The 6 best vineyards to visit in Central Otago, New Zealand

Lake Wanaka, an hour from Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand, is a great place to base yourself to discover the excellent wines of Central Otago. Slated by British wine writer, Jancis Robinson, as one of the top five New World wine producing areas in the world, this region should be a definite stop on any wine-lovers itinerary of New Zealand.

The Central Otago region is most famous for it’s Pinot Noir variety, which thrives in the hot dry summers and cold winters. Pinot Noir makes up 70% of the wines produced in the area, however Pinot Gris, Reisling, and Gerwutztrameiner are also gaining in popularity.
A great day loop starting in Wanaka, driving through to Cromwell and Bannockburn, and continuing on to Queenstown, offers plenty of wine to titivate your tastebuds and amazing scenery to boot. You will need your own transport for this wine circuit, however there are plenty of organised trips on offer if you find yourself in New Zealand without private transport (try Funny French Cars in Wanaka).
1. Rippon – Wanaka
With a view to die for, Rippon Vineyard is the perfect place to begin your day. Located on Mt Aspiring Road, just out of Wanaka, Rippon overlooks Lake Wanaka and the stunning mountain ranges in the distance. Grab a cheese platter, sit on a bench outside and enjoy the sun, whilst sampling their tasty Pinot Noir wines.
2. Lazy Dog – Queensbury
Swing by The Lazy Dog on your way to Cromwell and try their Chenin Blanc and a number of other delicious wines from neighbouring vineyards. Pick up some preserves and relishes from their Farmgate shop, and maybe even some of their freshly smoked salmon for tomorrow morning’s eggs benny!
3. Cider House Café – Cromwell
Stop here for a wee break from wine and try some of the excellent cider on offer at the Cider House Café. Once you are refreshed then take a wee stroll around Old Cromwell before cruising up to Bannockburn.
4. Mt Difficulty – Bannockburn
Located on a hill in Bannockburn overlooking the Cromwell Basin, Mt Difficulty is not to be missed. Set amongst rugged, other-worldly terrain, this is a great place to relax, enjoy the view and take in some lunch from their superb menu. Cardrona merino lamb, wild venison, and slow roasted duck are just a few of the tasty morsels on offer. Pair your meal with one of their excellent Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris wines and you will have an ideal lunch.

5. Peregrine – Gibbston Valley
Gibbston Valley is home to a number of vineyards and Peregrine is definitely one that you don’t want to miss. The building itself represents the wing of a Peregrine in flight and has won awards for architecture both nationally and internationally. The Pinot Noir is once again at the forefront of the wines produced here, however you will also be able to taste excellent Reisling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
6. Amisfield – Lake Hayes
Amisfield is the closest winery to Queenstown itself and is situated next to one of New Zealand’s most picturesque lakes – Lake Hayes. After sampling some of their fine wines, wander through to their sun-drenched courtyard for the famous “Trust the Chef’ menu which is a selection of dishes prepared from the finest and freshest local ingredients. Their bistro was a finalist for the Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year 2012 and is the perfect place to end your day.
After so much good food and wine you will most likely find yourself feeling rather full! If it is summer there should be plenty of light left to take a brisk stroll around Lake Hayes before driving through to Queenstown. Stop for a hot spa at Onsen overlooking the Shotover River before driving back to Wanaka over the Crown Range. If you still have energy left then check out the famous Cardrona pub on the Crown Range road. This is a New Zealand institution and one that you should definitely visit at some stage of your stay in Wanaka. By the time you return to Wanaka you will be ready for sleep, completely sated from your perfect day in Central Otago.

Venice flooding: Tourists swim as Italian city drowns

Venice under water while tourists enjoy.

On Nov. 12, reports about Venice came flooding in that the Italian city is now 70 percent underwater. While this may seem like a deterrent to tourism, many enjoy the water action and have taken to swimming in the sauce made by the rain that has gone on for three days.

Yes, despite the inconvenience and distraction in Venice, Reuters was quick to point out that in St. Marks Square, "Tourists in swimming [suits] sat at café tables under the water,"

This particular drowning is one for the history books, being called "the sixth-worst flood in the city since 1872."

Although the news of all the most recent flooding in Italy may be trending worldwide for its destruction and cause of death, it is hardly an unusual phenomenon during the winter months in this island paradise.

In fact, Los Angeles resident Paul Jackson remembers when he visited Venice via a Crystal Cruises cruise ship back in 1998, enjoying the same situation but to a lesser degree than what is happening today.

"The city was amazing," says Jackson. "St. Marks had about a foot of water to trudge through but we had a blast in out knee high rubber boots supplied to us by the ship's personnel. We shopped in boutiques where we were warmly welcomed even though the water was up to our calves. Still, we made the most of it, asking for and getting bargains left and right while shopkeepers put on very happy faces."

