Patagonia Explorer by Avanti: Santiago, Patagonia, and Buenos Aires

Patagonia, Argentina & Chile: A Trip of Lifetime!

12 Days/11 Nights

Departs Daily from Santiago

Combine the culture and sophistication of two South American capitals with the rugged beauty of adventurous Patagonia. Explore the remote, spectacular landscape of Patagonia, a nature lover’s paradise shared by Chile and Argentina at the southern tip of the Americas. Centuries ago, this was the end of the known world. You’ll never forget the sights here; jaw-droppingly beautiful mountains, calving glaciers, turquoise lakes and abundant wildlife. This adventure in the wild is bookended by stays in two of South America’s most fascinating cities, Santiago and Buenos Aires.  Truly, the trip of a lifetime.

Santiago, Chile

Day 1: Arrive Santiago:

Airport greeting and transfer to your hotel. Free time to relax or explore on your own - easy using Santiago's extensive, safe metro system. This city of contrasts is surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and miles of vineyards. Check out the neighborhoods of Bellavista, Providencia, Lastarria, and Barrio Brasil for art galleries, cafes, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Overnight Santiago.

(Accommodations, Santiago)

Day 2: Santiago:

You are met at your hotel by a guide for a half-day private walking tour of central Santiago. Founded in 1541, Santiago is a fascinating combination of old and very new building styles. See the late 18th century La Moneda Presidential Palace, nearby Art Deco buildings from the 1930s, neoclassical National Congress, old Customs House (now the Pre-Columbian Art Museum), baroque Metropolitan Cathedral, National Historical Museum, Stock Exchange and Club de la Union. The city's oldest building is the 16th century San Francisco Church and monastery. Afternoon and evening on your own. Visit any of the museums you walked past on the tour, or try the Fashion Museum, Museo de la Chilenidad, featuring Chilean artists, the strikingly modern Museum of Visual Arts or the sobering Museum of Memory and Human Rights, which documents the repressive rule of the dictator Pinochet. Check out the hip Paris-Londres district – built in the 1920s to resemble both cities. Step back in time at Calle Concha y Toro, one of the oldest parts of the city. Or take the cable car or funicular up the hill of Cerro San Cristobal for a panoramic view of the city. Fans of the poet Pablo Neruda should go to La Chascona, his second house, built to resemble a ship interior and located in the Bellavista neighborhood. Good thing you have another day here – there's so much to see. Overnight Santiago.(Breakfast, Accommodations, Santiago)

Day 3: Santiago:

Avanti offers a variety of optional half-day and full-day tours in and around Santiago. Themes and activities include biking, walking, wine-tasting, cooking, dining, history and architecture. Or take a day trip to the charming seaport of Valparaiso and nearby beach resort Vina del Mar. Or do all those things you meant to do yesterday! Overnight Santiago.(Breakfast, Accommodations, Santiago)

Day 4: Santiago to Torres del Paine:

Transfer to the airport to fly to Punta Arenas. You are met at the Punta Arenas airport by a driver guide who will take you to your hotel of choice in Torres del Paine while providing information on this fascinating area enroute.(Breakfast, Santiago; Dinner, Accommodations, Torres del Paine)

Day 5: Torres del Paine:

After breakfast, enjoy a daily excursion of your choice to discover the unforgettable wilderness of Torres del Paine National Park, designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Accommodations, Torres del Paine)

Day 6: Torres del Paine:

After breakfast, enjoy a daily excursion of your choice to discover the unforgettable wilderness of Torres del Paine National Park, designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Accommodations, Torres del Paine)

Day 7: Torres del Paine to El Calafate:

There is regularly scheduled bus service (5 hours) between Puerto Natales and El Calafate and many properties offer the transfer on a shared or private basis. A picturesque town overlooking Lake Argentina, Calafate is the gateway to Glaciers National Park. The glaciers in this southernmost part of the Andes were formed more than 20,000 years ago. The Southern Patagonian ice field, shared by Chile and Argentina, is the world's largest outside of Antarctica.(Breakfast, Torres del Paine; Accommodations, El Calafate)

