Destinations

After a few days in the city, take off for the Amazon!  There are a number of rainforest eco-lodges, all of which offer excellent opportunities for hiking, birding, canoeing, and exploration.  La Selva Jungle Lodge is a 2 hour boat ride away from Coca (the small city that serves as a gateway to the Amazon), and offers a variety of packages that include accommodation, guided excursions, and meals.  The private bungalows are comfortable (mosquito-netted beds, porches with hammocks, and bathroom with shower), the guides are fantastic, and the food is incredible.  Any trip to the rainforest is an unforgettable experience, and this lodge does an exceptional job of ensuring a wonderful stay; no more than 40 guests will be visiting the lodge at any given time, and excursions are limited to 8 people per guide.

For those with a real taste for adventure and a keen interest in wildlife, a trip out to the Galapagos will be unforgettable!  The islands, located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are home to a variety of wildlife—these sea lions, penguins, birds, turtles, and iguanas have spent the duration of their lives with no natural fear of man.  As a result, you can literally come face-to-face with these incredible animals (you can even snorkel with the sea lions)!  There are a variety of companies that operate tours throughout the islands.  The smaller boats are preferable, simply because group size is more limited.  The guides that lead the excursions must go through rigorous certification processes, and are all very knowledgeable and speak excellent English.  Each boat has a separate itinerary that is approved by the government of Ecuador, so that not too many people are visiting a particular island at any given time.  Be forewarned–this is an active destination (and a bit pricey)!  Passengers should be prepared to spend several hours a day hiking and snorkeling—there are also some early mornings on the boat.

From guest bloggers: Nannette and Susie Casto Clients

The Chaiten Volcano erupted for the first time in 9,000 years, and forced us to skip Bariloche (the airport was closed). We chose to extend our stay in Santiago. Thank goodness we booked our tours through Casto Travel, as they promptly and professionally rearranged our travel plans. They also had to deal with a local airlines strike. Yikes! Casto Travel personnel are THE BEST!

Santiago, Chile is a compact city, allowing you to visit all the must-see sights in a few days. Choose a clear day to travel to the top of Parque Metropolitano where you’ll be treated to exquisite views and admire the monument to the Virgin Inmaculada Concepcion. (Smog veiled our view when we were there.) Don’t miss strolling through the colorful Bellavista neighborhood. We experienced a delightful lunch at El Otro Sitio, a delicious Peruvian restaurant. Our hotel was the Hotel Plaza San Francisco, conveniently located in Santiago Centro, and within easy walking distance to Plaza de Armas, the Presidential Palace, Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, and a stone’s throw to the landmark church, Iglesia San Francisco. Be sure to visit the lovely old post office, and lunch at the Mercado Central market. Stroll through the park at Cerro Santa Lucia and dine in the Italian section around Plaza Mulato Gil. We took a day trip to Isla Negra and toured Pablo Neruda’s home (he was a Chilean poet and Nobel laureate). His stone home, which houses his many collections, is perched on a beautiful bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean – reminiscent of our Monterey/Carmel shorelines. Dining is one of Santiago’s great pleasures, with menus of seafood delivered directly from the Pacific Ocean, and at most affordable prices. Vitacura is the destination for upscale shopping! There is a definite Latin flavor to Santiago and it is easy to explore. Dining at Astrid y Gaston (the chef is considered the best in South America and has several restaurants worldwide) was a highlight.

The Atacama Desert, the highest (7,500 ft.) and driest desert in the world, is a short plane ride North of Santiago. Be sure to stay at the simply elegant Explora Resort, which sits in the midst of some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Surrounded by towering volcanoes and a mountain range composed almost entirely of salt, we marveled at its diversity. We hiked to the Reserva Nacional los Flamencos, which is home to 3 species of flamingoes. Beware of altitude problems as you trek up to 11,600 feet to reach the Puritama Hot Springs. The Valley of the Moon is named for its moon-like landscape, and the Salar de Tara (Tara Salt Flat) is peacefully located at 13,000 feet, after passing through cathedral-like rock formations. The Explora has a 3-night minimum, and is an all-inclusive resort. Included are numerous guided trekking options, horseback riding, and bicycle trips, plus meals prepared with the freshest ingredients, and drinks. The nearby charming, small town of San Pedro is within walking distance of the resort, and offers goods made by local artisans. Don’t miss this spectacular and unique area!