We’ll arrive in ARGENTINA in BARILOCHE, from the Lake Crossing, on the 19th of January 2010. Bariloche just so happens to be Argentina’s chocolate capital! And the Lake District’s principal destination, with beautiful mountain scenery and loads of activities in the area. From Bariloche it’s possible to fly to EL CALAFATE in PATAGONIA, which we definitely want to do for a few days. Patagonia is home to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, which is home to Glaciar Moreno, one of the most dynamic and accessible ice fields in the world, and one of the only glaciers that is ‘stable’, not receding. It sounds magical!
From Patagonia we’ll fly to BUENOS AIRES to soak up what is apparently an extraordinary city… We’ll definitely have to go to a soccer game, try out a tango lesson and eat one of their famous steaks. We’ve been told there are old-world cafés, markets and bohemian streets to explore… Yes, please!
Next we’re off to PERU, landing in LIMA on the 8th of February. Lima sounds fascinating, the fading luxury of Spanish colonial architecture mixed with glitzy, modern shopping malls and excellent museums. Not to mention the fresh seafood in ocean-side restaurants! After a few days in the city, we’ll head to CUZCO, the archaelogical capital of the Americas, and the starting point of the Inca Trail… The four day trail is closed for maintenance for the whole of February, but we’ll be able to do the two day trail (which has the added bonus on being easier to acclimatize to!) We’ll hike the 2 day trail to visit MACHU PICCHU, and view the lost Inca city.
From Cuzco, we’ll fly to PUERTO MALDONADO, the gateway to some of the most unspoilt yet accessible AMAZON JUNGLE sites in the country. You can supposedly see, hear and feel the Amazon jungle like nowhere else in Peru. Amazing.
From PERU we head off to BRAZIL, landing in SAO PAULO, the cultural capital of Brazil on the 24th of February. We’ll spend a few days here getting to know the Paulistanos (the residents) and then take a bus to CURITIBA, where we’ll catch a train to PARANAGUA. The train between Curitiba and Paranagua is said to be one of the marvels of travel in Brazil because of the extraordinary coastal mountain range it passes through, Serro do Mar, and it only runs on Sundays. We’ll be waiting. Once we arrive in Paranagua we’ll catch a ferry to ILHA DO MEL, a pristine beach island only accessible by boat. It sounds incredible, there are three small villages on the island, but it’s tranquil and isolated, the picture of serenity.
From there we’ll find our way to RIO DE JANEIRO, a melting pot of cultures. We want to check out COPACABANA beach, see Christ the Redeemer, and experience the extraordinary nightlife.
Next, it’s off to SPAIN, flying into MADRID on the 12th of March. Madrid is supposed to be full of grand boulevards, art museums, nightlife, and tapas galore! We’ll rent a car there, and drive from Madrid to VALENCIA, to soak up the Muslim heritage and culture (and spend some time on the beaches). If we’re lucky, we’ll be in time to catch some of the six day Las Fallas Spring Festival, a celebration of spring with flowers and fireworks. From there we’ll drive to BARCELONA, Gaudi’s city. Picasso, Miro, the beach, the amazing bakeries and day trips to Roses and Sitges make Barcelona an exciting stop.
To get to ITALY, we’ll drive through the SOUTH OF FRANCE, PROVENCE in particular, which is supposed to be one of the most romantic areas on earth. Lovely!