Day 8: El Calafate:

Depart early morning for a full-day excursion (with lunch) to Perito Moreno glacier, which measures close to 20 miles long and some 200 feet high. While other glaciers are retreating, Moreno advances up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) every day. Against the backdrop of snow-covered Andean peaks, glaciers dazzle the eye with shades of blue and turquoise reflecting in the ice. You spend 3 hours on the glacier balconies and walking along pathways. Icebergs the size of buildings calve off the glacier's face. You've never seen anything like it. Late afternoon return to El Calafate and overnight.(Breakfast, Accommodations, El Calafate)

Day 9: El Calafate to Buenos Aires:

Transfer to the airport for a 3 hr flight north to Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of the South”. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After several days spent contemplating a stark wilderness, the energy, sights and sounds of this vibrant, sophisticated city may come as quite a culture shock. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring on your own – it's a highly walkable city that combines Latin American passion with European influences – especially that of the many Italian immigrants. Traditional Argentine cuisine revolves around beef – check out a typical parilla (grill) – or the trendiest fusion cuisine. Nightclubs, bars and tango halls (milongas) abound. (Breakfast, El Calafate; Accommodations, Buenos Aires)

Day 10: Buenos Aires:

A perfect introduction to the most elegant capital city in South America, this half-day city tour will show you the highlights of Buenos Aires. Overnight Buenos Aires.(Breakfast, Accommodations, Buenos Aires)

Day 11: Buenos Aires:

Avanti has nearly 40 optional half-day and full-day tours in Buenos Aires, so whether your passion is tango, Evita, wine tasting, biking, shopping, museums, bars and cafes, artists' studios, Jewish heritage or a gaucho fiesta, you'll find plenty to see and do. Included with this vacation is a dinner and tango show at La Ventana. Overnight Buenos Aires.(Breakfast, Dinner, Accommodations, Buenos Aires)

Day 12: Depart Buenos Aires:

Enjoy a private transfer from your hotel to the airport back home or for your next Avanti destination. (Breakfast, Buenos Aires)

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Geneva, Switzerland, Sight Seeing, Tour, Travel, Vacation Packages, Alps, Lake, Rhone, Cruises, Hotels

Jets of water shooting 140 meters high out of its eponymous lake define the city of Geneva, Switzerland, which is nestled between the Alps and the hilly terrain of the Jura mountains. Situated on the bay where the Rhone leaves Lake Geneva, the city may be small as cities go--fewer than half a million people live here--but it’s cosmopolitan and lovely.

Many major hotels and restaurants capitalize on the lake’s beauty with shorefront locations; on the opposite bank lies the Old Town, which is Geneva’s heart as well as the shopping and business quarter. Its center is the Place du Bourg-de-Four, the oldest square in the city, perhaps the most distinguishing part of the old town’s skyline is St. Peter’s Cathedral. The Old Town is eminently walkable (which is true of most Swiss cities); you’ll want to wander along quays, lakeside promenades, countless parks, lively side streets and in and out of elegant shops. You can take mouettes or water taxis across the lake or enjoy a lake cruise aboard a larger ship.

Geneva is an international city—it’s the headquarters of the Red Cross and European seat of the United Nations; the Palace of the United Nations is an important landmark. It’s also a major center for special congresses and trade fairs. It’s a major center for the watch industry, the big flower clock in the city’s English garden symbolizes that industry. It’s a cultural center, with more than 30 museums, theaters and galleries. Internationally known artists perform at the Grand Theatre and Geneva Opera House. There’s a watch museum, the International Museum of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

Come hungry to Geneva; it has more than a thousand restaurants. It is a bit of a jet-set destination, which means some restaurants can be prohibitively expensive, but you can always turn to Genevois cafés and inexpensive diners. French restaurants in Geneva might get the most attention, but there are many excellent Swiss restaurants, especially in the Old Town.

