Archive for South America

What Medications May Be Necessary to Travel? 15 Jan 2016

Visa requirements for a country will describe what vaccinations, if any, are required before entry.  You can easily find out what vaccinations or medicine are recommended in addition to any minimum requirements for your intended destination by contacting the Center for Disease Control.  Go to www.cdc.gov/travel and enter your destination(s).  Allow plenty of time before you travel before you travel in case there are timing requirements.

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Looking for More Adventure on Your Vacation? 01 Nov 2015

Many American travelers are demanding more adventure in their vacations. This ranges from exploring mainstream destinations in a non-ordinary way to thrill-seeking experiences. Whether you are a solo traveler, traveling as a couple, with friends or your family, all levels of adventure await you. A few considerations for soft adventures include:

  • Exploring a city like Paris or Rome by bicycle or Segway instead of on foot or by a coach bus
  • Tracing some of the Tour de France route on your own bicycle
  • Multi-sport vacations involving a variety of active experiences such as hiking, biking and kayaking–Backroads makes this possible in a number of countries as well as in the US
  • Exploring the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina on horseback–Austin Adventures offers great itineraries to this area
  • Small ship cruising to explore the Galapagos Islands, Alaska or other destinations–tour operators such as G Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions offer both adult and family adventures
  • Hiking from lodge to lodge, or by train then a one day hike to the top of Machu Picchu
  • Expedition cruising to the Antarctic or Arctic Circle–even luxury cruises are available such as with Silversea
  • An African safari by jeep or on foot
  • Dog-sledding in Alaska or exploring Iceland’s tundra by snow mobile in summer

For those seeking more adventure, a few ideas include:

  • White-water rafting the Grand Canyon
  • Heli-skiing in North America and other parts of the world
  • Swimming with sharks or cage-diving in such places as South Africa, Belize, Fiji and other areas
  • Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda or the Republic of Congo–watch for my upcoming blog about Uganda soon!
  • Hiking Kilimanjaro-possible even for families through Thomson Family Adventures
  • Exploring Vietnam by Vespa
  • Hiking and camping along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu–Austin Adventures can organize this with hot showers and gourmet cuisine

Looking for ideas for your next adventure? Call for a free 20-minute consultation, 602-923-1542.

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Vacation and Volunteering 01 Sep 2015

VoluntourismPerhaps you have traveled a lot and are looking for a new and enriching vacation experience? Voluntourism may be just what you are looking for as a way to feed your curiosity about other cultures and fulfill your longing to give back to society. Volunteering can range from occupying a brief part of your vacation itinerary to being the main purpose and activity throughout your journey. One thing for certain, there is no shortage of need or opportunity to be involved.
What is voluntourism? It is the volunteering of your time and energy and in some cases, specific skills like nursing, surgery, engineering or teaching, while traveling abroad.  Work is done to benefit a selected beneficiary such as an orphanage, school, or an entire community. As mentioned previously, your time commitment is finite, in that it does not extend beyond your vacation dates. Often, you are expected to pay for your expenses; that generally includes a financial donation to the
project.
What voluntourism opportunities exist, and how do you get involved? Volunteer activities are endless and range from teaching, providing medical services, construction, gardening and farming, animal care to archaeological work and much more. There is something for everyone to do. A number of organizations have established outreach programs including chain and high-end hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont, and Six Senses to name a few or eco-lodges such as Lapa Rios in Costa Rica. There are also tour operators deeply involved in the local communities in which they bring tourists such as Micato Safaris, Lindblad Expeditions, Hands Up Holidays and Abercrombie & Kent.  There are also several non-profit organizations such as Global Volunteers and Doctors Without Borders.
Volunteering while on vacation is an excellent way to get to know the local people more intimately. It can also be a great way to bond with your family members and introduce young people to the idea of giving back and helping others.
Want to learn more? Call Gateway Destinations at 602-923-1542.
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Riding the Rails in Luxury 01 Dec 2014

Luxury Train Travel, Riding the Rails in LuxuryLuxurious train travel provides vacationers a unique and nostalgic way to travel while offering the comforts of a fine hotel and enjoyment of gourmet food as they journey through stunning scenery. Vintage yet elegant décor and a slower pace of travel transport passengers back to a time when locomotives powered the main form of transportation. A resurgence of rail travel has resulted in luxury opportunities being available on all continents, ranging from one day to trans-continental journeys.

