Tag: Buenos Aires

Iguazu Falls
Gate 1 ConnectionsLatin America

South America; Ancient Secrets Among Incredible Natural Beauty

on February 25, 2020

The intoxicating locales of South America strike the senses with both something familiar and foreign. From the beachside metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to icy Patagonian Argentina and on to beautiful Chile, a fascinating blend of cultures and landscapes are both recognizable and exotic at the same time. Majestic snow-capped Andean peaks might make you think you’ve landed in the Colorado Rockies, while the sophistication and bustle of its cities might remind you of a large US capital. One thing is for sure, the samba-stepping street performers and European-style architecture with colonial accents will quickly remind you that you’re not in the United States anymore.

This is South America through and through. It is the place where the richness of fine wines meet untamed Patagonia, where the controlled passion of the tango collides with the unbridled wilds of Iguazu Falls and where Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue peers down upon Ipanema beach-goers. It all must be seen to be believed and with Gate 1 Travel you will experience it all firsthand.

Brazil:

We start with Brazil that covers more than half the landmass of South America. Brazil was originally named for brazilwood, a tree that once grew up and down its shores. The timber from this tree produced a red dye, so it became a valued commodity in the European cloth trade. Once the indigenous Tupi people caught on to the overseas demand, they put the trees up for sale in exchange for European goods.

Brazil went on to become the largest Portuguese-speaking nation in the world, and the only one in the Americas. Surrounded by Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountains and brimming with big-city energy, Rio de Janeiro, the unofficial cultural capital, wears its friendly attitude on its sleeve.

Rio’s beauty unfolds in magnificent splendor: crescent beaches (such as the famous Ipanema and Copacabana), glittering skyscrapers, and forested mountains form an intoxicating hive of activity. Corcovado is topped by the famed Christ the Redeemer, a 124-foot statue of Christ, with his arms outstretched as if embracing the city below. A cog railway train gets you to the summit. On the other side of the city, all-glass cable cars bring you to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for an incredible view.

Rio certainly demonstrates that Brazil embraces its natural beauty, even in its largest cities. Along the Argentinean border, another spectacular site awaits. Iguazu Falls, a thundering cascade of 275 waterfalls that stretch two and half miles into a horseshoe shape, straddles the two countries of Brazil and Argentina. These incredible falls are wider than Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and higher than Niagara. They are a stunning sight to behold, and that’s just from the much smaller Brazilian side.

Argentina:

About 80% of Iguazu’s falls lie on Argentina’s side and few are more impressive than Garganta del Diablo, or Devil’s Throat. This U-shaped torrent plummets 270 feet over a half mile stretch. A rail car offers spectacular views from the top of the falls.

Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires offers another type of thrill. This is the city of Eva Peron, or “Evita”. The outspoken First Lady was wildly popular here, speaking out for those without a voice. She is buried in the Recoleta Cemetery, a fantastic miniature city of above-ground tombs and memorials. Buenos Aires is called the “Paris of South America” for good reason: its wide, tree-lined boulevards pass elegant architecture, soaring cathedrals and beautifully manicured green parks. More intimate views of the city can be had in any of the working-class barrios, such as La Boca or San Telmo, each with its own distinct and colorful personality.

Far from the city, in the eastern shadow of the Andes, lies Mendoza. Founded in the 16th century by Spanish settlers, this is today one of the world’s great wine regions. Vines here are planted at some of the highest altitudes in the world and yield Malbecs, Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. Mendoza is known for more than its wine. It also draws adventurers gearing up to climb Mt. Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the world outside the Himalayas, at 23,000 feet.

In this region of South America, stunning natural beauty, soaring mountains, pristine lakes, and babbling streams seems to beckon from every direction. Visiting the town of Bariloche, you just might wonder how much more beauty could possibly be in store. Nestled at the foot of the Andes, surrounded by forest, and hugging the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, Bariloche’s setting feels more Swiss than Argentinean, right down to the chocolate shops on every corner and the sweet scent of cocoa mixing with the clean mountain air.

Yet there is more beauty in store, in Argentine Patagonia. The old wool-trading town of El Calafate is the gateway to Los Glacieres National Park, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, the Perito Moreno Glacier stands high above the waters of Lake Argentino, a massive ice wall three miles wide and 240 feet tall. It is the largest ice cap outside of Antarctica and Greenland and controls the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water.

Chile:

Patagonia leaves any traveler feeling in awe at nature’s majesty. The charming lakeside village of Puerto Varas will have the same effect. Its setting is spectacular, resting on the shore of the scenic Llanquihue Lake, one of the largest in South America, and overseen by the symmetrical, snow-capped cone of the Osorno Volcano. The town itself is also a sight to behold, rich in the German-style wood-shingled architecture of its past European colonists.

