration from a different destination in Latin America, sharing movies, music, books and recipes to pique your interest, and this weeks destination is a country that was undiscovered by international tourists for decades, Colombia. Forget everything you think you know about Colombia. This is a land of stunning landscapes, lost cities, romantic Caribbean islands, vibrant festivals and the best coffee in the world! Delve deeper into colourful Colombia with our favourite inspiring read, film, food and music below. Read: La Virgen de los Sicarios by Fernando Vallejo After the Second World War, a literary boom thrust a lot of Latin American authors into the spotlight, none more so than Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who would go on to win the Nobel Prize. There are plenty of…
Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, Medellin offers way more than just good weather. The second biggest city in Colombia is a place where contrasting factors live harmoniously. You’ll experience the natural frenzy of a cosmopolitan city, just to have it fade away in minutes as you marvel at a skyline that reaches for the heavens. Museums are found throughout Medellin, and even though the city’s history may be a harsh one, the people are not; in fact, Medellin is home to some of the friendliest people you will have ever meet, not only in Colombia but in the entire world. Some say the bliss point is the perfect blend of salt and sweet; this city, you could say, is exactly that. So, with that in mind, there are an array of things to do in Medellin to suit every taste. Here we list our Top 10 Things to Do…
Although we are unable to travel at the moment, it’s still possible to discover the joys of Latin America – from the comfort of your home! Each week we are giving you inspiration from a different destination in Latin America, sharing movies, music, books and recipes to pique your interest, and this weeks destination is the regions most-visited country, Peru. Home to ancient cultures, rich traditions, spectacular scenery, diverse wildlife, lively cities and some of the friendliest people in Latin America. Delve deeper into fascinating Peru with our favourite inspiring read, film, food and music below. Read: The Time of the Hero by Mario Vargas Llosa Mario Vargas Llosa is Peru’s most famous writer. Born in Arequipa in 1935, he’s one of the leading writers of his generation, known for the use of sophisticated literary techniques. Our favourite of his novels is his first book, The Time of the Hero. A story based on his own experiences in a military…
After a hop, skip and jump over the Atlantic, we touched down on the ‘Rich Coast’, excited to explore this wondrous country we’d heard so much about. We were greeted at the airport by our charming guide, who’s knowledge and expertise throughout the trip to Costa Rica, were invaluable. To get closer to our destination, we boarded a motorized canoe. Blasting through the waters of the Tortuguero River, the jungle whizzing past. Pachira Lodge was our base for the trip, although there are many great lodges in Costa Rica. The remoteness of the lodge allowed us to immerse ourselves in the natural surroundings. As we wandered around the grounds we stumbled across sloths, snakes and monkeys galore. Once upon the intricate and winding canal systems of the national park, we appreciated the sheer array of this tropical haven. The expert guides were incredibly talented at highlighting the camouflaged wildlife, without…
Although we are unable to travel at the moment, it’s still possible to discover the joys of Latin America – from the comfort of your home! Each week we are giving you inspiration from a different destination in Latin America, sharing movies, music, books and recipes to pique your interest, and this weeks destination is the largest, and undoubtedly the most rhythmic, country in Latin America – Brazil. From vibrant and pulsating metropolises to wild rainforests, thundering waterfalls and tropical palm-fringed beaches, this is a country with so much to offer. Travel to Brazil with our favourite inspiring read, film, food and music below. Watch: Casa Grande (2014) Brazil’s film industry has produced a number of successful films over the years, and one of our favourite picks is Casa Grande, from 2014. This film by Felipe Barbosa is set in iconic Rio de Janeiro and is a coming-of-age tale about a privileged high-school student who is…
In the Atacama Desert, it’s not hard to imagine that you’re on another planet. With the flat, crystal whiteness of the salt flats stretching into the distance, and bizarre, rocky outcrops towering overhead, this is Planet Earth like you’ve never seen it before. But what is there to do in this other-worldly landscape? Here are our top 5 activities in the Atacama Desert… Stargazing Few of us have seen a night sky untouched by light pollution, and yet in the Atacama Desert in Chile, it’s as simple as stepping outside and looking up. A deep, velvety blackness stretches and rolls around you, heavy on the horizon but lifting into miles of brilliant, bright shards. The stars here aren’t just dim lights, but stud out shapes and constellations for you to admire. We recommend taking a night-time walk when the moon is full, to enjoy ghostly views of the incredible landscape…