And so, with that said by this Angeleno, there is more than one upside to the situation in Venice with its flooding and its tourists swimming in the residue. Travel sure can take a turn for the unexpected but that's what sojourning is all about, right? Right.

Los Angeles residents who want to visit Venice when it floods or when it doesn't should contact their travel agents for details.

Tourism Flanders is announced as premier partner at World Travel Market

Flanders has been confirmed as the Premier Partner at World Travel Market (WTM) in London for 2013 and 2014. This will ensure that Flanders will feature as a "guest region" at WTM for the next two years, at one of the most important tourism exhibitions in Europe.

Flemish Minister for Tourism, Geert Bourgeois said: "I am delighted with the exclusive co-operation agreement which has just been signed by Tourism Flanders and the organisers of WTM, Reed Exhibitions. This provides an ideal position to present "2014-2018 the Great War Centenary" to the attention of the travel industry. With this agreement we will also look forward to promoting a greater awareness of Flanders and Brussels as a tourism destination." 

More than 48,000 international tourism professionals visit WTM annually. WTM 2011 facilitated a massive £1,653 million in business deals for travel and tourism exhibitors over the four days. Furthermore, WTM is the most important trade fair in the world for English speaking markets and Commonwealth countries. 

Each year, WTM focuses on one specific country or region to promote its "Premier Partnership". Last year, Abu Dhabi had this opportunity.

"We are very proud to become the new Premier Partner at WTM for the next two editions. As Britain and the Commonwealth are the most important foreign target groups for the remembrance of The Great War Centenary, it is strategically very beneficial for Tourism Flanders to be able to deploy such a large promotional tool via this partnership, over the next couple of years at WTM," Bourgeonis added. 

Tourism Flanders will use its position as the Premier Partner primarily to bring "2014-2018, The Great War Centenary" to attention in its association with the international travel industry. There will be a particular focus on the English speaking markets and the Commonwealth countries to promote this project.  

The new partnership also provides a unique opportunity for Tourism Flanders to strategically brand itself at Excel during WTM in 2013 and 2014. Opportunities include the decoration and branding of several spaces at the Excel hall in line with its international marketing branding strategy. A clear emphasis on "2014-2018 the Great War Centenary" will be visible throughout. Examples include a "poppy pathway", created using the image of 51 square metres of imaged tiles from the main entrance hall to the main Flanders stand.  

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market, Simon Press said: "I am delighted to welcome Flanders as WTM's Premier Partner for the next two events in 2013 and 2014.  

WTM is the event where the industry conducts its business, making it ideal for Flanders to promote its Great War Centenary. All at WTM look forward to helping Flanders achieve its objectives over the next two years." 

Tourism: Hawaii’s blessing and curse

Hawaii is a beautiful, serene and ideal spot for many USD students to visit, but an imperative question arises: are we welcomed guests? 

For many years prior to the influx of a tourist based economy, indigenous Hawaiians flourished without being dependent on revenues derived from tourism. In order for USD students to see tourism from the islanders’ perspective, we must first analyze the history behind the development of Hawaii as a tourist economy. 

Before its addition to the United States, Hawaii was subjected to imperialism, which is an exploitation of people, resources and land. After the United States illegally overthrew the Queen Liliuokalani in 1893, we claimed ownership of the island in 1894. 

The overthrow of Hawaii completely changed its economy from one which was self-sufficient to one that was a hostage economy. According to “Hawaiian Journey” by Joseph G. Mullins, prior to tourist exploitation, Hawaii’s economy relied on pineapple and sugar production, yet in recent years the profits derived from such production account for only a fraction of the island’s economic sustainability. 

The amount of tourism on the island per year brings forth the vast majority of the island’s revenue, yet Hawaii cannot sustain such a tremendous amount number of tourists, creating a severe dilemma. In order for sustainability of the island to exist into the future, then tourism must be reduced to a quantity that is less than it is today. 

One can see the beautiful pictures of resorts and beaches in Hawaii, but may not comprehend the state of economic distress Hawaiians are in. People are not typically made aware of the amount of homeless people who have jobs, but receive such low wages from their work that they cannot afford a home. People don’t see how so much tourism can be insulting to the indigenous people of the island. 

Yes, hulas and luaus are fun for many visitors to Hawaii, but they are also sacred to the people of the land and reserve a higher meaning and appreciation. Even at USD, the luau could come off as offensive to some Hawaiian students. 

After interviewing Keanu Gututala, a Hawaiian student and native to the island, he said, “I was extremely disappointed because it made people culturally blind to what a luau actually represents in Hawaii. There was no aspect of the luau that actually represented a true luau.” 