Geneva has excellent public transportation but is an ideal city for walking. It has a major international airport; it takes minutes to get from the airport to city center on the train. Geneva is a gateway to the Alps and ski country.

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Switzerland, Tour, Vacation Packages, Sights, Places To Visit, Alps, Lush Green Valleys, Waterfalls, Lakes

Switzerland is a world capital of one of humanity’s great indulgences: chocolate. At the same time it epitomizes discipline and punctuality with its watches and trains. You can battle nature’s elements to ascend some of the most challenging mountains in the world; or simply ride a train to get a great view of it. It’s a land of flower-filled mountain meadows and sophisticated cities, world economic and science summits and the art of blowing the ludicrously long alpenhorn used to call cows.

The beauty of its Alps define Switzerland. It’s not just their snow-capped peaks, it’s also their tumbling waterfalls, lush, green valleys and awe-inspiring vistas. But there’s a softer side--picturesque Alpine villages with little cottages adorned with flower boxes and the tinkling of cowbells in mountain pastures. It is packed with famous peaks; the Bernese Oberland is home to three major mountains, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, alone. But it’s not all mountains--there are palm trees in some parts of Switzerland and it’s as famed for its beautiful lakes as for its mountains.

Switzerland is made up of 26 regions, or cantons, some of which speak German, some French, some both and one that speaks Italian. In general, the west of Switzerland is Francophone, while north and center are Germanic, and include the capital of Bern, and Lucerne and Zurich. The south speaks Italian.

It’s a year round destination--a mecca for hiking, biking, boating, hang-gliding, you name it, the sport is here -- for summer. Winter there’s skiing, both downhill and cross country, climbing, glaciers to walk on and cities to enjoy. Flowers start blossoming in early spring; fall colors are mellow. Its resort towns are icons like St. Moritz, Grindelwald, Zermatt, Verbier and Davos--and have long been the getaway for the the rich and famous. Its major cities are destinations in and of themselves. Geneva has quaint old town, beautiful lake (you can catch and fish and have a chef prepare it for you that night) and great shopping. Zurich, too, has a beautiful old town as well as a much more urbane and sophisticated side.

There’s more to dining out in Switzerland than chocolate and fondue--although both are great. Swiss cuisine incorporates much of its neighbors and its multiple heritage-French, Italian and German. One thing about the Swiss, however, is that they are passionate about their food, so you should try regional specialities, recognizing that they’ll feature the best of local produce, be it fish, sausage, meat, pastries, cheeses, tarts or other foods.

Switzerland is easy to get to; both Zurich and Geneva are major air gateways and the airports are integrated into the much vaunted Swiss rail system. Both cities are also linked by high-speed rail to nearly a dozen countries. But what you really must do in Switzerland is enjoy its great transportation system. Traveling by train in Switzerland is very picturesque. You can take the famed Glacier Express, a vineyard express and even a chocolate train. Trains connect you to major cities and to remote villages easily and conveniently. There’s also its postal bus system and lake ferries to travel about on
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Venice, Italy, Tourism, Vacation Packages, Travel, Tour, Cruise

As the world’s only pedestrian city, Venice, Italy, is a charming and ancient canal-based archipelago on the country’s Northeastern coast. The grand displays of city wealth are found in everything from the architecture and massive palaces, to the art museums and waterfront osteries cooking up a gourmet feast on a single burner. Old world Italy is still quite intact in Venice, but the Venetians haven’t turned a blind eye to modernity either. Their dress boutiques are filled with bohemian-chic forward fashions and galleries with blown glass and contemporary paintings. Upon first arriving, one may think that Venice was built just for them. The truth is, there is never a time of year when visitors will not share the narrow streets and sparkling canals with countless other travelers who all share the same love-at-first-sight notion as they settle into their first gondola ride.

Piazza San Marco is the city’s largest, most-visited square, and houses the Basilica di San Marco as well as the clock tower, Doge’s Palace and Procuratie Vecchie, whose ground floor is occupied by shops and cafes. Dotted with a myriad of churches and museums, such as San Giovanni e Paolo, Museo Ebraico (Jewish Museum), Galleria dell’Accademia di Venzia and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice shines as a cultural epicenter within Europe and the world. The Venice Card and the Chorus Pass are two passes that can be purchased for discounted public transport and access to many churches and museums.

