Think Green: Sustainable & Organic Mendoza Wine Experience

This is a rare opportunity to directly visit some great organic vineyards, and meet the people
behind them. With beautiful countryside, great food and good humor on hand, you can
ensure that you’ll be well looked after, and return with stories to tell, and a heightened
enthusiasm to discover more about the world of organic wine in Mendoza.

Think Green… get ready for an amazing tour in Uco Valley. The visits will begin in the vineyards where organic farming will be explained and then continues inside the wineries where you will see all the chain of production from the pressing machine to the steel tanks, from the barrels to the filling bottle machine and understand the difference between the organic method and the conventional technique of wine making.

First, you will visit MASI Winery, a heaven for native flora and fauna.  Masi has integrated its own techniques into the winery and created an eco-sustainable reality in which important oasis of biodiversity are maintained in the context of organic agriculture. Care and respect for the environment are part of the Masi company culture and philosophy, their wines combine the exuberance of Argentinean nature with the attractive style and elegance of wines from the Veneto, Italy.

On our way to the following estate, we´ll stop for some more scenic views of spectacular vineyards and fruit orchards of the beautiful district of Uco Valley. Once we arrive at The Vines of Mendoza, we will hop onto our bikes and we´ll pedal along the wide dirt roads among the vineyards tracks knowing this wonderful wine resort.  Afterwards, you can taste the fantastic products from a beautiful family winery : Super UCO. There we meet one of the Michelini brothers who will explain all the process to make a great biodynamic wine, focused on the pure soul and terroir of the Uco Valley, specifically Gualtallary and Vista Flores districts.  This boutique, biodynamic project is the first of its kind in Mendoza with very limited production of top quality, terroir driven wines. The two hectares farm is planted in circles with 360 degrees of exposure to the sun. The different varietals are planted from the center outward, as its vegetative cycle dictates … cutting edge, meticulously crafted argentinian wines

We continue west along the rolling countryside to get to Domaine Bousquet, a highly awarded organic wine producer. The winery is dedicated to farming organically while improving their land’s biodiversity. They really think the healthier the vineyard, the better the fruit and of course the wine.  Organic agriculture and production helps to protect and sustain the land and the environment for future generations.

This is the ideal tour when you’re looking for an experience that goes beyond ordinary. On a clear day you really can see forever. Expansive only begins to describe each view which is surpassed only by the next mountain country vista!

The ‘Impenetrable’, the largest protected area of northern Argentina

The new ‘El Impenetrable’ National Park in Chaco, was inaugurated this afternoon in an official ceremony chaired by the cabinet director, Marcos Peña; the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Sergio Bergman; and the governor of Chaco, Domingo Peppo.

“Duplicating the parks surface, as in many other parks in the country, reflects a vision of land development and sustainability. We want to love our country,” said Peña. Also, the governor said that the Chaco National Park is one of the best improvements for this province “to become a tourist spot in the world” so that “whoever comes, would want to come back.”

This all started in 2014, thanks to the relevance of Villavicencio’s marketing campaign (mineral bottled water brand), “Dejá tu Huella: a Reserve for More Reserves”, through which 48 million square meters of endangered Chaco forest were preserved, a law has passed for the creation of this new National Park. This initiative was a historic milestone because it was supported by more than thirty NGOs, companies, the State and the collaboration of civil society.

It is located on 150,000 hectares between the rivers Teuco-Bermejo and Bermejito in the space that was formerly known as Estancia “La Fidelidad”. This project will allow the protection of a great diversity of flora and fauna unique in our country, that includes endangered species like the jaguareté, the tatú carreta and the solitary eagle. In addition, this will open the possibility of tours and visits to get to know its nature and to appreciate the Qom, Wichì and Criolla cultures.

 

 

LIMA AMONG TOP DESTINATIONS IN LaTam

Once again, Peru’s capital city of Lima was ranked among the 10 most visited destinations in Latin America, a report by Mastercard revealed last Tuesday.

The recently-published Mastercard Destination Cities Index affirmed the Peruvian capital was the third most visited metropolis in the region in 2016, with 2.68 million arrivals, after Punta Cana (3.43 million) and Mexico City (3.01 million).

In this sense, Peru’s most important city was followed by Sao Paulo (2.25 million) and Buenos Aires (1.85 million).

Likewise, Punta Cana topped the Overnight International Visitor Spending in Latin America ranking with revenue worth USD 3.83 billion. Lima ranked second (USD 2.82 billion), ahead of Mexico City (USD 2.48 billion) and Buenos Aires (USD 1.80 billion).

Additionally, the Inca country’s capital became the Fastest Growing Destination City by International Overnight Visitors in Latin America (15.2%) between 2009 and 2016.

It was followed by Bogota (9.0%), Punta Cana (8.8%) and Rio de Janeiro (7.4%), among others.

About

Around the world, tourism is driving the economic engines of growth and development.

Since 2009, international travel and spending by overnight visitors to cities have grown faster than real GDP.

To help cities understand key drivers and unlock the value of tourism, Mastercard released its annual Mastercard Destination Cities Index.

The Index is more than just a ranking of the 132 top destination cities of today and tomorrow.

Two Peruvian hotels among the world’s top 30

The renowned digital magazine Condé Nast Traveler included two Peruvian guesthouses among the Best Hotels in the World, part of the Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.