I saw this with the food and music. At a recent USD event, the DJ played rap and mainstream music as opposed to the genre of music that is true to the island. The food was sushi and pulled pork which you would not find at a real luau. 

This is an exact example of the misconception some possess of true Hawaiian culture at our school. 

As previously stated, tourism does bring in most of Hawaii’s revenue, so it is not all bad. 

In a sense, Hawaii could not last in the long run without it, yet one might want to consider the idea proposed by Haunani-Kay Trask, author of “Lovely Hula Hands: Corporate Tourism and the Prostitution of Hawaiian Culture”, in which a quota on the amount of tourists allowed in Hawaii per year is established. 

Often, travelers see an inauthentic Hawaiian culture that has been expressed at our school. It is a cultural ruination in the sense that those who get exposed to the culture of the land exist only to lure tourists in to earn money. 

At this point in time there are actually fewer native Hawaiians living on their land than tourists and foreigners. Most of those natives that do live on the land are not receiving all this money for the use of their culture, and are receiving little money for other people’s perception of the Hawaiian culture. On any given day there are at least 148,750 tourists present on the island. USD students often talk about visiting the island, whether it is for vacation or school. 

No matter what purpose, any student at this school who ends up going should take some time to think about the true identity of Hawaii’s people and the reason why Hawaii is a tourist economy today.

Las Vegas Keeps On Rollin'

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For a destination that is as vibrant and unpredictable as Las Vegas, the only constant is change. So, it makes sense that one of the most striking additions to the Vegas skyline in the next year will be a giant observation wheel, turning and perpetually rotating some 550 feet in the air.

That would be the Las Vegas High Roller. Nine feet taller than the Singapore Flyer and 107 feet higher than the London Eye, the High Roller will be the tallest observation wheel in the world when it is completed by summer 2013. Even better, each of the High Roller’s 28 pods can hold up to 40 passengers, with food-and beverage and multimedia options available for groups. 

“They can roll in a bar cart, or do some kind of interesting product launch,” says Amy Allen, director of marketing at Caesars Entertainment, which is building the Roller. “It will be interesting to see how groups use this for different purposes.”

Each revolution of the wheel will take 30 minutes, and groups will be able to book as many pods as they like for multiple rotations, enjoying an unbeatable view of the Strip as they chat with fellow attendees. 

The High Roller is the centerpiece of an all-new outdoor retail, dining, and entertainment concept The Linq. Occupying the private street that separates the Flamingo and the Imperial Palace, this $550-million project will offer 30 to 40 shops and attractions in a 200,000-square-foot open-air marketplace.

“It will really be an outdoor gathering place for people, as opposed to ‘meet me in the casino,’” says Allen, adding that there will be plenty of opportunities for incentive groups to buy out any number of the spaces for events.

The Great Outdoors


But Las Vegas is not known to do things by halves and, while the High Roller will be the biggest, it will not be the only new wheel in town. By late 2013, the 500-foot-tall SkyVue Las Vegas Super Wheel, part of a new 9.6-acre entertainment and retail area being erected on the South Strip, will be up and rolling. Each of its 40 gondolas will carry as many as 25 guests.

“One wheel is not enough for us — we have to double down,” jokes Amy Riley, senior director of convention sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. She adds that the Strip itself has become a growing attraction for groups, leading to more development in attractions and offerings that showcase the city’s views and open air. “There’s a lot more of what we’ll call ‘Strip-front,’ with restaurants moving in that direction and taking some of the older traditional areas and completely redoing them.”

In addition to SkyVue, there are six additional rides planned for the area, as well as a 21,000-square-foot convention center and a 139,500-square-foot space for retail, restaurants, and live entertainment.

The Linq is not the only ambitious project that Caesars Entertainment is tackling this year. The company is also in the process of transforming one of its oldest hotel towers into the 180-room Nobu Hotel, slated to open in the coming months. The property includes a Nobu restaurant and lounge, which will occupy 11,200 square feet at its base with a large bar and a 327-seat lounge. The entire decor, from room furnishings to public spaces, will draw on the modern Japanese aesthetic of the restaurant brand.

Functioning as a hotel-within-a-hotel, similar to Mandalay Bay’s THEhotel, Nobu will have its own dedicated check-in desk, unique amenities, and offerings that are distinctly different from the larger Caesars Palace. 


However, incentive groups working with Caesars Entertainment will still be able to use all the venue, restaurant, and entertainment offerings available at the parent property next door. 

“If an incentive or meetings group needed meeting space, they could utilize the space at the Caesars Palace conference center,” says Allen. “It’s kind of the best of both worlds, with this unique experience that’s very much in tune with the Nobu brand, but you’re still connected to a world-class resort.”