To find some local music coming from venues other than cheerful gondoliers, check out Teatro La Fenice for epic opera, Al Vapore for jazz and blues, Terrazzamare by the beach or Laboratorio Occupato Morion for local Veneto bands in a dive bar setting. Shopping is also plentiful in Venice. The narrow streets and alleyways are peppered with artisan shops selling carnival masks, Murano glass and marbled paper. Designer shops (like everywhere in Italy) are plentiful in areas around St. Mark’s Square and Calle della Mondola.

In Venice, you can have a variety of culinary experiences. There’s the quintessential candlelit dinner by the canal, the hole-in-the-wall joint serving fresh handmade pasta, the sidewalk café serving pizza or the upscale restaurant that prepares local specialties such as cuttlefish or gnocchi. While maybe not getting the most accolades for dining in Italy, Venetian cuisine is nothing to scoff at.

The closest airport is Marco Polo Airport (VCE) on the mainland near the city of Mestre. Located 16 miles from Venice is the relatively small airport, Treviso (TSF), though it mainly serves domestic flights. The transportation choices in Venice are simple ones: by foot or by water. Gondolas and water taxis (vaporetti) will take visitors up and down the canal-riddled archipelago, while the inner parts of the city are highly walkable.

Venice has a humid subtropical climate with cool winters and very warm summers. July is the year’s hottest month, and has an average high temperature of 81.5° F (27.5° C). Winters can get quite cool, with breezes coming off of the water and average lows of 42.4° F (5.8° C). The best time to visit Venice is during the spring and autumn months, though summers are quite popular as well. Chances are the better the time of year, the more people that will visit along with you. Though you might not have Venice all to yourself, the city becomes incredibly personal once your first memory is made here.

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Delhi, India, Travel, Tour, Vacation Packages, Tourism

With over 12 million residents, Delhi, India, is not only the country’s capital city, but the sixth-largest metropolis in the world by population.  Standing on the banks of the Yamuna River, Delhi is a rich blend of a past steeped in history and a vibrant, cosmopolitan present.  Due to the sheer size and constant congestion of people and traffic, Delhi can seem downright intimidating at first glance.  But sift through the gritty surface and travelers will discover that India’s capital is strewn with captivating monuments, magnificent museums, beautiful ancient dwellings, a thriving arts scene and some of the country’s most delectable and eclectic cuisine.

A veritable melting pot of language, culture, caste and religion, Delhi is a unique city with both Old and New World influences.  Visitors can easily spend time weaving back and forth from the dramatic Red Fort, Jama Masjid and medieval bazaars of Old Delhi, and in the same day hit one of New Delhi’s many trendy cafés or hip clubs.  Furthermore, Delhi travel also means diving into a world of international cuisine where everything from spicy curries and grilled kabobs, to wood-fired pizzas and fresh sushi can be found.

Delhi is not a city that can be seen in one day.  To fully appreciate the complexity and vivacity of this great city, travelers must fully immerse themselves into the many aspects of culture, history and tradition that pulses through the people and streets.  Whether it’s visiting the myriad of sights, including Akshardham Temple, Lodhi Garden, Humayun’s Tomb and the National Museum, or going shopping in one of the many bazaars and shopping districts for handmade crafts or beaded saris, Delhi is a one-of-a-kind experience not to be missed.

Famous for variety and spice, Delhi cuisine can consist of chaat (Indian tapas) and street food stalls selling homemade Tandoori chicken, or a five-star restaurant serving gourmet frontier cuisine, like Bukhara, in the Maurya Sheraton Hotel. Vegetarians will rejoice in the selection of mouth-watering restaurants like Sri Balaji, serving both North and South Indian dishes. For the Indian take on classic Italian food, check out Satoria in the south of Delhi. The authentic specials include a variety of pasta dishes, carpacchio and pizzas. For some cheap eats, Karim’s has been open since 1913 and serves up local favorites like Badam Pasanda (boneless mutton with yogurt and spices) and Chicken Noor Jahan.

