It was a film night about Peru that first hooked me on South America. I dreamed about visiting Machu Picchu for several years, and finally got there via 4 days on the Inca Trail – an amazing experience! Since then I have visited Latin America a number of times with Patagonia probably my favourite region. The rocky landscapes and glacial lakes of Torres del Paine are so stunning, with a new view around every corner, and the colours are wonderful. The Atacama Desert is another photographer’s paradise. I loved the red rock formations scattered with salt, and the dramatic geysers that steam up the early morning mist, but my favourite places were the deep blue high altitude lagoons and the yellow-green grassy wetlands with grazing guanacos – so much to see!
Latin America is also perfect for family adventures, and with my two sons we’ve learned to call howler monkeys in the Costa Rican jungle, explored archaeological sites and watched local kids in Cafayate, Argentina, march in their town parade for Independence Day. Not to mention the delicious empanadas and alfajores we made in a Buenos Aires cooking class! Latin America has an incredible variety of cultures and experiences and there’s always something new to discover.
Places Visited
Argentina: Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, Salta, Cachi, Cafayate, Purmamarca
Bolivia: La Paz, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca
Chile: Santiago, Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park
Peru: Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, Puno, Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, Aria Amazon cruise
Costa Rica: San Jose, Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Cahuita
Mexico: Mexico City, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Campeche, Merida, Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres