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| Patagonia ... A Land of Extremes and a Home for Dreamers |
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- Ski in Patagonia This Summer! - Lake Crossing and the Northwest: Nature and History of Chile and Argentina February 2008 - Postcards from Patagonia - Postcards from Patagonia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Join Christie and Max, owners of Patagonia Travel Co as they share the best of Patagonia with Matt Lauer on The Today Show. Click here to watch Christie and Max and the Patagonia segment of The Today Show which aired April 28, 2008. It’s the ultimate summer break – a ski and snowboard adventure in Patagonia. How’s the skiing? You choose between hardcore ski mountaineering, off-piste free-riding or mile-long groomers. PTC’s trips combine cozy lodges, great food and wine, a cultural delight, and the best ski guides in South America. Don’t miss this chance to ski in Patagonia with the real insiders. Trips run from July through early October, starting at $2795 per person. Contact us for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lake Crossing and the Northwest: Nature and History of Chile and Argentina February 2008 Join us on the adventure of a lifetime -· Cross the Andes by water, from Bariloche, Patagonia to the Pacific Ocean -· Explore Santiago , Chile 's cosmopolitan capital and its coastal sister cities -· See Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas , up close -· Tour Malbec Country, the vineyards of Mendoza -· Explore Incan heritage of the remote and rugged Argentine northwest Join us in February for an exploration of the past, present and future of Chile and Argentina . This amazing itinerary blends natural beauty - the Lakes District of Patagonia, the tallest mountains in the world outside the Himalaya, and the rugged multi-colour canyons of Salta - with vibrant culture and rich heritage. We'll see the modern city of Santiago and it's neighbours - the classy Viña del Mar and the bluecollar port town Valparaiso - then head to the charming city of Mendoza and further north to the ancient Incan villages of Salta , where indigenous people herd llamas on centuries-old Incan trails. In Salta , we'll see pre-Hispanic and colonial architecture including Jesuit missions set amidst achingly high plateaus. There's an optional night in Buenos Aires for those who just can't get enough of the Paris of the Americas . We're planning a two-week and 17-day trip, a winter getaway, that will include nights in Bariloche, Peulla, Puerto Montt, Santiago , Mendoza , Salta and Buenos Aires . For more information, contact christie [a] patagoniatravelco [dot] com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Postcards from Patagonia We're waxing our skis and pulling the chains out of the trunk. It is winter in Patagonia, and that means snow adventures in the Andes ! Patagonia 's combination of rugged mountains, cozy villages, sophisticated cuisine and unlimited horizons makes it a great destination any time of the year. And with no jet-lag, you can be at work in North America one afternoon, and hitting the slopes the very next day! If you're looking further down the road to next winter, and beginning to dream of a mid-winter get-away, we have some ideas for you. Across the Andes and to the Northwest : Join us for a 17-day exploration of Argentina and Chile on a brand new itinerary this winter. First, we'll cross the Andes by water in the luscious Lakes District - a heavenly winter getaway with lakes, rivers and adventure. Then fly to Santiago , Chile 's cosmopolitan capital. Drive beneath the tallest peaks in the Americas to Mendoza 's wine country. Finally, head to Salta in the historic northwest, where indigenous people herd llamas on centuries-old Incan trails amidst achingly high plateaus nestled up against the Chilean and Bolivian borders. This trip starts in Bariloche on February 15, 2008. There are a few spots left but they're going fast. Contact us for more details. A Horselover's Heaven : From the dashing polo fields of Buenos Aires to the gaucho trails of Patagonia, horses are worshipped and adored in Argentina . They're the playmate of the stylish jet-set, the trail-mate for adventurers in deep Andean valleys, and the only true friend of the infamously lonely yet deeply honest gaucho. We offer horseback riding in places as diverse as the vineyards of Mendoza , the high alpine trails of Bariloche and the wide-open spaces of estancias. If you love horses, this is going to be your dream come true. Fondue in South America : Take cheese from the healthy dairy cows of the Pampas and the rich red wines of Mendoza , add a dash of cozy Alpine atmosphere, a handful of fresh mountain air and stir it up with great friends. With its rich Alpine heritage, fondue is a long-held tradition in the Lakes District of Patagonia, and a regular evening activity on our tours. We love visiting our friends' fondue house with our guests for cheese and beef fondue, and chocolate from the area's famous artisan chocolatiers. No double dipping! The Ultimate Romantic Get-away : Two weeks exploring Argentina on horseback, in Tango halls, stylish boutiques and on quiet mountain trails. This couple from Toronto asked us to design a trip that'd have them eating well, living large, escaping the hustle and bustle of their daily lives, and finding some romance and adventure. Right up our alley! This November, they'll be staying at a chic Palermo Viejo boutique inn favoured by artists, a stunningly remote estancia with a private chef and at a vineyard hostería surrounded by Malbec grapes. We're not telling exactly where these spots are, though...it's about unplugging after all! Contact us to customize your next adventure . What our clients are saying : "Witty, warm, informative, thoughtful, patient.... You were the perfect duo for our group's needs. We thank you and will recommend you to everyone we know. The best part of the trip was the overall organization, thought and detail planning that went into each day. There was a wonderful rhythm to the trip - rustic then luxurious; urban then country/frontier/port; exertion balanced by relaxation; information then reflection. Incredibly special!" P and B Dann Patagonia Writing : Christie's brand-new Frommers Argentina 1st Edition hits stands across North America and around the world this month. And her personal page, www.patatonialiving.com will be profiled this month by BBC Radio4's Woman's Hour . For more questions or comments, please visit contact us! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ November started with our annual trekking expedition in Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine National Parks. Since then, we've been kayak-touring with fun-loving families, horseback riding at remote estancias, rafting the Manso River , crossing the Andes by boat, mountaineering at Mt. Tronador , taking in tango in Buenos Aires and visiting our favourite bodegas in Mendoza . What a life! Intimate Estancias : This group of friends wanted to get off the beaten track and step back in time to experience the classic family-run estancia life of Argentina . Now that's the kind of request we love! We took them to a simple, rustic and utterly charming estancia north of Bariloche for horseback riding, star-gazing and an unforgettable lamb asado barbecue prepared by our friend Lalo. Definitely an extraordinary Lakes District weekend! La Hoya and Cerro Bayo Secrets : Villa La Angostura's Cerro Bayo and Esquel's La Hoya ski resorts are known amongst die-hard local skiers as the most exciting and least visited ski areas in South America . Heaps of powder, endless untouched bowls and a quaint unpretentious villages at the base - this is adventure skiing at its best. Join us this summer ! BA Buzz : Hipsters, editors, style-mavens and trend setters just can't get enough of it - Buenos Aires is the 'It Spot' for trendy global tourists. Chic boutiques, great restaurants, stylish locals, passionate tango dancers and booming tourism industry, great prices - what's not to love? But it can be hard to navigate this mega-city. Where should I stay? Where should I eat? How do I get to Palermo Soho? When is the Teatro Colon opening and how do I get tickets to a River Plate-Boca Juniors game? What about tango? Trust us to point you in the right direction. Our local guides will take you deep behind the facades to discover this amazing city. Most of our trips either start or finish in BA; it's not the kind of place you want to just connect through. Come see what all the fuss is about! Why Customize? There's just so much to see and do here in Patagonia , it's impossible for us to come up with one single itinerary that suits everyone. Athletes, shoppers, wine-lovers, horseback riders, skiers, families, couples, young and old - the face of our clientele is as diverse as the plains of Patagonia are vast. We approach each trip as a unique adventure, and we love the challenge and diversity of customizing itineraries. It allows us to get to really know our clients, who quickly feel much more like friends. Patagonia is a place where so many dreams become reality. Tell us what you want to do down here. If you're not sure, let's chat ! Check out Christie's article on some of the most interesting new hotels in Patagonia that was published in the Globe and Mail in February . Christie is also co-authoring the new Frommer's Argentina 1 st Edition guidebook, scheduled to hit stands in July. And please visit her new website www.patagonialiving.com . Max will be giving a photo presentation on Nature and Adventure in Patagonia this April in Canmore as part of the Canmore Library Speakers Series. Contact us for more information. |