The arrival point for many visitors into Delhi is Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). The airport is large and extremely crowded. For international flights, travelers should show up at least two hours early. Travelers arriving into the city should arrange transportation from the airport to their hotel in advance to save time. Navigating around Delhi is quite an adventure, as traffic is notoriously horrible. The Delhi Metro is now open, and provides a cheap and air-conditioned option to travel around the city. Other modes of transportation are taxis, as well as auto and bicycle rickshaws.

Delhi has a subtropical climate with high variation between winter and summer precipitation and temperatures. Summers start early in the city, around April, and have an average daily temperature of 90° F (32.2° C). Winters start in November and peak in January, with an average daily temperate of 55° F (12.7° C). Monsoon season starts in late June and can late through September, bringing about 31.5 inches of rain. The best time to visit Delhi is in October and November, as well as February and March, when the days are sunny and warm, and the nights are cool and dry.

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San Diego, California, Travel, Tour, Vacation Packages, Cruises, Hotels, All-Inclusive Resorts

When describing San Diego, California, one word comes to mind -- pleasant. And that’s a great thing. With arguably the best weather in the U.S., picture-perfect waves, a steady stream of tourists, economic boom and some of the friendliest people around, visiting this sunny SoCal locale is nothing if not unrelentingly pleasant. San Diego’s downtown area may have skyscrapers and countless rows of bars and restaurants, but the majority of the city is made up of beautiful outdoor parks and sandy beaches. From Balboa Park to endless stretches of boardwalk, San Diego is both a good-time hotspot and a beach lover’s paradise.

Beaches in San Diego like Coronado, La Jolla, Mission Bay and Encinitas are considered among the best in the country. With the majority of tourism focused on the waterfronts, the city has a resort-like feel to it most of the year. The world-famous San Diego Zoo is one of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world, with over 4,000 animals calling it home. For a little culture amidst the sunshine, check out the San Diego Museum of Art or the Museum of Man located in Balboa Park. At night, check out the best bar scenes in the Pacific Beach and Gaslamp Quarter located downtown.

With gastronomic influence coming from the city’s geography, ethnic mix and sustainable ingredients, San Diego cuisine is just as diverse as it is fresh.  For a French, Mediterranean and Californian-style fusion restaurant located beachside at La Jolla Shores, The Marine Room is famous for its high-end dishes and dramatic ocean views. El Agave Tequileria is an authentic Mexican restaurant situated in Old Town, and famous for its Mexican nouvelle cuisine and tequila list of over 100 brands. A trendy hotspot in town is the Quarter Kitchen. Located at the Ivy Hotel, the restaurant receives rave reviews for the Kobe beef pot pie and caviar tacos.

Located less than 10 minutes from downtown, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the area’s largest passenger airport, serving most major domestic and international carriers. McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD), located in Carlsbad, Calif., is the other commercial passenger airport in San Diego County, and is used more for domestic commutes. The public transit system in San Diego includes the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), which is a series of bus routes that operate throughout all parts of the region, as well as the San Diego Trolley. The trolley serves mainly the eastern, southeastern and downtown sections of the city. The best and most efficient way to get around sprawling San Diego is by car, as it’s a large metropolis and easily navigable.

Characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, San Diego is split between a Mediterranean and semi-arid climate. Summer temperatures are generally warm, with average highs ranging from 71° F (22° C) to 77.7° F (24.6° C). Average winter temperatures are usually anywhere from 66° F (18.8° C) to 70° F (21.1° C). Because the city receives an average of over 200 days of sunshine and just nine to 13 inches of rain annually, San Diego is a perfect year-round vacation destination.

