Sunday was a thoroughly enjoyable day as I visited the
Andean village of Chinchero.
Chinchero is located high on the windswept plains at an
altitude of 3762 meters. It is approximately 30 km from Cusco. I however, did
the trip from Ollanta, Sacred Valley via taxi. It took about 40 minutes and
cost 100 soles.
Sundays in Chinchero is the main market day. The market in
this village is much less touristy than in other villages in the Sacred Valley,
such as the one in Pisac.
The market is not the only draw to this village. Here you will also find a Colonial Church and
Incan ruins. However, in order to enter the plaza, church or ruins you will
need to purchase the “ boleta turistico.” This can be done on entry to the
plaza.
The amazing view of the surrounding mountains however, is
free!
I chose to only visit the market which I thoroughly enjoyed. As soon as I got out of the taxi in Chinchero
I noticed the drop in temperature and the effect of the altitude.
You will notice when looking at the locals that they have bright red cheeks
which is common in people living at high altitude.
I walked into the market and immediately noticed how
colourful it was.
The market of Chinchero is where the villagers come down
from the hills to sell and trade gorgeous flowers, fruits, meat and textiles.
The result is a beautiful scene.
It was fascinating to observe the ancient practice of
bartering. I watched one particular woman trade a few handfuls of beans for a
bunch of bananas. This is one of the very few markets that they still carry out
this practice
I noticed that this was more than a trading day for the
villagers. They make it a day event starting off with a hot bowl of soup. This
would be followed with a trader going around selling jelly with cream on top –
yum! And if that wasn’t enough then there was plenty of fried maize to be
consumed.
Visiting Chinchero
was a great opportunity to see and experience a true Andean village.
St Lucia is best described as “a dotted botanical garden well- preserved colonial architecture where you can hold your wedding all year round”. Contact us..
Cruise lines make it effortless to get married on board – many have on-board wedding planners who will see to the details, no matter if you’re searching for an intimate affair or a ful
Argentina appeals to different travelers on
different levels. Some come for the urban delights of Buenos Aires, while
others long to explore the wildlife of Patagonia. Winter sport enthusiasts
arrive in Argentina in June, July and August, happen to extend their ski season
for as long as possible.
Figuring out the best time to travel requires a
careful planning strategy.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit Argentina depends on
where you want to go, what you want to do, whom you want to do it, and how much
you want to spend.
Argentina’s climate ranges from scorching hot to freezing
cold, so factor your tolerance for varying weather conditions into your
decision. This multifaceted South American Country hosts a potpourri of special
events throughout the year.
If any of these celebrations or events spark your
interest, add them to your itinerary and plan accordingly.
Best Time to Be in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires experiences autumn conditions
from March to May. After a damp and chilly winter, spring arrives in September
and lasts through November.
Visit during spring or fall if you enjoy
comfortable temperatures, and if you would like a chance to meet some true
“portenos” – citizens of Buenos Aires.
The native population
disappears to the beaches when summer arrives, leaving their city to the
tourists who arrive in droves.
Tango aficionados should visit in late
August, when the city hosts the Tango Buenos Aires and World Cup event
(tangobuenosaires.gob.ar). February brings Carnival to Buenos Aires.
While not
as big as the ones held by its neighbors in Montevideo and Brazil, the Buenos
Aires Carnival is still worth a visit. It’s a busy season, so book your
vacation rental as soon as possible.
When to Go to Mendoza and the Wine
Country
Locals call Mendoza Argentina “la
tierra del sol y del buen vino,” or, "the land of sun and good wine.”
Vivid fall colors and mild temperatures make autumn the ideal time to visit
Mendoza and the Argentine wine country.
The Vendimia (mendoza.gov.ar/vendimia)
or wine harvest festival, takes place in March, and entices wine lovers from
Argentina and all points of the globe.
Parties, parades and pageantry characterize
this event, which Fodor’s describes as a mix of the pompous and the provincial.
