The city of Cartagena has the feeling of a film set. At the heart of its walled old town, a grid-like structure of narrow cobbled streets extends in ruler-straight lines, framed on two sides by enchanting, bougainvillea-decked colonial mansions. Restored and painted in the sharpest of colour palates, they’re a paradise for photographers. As you …
21 Unique Tourist Attractions You Can’t Miss in Guyana
When you hear the name “Guyana”, what do you think? Perhaps that it’s a place in Africa? Maybe the location of the Jonestown massacre? Or, well, not much? Whichever it is, this English-speaking country (yes, really!) on the northwestern edge of South America is as surprising as it is under-the-radar. I’ve spent close to six …
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16 Unique and Unusual Things to Do in Guatemala
Volcanoes wreathed with thick clouds and ready to be climbed. Rural towns and villages alive with chaotic but thrilling street markets, where locals dress in brightly coloured clothing whose patterns testify to the identity of their home towns. The great, chugging bulks of monstrous Chicken buses that roar through the streets of colonial Antigua Guatemala. …
Women-Only Travel Groups: Meet a Female-Run Company Leading the Way
I’m an independent traveller. My travel bread and butter is disappearing off into the most remote, beyond-the-beaten-trail destinations as I channel my insatiable desire to explore. But I know that being a confident, independent woman doesn’t stop me from sharing the experience with other, like-minded travellers. There’s actually few things I enjoy more when I …
Women-Only Travel Groups: Meet a Female-Run Company Leading the WayRead More
Huanchaco: The Complete Guide to this Peruvian Beach Town
On the northwest coast of Peru, a stone’s throw from pretty, colonial Trujillo, lies the sleepy but stunning beach town of Huanchaco – a destination that you definitely want to visit. Sandwiched between the arid desert and the breaking waves, it’s a friendly little town filled with delicious food and a laid-back surf mentality. With …
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41 Incredible Places in Peru You’ve Probably Never Heard Of Before
From dazzling churches to relics of ancient civilisations, Peru has more than its fair share of striking natural landmarks and historic monuments. Although there’s certainly a few well-known spots in among the others in this list of places to visit in Peru, it’s fair to say that these barely-visited alternatives promise the same mix of …
41 Incredible Places in Peru You’ve Probably Never Heard Of BeforeRead More
How to Be a More Responsible Traveler in 2020
2018 was the year that the idea of being a responsible traveler hit the headlines. And, with the global climate crisis now finally getting the attention it deserves, in 2020, we’re way overdue applying these principles to our own travel. There are plenty of articles that offer sustainable travel tips covering many aspects of what …
A Traveller’s Insatiable Search For Belonging
By the time I arrived in Ayacucho, I had lost count of how many days it had been since I last heard another voice speak English. Despite being just 12 hours’ drive from Cusco – which, in Peru, means it’s practically next door – Ayacucho is the twin that its famous brother never knew it …
7 Spectacular & Under-the-Radar Chile Tourism Destinations
Snow dappled mountains, carved into glistening ridges by the forces of nature over millennia; lush vines heavily laden with juicy grapes for wine and pisco; white sandy beaches untouched by human hands: welcome to Chile, one of the world’s most diverse and beautiful countries. There are some famous Chile tourism attractions that you can’t have …
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How Female Artisans Are Reclaiming Indigenous Heritage in Guatemala
“Now with technology, everything is “copy and paste”. There’s no innovation.” Doña Gloria Estella emphasises the words “copy and paste” in English. She points to the huipiles, the traditional Maya woven top that her and her colleagues are wearing. All are hand-woven, using designs conceived by their “abuelas” (grandmothers). “We’re reviving designs; we’re reviving drawings from …
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Chachapoyas: The Complete Traveler’s Guide
In a remote corner of the northern Peruvian Andes lies Chachapoyas, a region steeped in an ancient culture unlike any other you’ll find in the country. Whether you want to explore unusual and pristine ruins, hike through lush forest to one of the highest waterfalls in the world or climb along cliffs to witness ancient …
25 Bolivia Tourist Attractions Not to Miss
Bolivia is a country full of beautiful places and people. There is seemingly no end to the gorgeous scenery, unique landmarks, and intriguing culture that Bolivia has to offer. When planning a trip here, it can feel hard to narrow down all the options among the different Bolivian tourist attractions on offer. Bolivia tourist attractions …