Allen emphasizes that this applies to all of the company’s eight Las Vegas properties. So, a group can arrange for a buyout of Rio’s Voodoo Lounge, a backstage tour of Bally’s Jubilee! show, and a stay at Nobu Hotel, all through the same sales team. 

A Feast of New Dining Options

A number of new restaurants and clubs are slated to open in coming months. 


Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub, serving high-end Chinese food with a modern feel, will be taking over the space previously occupied by Studio 54 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. It is slated to open at the end of 2012.

“It’s going to be a massive, five-level, 75,000-square-foot restaurant, lounge, and nightclub,” says Riley. She adds that the Euro-chic club and restaurant Bagatelle Beach & Nightclub is set for a soft opening in August of this year at the Tropicana Las Vegas. Bagatelle will offer a sprawling single level of pools and cabanas, as well as a sandy beach. “It’s going to be a great use of an outdoor venue.”

In May, the Gordon Ramsay Steak opened in the Paris Las Vegas casino hotel. The first Las Vegas restaurant from the celebrated, and famously ill-tempered, chef aims to transport visitors to the city of London with its high-end takes on British staples like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie, as well as traditional steakhouse fare. Its 274 seats, including a large bar area, chef’s table, and private dining room, and can accommodate a wide range of incentive groups.

At the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, MGM Resorts will entertain audiences with the Blue Man Group at its 1,200-seat Monte Carlo Theater. The show will feature new material, as well as signature set pieces. 

Not to be outdone, Wynn Entertainment is in the process of upgrading and expanding its restaurant and hotel offerings. In May, it opened Mizumi, featuring traditional Japanese cuisine from Executive Chef Devin Hashimoto. The design includes bold colors and floor-to-ceiling views of Las Vegas. In September, the Italian-American restaurant Allegro opens, giving old-world recipes a modern twist. Its name comes from the musical term referring to a lively tempo — an upbeat feeling Wynn hopes can be passed along to visiting incentive groups.

The Spa at Wynn is also now being renovated and will reopen to the public in late September with a new aesthetic and fresh offerings for guests. The Wynn and Encore Esplanades will also be opening a number of new stores for those groups looking to get in some shopping. Timepiece enthusiasts will be particularly pleased with the additions, which include the luxury watch stores Chopard and Wynn & Company Watches, as well as Reichmont Group stores with a timepiece focus.

A bit off the Strip, Palms Casino Resort began a $50-million first-phase renovation of its property, expected to be complete by the end of the year. The property will see all 428 of the rooms and suites in its Palms Tower redesigned, giving them an ultra-modern makeover with velvet accents and wood tones. Part of the revamp has included the refurbishment of Cantor Race & Sports Book, as well as its Tonic Bar.

“We’re also revamping the casino layout, so it’s logistically a little easier to get from point A to point B and increase the ambience of the casino overall,” says Scott Thrasher, director of sales for the Palms, pointing out in particular that the property’s Center Bar will be getting a makeover. “When incentive groups want to meet at the Palms, they say, ‘let’s meet at the Center Bar.’ Now that’s going to be renovated with a new look and new vibe.”

It will also be expanding its culinary options with the new Heraea sports-themed restaurant and lounge, where groups can watch a game or hold a reception in a chic, high-energy atmosphere. 

“The one thing we were missing was that casual, upscale environment to watch the game, then after the game it transitions into a nightlife scene,” says Thrasher.

Further renovations are expected over the coming years, though no specific decisions have been made about what’s next. 

Inside the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel is the new street-foods-inspired China Poblano restaurant from James Beard Award–winning chef José Andrés. Fusing Mexican and Chinese cuisine, this restaurant offers dishes like the Viva China taco (with Kumamoto oysters and Sichuan peppercorn sauce) or Huitlachoche noodles (combining Mexican corn truffle with knife-shaved noodles). This brightly colored venue is ideal for a casual lunch or cocktail reception, whether margaritas or Lychee Sours are being imbibed. 

Those more inclined to crack open a beer will want to stop in at the newly opened Public House, in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, which boasts more than 200 brews, not to mention some top-notch beer floats. Its small-plates menu showcases elevated pub grub like roasted bone marrow, foie gras parfait, and spiced pork rinds. The venue’s tagline, “United We Stand, Pint in Hand,” just about sums it up.

But one of the most significant new developments at Las Vegas is not on the Strip at all. On June 27, the new Terminal 3 opened at McCarren International Airport. After five years of construction and $2.4 billion invested, the 14-gate terminal will be serviced by 15 international air carriers as well as a handful of domestic ones. 

“It’s being called a game-changer for the meetings industry, especially when it comes to international travel,” says Riley. “It adds ease and convenience to getting in and out of Vegas, and was designed to not feel like an airport terminal — there’s great artwork by nationally known artists, the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ signs. Travelers know where they are when they come here.”

