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Paraty is a small town on Brazil’s Costa Verde and is surrounded by mountains. Its a small colonial town and its cobbled colourful streets bring visitors from far and wide.
Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s second largest city and said to be one of the most visited cities in South America. When you think of Rio you think of carnival, fantastic beaches, favelas and famous landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf mountain.
You can do the tour of Itapu Dam from Foz do Iguazu in Brazil, it’s much more of an adventure though from Paraguay.
Iguazu falls are an amazing sight and a must visit on any Brazilian itinerary, but have you thought of visiting them from Argentina.
Iguazu falls are without doubt a natural wonder of the world we would goes far as to say you can’t come to Brazil without visiting them.
Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina and its capital. Buenos Aires is a city that never sleeps, famous for its phenomenal nightlife, which ranges from traditional neighbourhood taverns to award-winning cocktail bars.
La Paloma is a small seaside town on the Southwest coast of Uruguay just north of Montevideo. Much smaller than the more widely known beach resort of Punta del Este.
Montevideo is one of the smallest capital cities in the world with under 1.4million inhabitants but its considered to be one of the safest.
Colonia del Sacramento is generally the first town you’ll encounter if coming from Argentina into Uruguay and not flying direct into Montevideo.
Salta, Argentina is a lovely town in the North West of the country. If you’re travelling into Argentina from Bolivia or Chile then Salta is one of the first large towns you’ll come to.
If you have done the three day two nights Uyuni salt flats tour and chosen to cross into Chile this is where you will end up.
If you’ve ever looked a visiting Bolivia then I suspect that doing some kind of Uyuni Salt Flats tour will be at the top of your itinerary.
Sucre is in Bolivia’s southern highland region and you could be forgiven for thinking that the other large city in Bolivia, La Paz, was its capital but no, its Sucre, the gorgeous white city as its sometimes known.
When you think of La Paz Bolivia most people tend to think this is the capital of Bolivia, I know I did, but in fact its only the administrative capital with the true capital of the country being Sucre.
When your sat watching rubbish on the telly and someone says, only aliens could have created such intricate patterns your interest peaks.
The Bolivian border crossing was quite a pleasant surprise, we had been expecting it to be a little tricky but it turned out to be a quite simple process.
Tipon & Pikillaqta are two archeological sites that are located in Cusco’s less visited southern valley. Tipon is a large Incan site believed to be from the early fifteenth century, while Pikillaqta was built by the Wari culture that predates the Incans.
The Sacred Valley sits in Peru’s Andean highlands, with Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire. Stretching roughly 60 kilometers, it’s an area of fertile farmland and Spanish colonial villages like Pisac and Ollantaytambo
Machu Picchu must be on everyone’s to do list, the Inca Trail is the most exhilarating way to get there.
Cusco has a number of museums covering all different aspects from Chocolate making to the history of the Inca civilisation.
These four archeological sites, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enco, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay sit above Cusco and are included on the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
There is literally so much to do and see in Cusco you’d need weeks to see it all. As well as the paid activities we found loads to do for free and being on a travellers budget we were amazed at how much we could see and do for free.
Cusco has a wide variety of Churches and Monasteries ranging from small local churches to the main Cusco Cathedral which dominates the Plaza de Armas in the centre of town.
The Cusco tourist ticket is an essential buy when visiting the city as you will need this to enter most of the more famous archeological sites and attractions.
If you shut your eyes and try and imagine what Peru looks like then you are probably conjuring up in your mine something that looks very similar to Cusco.
Paracas is a coastal resort just a few hours south of Lima in Peru. Its known for its beaches, its national park and it is the gateway to the Ballestas Islands which are home to many species of wildlife including the Humbolt Penguin.
So you’ve just landed in Lima for a short stay and you’re wondering what to do until you move on, we were in the same situation.
The Santa Cruz trek is one of the best multi day treks in Peru if not the world. With stunning views that take your breath away.
Laguna Llaca is a beautiful hike, It’s a little more difficult to get to as there’s no public transport and no tours but this adds to the attraction
Laguna Churup is a great day hike from Huaraz, the trail head can be reached by public transport. It’s within the national park so you will have the fees to pay but it still works out to be a cheap day out.
Laguna Wilcacocha makes the perfect acclimatisation hike in Huaraz. It’s not to high and not to difficult
Often called the gateway to the Cordellia Blanca or the White Mountains in English, Huaraz is the trekking capital of Peru.
Trujillo is Peru’s third largest populous city and lies on the North Western coast of the country. Its said to be rich in culture and the ancient archeological sites of Chan Chan and the Temple of the Moon which lie just outside the city are testament to that.
The undisturbed tombs of Lord of Sipan were unearthed at Huaca Rajada, in Lambayeque, just north of Chiclayo. This is said to be the greatest archaeological discovery in Peruvian history.
Land border crossing are always a worry especially post covid as things seem to change by the day, this one however could really be simpler.