Several memorable short (one day or less) train trips include the Glacier Express that winds through eight hours of breathtaking Swiss alpine scenery, the British Pullman as it rolls into London completing a journey begun in France through the Eurotunnel, or the Hiram Bingham that traverses through the Sacred Valley between Cusco and the base of Machu Picchu. Some popular luxury journeys lasting several days include Rovo’s Rail in South Africa, the renowned Royal Scotsman, and Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer. For passengers with the gift of time, extended journeys can be found on the Golden Eagle as it explores Siberia or the luxurious and state-of-the art Maharajas Express in India. These are just a few of the luxury train experiences available today.

Interior of Vintage and Luxury TrainRail passengers travel through scenery that is overlooked when flying, and avoid the stress of dealing with airports. Unpacking once also adds to a more relaxing experience. Onboard amenities often include gourmet dining served in an elegant setting, 24-hour steward service, international electrical outlets, and for long distance trains – luxurious sleeper cabins with ensuite restrooms, onboard entertainment, professional tour guides and spa and fitness centers.

Due to limited space and perhaps infrequent or seasonal schedules, reservations are often required well in advance. And it is wise to confirm a train reservation even before purchasing flights, as alternate dates may need to be chosen. Featuring a rail journey or incorporating some luxury train travel into an overall itinerary can be a unique and memorable way to share time with your loved one, friends or family members. Gateway Destinations offers a variety of premium rail experiences worldwide – call us for ideas!

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10 Travel Tips to Peru 09 Oct 2014

1o Travel Tips to PeruPeru may not be the most popular destination for travelers but it is highly-recommended for women-only groups. What better way to learn the interesting life and work of the Peruvian women than with your girlfriends?

Gateway Destinations offers a customized tour package that lets you discover the mystical beauty of modern Peru.E xplore the Sacred Valley with Peru’s top historian as your tour guide. By visiting a private visit to the largest private colonial art collection in Latin America, you can learn about colonial history.

You can also learn more about art safari by going to a vibrant mountaintop city of Cuzco. And to learn the modern Peruvian women’s role in the society, visit a weaving project and a community agricultural site.

Our Peru In All Its Splendor women-only tour will be a 9-day journey that lets you discover art, beauty, and food in this South American country. It’s a trip worth taking as it is filled with many adventures. It’s not only fun, it’s also educational. 

Traveling to Peru anytime soon? Here are some tips:

1. Take care of your migration card. An Andean Migration Card will be handed to you at the airport. It is imperative that you don’t lose it. Bring it with you everywhere because you’ll need the card especially when you check into hotels.

2. Hold onto your bag. Watch you bag and other belongings very carefully. It’s relatively safe in Peru but it’s best to be careful. You don’t know when pickpockets and thieves will strike.

3. Always bring wet wipes, tissues, and hand sanitizer with you. It’s best to be prepared and hygienic at all times.

4. Haggle. When shopping, it’s okay to haggle. Don’t pay more for stuff you usually find in your country. Check the quality. If you like the product, negotiate the price.

5. Most establishments accept soles or US dollars. It’s okay if you only have dollars with you because people will accept the American currency in Peru.

6. Wear sunscreen. Because the sun is intense in Peru, make sure you wear sunblock or sunscreen all the time. Even if it is cloudy, put on skin protection.

7. Wear comfortable clothes and footwear. It’s warm in Peru so wear light clothes and flip flops if possible. However, there will be a lot of walking so comfortable rubber shoes or sneakers are also recommended.

8. Choose street food vendors that have a lot of crowd. If you get hungry, there are street foods to choose form. Search for a crowd or those dining areas that have a lot of people so you know food is clean.

9. Always carry coins. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Peru but it’s best to have coins to pay for public restroom access or pay food street vendors.

10. Hot water is a luxury in Peru. Sorry, but you may have to shower with cold water while on tour.

More details about our Peru Tour Package HERE.

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