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Travel to Baden Baden, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany: Travel, Tour, Cruises, Air, Hotel, Car Rental, Packages

 Baden Baden is the true definition of a paradise where picturesque parks, gardens, the Black Forest, and exquisite architecture offer an amazing backdrop, which intensify the need to relax and indulge in such splendor. With such a tranquil atmosphere, this emerald town is a unique and lavish destination, whose aim is to fulfill your heart’s desires.

The old town is a peaceful spa retreat that is known to provide its visitors with the luxuries of life and cultural adventures. From thermal baths and springs resembling ancient Roman baths to massages, caviar treatments, and body scrubs, you will feel completely at peace and stress free from the hassles of everyday life.

Overflowing with manicured green pastures, refreshing thermal baths, and ancient attractions, Baden Baden is the perfect destination if you are in need of relaxation and fun. The old town is a peaceful spa retreat that is known to provide its visitors with the luxuries of life and cultural adventures. From thermal baths and springs resembling ancient Roman baths to massages, caviar treatments, and body scrubs, you will feel completely at peace and stress free from the hassles of everyday life. Baden Baden is the true definition of a paradise where picturesque parks, gardens, the Black Forest, and exquisite architecture offer an amazing backdrop, which intensify the need to relax and indulge in such splendor. With such a tranquil atmosphere, this emerald town is a unique and lavish destination, whose aim is to fulfill your heart’s desires.

Situated on the banks of the Oos River, Baden Baden is a resort town in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany.  Baden, meaning baths, dates back to the Roman period when baths were first introduced to the town.  However, Baden Baden did not fully become a spa resort until the 19^th century.  Since then, the establishments of many spas and springs have dominated the town.  Elaborately decorated with marble, brass columns, and lily pads, the nude bathhouse Friedrichsbad, was a popular retreat for the rich and famous. However, tourists are invited to unwind inside the steamy saunas and massage rooms. The Baths of Caracalla are also enticing to visitors with its indoor and outdoor swimming pools, waterfalls, and Jacuzzis.  Baden Baden is also filled with cultural sites.  The Museum Frieder Burda invites visitors on an extraordinary exploration of modern architecture through paintings and sculptures. The neo-classical style Festspielhau is where the town’s locals go to watch classical music concerts performed by international artists. Try your luck at a game of Poker or marvel at the elegant décor of Germany’s oldest casino.  History lovers would appreciate the lavish ancient churches and castles that can be found throughout the narrow streets.

Along with the many attractions, you cannot visit the town without shopping in the trendy markets. The paved roads are painted with boutiques and stores that offer some of the best souvenirs and designer merchandise that Germany has to offer.  Take a break from shopping and head to the cafés and bars, which offer scenic views, lively music, and great European wines and treats.

Baden Baden offers a unique dining experience with delightful sceneries of pictorial gardens. Chefs are culinary masters at preparing traditional specialties influenced by their European neighbors.  The sweet aromas from veal, black forest ham, union and black forest cake, and potato salad fill the atmosphere of the charming restaurants.  Also, feast your senses on red and white wines from the local vineyards.  The gastronomy of Baden Baden will satisfy any food connoisseur with its endless supply of mouthwatering delicacies.

During the course of a year, Baden Baden experiences a moderate humid climate, with typically warm summers. During the warm season (May-September) the temperature averages from the high 50s to high 70s.  In the cold season (November- March) the temperature fluctuates between the 30s and 40s.

Baden Baden’s pleasant landscape is best enjoyed by walking or on a horse-drawn carriage.  From the town’s center there are a number of buses that provide transportation and tours to various attractions and locations in Baden Baden.  To reach other major German cities, catching a train is the best way to travel.  In addition taxis are also available to take you to your desired location and renting a car is accessible but expensive.

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San Francisco, California, USA: Travel, Tourism, Cruises, Air, Hotel, City Passes,Tour, Excursion Packages

At the very source of San Francisco’s charm is a bevy of eccentric neighborhoods and people so diverse that everyone fits in. As the gem of the Bay Area, San Francisco, California, is well known for its Victorian architecture, hilly terrain, fusion cuisine and rich cultural dynamism. A veritable United Nations of people, sights, and experiences to be had; the city will leave its quirky appeal lingering in your memories long after you’ve left.