London tourism rates plunge during Olympics

Olympic tourists head straight for the Games and avoid the capital's other attractions and shopping destinations, according to some London businesses.Photo: AFP
The London 2012 Olympics appears to be deterring tourists from the capital's centre after warnings of travel chaos and overpriced hotel rooms, according to key industry figures. Many businesses complain they are being sidelined as tourists make a beeline for the Olympic Games and avoid the capital's other attractions and shopping destinations, while non-sports fans opt to stay at home or delay their trips.
In the run-up to the Olympics, commuters and tourists alike were warned to avoid central London, with millions of athletes, support staff, media and spectators descending on the capital for the greatest show on earth.
The Games have long been heralded as a key boost to the recession-hit British economy. But tourist numbers have fallen "dramatically" since the Games began, according to industry body the European Tour Operators Association.
"London has approximately 300,000 foreign and 800,000 domestic visitors every day in August. These people have been told implicitly that they should stay away and they have done so," said ETOA chief executive Tom Jenkins.
He argued that many were simply following official travel advice from Transport for London, which runs the capital's roads and railways.
"The numbers are currently dramatically down on last year. How far down will be determined by how long Transport for London maintains the 'don't come into London' campaign," added Jenkins.
"But they have been replaced by approximately 500,000 Games ticket holders, many of whom are Londoners, all of whom are here because they've come to watch sport.
"They are not necessarily interested in London as a tourist destination. They are not here to shop, sightsee or dine out," he said.
Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, agreed that too many tourists have heeded the official warnings, leading him to compare central London streets to a "ghost town".
"Our business is down by about 20-40 percent depending on the time of day," McNamara said.
"Normally about 90 percent of our customers are Londoners but they've all left the city and haven't been replaced by tourists.
"I don't know where all these tourists are or how they're getting about, but London is like a ghost town."
Many holidaymakers are meanwhile delaying their trips to London until September, following the end of the Olympics and Paralympics.
"Compared with the same period last year, bookings for London are very substantially down, whereas bookings for all other European cities are significantly up -- as is London in September," said Angela Skelly, head of hotel room provider JacTravel.
Despite the poor anecdotal evidence, tourism chiefs remain upbeat that London can prosper from the Olympics.
"We have always recognised that the London 2012 Games would present challenges as well as opportunities," said Mark Di-Toro, spokesman for tourism body VisitBritain.
"Host cities and countries usually experience a dip in tourism in the year of the Olympics and it is our ambition to buck that trend."
He added: "Indications are that hotels in London are around 80-percent full during Games time."
The British government hopes to generate deals worth more than £1.0 billion ($1.54 billion, 1.2 billion euros) over the Olympics, with £13 billion more over the next two or three years. The Games are costing £9.3 billion to stage

8 Places to Visit in Argentina

Buenos Aires is a great city, but Argentina is a great country, and it would be a shame if you lived here and didn’t see all that it has to offer. And so without further ado, here are 8 places in Argentina you absolutely must visit.

Iguazú Falls

People come from all over the world to see what is perhaps Argentina’s star natural attraction: the mighty Iguazú Falls. Made up of some 275 individual waterfalls and cascades, the park in which they’re located has an amazingly comprehensive and well-maintained set of catwalks that allow you get right up close and personal with the vast sprays of water.

At the heart of the site is a semicircular waterfall called ‘the Devil’s Throat.’ These falls are 80 meters high and a massive 2,700 meters in diameter, and because of the excellent catwalks, you can stand right over their edge in perfect safety.

Iguazú Falls receive about 1 million visitors a year and have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984.

Awesome. So where are they? The falls are located in the far north of Argentina, right on Argentina’s border with Brazil. The nearest town to the falls, Puerto Iguazú, is a short flight or a very long bus ride from Buenos Aires.

But wait, there’s more. If you have the time, a trip across the border to the Brazilian side of the falls is highly recommended. Why? Well firstly because the falls themselves are so impressive that it’s worth getting a different perspective on them. While you feel the falls better from the Argentine side, where you can literally reach out and touch them, you see the falls better from Brazil, because from there you can see the entire panorama at once.

Another reason to cross the border is to visit the fabulous Bird Park, located right across the road from the entrance to the Brazilian side of the falls. For more information, see here.

If you decide that you want to go to the Brazilian side of the falls keep in mind though that while it’s only a short and inexpensive shuttle ride from Puerto Iguazú, some people need a visa to enter Brazil, and this includes citizens of the United States and of Australia. Getting a one-day-only Brazilian visa in Puerto Iguazú is fast – they can do it overnight – but it will cost you (check the amount online as it’s subject to change).

