Rio de Janeiro is more than a city—it’s sun-soaked poetry. From the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue gazing over the city to the energy of Copacabana, Rio pulses with life. But one neighborhood in particular, Ipanema, has etched its name into global culture—thanks to a girl who walked along its beach and into musical history. […]
Rio de Janeiro and the Girl from Ipanema: Where Music Meets the Sea Read More »
It’s called El Ateneo, Spanish for “The Athenaeum”, a place associated with learning, the arts and intellectual pursuits. A hundred years ago, it was one of the most elegant theatres in all of Argentina, now it is considered the most beautiful bookstore in the world. Shelves of books replace rows of seating…celebrating a different type
Visit the Most Beautiful Bookstore in the World Read More »
This is not just “another waterfall’…and believe me, I’ve seen a few and shared them with you; Iceland has Seljalandfoss and Godafoss among their trove of treasures as well as South Africa’s Victoria Falls from both ground and helicopter views. But Iguazu trumps all of these with raw majesty, sound and fury! Iguazu Falls are actually
Enormously Powerful. Relentlessly Beautiful. See Thunderous Iguazu Falls! Read More »
My joy is to live as free as the bird in the sky; I make no nest upon this earth Jose Hernandez from his 1872 poem The Gaucho Martin Fierro Different from the American cowboy, the gaucho is no Marlboro man with a Spanish accent. South American gauchos were sons of Andalusian pioneers settling in
A Visit with Gauchos of the Argentine Pampas Read More »
At first, it is all kitschy street drama. Tango couples inviting tourists in for the photo op with tipped hat and mimed kisses. There is much more to the story of La Boca. This colorful neighborhood located in southern Buenos Aires brims with street tango performances, soccer fans and art museums. Named after its location
The Brilliant Colors of La Boca Tell Buenos Aires’ Stormy History Read More »
Visually impressive, sure! I was startled and fascinated by their constant, changing soundtrack, so unexpected from this vast frozen panorama of limitless shades of blue ice formations. Shifting, moving, sometimes calving in great, majestic glacial chunks. Our first views were of the Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate Argentina’s Los Glaciales National Park with an
Ice Music! Patagonia’s Astonishing Symphony of Glaciers Read More »
The Argentine tango, a passionate dance and music style emerged in the late 19th century in Buenos Aires, Argentina from a blend of European, African and native influences, especially in the working class and immigrant communities. In the great immigrant flow of the early 20th century, tango became the culture of Buenos Aires’ neighborhoods, bars,
The Tango! Passionate, Electrifying and Forbidden Dance Takes the Stage Read More »
Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile became a favorite within minutes of arriving. A park with everything hikers like me dream about. Narrow but stunning valleys that separate hypnotic geological features, glaciers, and lakes of impossible shades of blue. In fact, Paine means “blue” in the native Tehuelche (Aonikenk) language.and is pronounced PIE-neh. Torres del Paine National Park, located in
The Tip of Chilean Patagonia: Formidable, Spectacular Torres del Paine Read More »
What is Machu Picchu? There is no reference to Machu Picchu in Inca literature or folklore, so what is this culturally sophisticated engineering city in the Andes of Peru? Many archeologists believe that it was constructed as a retreat for the Inca nobility between 1400 and 1500 AD. But the extensive terracing suggests it may
Unraveling The Best and Biggest Mysteries of Machu Picchu Read More »
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country’s authentic cuisine with seafood as a highlight. Peruvian Ceviche is a marinated seafood dish, typically the first course, which consists of a fresh, white fish soaked in fresh lime juice and served with thinly sliced red onion and sweet potato. As I traveled
“Si!” to Peru’s Signature Delicacies, Ceviche and Pisco Sours Read More »