This seven-by-seven mile peninsula is made up of eleven official neighborhoods that each offers something unique. Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular area on the bay that boasts a plethora of fresh seafood restaurants, attracting not only hungry tourists, but corpulent, lazy sea lions who like to sunbathe on the pier. Hang out in Haight: a once-bohemian area that is known as the birthplace of the hippie movement and which still has eclectic boutiques and small Dead Head coffee shops. Whether stopping for dim sum in Chinatown, shopping in Union Square, taking a cable car ride throughout ritzy Knob Hill or letting it all hang out in the Castro, San Fran remains a wonderfully inexplicable microcosm of the world.

Consistently voted one of the best cities in the United States, San Francisco is the perfect place to indulge in the rich essence of a west coast boomtown. With passes like the CityPass, Go San Francisco Card and the Wharf Pass, visitors gain admission (at a lower cost) to some of the city’s finest museums, like the Museum of Modern Art, California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum, as well as ferry rides, tours and transportation. While landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Transamerica Pyramid and infamous Alcatraz Island never fail as tourist magnets, it’s attractions like Ghirardelli Square, the authentic eateries of Chinatown, cable cars of Union Square and Pier 39 that keep them coming back.

An epicurean city in every sense of the word; San Fran boils over with new and inventive cuisine, from sustainable and organic to intricate fusion and wine-plate pairings. With trendy restaurants like Greens and Millenium, not only will vegetarians never go hungry in this town; they’ll eat really well. With a seemingly unlimited surplus of great seafood restaurants, visitors need only to walk into the likes of Sotto Mare, Swan Oyster Depot or Hyde Street Seafood House and have their pick of some of the freshest selections in the Pacific Northwest. As the nation’s largest Chinatown, it becomes an absolute treat to (yet a daunting task) to pick from the bevy of authentic rice houses and tea rooms. House of Nanking, Lichee Garden and Brandy Ho’s Hunan Food are all touted as some of the very best in the city.

Located 14 miles south of the city, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the region’s major domestic and international gateway. The airport is connected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which transports passengers throughout the San Francisco and the neighboring communities. The other forms of public transit are the San Francisco Municipal Railway, which has street and cable cars, buses and metro, as well as the Caltrain which is a regional rail to San Jose. Besides walking, there is no better way to see the city than on the world-famous cable cars, which run north-south between Market Street and Fisherman’s Wharf.

San Francisco has a mild Mediterranean climate which is heavily influenced by the cool Pacific currents and gives the city year-round mild temperatures. May through October is considered the dry period and is relatively warm, with average temperatures in the low 70° F (21° C). The rainy season tends to last from November to April, when temperatures get a bit cooler and remain around 58-64° F (14-18° C). There is no best time to visit the city, as the weather remains consistently mild and whether it be an attraction or festival or cultural event; there’s always something going on in San Francisco.

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Travel to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the Picture Perfect Paradise

Completely surrounded by beauty, Playa del Carmen is a small city with a big heart.  Spend your days with sand at your feet and the wind in your hair, as the multicolored ocean gently brushes against your skin.  This picture-perfect paradise is a golden treasure charming its guests with serene ambiance.  What better way to recharge your batteries than on a Spanish getaway, where your most sacred fantasies are brought to life.  So grab your swimsuit and your favorite book and visit Playa del Carmen, Mexico to experience the true definition of heaven on earth.

This pleasant town is stretched along the Caribbean Sea and comfortably nestled in the country of Mexico.  Affectionately known as Playa by its inhabitants, Playa del Carmen is mixed with locals and passing tourists in search of an exotic adventure.  Retrace the footprints of its Mayan ancestors, who have shaped this town into becoming one of Mexico’s most cultural destinations.  Whether you are diving among the tropical fish or touring its vibrant Zocalo (plaza), the highlights of Playa del Carmen are insightful passages into its rich traditions.  Take a tour of Playa del Carmen’s beachfront, Playcar and watch backdrops of the sun as it fades behind the Riviera Maya, while its archeological gems glisten in the near distance.  If you are a sports lover, Playa del Carmen’s verdant golf courses are ready for you to score a birdie; also the city’s colorful maritime is a host to a plethora of water sports.