Perito Moreno Glacier

From one water-based attraction to another! This one is frozen, but still there are some similarities with Iguazú Falls because like the falls, Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park is very well served by an extensive system of catwalks that allow you to get very close to the face of this breathtakingly massive river of ice. Clearly catwalks are something that Argentina does very well!

Perito Moreno glacier is located in Southern Patagonia. It’s a chunk of ice 250 km2 (97 sq mi) in area and 30 km (19 mi) in length. It’s one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Andes, which (by the way) holds in its icy grasp the world’s third-largest store of fresh water.

There isn’t a whole lot to do at Perito Moreno glacier except walk around and get different angles on the ice, but it’s such an impressive sight that doing so is actually a fun way to spend half a day or so. If you’re lucky and patient you might see the glacier calving, which is very cool, and there are also short boat trips out into the lake that the glacier flows into if you want to get even closer to it.

Perito Moreno glacier is a short shuttle ride from the city of El Calafate, itself about a three hour flight from Buenos Aires. El Calafate is a nice enough place, on a windswept hillside beside a lake, but it doesn’t really offer much beyond its proximity to Perito Moreno. However from El Calafate it’s possible to get a bus 220 km north to the village of El Chaltén, which you can read more about…right now!

El Chaltén

El Chaltén is one of Argentina’s lesser-known tourism spots. That’s probably because it’s fairly inaccessible – it has no airport, and the fastest way to get there is a slow 3½ hr bus ride on unsealed roads from El Calafate.

El Chaltén was built in 1985 as a way of helping to secure a disputed border with Chile. Today however it’s raison d’être is solely tourism: it’s located at the northern end of Los Glaciares National Park near the mountains Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, making it a hotspot for hikers, climbers, mountaineers and anyone who just wants to enjoy the ridiculously amazing scenery.

The most popular thing to do in the El Chaltén area is hike or climb Cerro Fitz Roy, but there are more hiking opportunities than you can shake a stick at, so bring your walking boots (and poles, don’t forget the poles). Some say that the mountains and glaciers here are the equal of those in Torres del Paine national park across the border in Chile, plus they’re more accessible, and having been to both I have to agree.

There are plenty of places to stay in El Chaltén (and more being built all the time), but it can be pricey, so do your homework and book ahead if you’re on a budget.

Oh, one last thing: DO NOT spend time in El Chaltén without devoting at least one night to dinner and a sampling of the in-house beers at La Cerveceria Brew Pub & Resto. Some of the best beer in Argentina and the food is spectacular too!

Mendoza Province

Mendoza = wine. The very dry, very sunny Mendoza region is close to perfect for wine cultivation, particularly as the Río Mendoza (formed in the Andes) provides all the necessary water for irrigation.

Unsurprisingly then, the best thing to do in Mendoza Province is tour the many excellent wineries, some of which are world-famous. Organized bus tours are readily available, but the best way to do it is to hire a private car with a knowledgeable driver and get a personalized itinerary. The region is most famous for its Malbec, but other wines produced in Mendoza Province include Torrontes, Semillon, Syrah and Tempranillo.

So that’s the Mendoza region. What about the city of Mendoza? Argentina’s fourth largest city is a pleasant town with broad, tree-lined avenues and a very nice central plaza. Should you tire of wine, it’s a good base camp for skiing at Los Penitentes, Los Molles and Las Leñas, for rafting on the Río Mendoza, and for hiking or climbing nearby Aconcagua, which is the highest mountain in the Andes and indeed the highest mountain in the world outside Asia.

Bariloche

They do make it easy for you in Argentina: Mendoza is where you go for wine, and San Carlos de Bariloche (much more commonly known as just Bariloche) is where you go for snow. Another Patagonian destination, it’s a beautiful Argentine town with a Swiss-German twist.

First the skiing: Catedral Alta Patagonia is a ski resort located about an hour from Bariloche (you can get a cheap bus there). It has 40 lifts and over 100 km of marked trails for your carving pleasure. Look up and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views and the odd Andean Condor as well. From 15 September until 15 October is generally regarded as the best time to go.

And if you don’t want to ski, or you’re there at another time of the year? Never fear, because Bariloche brings you not only skiing but also mind-blowing Swiss chocolate, rafting, camping, climbing and hiking, with a side order of sailing, swimming and fantastic fishing in the nearby lake.

Also, should you tire of all of that, there’s the famous Road of the Seven Lakes. This is the popular name given to Route 234, the road between San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura in Neuquén Province. It’s a 107 km dirt road that crosses two national parks and brings you beautiful views over several lakes. Hire a car and drive it from end to end or take a tour bus from Bariloche; either way it’s unmissable.

