Holly
Studying Spanish and Portuguese at University I got the opportunity to live in Oporto in Portugal and then Chile during my year abroad. I spent six months teaching and volunteering in Santiago and trying to get my head around Chilean Spanish, which I was regularly told is the worst place to learn in South America!
Given the natural beauty throughout Chile, Santiago is somewhere most people want to get out of fairly quickly but with help from locals I gradually got to know the best of the city and realised that it’s got lots to offer if you know where to look.
Using Santiago as a base I visited Southern Chile and Argentina and then set off along the length of northern Chile to get to Peru and Brazil. Each country was different but I loved the huge open landscapes, the chaotic cities and the warm and welcoming people. While working for the South America Specialists I’ve got to see a different (much more comfortable!) side of travel in South America and have stayed at some amazing hotels and lodges in some unique places, the Pantanal and the Amazon two of the most memorable.
Where was your last trip?
Colombia in September.
Where is your next trip?
Chile and Argentina at the end of March.
What is the one thing you have to take with you on every trip?
A dictionary and a camera!
What’s your favourite camp/hotel?
Caiman Lodge in Brazil’s Pantanal - it took almost a full day to get here but it was definitely worth it. Everywhere you turn there is wildlife and something new to see. The excitement the guides show is infectious and you’ll find yourself feeling ecstatic that you’ve seen a rare owl not to mention a jaguar!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten on your travels?
Probably guinea pig and alpaca on my last trip to Peru.
Favourite animal?
Tapirs - great in the wild and also on Channel 4’s Secret Life of the Zoo.
What is the best bit of travel advise you can give to first time safari-ers/ travellers?
Ignore the advice of the locals when you’re in South American cities and avoid taxis and transfers. You’ll spend half of your time sat in traffic and you’ll get a much better feel for the place if you’re on foot.
What’s your sundowner choice?
A beer - if there’s a sunset and a view there’s usually someone on hand with a cool box in South America.
Favourite activity to do on a trip?
Go to a market - they’re usually loud and colourful and the best place to try local food.
Which destination is on the top of your bucket list?
There’s a few but I’d like to go back to Colombia and see the places I missed last time.
Latest blogs by Holly:
Many are initially drawn to Argentina to experience the sights and sounds of its capital, Buenos Aires. This loud and lively city with its grand architecture and vibrant culture captivates all those who go there. Nevertheless, outside of Buenos Aires, Argentina’s geographical diversity means that...
More...The next destination on my trip through Brazil was the Bahían beachside retreat of Trancoso; an hour’s flight and an hour’s drive down the coast from Salvador, along the ‘Costa do Descobrimento’. Tucked away on a cliff amongst Atlantic Forest, with only farms and fruit plantations for miles around...
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The Chilean Lake District, which stretches for 340 km between Temuco in the north and Puerto Montt in the south, is a beautifully green and lush region of dense forests, flowing rivers, still turquoise lakes and snow topped volcanoes. Despite the overall feeling of tranquility and calm you get...
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One of the questions we get asked most frequently is how much does an Antarctica cruise cost. Itineraries start from around $4,700 per person and can go up to as much as $20,000 depending on the length of the cruise, whether you are flying across the Drake Passage and whether you are travelling on...
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In January of this year we started supporting the Torres del Paine Legacy Fund which is working to help conserve one of South America’s most famous National Parks in Patagonia. As more people visit this beautiful area of Chile, it's evident that more investment is needed to develop infrastructure...
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