Cuenca or to give it its full name Santa Ana de los Cuatro Rios de Cuenca is located in the highlands of Ecuador and sits at 2560mtrs above sea level. It’s centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by many tourists.
How to visit Chimborazo Volcano as a day trip. Breathtaking views and an excellent hike to 5000m.
Cotopaxi volcano is probably the most iconic emblem of Ecuador and one of the most recognisable mountains in South America if not the world. So with that in mind you would think it would be hard to visit and expensive.
The Quilotoa loop three day hike is one of the most popular hikes in Ecuador mainly because of the spectacular countryside that walkers make their way through on dusty paths and lush green vegetation.
We had been looking forward to discovering Ecuador’s colonial capital since we entered the country almost a week ago. It is one of the first twelve places to be given the status of a unesco world heritage site.
Santa Cruz Island, in the Galapagos, is home to the largest town in the archipelago Puerto Ayora which is the main Galapagos tourist hub.
Isabela Island is the largest of the Galápagos Islands and is distinctly shaped like a horseshoe. It is made up of no less than 5 young volcanoes fused together with some of them still being active with the most recent eruption on Sierra Negro being only in 2018.
San Cristóbal is the fifth largest and easternmost island of the Galapagos. It is comprised of three or four fused volcanoes, all extinct.
Galápagos Islands on a budget | Can it be done? The Galápagos Islands were not really on our travel list mainly due to the cost.
Laguna de Cuicocha is a volcanic crater lake on the outskirts of Otavalo in northern Ecuador. It’s an easy day hike using public transport so is an ideal hike for budget conscious backpackers.
Fuya Fuya means cloud cloud in Kichwa the local indigenous language of the Otavalos people. Legend says that the clouds are born here on it’s twin peaks
Otavalo is a town in the Andean highlands in the Imbabura province of northern Ecuador. It’s surrounded by volcanoes including and the most amazing landscape
We were quite nervous about making the crossing from Colombia to Ecuador via the Rumichaca bridge land crossing. Some of the stories we had heard from other travellers made it sound like a real ordeal and very stressful.
To visit Tierradentro you need to head to the tiny pueblo of San Andrés de Pisimbalá. It’s about a 4 hour bus ride, from Popayan
The road from Popayan to San Agustín climbs quite steeply to over three thousand metres and then just seems to disappear. This is one of those destinations where getting there makes it feel like an amazing adventure.
We arrived into popayan the weekend of the Colombian presidential elections. The streets were unnaturally quiet with the anticipation that something monumental may happen.
The Valle del Cócora is situated in the Quindio department of Colombia about ten kilometres from Salento which is where most people base themselves to access the valley and its hiking trials.
Jardin, means Garden in Spanish, is a small Andean town south of Medellin which has relatively few tourists and the most interesting vibe.
In this blog we will describe for you five amazing things to discover in the Colombian city of Medellin. Once notorious as being the murder capital of the world the new improved cleaned up Medellin is a delight to explore.
Cartagena is a port city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Located right by the sea is the old walled town founded in the 16th century
If you’re looking for that chilled out hippy vibe of fifteen years ago perhaps you may find Palomino disappointing. At times we found it more Benidorm than beguiling. Or maybe more Magaluf than mystic. Having said that if you take it for what it is a rustic holiday resort on the Caribbean coast of Colombia then you can still find plenty of reasons to visit.
The simple answer is yes most definitely the effort is what makes the getting there so sweet. Not only is the Lost city an amazing place to visit but the trek through the lush cloud forrest of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a rewarding venture in itself.
We visited Santa Marta after our short stay in Bogota. Santa Marta is a lively and hectic city on the northern coast of Colombia in the area of Magdalena. Its a really bustling city and port and was the first settled site when the Spanish came to Colombia.
As part of our South American adventure in 2022, we headed to Minca after spending some time in Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast with the full intention of doing some hiking in the lush green forest area in the foothills of the Sierra
Bogota is the capital city of Colombia, for us it was the starting point of our adventure travelling the South American continent.
Here’s the scenario. You’re planing your long term travel trip and you’re wondering what to do with your house. Here’s 10 tips to packing up a house
Choosing backpacking insurance isn’t the easiest thing when planning your trip. It can be the most expensive item you buy before you travel
Catbells is a wonderful little hill and a great introduction to walking the lake district fells. The views from the top are outstanding giving a wonderful return for your effort.
Keswick sits in the heart of the Lake District National Park and is considered the gate way to the northern fells.
The Isle of Mull is one of the most picturesque of the inner Hebridean islands of Scotland. It has a bounty of fantastic wildlife, secluded white sand beaches, waterfalls to die for and character filled villages that are welcoming and full of the most amazing people.
Here is our very best list of very handy travel tips which we hope will save you some time and money on your travels. If there is a super tip that you know of that we’ve missed then let us know.
Athens doesn’t really need an introduction, it’s known as being the birth place of western civilisation and the Olympic Games.
We had thought that a five day visit may be to long but it turned out to be a good decision as this is such a beautiful almost unspoilt island.
