CHILE: Lonely Planet names Chile world’s top travel destination for 2018.

SANTIAGO – Chile has been named in Lonely Planet’s just-published Best In Travel 2018 book as the No1 country to visit in 2018, followed by South Korea, Portugal and the obscure Djibouti.

The best cities for 2018 have been named as Seville in Spain, followed by Detroit, Canberra and Hamburg, while Belfast and the Causeway Coast are named as best region and the UK is the seventh best-value country.

The book of the world’s largest travel guide book publisher, also picks out the coastal city of Valparaiso as a big plus point for Chile, with its ‘art-filled streets, bohemian cafes and romance-inducing promenades’.

The country also boasts the wilds of Patagonia in the south and the Atacama desert in the north where ‘there’s been a big bang in astrotourism, with new stargazing hotels and geektastic tours to groundbreaking observatories’.

9 Argentine restaurants in Latin America’s 50 Best

Argentine gastronomy is living its best moment. In 2017, Buenos Aires was the Gastronomic Capital of Latin America and 9 of the 50 best restaurants in Latin America are in Buenos Aires, according to the San Pellegrino ranking known as Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, released on October 24. Neither more nor less than one fifth of the total.

The now famous Tegui (10th place) was named The Best Restaurant in Argentina, for the second consecutive year, followed by Don Julio (13), El Baqueano (19), Chila (26), Elena (37), Aramburu (44) ), Crizia (48), Proper (49) and Mishiguene (50). While these last three debuted this year, the other six held onto and improved their positions.

During the awards ceremony and thanks to an agreement with Wines of Argentina, the event sponsor, regional wineries offered their wines to be tasted. Among them were, Casa Bianchi, Familia Zuccardi, Rutini Wines, Navarro Correas, Finca Las Moras, Finca Sophenia, Bodega Luigi Bosca, Trapiche, Susana Balbo Wines, Tapiz, El Esteco, Finca La Luz, Los Toneles, Terrazas de los Andes and Trivento.

So without further-a-do here are the 9…

Tegui. Germán Martitegui is an eminence of Argentine haute cuisine. After working with Francis Mallmann and Beatriz Chomnalez in the nineties, it took him two decades of stylistic work to find the equation that defines Tegui as the best: a combo that crosses Buenos Aires cuisine with the techniques of haute cuisine, on a personal journey of flavours that remind you of adolescence and the present, endowed with much detail and aesthetics. Behind the graffitied door of Tegui in the heart of Palermo, the spacious and warm living room with the kitchen in the background is the ideal refuge to try a menu in constant renovation.
Costa Rica 5852, Palermo / Buenos Aires.

Don Julio. This temple of good beef and the best wines occupies a corner of Palermo with one of the best treasures stored in the cellar: vintage bottles from the 1950s of classic labels, as well as complete verticals of those wines that gave fame to Argentina. In that, the passion of Pablo Jesús Rivero, its owner, has no competition in the city. But in addition to the drinks, Don Julio’s secret is his beef. You can try aged cuts of more than 5 years – a rarity – to delicate pieces like entraña or cuadril.
Guatemala 4699, Palermo / Buenos Aires.


El Baqueano. The duo formed by the sommelier Gabriela Lafuente, and the chef Fernando Rivarola, has been bearing fruit in this culinary vanguard restaurant for several years. In fact, they created Kitchen Without Borders, which looks for the diffusion of local cuisines and products. Combining international techniques with products from these latitudes, in its cozy and renovated lounge you can try llama and quinoa croquettes, among other delicacies. Specialists in discovering new flavours, the wine list also offers some sophisticated bottles.
Chile 499, San Telmo / Buenos Aires.

Chila. With a display of cosmopolitan modernity, this restaurant whose glass terrace overlooks the docks of the old port of Buenos Aires is one of the pillars of Argentine gastronomic renovation. Andrés Porcel, its owner, has been building its reputation for over a decade, and this year has joined the Relais & Château chain. The kitchen is a search for excellence in the dishes supported by the seasonal menu, which was created by Soledad Nardelli and continues today under the watchful eye of the young Pedro Bargero.
Alicia Moreau de Justo 1160, Puerto Madero / Buenos Aires.


Elena. Since its launch in 2013, this restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires has attracted the attention of meat lovers. With the executive direction of Chef Juan Gaffuri, in his spacious room with a colourful metal structure and open kitchen you can taste Angus and dry aged cuts and the best charcuterie and local cheeses. A mix of luxury and executive, the atmosphere is pleasant. The wine list, by sommelier Laura Cagnani, is a gem.
Posadas 1086/1088, Recoleta / Buenos Aires.