Quebrada de Humahuaca

Places like Iguazú Falls, Perito Moreno glacier, Bariloche and Mendoza are firmly on the tourist radar in Argentina. But here’s somewhere equally fabulous that’s not: the Quebrada de Humahuaca in the far north-west of the country, in the Province of Jujuy.

So what is a ‘quebrada’ anyway? Good question. A quebrada is a ravine, and the Quebrada de Humahuaca is a ravine 150 km long and over two thousand meters above sea level, located not far from Argentina’s border with its northern neighbor, Bolivia. It is spectacular due to its rock formations and its incredible multicolored hills, which truly must be seen to be believed.

The largest city and main jumping-off point for exploring this area is Salta. Salta boasts some good hostels, plenty of tourist and car rental agencies and a nice central plaza, but it’s not a place you should plan to stay for more than a couple of nights. The real gems are the small towns located near Salta (such as Tilcara, Cachi, Cafayate and Humahuaca) and the landscapes in and around them. They’re best explored by car, but if you don’t have a car and don’t want to hire one, stay in Cafayate and do a tour of the nearby viewpoints from there.

The one absolutely unmissable sight in the area is the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of the Seven Colors) which provides a backdrop of amazing beauty for the little village of Purmamarca. The seven colors are: light orange (composed of red clay, mud and sand); white (lime rock); brown, purple and violet (lead and calcium); red (clay and iron); green (copper oxide); brown (rock and manganese), and yellow (sulfur).

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is yet another tourism destination in Argentine Patagonia. Its three draw cards are: watching Southern Right Whale in the Gulfo Nuevo (best in September and October); trips 180 km south to see the Magellanic penguin colony in the Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area, and excursions onto Península Valdés, a wildlife sanctuary for birds and marine species.

Puerto Madryn was originally settled by Welsh colonists, and the area retains some links with Wales. This is best seen in Gaiman, the nearby ‘Welsh town’ which conserves the architecture, traditions and (somewhat bizarrely) language of the Welsh settlers. The main thing to do there is to visit a tea house for a famous ‘Welsh Tea’ (tea + scones, cakes etc.).

Puerto Madryn is located either a short flight or an ass-crippling, mind-numbing 17 hr bus ride from Buenos Aires.

El Bolsón

El Bolsón is a very likeable town of about 15,000 people that’s located about 2 hrs south of Bariloche. It’s surrounded by snowcapped mountains and, like Bariloche, offers plenty of outdoors activities, such as fishing, trekking, rafting, climbing and skiing.

So: mountains and outdoor activities. Are they why you should visit El Bolsón? No! The real reason to visit El Bolsón is that it’s Argentina’s hippy HQ! It is staunchly non-nuclear (unlike Bariloche, which has an atomic energy center) and is currently fighting the establishment of a gold mine that has been proposed for a nearby site. Then there are the drum circles, naked children frolicking in the grass, organic jams and preserves, folk music, incense (hmm or is that marijuana?) and lots of local produce like cheese, smoked trout, ice cream and chocolate.

Best of all is the outdoor artisanal fair held in El Bolsón’s central plaza not once, not twice, but three times per week (on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays). It’s the most famous artisanal fair in the entire country and a great place to buy local handicrafts and locally produced food.

Conclusion

So there you are. Eight unmissable locations in easy striking distance of where you’re living right now. What are you waiting for?

Palermo vs. San Telmo: Choosing the Right Neighborhood in Buenos Aires

When I first got to Buenos Aires, I was immediately struck by the huge size of the place. Take the local bus in from the airport and you’ll see what I mean. Barrio after barrio after barrio and dense with people everywhere!

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires Traffic

My boyfriend, Jaime, and I had arrived in the city with the idea of staying a few months before starting our backpacking trip back to Colombia. Like always, we had put about 10 minutes of planning into the whole thing and as such when we got to the city we were a little lost.

Argentina Travel

Unlike many big cities, Buenos Aires has no central “travelers” area. There are hostels spread throughout the city and “must see” sites literally spread throughout nearly every barrio of the city. Choosing where to stay becomes super important, especially when you take into account the city’s crazy traffic and the hour or more that it can take to cross the city.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires

We ended up in El Centro at the first budget hostel we spotted. On first thought you would think that “El Centro” must be THE place to stay. Not really… The area has a few hostels and some great clubs along with the famous Casa Rosada, Florida Street, and Tortoni Cafe. That being said, the area is actually very much a business district and at night it can get a little sketchy in areas. Florida Street is particularly risky in the early mornings after the clubs close.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires Barrio

We quickly learned that the best areas in town for backpackers seem to be Palermo (in the north) or San Telmo (in the south). These neighborhoods are filled with great clubs, restaurants, budget hostels, plenty of sites to see, and a youthful vibe. They are also both pretty safe and have a good mix of travelers and locals. Picking the right neighborhood for your trip is vital though and one of the most important decisions you can make if you want to have a good trip. The trip between the two is over an hour, on a good day, so you better like the neighborhood you pick.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires Balconies