13 Unmissable Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia
Waking up late after a big night out, you step outside and taste the salty air blowing in from the Caribbean. The day begins with some tropical fruit that you buy from a smiling lady in a vibrant, colorful dress. A cup of some of the best coffee you’ve ever had follows, fueling you for …
Peru’s Choquequirao Trek: The Ultimate Hiking Guide
We’ve all had dreams of the Inca Trail and walking a path so steeped in history and beauty. But the reality is you have to book months in advance and the experience offers very little in the way of real adventure. If the idea of authentic exploration excites you, consider the Choquequirao trek, the best …
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Want to See South America Differently? Here’s How
You’ve set off on your big trip, headed to the top places to visit in South America, but it wasn’t quite what you expected. Everywhere you go on famous lists of unmissable destinations in South America has versions of the same backpackers drinking beer and asking you the same questions or making the same small-talk. …
Beyond-the-Beaten-Trail Adventures in Los Nevados National Park, Colombia
Colombia has a wealth of national parks to explore, but there’s one in particular that should be on your list to visit: Los Nevados National Park (Parque Nacional de los Nevados). Although not as frequented as the likes of Tyrona National Park, it’s a hidden treasure in the heart of Colombia. With a visit to …
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A Luxurious Stay in the Sunniest Corner of the Carretera Austral
On my last trip along the Carretera Austral in 2016, I made it as far as the azure waters of Lago General Carrera in the Aysén Region of Chile. Few people have heard of this lake; but it’s the location of the almost fantastical, swirling-blue coloured Cavernas Marmoles or Marble Caves, easily visited in a speedboat from …
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On the Community-Run Coffee Trail in Peru
I hold the coffee beans in my hands, their parchment skin still on, like little tissue paper jackets or the discarded chrysalis of a transformed caterpillar. There is something very fragile about them in this form. I’m told that what I’m holding in my hand has a 73g yield and is worth 6 soles 40 …
Horseback Riding & Getting Back to Basics at Estancia La Peninsula
It’s been an awfully long time since I was last on horseback – over twenty years to be precise. But I feel surprisingly in control of Dali, my stead for a day of horse riding in the wilds of Patagonia. According to Marco, one of the ranch hands at Estancia La Península, there’s a basic …
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The Navimag Ferry: The Slow Route to Puerto Natales
By day three, my long hours of standing at the bow finally pay off. The rain clears suddenly and unexpectedly; the clouds creep away from the horizon to reveal the green-fringed edges of a multitude of fjords, extending far into the distance. I’m on the Navimag ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales, a journey …
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Should You Visit Kuélap, Peru’s Alternative to Machu Picchu?
I’ll admit to not being a huge follower of travel lists published by the big travel companies (even if I’ve contributed to them over the past few years). Although they can be a great way of highlighting truly fascinating travel destinations that would otherwise get overlooked, they can also help to perpetuate the challenges that …
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Going Far Beyond The Beaten Trail: My Favourite Northern Peru Tours
Stood on top of the 1000-year-old Huaca las Ventanas (Temple of Windows), just 40km from Chiclayo in northern Peru, I feel quite the thrill. Aside from my guides, I am alone. Every way I turn, views of other pyramids, weathered by the years, are visible from our vantage point in the middle of the Santuario …
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7 Off-The-Beaten-Trail Places To Visit In Northern Chile
Say the words “northern Chile” and there’s probably only one place that pops into your head: San Pedro de Atacama. Sure, there’s a reason it’s one of Chile’s top tourist destinations, but by limiting your trip to only one town in the region means you miss out on the other even more interesting places to visit …
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Monkeys and Macaws in Bolivia’s Madidi National Park
Beneath the belly of the 20-person aircraft, the verdant jungle foliage of Bolivia’s Madidi National Park scrambles to extract itself from a chaotic knot of dense branches, and indistinct clouds of crimson wings suggest macaws in flight through lofty treetops. Low mountains occasionally sprout from the landscape, but the miles of dense green are repetitive …
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