Aramburu. For the gourmet lovers, this small restaurant in the south of the city is a must stop, for three reasons. One, Gonzalo Aramburu is one of the most creative chefs of his generation. Two, he offers a step-by-step menu where you can see countless products and presentations, from fake corals to stones on which shrimp are cooked. Three, it is an intimate place where the experience of the dishes acquires a singular aesthetic character. With a well-chosen wine list, the choice of pairings is memorable.
Salta 1050, Constitución / Buenos Aires.


Crizia. The chef and owner Gabriel Oggero manages, in this sober and spacious Palermo premises, to combine the cuisine of the sea and the mainland, oysters as well as beef and lamb. With an oyster farm in the north of Patagonia, it is the right place to eat them and then jump to other dishes made from the menu. In the thirteen years it has been open, it has gone from strength to strength, with impeccable service. A more than deserved promotion to 50 Best.
Gorriti 5143, Palermo / Buenos Aires.


Proper. It only opened two years ago but is already among the best. With the help of chefs Leo Lanusol and Augusto Meyer in what could be a workshop, Proper is a vanguard of the wood-fired clay oven. In a combination of hipster aesthetics and accomplished and simple cooking, word of mouth consecrated the dishes of this duo of thirty-somethings.
Aráoz 1676, Palermo / Buenos Aires.


Mishiguene. Last but not least at number 50, is a recognition of a kitchen that does not usually shine in the city. Tomás Kalika, co-owner with Javier Ickowicz, is the chef who developed a concept of classic aggiornados. In a sophisticated environment, in a way that redefines Sephardic and Eastern European cuisine, with Middle Eastern influences. From the Liebe Tuna, the Kreplaj and the Meorav Yerushalmi, the kitchen of Mishiguene shines with its own light.
Lafinur 3368, Palermo / Buenos Aires.


HOME HOTEL BUENOS AIRES distinguished as the best in Latin America.

The garden, the details of interior design and the pool awarded Home Buenos Aires as the best boutique hotel in the region.

When in 2000 Patricia O’Shea and Tom Rixton decided to move from Dublin to Buenos Aires they looked for a property to build a hotel. They wanted to invite their European friends to the wedding, and to host them “in a really cool place”, as they define. Two years later, in an old furniture factory on Honduras Street, they built Home Buenos Aires. With 20 rooms, all different from each other, a dream garden, pool and special interior details, today the hotel became the Best Boutique Hotel in Latin America 2017, according to World Boutique Hotels Awards.

Six or seven years ago, wall papers did not have the “deco” acceptance they count on now. But they were the fetish of Patricia and Tom, who brought them especially from London. They became one of the reasons why the organization rewarded the hotel: “The collection of original wallpaper that the owners treasure, some as old as from 1889”. And they add: “The vegetable sanctuary next to the pool, Mulata: the hotel’s cat, and the effort to transport guests to live an experience that transmits the history and culture of its location, with its own style, were also evaluated satisfactorily “.

During 2017, the Home was also recognized among the 25 Best Hotels of South America in the Travelers Choice Awards 2017, of the magazine Condé Nast Traveler, in which it obtained the position no. 8, the highest among hotels in Argentina. In addition, they won the Best New Hotel Design Awards from Wallpaper Magazine 2006, Condé Nast Gold List 2015, and Best Boutique Hotel Argentina – Luxury Travel Awards 2014.

Argentina and Edelweiss sign agreement to launch new air services from Zurich to Buenos Aires.

At a special press conference held at World Travel Market lead by the Minister of Tourism for Argentina, Gustavo Santos and CEO of Edelweiss Air Mr. Bernard Bauer announced new direct services from Zurich to Buenos Aires. Flights will commence on 7 November 2018 with sales available with immediate effect. Also in attendance at the announcement and signing of the contracts was Mr. Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, Mayor of Buenos Aires. The flights will be operated on an A340-300 which will include 27 Business Class Seats, 76 Economy Max, and 211 Economy Class Seats.

Edelweiss plans to operate ZRH-EZE year round. The summer 2019 schedule might vary slightly but the current schedule is: Wednesday and Sunday 22:30 ZRH-EZE arriving 09:00 – Thursday and Monday’s 13:05 EZE-ZRH arriving 06:30 It is expected the new service will see an additional 33,000 passengers from Switzerland visiting Argentina each year.

Edelweiss is a subsidiary of Lufhtansa Group.