We ended up in both neighborhoods for a while and definitely learned the pros and cons of both San Telmo and Palermo. Here is what we saw:

San Telmo

This neighborhood in the south has a real, local Argentinian feel. Tango is danced on the street, steak houses and Italian food are everywhere, and locals can be seen stumbling out of bars nearly everyday as the sun starts to rise. It is a neighborhood with a rough exterior (political graffiti, worn down buildings) but a real soul.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires Tango Dancing

Things here are cheaper than in other areas of the city due mainly to the fact that it’s a locals’ neighborhood and not yet overrun with tourists. That being said, it is filled with some great hostels, hotels, and our favorite – the San Telmo Lofts. It’s also walking distance to a half dozen Buenos Aires sites: the obelisk, Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada, the famous Cafe Tortoni, Avenida Florida, and the Colon Theater. San Telmo also has one of the best street fairs in the city on Sundays which is famous for its antiques.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires Antique Markets

Palermo

This barrio is actually huge and often broken down into distinct regions such as Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho. As the names might give away, Palermo is a fashionable neighborhood. The area is filled with boutique hotels, incredible dance clubs with some of the world’s best DJs, restaurants that rival those in most European cities, and a youthful but high-end vibe. Don’t worry though; there are plenty of affordable hostels in Palermo as well.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires Streets

While San Telmo is known for its flea market antique fair, Palermo is known for its world famous designers. It has plenty to offer other than shopping though. Palermo is where you go in the city to see the famous parks of Buenos Aires. Locals swarm here on the weekend to rollerblade, bike, and to just relax or picnic in the grass. Palermo also has the city’s Botanical Gardens, the Buenos Aires Zoo, and the polo fields.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires Modern Architecture

The neighborhood has some the city’s best nightlife but not many small, casual bars. The outdoor cafes and restaurants though are fabulous and you will wonder if anyone eats at home. In general, it is one of the most safe barrios of Buenos Aires and many expats who have permanently retired to the city choose Palermo as home.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires

Both neighborhoods are great and both are worth seeing. San Telmo is kind of like the hippy district and Palermo is the glamorous side of town. They don’t fit in these boxes perfectly though. San Telmo is a good pick if you’re only in the city a few days and want to be close to all the sites. Palermo is a great place if you are planning on staying longer and want to check out great nightlife.

Argentina Travel - Buenos Aires Metal Flower

No matter where you end up, enjoy the city! We sure did!

Best cocktails around the world

During a vacation, discovering a new cocktail can help you discover what are the traditions and flavours that distinguish cities and nations. Some cocktails are often made with ingredients found only in specific parts of the world, which makes the taste of these drinks, quite interesting. Enjoy your cocktails in countries like:

Havana

The Cuban tourism is experiencing a time of great prosperity and some research have shown that among the cheapest flights in travel portals like British Airways and Scyscanner, are the flights to Cuba which you can book easily and cheap. Havana despite being known as the birthplace of the Caribbean rum is also famous for cocktails like the Cuba Libre, Mojito and Daiquiri. The second of these is one of the most respected and popular cocktails in the world and to experience the best, we recommend going to La Bodeguita del Medio, always surrounded by local personalities.

Cuban Rum Seller

Cuba Libre

Paris

Here in the capital of France where you can try the absinthe, the best of which is available at the Bar Cantada on Rue Moret, where it is has a great selection. Finally, for those looking for an original taste and unique cocktails in the world, the Hemingway Bar is recommended, because you can try such a Lemon Charlie or the special martini with black truffles and raspberries; yammiiii!!

Bar Cantada on Rue Moret

Hemingway Bar – Martini

Venice

Italy is also known for its juicy cocktails. At Harry’s Bar was born, for example the famous Bellini, the prosecco drink with peace. This place has also historical figures such as Guglielmo Marconi, Arturo Toscanini and Georges Braque.

Pouring Bellinis at Harry’s Bar, Venice

Its Spritz Time in Venice

New York

The Big Apple is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and therefore it is not strange that the mixing of cultures, has led to the creation of a large number of cocktails. Among the best places we can remind the Pegu Club, which is widely regarded as one of the most avant-garde experimentation of cocktail, where the old formulas made fantastic drinks.

Pegu Club Cocktail

Cocktail Mixologist New York

Manchester

Not many are aware that Manchester is a city where you can drink the best cocktails in the world. One of the best places to try is the exceptional Keko Moku, the Polynesian-style place where you can find the Mai Tai, the Zombie and the unique Seven.

Keko Moku

Bar lights in Manchester