Inkaterra La Casona (Cusco) and Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel are among ‘The Best Hotels in the World’ in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards. The only Peruvian hotels in the Top 50 list, the Inkaterra properties are listed in 14th and 15th position, respectively. Inkaterra La Casona and Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel also achieved second and third place in the ‘Top Hotels in South America’ category, confirming both are perceived as the best hotels in Peru by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler.

Additionally, three Inkaterra hotels are mentioned in the ‘Top Resorts in South America’ list––Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba (Sacred Valley, Cusco), Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica and Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción (Madre de Dios).

“Conde Nast Traveler´s Readers honor us” stated José Koechlin, Inkaterra founder and chairman. “Having five of our properties among winners in such a prestigious contest is a celebration to ecotourism as a means for sustainable development, a concept pioneered 42 years ago when we opened our first lodge in the Peruvian Amazon.”

Having catered to over 200,000 guests in 2016, Inkaterra showcases Peru’s natural and cultural virtues through authentic experiential travel. Working under a holistic approach, the brand funds scientific research as a basis for biodiversity conservation, education and the wellbeing of local communities. Established amid the pristine nature of the Amazon rainforest of Madre de Dios, the Machu Picchu cloud forest, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the city of Cusco, Inkaterra seeks inspiration from local cultures when designing its hotels, all built and decorated with native materials in harmony with their environment.

Since 1978, Inkaterra produces flora and fauna inventories to measure its own long-term impact over natural areas. 903 bird species (equivalent to Costa Rica’s total bird diversity) and 372 native orchid species (the world’s largest collection in its habitat, according to the American Orchid Society) have been registered in its grounds, while 29 new species have been recorded by NGO Inkaterra Asociación. More than 4000 team members born and raised in local communities have been trained in hospitality and ecotourism.

The 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards are the result of the votes of 300,000 magazine readers who submitted millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments, sharing their recent travel experiences of the world’s cities, islands, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, and airports—good or bad. All winners will be celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler, as well as online at www.cntraveler.com/rca.

-UMAN LODGE- WHERE THE PATAGONIA LEGEND BEGINS

Uman Lodge at Futaleufú – North Chilean Patagonia

Resting, experiences and adventures combined with a luxurious accommodation, gourmet kitchen, marvelous nature environment and outdoor activities.

This exclusive lodge is complimented by a 500 hectare piece of land, known as “La Confluencia” farm. The hotel was built on top of a rock offering incredible interior and exterior space where you can cherish the valley guiding to the Futaleufu and Espolón rivers. The modern and warm architecture facilitates the integration of the scenery with help of the hotel’s large windows.

Uman Lodge was transformed into a friendly refuge with its spacios decoration of indigenous wood and local designs which creates the lodge’s charm. It is a perfect combination of relaxing and adrenaline sensations where you can enjoy and contemplate the delightful silence of the Patagonia region.

You can equally decide to take part in the innumerable activities while breathing the fresh air in the offered by the environment of this unique region of Chile.

“La Confluencia” farm,  is one of the most beautiful farms in the region. Purchased to the well known ecologist Douglas Tompkins in 2007, it has become the first farm in Patagonia with a luxurious hotel within its limits. The farm has 5 kilometers (3,12 miles) of river plus  the confluences of Espolón River and Futaleufú River. 100 hectares have been dedicated to the agricultural in a careful scale and the other 400 hectares are destined to protect and conserve the native forest. Also sand beaches at the rivers border are part of this magnificent environment along with two lagoons .

ACTIVITIES

-Kayaking
-Rafting
-Floats
-Fly Fishing
-Trekking, Mountain Trekking
-Bike, Mountain Bike
-Horseback Riding
-Birds & Deers Observation

MICE

In a majestic environment of the Andean Patagonia, Uman Lodge offers companies the opportunity to try out professional activities required to enjoy leisure time, doing corporate business meeting more enjoyable and productive. Uman Lodge offers all services needed for successful corporate events.

Our broadband connection will allow, if necessary stay connected. With its suites and spacious, Uman Lodge offers excellent infrastructure accompanied an exclusive and personalized service. Coordinated and tailor-made, those events can be made at any time of year, always subject to availability and with a commitment to ensure that all our guests and visitors are always comfortable. With various power options and a proposal for custom programs, Uman Lodge offers a unique alternative for meetings and mid events in Patagonia.

 

EXPLORE WELSH PATAGONIA

Our team was exploring the welsh patagonia in Gaiman and Trevelin, preparing for next season when welsh people visit the only place in the world where their language is spoken outside of Wales.

Our special host was the well-known Margarita Green.

 

 

Huacachina among most breathtaking villages in the globe

Magnificent oasis town of Huacachina, in southern Peru’s Ica region, has been included in a recent The Telegraph publication listing 21 of the world’s most dramatic villages.

“Known among tourists as a sandboarding destination, this oasis is worth a visit for its location alone, hidden amid golden dunes in the desert outside Ica,” reads the photo caption.

Besides Huacachina, the photo gallery includes other 20 impressive villages around the world.

According to The Telegraph, Huacachina is almost entirely a resort town now, and a number of hotel swimming pools can be spotted from the top of the dunes.

“Tearing up and down said dunes in a buggy is also another popular tourist pastime,” notes the piece of writing.

Tourist activities

Extreme sports are the popular activities in the place. Most visitors are drawn by sandboarding, which involves riding across or down a dune while standing with both feet strapped to a board.

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