“In other aviation news as we continue to grow the tourism sector in Argentina we are pleased to announce our flight schedules and new services available in Argentina’s many airports. Our programme not only includes new flights, but also updates to our infrastructure which will increase capacity and provide tourists with an exceptional experience when travelling through Argentina.
A new aero-commercial programme that will double the number of passengers by 2019.

Our plans include the growth of Aerolineas Argentinas to a leading industry position, the incorporation of new airlines for more connection alternatives and the transformation of infrastructure and airspace to increase the capacity of Argentina’s airports.

We continue to increase service as we connect to the provinces without the need to transit through Buenos Aires. The new Aerolineas Argentinas hub in Cordoba connects destinations in the north and south of the country, reducing waiting times for connections and lowering ticket prices.

Further to this we are promoting new air routes and the establishment of new airlines servicing Argentina (many offer a low cost option) so we are in a position to continue growing connections and direct flights throughout the country.  135 routes were approved and established last year and there are 505 additional routes requested this year between domestic and international routes”.

Las Salinas Grandes de Jujuy, among the “17 wildest and most beautiful places in the world”

As dictated by the National Geographic website; the news were broadcasted by the local government.

Salinas Grandes de Jujuy was recognized as one of the “17 wildest and most beautiful places in the world” by the National Geographic website, which added the amazing white landscape, located at more than 4 meters of altitude, to the list of tourist destinations of the northern province highlighted internationally.

This was announced by the government of Jujuy to celebrate the mention of Salinas in the publication made by the international organization, which invites you to explore the “perfect trips” with images of the new book of National Geographic: Beautiful Wild Places.

“Jujuy, in the northwest of Argentina, is the country’s connection with the desert: a remote, arid and spectacularly beautiful land”, highlights a brief description attached to a photo in which you can appreciate the splendor of the place and pools rectangular from which the salts are extracted.

The salinas represent “a palette of lights, shadows and colors in constant change that transforms Jujuy into a photographer’s paradise”.
“In this way, the Salinas Grandes, 135 kilometers from the capital of Jujuy, join the town of Purmamarca, the Cerro de los Siete Colores, the Serranías del Hornocal, the summer village of Tilcara and the Calilegua National Park to the list of places internationally highlighted among tourist destinations not only in the province but also in Argentina”, commented from the provincial Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Among the 17 destinations selected for the publication, we see sites from everywhere in the world, including three from Latin America: the Salinas Jujeñas, Mount Roraima in Venezuela, and Southern Peru with its Inca tradition of shearing vicuñas.

Marking the beginning of the Puna region, to the west of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, the Salinas can be visited departing from the provincial capital by the national route 9 towards the north and then by the national route 52 until beyond Purmamarca and the Cuesta de Lipán, thus reaching the extensive sea of ​​salt that covers some 12,000 hectares.

VIK RETREATS recognized with Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Vik Retreats recognized with Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 readers’ choice awards all four retreats named to top twenty best resorts in South America with Playa Vik José Ignacio and Bahia Vik José Ignacio tying for #1 in South America and #3 in the world’s best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, airports and cruise lines.

Playa Vik

Condé Nast Traveler today announced the results of its 30th annual Readers’ Choice Awards with Bahia Vik José  Ignacio and Playa Vik José Ignacio recognized as the #1 resorts in South America and the #3 resorts in the world with a score of 99.61, Vik Chile recognized as the #4 resort in South America with a score of 98.35, and Estancia Vik José Ignacio recognized as the #16 resort in South America, with a score of 96.3.

Bahia Vik

Vik Retreats are a collection of private South American resorts designed for discerning travelers seeking a unique and unrivaled experience. Comprised of Estancia Vik José Ignacio, Playa Vik José Ignacio and Bahia Vik José Ignacio in Uruguay, and Vik Chile and the Viña Vik Vineyard in the Millahue Valley, Vik Retreats promise singular stays offering entrée into the very best of their respective locales. Since their debuts, the properties have been lauded as some of the most exceptional destinations in the world, and Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers Choice Awards further solidifiy their position as the benchmark in luxury travel.

Estancia Vik

Working in tandem to provide a world-class stay for visitors, Estancia Vik José Ignacio is romantic, rustic and traditional and located nearby in the hills rolling down to the José Ignacio lagoon, which runs into the ocean, Playa Vik José Ignacio showcases ultra-contemporary art and design along the most coveted spot on the coast, and Bahia Vik José Ignacio celebrates contemporary beach living with seamless flow between indoors and outdoors.

Website: www.vikretreats.com

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