Sitting within the Cyclades group of islands in the Aegean Sea, Paros is the perfect place to spend three days exploring or longer if you have the time.
Beautiful beaches a spectacular rugged coast line and quaint white washed villages. Basically everything you look for on a Greek island.
It’s always great to get out to the British coast. There are many amazing things to see & do at Flamborough head.
Festa Italiana staged in Manchesters Cathedral Gardens is a free weekend long festival that celebrates everything Italian, Food drink and culture
We have been to Naples a few times and we’ve always loved this city. Its got great places to stay, great food and drink, great trips out of the city and a history that is captivating and keeps you wanting more.
So you have always had a notion to visit the Italian Grand Prix. Perhaps you’ve seen it on the telly or may be you’ve attended other Grand Prix and you fancy trying somewhere new. We have now been three times and over the years have gained some experience that will hopefully make your visit more memorable.
Andiamo Amigos’s 8 helpful travel tips for making the most of your time when travelling. Chris & I have put together this list from experience and we hope that there’s something here for you.
So you’ve read some of our posts and you’ve decided you would like to visit Italy. In this guide we will give you some advice on how to get there and some travel options once you’re there.
Paris famed as one of the most romantic cities in the world , if not that it is definitely one of the most iconic and most visited.
Thinking of visiting the British Gran Prix at Silverstone? Her are twelve things you need to know before you go that will make your visit a fantastic experience.
The New Forest is a Mecca for the out door enthusiasts offering safe off road cycling and walking, wildlife watching and beautiful scenery.
Silverstone is one of the classic circuits on the F1 calendar and, in my opinion, is one of the best race weekends to attend.
We like to get out and about over the long weekend of a bank holiday and Whitby is one of our favourite places to go. You can’t really go wrong, if the sun is shinning Whitby has something for everyone.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Whitby for an afternoon why not try this short walk to the Pretty village of Ruswarp
The cinder track is a disused railway line that runs for twenty one miles between Scarborough and Whitby. The line it’s self was in use between 1885 and 1965. Its called the cinder track due to the cinders that where used as ballast to run the rails on.
Wycoller, with it’s ruined hall and ancient bridges, is a fantastic day out for the whole family. Believed to date back to the tenth century Wycoller was virtually abandoned as the weavers left to work in the nearby mills during the industrial revolution.
Two connected beauty spots in the Calder Valley both owned and managed by the National Trust offer up some fantastic possibilities for exploration. A wooded valley oasis in the heart of the Yorkshire moors.
To a local lad like myself born and bred in the area it’s known as just The Hill, although at 557m it’s not far off being classified as a mountain
Our summer 2020 holiday we found ourselves exploring Kemer, Turkey as travelling options were limited. It was was my first visit to Turkey as Chris has been to before but not to this area. I’d only ever transited through Istanbul airport so that doesn’t count.
How to get the best views of Kemer | Olympus Teleferik We had heard about the cable car that went to the top of Mount
Just down the coast from Kemer is this lovely coastal village of Olimpos and the ancient site of Olimpos Antik Kenti from Roman and Lycian times. We got there by hiring a car from Europcar in Kemer for the day at a cost of £30 for 24 hrs, total bargain.
Phaselis is about 16km down the coast from the resort of Kemer and its the most delightful area of archeological ruins with quirky little bays and the clearest water you can imagine
Goynuk Canyon is a mountain area approx 10km north of Kemer. Exploring Goynuk canyon is mainly done on foot but we’ll tell you about how we did the canyoning activity and got into the water. Excellent fun!
Hike the El Caminito del Rey which is a fantastic Andalusian walk taking through the history of these gorges and the workers who used them
The Roman ruins of Italica, with remarkable mosaics and an impressive amphitheatre, are located 9 kilometres to the north of the city of Seville, just outside the village of Santiponce.
As part of our Andalusian New Year adventure that would take us to Seville, Cadiz, El Chorro we also wanted to visit the city of Cordoba as its historical centre is listed as a world UNESCO heritage site and its got some fantastic buildings.
Our day trip to Cadiz was part of our New Years trip to Seville and as Cadiz was only a train ride away we decided to visit. Our trip to Cadiz was inspired by Rick Stein and his Long Weekends TV series.
Seville is the capital of the Andalusia area and seemed to offer all the thinsgs Chris and I love in an adventure. Food, culture, good local transport links and of course Seville is the setting for Chris’s favourite opera, Carmen. It was perfect and absolutely lived up to its reputation.
We had a list of things we wanted to do and try in Bologna and 99% of them were food related. Bologna is a foodies paradise. Some of the most recognisable Italian food items come from this region and we planned to taste them all.
The Tour we chose for this day was the South Coast & Glacier Hike tour and this was with Troll Expeditions.
One of the things that we really wanted to do on our trip to Iceland was to get out on a boat and go looking for humpback whales.
On our trip to Iceland we did 3 organised tours and the first of these was to take us up the west coast to Snaefellsnes, The Kirkfujell mountain, the black beach and the black church.
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