Shake the sand off your feet and head to Playa del Carmen’s shopping districts.  Mostly located on 5th Avenue (locally known as Quinta Avenida), this pedestrian-filled street is painted with stores bursting at the seams with Mexican treasures.  Playcar is also known for its vivacious stores, offering a wide spectrum of Spanish and international goods.  By dusk, this lazy town transforms into an adrenaline pumping social event.  Hotspots like Root n' Fire and Blue Parrot Beach Club light up the night with their pulsating music, delicious cocktails, and picturesque backdrops.

Eat, drink and be merry as you take part in Playa del Carmen’s dining experience.  For a taste of the Mayan culture the façade of 5^th Avenue as well as other streets in the town are speckled with restaurants filled with the aromas of seafood, tacos, empanadas, tostados, and Spanish tapas.   Its culinary masterpieces are cooked to perfection with authentic Mexican ingredients.  However, if you are craving something different, the gastronomy is also speckled with an array of multicultural dishes as well. 

Playa del Carmen experiences a subtropical climate with high humidity.  During the months of September to June (warm season) the temperature averages around a high of 89 °F.   From November to February (cold season) the weather cools to an average high of 80 °F.

Navigating around Playa del Carmen is relatively simple.  Since it is so small, it is quite easy to walk to its different highlights. To venture outside of the town, there are buses available and they are located on 5^th   and Juarez Avenues.  Taxis are also accessible and can be hailed from the streets.

Learn more: http://etravelcruise.com/destinations/north-america/mexico/playa-del-carmen.html

For booking, travel, tours, cruises, hotela, all inclusive packages to Playa del Carmen or any other destination, please write to: Info@eTravelCruise.com

(Photo credits: Photos taken from google images. If any of them is copyrighted, please let me know so that we can remove them. Thanks.)

Visit Azerbaijan, a Hidden Gem of a Country

"Azerbaijan" may not roll off the tongue, in fact, you may not even know where it is, but this former Russian territory in the Caucasus Mountains of southeastern Europe and Asia is a hidden gem of a country. Once an important stop on the Silk Route, Azerbaijan has potential to develop as a tourism destination as if offers one of a kind opportunities.

Azerbaijan is rich in ores, minerals and fuels. The most unforgettable site is the eternal burning fires in the hills of Ramana, Surakhani, Yanardag and Absheron. This phenomenon is caused by gas seeping through natural vents in the oil saturated ground. Zoroastrian fire worshipers occasionally perform ritual flame leaping dances at Ramana. Local petroleum and mineral spas have cropped up around the country to take advantage of the therapeutic naphthalene hydrocarbon (a grade of oil used for medicinal purposes). Patrons sit in a bath and are coated in oil up to their necks.

Within the coastal capital Baku is the medieval walled city of Icheri Sheher, with a Middle Eastern atmosphere where locals sip sweet black tea out of small glasses and play backgammon at teahouses along the narrow streets. Baku’s oldest building is Synyk Kalah Minaret, dating from 1093 AD. There are two caravanserais (inns), from the 14th and 16th centuries, originally built to house traveling merchants from northern India and central Asia. They have been turned into restaurants.

Baku overlooks the Caspian Sea, the largest lake in the world rich in biodiversity. Other important sites are the 10,000 year old rock paintings at Gobustan and 2,500 year old settlement of Sheiki. Travelers should avoid the dangerous Nagorno-Karabakh enclave and border with Armenia due to continual land ownership conflicts.

For more info, visit: http://etravelcruise.com/destinations/asia/azerbaijan.html

For tours, cruises, packages, air, hotels, car rentals, bookings, write to: Info@eTravelCruise.com

Azerbaijan, Caucasus Mountains, Baku, Caspian Sea,