It has a landscape harsher than Canada’s, geological wonders to rival New Zealand, and an altitude that will quite literally take your breath away. You may already have seen the ubiquitous optical illusion photos on the Uyuni salt flats, but there is so much more to Bolivia’s southwest. The surroundings seem to change with every […]
This is not a post for complaining about spelling (although I wouldn’t be opposed to writing one of those). This is the ultimate South American showdown: Argentina vs. Brazil, who will win it all? It’s a tough match, of course. How can you choose a winner in a battle of Buenos Aires vs. Rio de […]
Practically everywhere you look in Brazil you will find a fabulous stretch of beach. They’re not exactly in short supply. It isn’t every day, however, that you’ll find desert dunes and freshwater lagoons in the same place. Lencois Maranhenses National Park is a landscape so crazy that naturally the way to arrive there is a […]
In the tropical and tempestuous state of Bahia, Brazil, lies the gorgeous beach town of Trancoso. A place so splendidly swell, it should, by rights, be deemed illegal on the grounds of “altogether too pleasurable.” Like most pleasures, you must earn your visit to Trancoso; as reaching this wondrous destination is a bit tricky. You […]
Sometimes we all need a vacation from our trip. That sounds confusing, but bear with me. There are two types of travel: a trip, and a vacation. A trip is busy. There are places to go, things to see, perhaps some mountains to climb. A vacation, on the other hand, involves sitting beside a body […]
Argentina is huge. Yes, you can fly from place to place, but if you’re sticking to the very well-equipped bus system, there may not be time to cross all the way from culture capital Buenos Aires down to the epic Perito Moreno Glacier. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a brilliant taste of the Patagonian […]
Brazil is a veritable piñata of sights and experiences. And while the Amazon, the epic Iguassu Falls, and Rio are all rightfully high on the must-see list, there is another compelling reason to visit (or revisit) this gigantic playground. And it’s called the Pantanal (say this to yourself in the echo-y voice of an omniscient […]
Depending on where you live (we live in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is decidedly snowy/icy/chilly), right about now might be the perfect time to start daydreaming about a tropical vacation. Might we suggest you start daydreaming about somewhere sand and sunny? Yes? Ok then. Let’s start with what this cruise is not. It is […]
Let’s go out on a limb and predict that the world isn’t going to end tomorrow. Christmas and New Year’s will come and go, and then those of us in the northernmost parts of the northern hemisphere will enter what one Trufflepig planner calls “the long, dark tea time of the soul.” Give your soul […]
It’s rare to look forward to a long drive. With traffic jams at every corner, I often wonder how we make it anywhere. But when the drive is on a winding road up through the Andes with breathtaking panoramic views, the daily commute seems very far away. On a recent trip to Ecuador (much to […]
Now that Halloween candy is marked down to half price, it’s only a matter of time before the malls are filled with Christmas carols reworked by pop stars, and all the merchandise to go along with it. But Santa, what we want this year is really quite small. It could fit in the slimmest of […]
They fly, crawl, swim and (rarely ever) bite. Heck, some even sneeze salt. What are we talking about? These are just a few of the incredible animals of the Galapagos Islands. And right now they’re offering their hangout time at a discounted rate. Nowhere in the world can you experience the same level of diversity […]
Our tour guide points out the window toward a smooth-barked tree towering in the distance. “A ceiba tree, sacred to the ancient Mayans, was believed to be a bridge between the planes of existence: heaven, earth, and Xibalba, ‘place of fright’, where we are going today.” Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the the ATM caves, are […]
This is the place to watch day turn into night, as the twinkling lights of the strip come alive, and the wholesome afternoon vibe turns into a heady, fulsome fun. Where: Fasano Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Why: Rio is full of rooftop pools. All along the Copacabana and Ipanema beachfronts there are a plethora of pools for […]
Sometimes it’s about the journey and the destination. Brazil’s massive and magnificent coastline houses many hidden treasures that are well worth seeking out, even if it takes a wee while to arrive there. On a recent trip to Brazil I found a particularly challenging route to reach a remote beach lodge. The first part of the […]
A good pool is great at holding a lot of water. A great pool is good at that, plus it can hold its own as a piece of architecture. Where: Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize Why: If you spring for a deluxe cabana at this rustic luxe lodge, they throw in a private plunge pool. But you […]