Cruising in South America

South America is the up-and-coming hot spot for cruise-lovers according to the 2007 Travel Trends Survey, from Cruise Holidays, the largest cruise retailer in North America.

While the top three destinations are still the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico, South America piques the curiosity of experienced passengers because the continent is considered exotic, Samba-sexy, mysterious and steeped in ancient history.

There are the sensuous rhythms of Rio, the unspoiled wilderness of Patagonia, the ancient streets of Cartagena and enough passionate culture to quicken the pulse of even the most experienced traveller.

South America has about 15 countries and many have claims to fame. Angel Falls (in Venezuela) is the world's highest waterfall. The Amazon is the largest river and rainforest. The Andes is the longest mountain range. The Atacama (in Chile) is the driest desert.

Cruise excursions range from cold to hot – such as flightseeing to Antarctica to see penguins and sea lions, floating down the Amazon River in a native canoe, visiting Copacabana and Ipanema beaches in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain and the city's dazzling downtown district.

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Elqui Valley - Chile

Elqui Valley, Chile's New Age tourist Mecca (think Taos, Tibet, Machu Pichu, Ayres Rock, the Pyramids), is 370 miles north of Santiago and 40 - 80 miles east of the beach city of La Serena. It begins in the little town of El Molle and runs along the Elqui River--which, like most rivers, is the result of several rivers coming together. The valley is known for its rugged mountains and clear desert air, both of which have prompted international astronomical organizations to set up telescopes here and to the north. In Chile, the valley is famous both as the home of Nobel Prize winning poet Gabriel Mistral, who is buried in Montegrande and memorialized in a museum in the valley's only city, Vicuña, where she was born, and as the home of pisco, a brandy distilled from grapes and flavored in many different ways. Read More

Sally Ogle Davis and Ivor Davis insite on Argentina.

When we first visited Argentina three years ago two stark and contrasting facts were immediately apparent: the pitiful state of the local economy and the absolute bonanza of travel bargains.

Friends had told us of making hotel reservations in Buenos Aires for $200 a night which, when they arrived, were now $80 — same hotel, same room, different exchange rate.

Fast forward to 2007, and while this fabulous and vibrant country is still feeling the aftereffects of an economic perfect storm, Argentina is slowly and inexorably climbing back onto its feet.

The peso — before the fall in December 200l — was once pegged 1-to-1 to the US dollar. It is now 3.10 pesos to the greenback, which means that, even today, prices are half what they were before the collapse.

If you fancy a change of pace from our own Ventura County backyard by heading to the land of the gaucho, don’t feel guilty about taking advantage of their hard times. They want you there. Your dollars help their recovery, so take your next vacation in the Big Apple (Buenos Aires that is, not New York). And enjoy.

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Forbes.com's Best Summer Ski Spots including some South American destinations.

Those heading south might visit Las Lenas in Argentina, the biggest ski resort in the country. It's got 16 ski lifts and 40 miles of trails from 11,250 feet above sea level. Novices or those looking to brush up their skills can take advantage of the internationally famous ski school's 150 instructors.

Thrill seekers and advanced skiers can go on guided expeditions to ski on virgin snow and unmarked trails. An example is El Soldado, a full day trip that has four downhill rides on untouched snow.

The Andes Trail

"The Andes Trail" is a bike race/expedition of 11.000 fascinating kilometres along, through and over the longest mountain range in the world. The tour starts August 9th, 2008 at the equator near Quito and finishes December 14th, 2008 in Ushuaia in Argentina, the most southern town in the world and for that reason nicknamed the "End-of-the-World". A bicycle tour from the middle to the end of the world.

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