Mendoza Vendimia sits at the top of many a wine lover’s bucket list, so expect
hotels and vacation rentals to fill up quickly and charge higher rates to
reflect the popularity of the event.
Optimal Time to Explore Patagonia
Glaciers, rugged mountains, fjords and
windswept steppe characterize Argentine Patagonia. A tendency toward strong
winds and spontaneous storms triggers unpredictable weather patterns.
Trails
gain accessibility over the summer months, but crowds swell and prices rise
during this season. September to November delivers sunny and mild weather. This
is the peak season for sea life viewing on Peninsula Valdes.
The charismatic
Magellanic penguins nest in October and November, and the newborns arrive from
December to March.
Making the Most of the Argentine Ski
Season
The South American ski season begins in June
and lasts until September or October. Dates are approximate, depending on
Mother Nature’s mood.
A South American
school holiday takes place during the last two weeks of July, making the slopes
and the lodging venues more crowded than usual.
There’s a legend that surrounds early
September ski season in all of South America. Mind you, it’s just a legend, but
many skiers are avid believers. Apparently, in 1615,
a ship of Dutch pirates were planning an attack that would ransack Lima Peru.
A young lady named Isabel Flores de Oliva
prayed for a storm that would sink the ship. Her prayers were answered, and she
was granted saint status. From then on , she was known as Santa Rosa. A
festival in her honor is held in September, but almost every year,
in the end
of August, a massive snow storm occurs, which affects all of South America –
especially the ski resorts of Argentina. Many people thus believe that early
September is the best time to ski. Spring skiing happens at a small resort
called La Hoya (cerrolahoya.com), located in Esquel, Patagonia.
In September,
the resort holds a ski festival, which features a costume party and live music.
There are a number of reasons why you might decide to plan a
romantic weekend getaway. They range from being in the doghouse with your
significant other to just wanting to do something nice for them.
Whatever your
reasons for planning a romantic weekend, there are plenty of options to choose
from. Just be sure to follow the tips below so your romantic getaway goes well without
a snag.
1) Plan your weekend well in advance
Everyone appreciates spontaneous romantic gestures. However, no one appreciates
those gestures if it means you have to stay at a one-star motel because you
didn’t plan far ahead enough to make reservations at a nicer place.
Even though
you may want your romantic getaway to seem spontaneous, make sure you actually
put a fair amount of planning into it.
Decide on the weekend far in advance, and make sure your partner doesn’t have
any conflicts on those days. It is quite the downer if you plan your getaway on
the same weekend as her niece’s wedding.
Decide on your ideal hotel and
restaurants you will patronize, and set up reservations at all of them far
ahead of time. Your partner will appreciate the planning that goes into the
weekend as much as they appreciate the time itself.
2) Do the things your partner likes
Let’s say you’re a fanatical football fan and your partner likes to go to
romantic dinners and stay at fancy hotels. Well, then don’t plan a trip to the
Giants game for your romantic getaway.
Make sure that, when you’re planning
your romantic getaway, you do it with your partner’s interests in mind. Part of
the romantic nature of the weekend should be that you are able to do things
that you both enjoy together.
One mistake some couples make when planning a romantic getaway is to pack their
weekend full of activities. Remember that the goal of a romantic weekend
getaway is to spend quality time with your partner.
Thus, your schedule should
include blocks of time where you can just enjoy each other’s company. This
might include drinks on the beach after dinner, a quiet night on the hotel room
balcony with room service, or just a nice walk throughout town during the
afternoon.
Don’t over schedule yourselves, and allow time for the romance to
happen.
We have to be realistic and understand that all couples have arguments and bicker at times. It doesn’t matter whether we’re on a romantic getaway or at home in the kitchen, arguments can happen whether we want them to or not.
However, if you remember when you leave for your getaway weekend to leave any lingering issues at home, it will reduce the risk of argument while you’re away.
Just tell yourself that this weekend is for the two of you, and any problems can be dealt with when you get back.
A romantic getaway can be a great benefit to any relationship. Just remember to plan ahead and keep the other tips above in mind.
