Santiago de Chile - Chile

Santiago – Chile

Post published:5 April 2015
Post category:Chile South America

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Santiago del Nuevo Extremo

Just 9 days after returning from out last longer trip in Israel, and only 4 that were spending the weekend in Helsinki; here we were again but this time for a longer period, flying into one of our farthest destinations ever, Chile. Santiago, the capital, would only be the gateway and main base to a much complete program ahead of us for the next 10 days, being the highlight of the trip (and probably of any trip so far to date) reaching the farthest possible place from the nearest mainland, at almost 4000 kilometers well into the Pacific Ocean: Easter Island.

Quite an adventure and great excitement returning to South America where, let’s be honest. It feels to me like going “back” home as Spanish that I am plus I love being able to use my mother tongue in a foreign country. Chileans to our great surprise, are very friendly and welcoming people, yet for some reason, half of my friends and family who have been there before disagree on this. Never mind, I can talk from my own experience, I loved it and I cannot wait to come back hopefully soon! There is way too much more to see, north and south. From the most arid desert on earth, Atacama, to the glaciers and landscapes of Patagonia.

Santiago is a very modern city, one of the largest in South America. And if you excuse me here, one of the wealthiest. Chile is one of the richest countries in Latin America with one of the highest per-capita income. No surprise why many people is choosing to migrate over there including friends of mine, since for example the work situation in Spain (as of April 2015) is not the best after the big crisis.

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Iguazu Falls - Brazil

Iguazu Falls – Brazil

Post published:5 June 2013
Post category:Brazil South America

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One of the greatest spectacles of the nature

From the very beginning since booking the flights to Brazil, we knew Iguazu Falls would have to be part of the trip. How or when was secondary, the main point was to plan at whatever the cost was in this point, at least a day trip here. We could not let the chance go now that we were going to be in the country to admire the largest waterfall system in the world, without any doubt a well deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site listed. Fine that you could also get here from the Argentinian side, where you have the people who argue which side is better; and reach them also from Paraguay, from Ciudad del Este which neighbours Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil just across the Parana River.

Now, after the trip, if you ask me if I would return, I certainly say a definitely yes! And possibly to stay longer, and to check the views from the Argentinian side. It is mind blowing and jaw-dropping to see such power and beauty of nature. Simply grandiose.

Fortunately, and considering the size of this country, Iguazu Falls are quite well located at short flight distance from both Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. From our experience coming from Rio, this was a little less than 2 hours flight. Also, the choice of airlines was good enough to select some of the best times at great prices. After all, this is one of your major places to visit in your lifetime, immerse yourself and appreciate the magnitude and size of it all.

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Sao Paulo - Brazil

Sao Paulo – Brazil

Post published:1 June 2013
Post category:Brazil South America

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I am not led, I lead

As so excited it can get, finally travelling to Brazil, although a very tiny part of the massive country. We managed to find a nice open-jaw ticket, the ones we are more and more frequently starting to seek and take advantage where possible. This means, you depart from one city in a country, but do not return to the same city, but to another, also likely to be in a different country too. So to give you our example, it was a Madrid to Sao Paulo, few days there and then the leg Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro; while for the return flights, it was Rio to Sao Paulo and to London, all with TAM Airlines. But for more information on the different kind of tickets, and when is best to find nice offers do not forget to take a look at the section The Flight Search Guide.

Although the highlight for this trip was getting to Rio de Janeiro of course, one should never underestimate the beautiful and gigantic city of Sao Paulo. Forget what you hear from the mouth to mouth, or even from locals there saying there is nothing to see, or if it’s ugly, dangerous and nothing to do. This is absolutely wrong; and yes, although not much from the historic colonial town remains, it is enough for at least 2 days or even more of full sightseeing.

The city is well divided in neighbourhoods, and as a tourist, the chances are you will be for sure in 2 of them. These are around Paulista Avenue, and the Downtown, where both the historic colonial city was founded and the business district that grew around it.

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