Travel from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine National Park by way of Puerto Natales where an astonishing canvas unfolds. Chile’s Patagonia thrives with wildlife: Andean condors and eagles soar overhead, keeping watch over farmland grazed by sheep and a vast network of waterways. A full-day expedition cruise brings you face to face with sea lions, abundant birdlife, and spectacular glaciers. In Torres del Paine, you’ll have the chance to hike into the untouched Patagonian forest, where massive granite peaks pierce the sky above, a dramatic backdrop to thundering waterfalls, massive glaciers and wild guanacos.

Back in civilization, more specifically, in the capital of Santiago, a city’s design will amaze you. Over the past few decades, this booming city has grown tremendously, even hosting the tallest building in Latin America, the Gran Torre, or Grand Tower. For a glimpse into its more historic side, head to the Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city. The impressive cathedral is here, with its two bell towers as well as the Central Post Office Building and the 1808 Royal Court Palace.

Easter Island:

One of the planet’s most remote islands, Chile’s Easter Island, is located 1,200 miles from its nearest populated neighbor. This remarkable corner of the world lures archaeology buffs and nature lovers alike. Remnants of an ancient Polynesian culture dot the hilly landscape in the form of 800 massive stone figures, known as moai. Their mystery is twofold: Archeologists can only guess at their purpose, and no one knows exactly how the stone was quarried from the island’s volcanic stone and how the carved figures, weighing some ten tons each, were placed strategically around the island. Gate 1 takes you here so you can enjoy the mysterious island for yourself.

Take Advantage of the Best Value

Incredible places like these tell only part of the Gate 1 story. Our unmatched value in the industry tells the rest. Throughout your South American itinerary, you can sit back and relax knowing that you’ve attained the very best travel experience for your dollar. Excellent accommodations, delicious meals, unique cultural experiences and top-rated local guides add up to the most rewarding journey your travel dollars can buy. We cannot wait to show you South America the Gate 1 way!

Latin AmericaSmall Group Discoveries

Buenos Aires on the Rise!

on March 29, 2016

The cultural capital of Argentina is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Spread out along the banks of the Rio de Plata, Buenos Aires is a vibrant patchwork of inviting barrios, green parks, and welcoming porteños. If you’re like us, the more you explore it, the more you’ll love it. Case in point:

What’s in a Name? Theories abound about the origin of the city’s name. One tale tells of a statue of the Virgin Mary that was pulled from the sea after sailors believed that it helped calm a storm. The statue was placed in a local abbey and sailors often stopped to pray for Fair Winds (“Buen Ayre”) before they embarked on their journeys. Another legend has it that one explorer proclaimed “How fair are the winds of this land!” as he arrived for the first time. Regardless, English-speaking locals tend to go with the shorthand “B.A.” and travelers refer to it as the “Paris of America” for its European air and wide boulevards.

All the City’s a Stage. Of all the cities in the world, Buenos Aires boasts the highest concentration of theaters. The Teatro Colon is the centerpiece, rated a top international opera house. It is acoustically among the Top 5 theaters alongside those in Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Boston. The city also hosts several symphony orchestras and choral societies and even has a museum devoted to theater and popular music.

Hometown of a Pope. In 2013, Buenos Aires made international headlines with the election of Pope Francis, the city’s former archbishop. Before entering the seminary, Francis—then Jorge Mario Bergoglio—held jobs that were a far cry from Catholicism: He was a chemical technician and a nightclub bouncer. Known for his humility and outreach to the poor, he is the first non-European Pope in more than 1,270 years.

Birthplace of a Dance. The tango originated in the working class port neighborhoods of Buenos Aires in the mid-19th century. Often called the music of Argentinean immigrants, it is thought to be a fusion of ancient African rhythms and European music, instruments, and technique. In 1912, dancers and musicians from Argentina were traveling to Europe to showcase the dance. It wasn’t until it caught on in Paris that it grew into an international sensation.

People of the Port. The locals of Buenos Aires are known as porteños. It’s a term that came into use in the late 1800s as European immigrants poured into the city. Many settled along the shores of the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean just past the city. Just across the river, the people of Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital, are also known by the name.

Endless Neighborhood Charms. Consider Buenos Aires a collection of small barrios, and you have a treasure trove of mini-cities to explore! La Boca rests along the old port; the 19th-century ambiance here is marked by wrought-iron streetlamps and pastel-hued rowhouses of blues, greens, reds, and yellows. The decorative arts along some of the quaint caminitos (or little streets) have earned them status as “street museums.” San Telmo is one of the oldest barrios. Cobbled streets lead to well-preserved colonial buildings, tango parlors, antique shops, and cafes. The tony district of Retiro is known for its tree-lined avenues, Art Nouveau eateries, Art Deco office buildings, and posh shops. And the affluent Recoleta district is marked by outdoor sculpture, museums, and the Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Perón is buried.

So Many Reasons to Visit. More and more travelers are discovering the sophistication and culture of Buenos Aires. The city is European to a fault. Its architecture echoes that found in Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona. It is a bastion of culture, brimming with museums, theaters, churches, and book stores. And vast green spaces dot the cityscape, from an internationally renowned zoo and botanical garden to manicured parks and plazas. Little wonder that it holds a highly ranked spot on Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of the world’s most desirable cities to visit.