Top 10 travel tips for Chile holidays by Alan Lyall on 10th April, 2015 Top 10 travel tips for Chile holidays Andean Trails’ Alan Lyall lived in Chile for almost 20 years, working in tourism and here he shares, in no particular order, his Top 10 tips for holidays in Chile. There are five things to do, and the five best times to go. Things to do 1. Atacama …
“Best of Buenos Aires” Food Experiences by Alan Lyall on 2nd April, 2015 “Best of Buenos Aires” Food Experiences These are alternative and great ways to experience the burgeoning fine cuisine and food of Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. The Argentine experience Treat yourself to three hours among the finest food and wines of Argentina. This is not a cooking class, but you will learn how to make …
Top 10 restaurants, Santiago, Chile by Alan Lyall on 13th March, 2015 Top 10 restaurants, Santiago, Chile Andean Trails’ Alan spent nearly two decades living in Santiago and he gives us some of the best restaurants to eat in Chile’s vibrant capital. Where to eat…. 10 restaurants in Santiago If you are spending a day or two in Santiago, here are some top tips as to where …
Local guide to Top 5 restaurants, Buenos Aires by Alan Lyall on 30th January, 2015 Top 5 places to eat in Buenos Aires Argentina: land of steak, red wine and pizza/pasta – and much more. The latest Latin America Best 50 restaurant list contained 15 of the country’s eateries. Our local guide and BA resident, Laura Videla, gives us the lowdown on the top five places to eat in Buenos …
Merry Christmas and travel wishes by Alan Lyall on 19th December, 2014 Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Hope you all have a great one, here’s our travel and gift wish list for Christmasses past and future. Kathy Jarvis What I wish for in my Christmas stocking I think I’d like a neat little suitcase with wheels – I’ve always used back packs …
Five star hotels in Cusco, Peru by Alan Lyall on 21st November, 2014 We take a look at Cusco’s burgeoning five star hotel scene this week, for all of which we get good booking rates for our passengers. These hotels are perfect for a treat or to rest aching bones after some trekking on the Luxury Inca Trail or the adventure of the Apurimac. Or …
Spotting whales in Colombia by Alan Lyall on 17th October, 2014 This week our own Alan Lyall waxes lyrical about his recent encounter with humpback whales in Colombia…with great photos on Facebook. He writes: “There are angry clouds in the sky whilst we skim along the Pacific Ocean in a small motor boat off the Pacific coast of Colombia’s Choco province. There is an air …
Luxury Train Puno (Lake Titicaca) to Cusco by Alan Lyall on 25th July, 2014 Train travel from Puno to Cusco Pick-pockets, chicken claws and dodgy toilets – Alan experienced a very different Puno to Cusco luxury train journey to that of thirty years ago. This classic luxury train journey can be incorporated into many of our Peru trips. Alan writes: “In the mid 80s, on a family holiday …
Chile In Style: Luxury holidays and hotels by Alan Lyall on 18th July, 2014 Andean Trails’ Alan Lyall worked in tourism in Chile for more than 20 years. He draws from that well of knowledge and shares his tips for a luxury holiday or honeymoon In Style in one of the world’s most beautiful countries. He writes: “Chile is a destination that has been blessed by nature; Spectacular …
Chimichurri sauce recipe by Alan Lyall on 13th June, 2014 Chimichurri sauce recipe It’s summer time, it’s a year divisible by four and that means only one thing. Well, two. Barbecue season! World Cup time! We’re combining both to bring you a recipe for the tasty Chimichurri sauce, popular throughout South America, our favourite BBQ foods and our World Cup predictions below. Chimichurri Chimichurri …
Buenos Aires city guide – the passion and the icons by Alan Lyall on 25th April, 2014 Buenos Aires Alan tells us about Buenos Aires this week, a city that he fell in love with, and how following its icons can make for a fascinating way to get to know the city. He writes: “Argentina is a country of passions. The Argentines are a passionate people. It must be from their …
Empanada recipe: traditional method from Buenos Aires, Argentina by Alan Lyall on 11th April, 2014 Empanada recipe Our Alan shares two decades of South America living and empanada making with this delicious empanada recipe. Try it at home or travel to Argentina, Chile or Patagonia and eat them in situ. As a great person once said: “Nam nam!” Alan writes: “Empanadas – pasties or turnovers – are a delicacy all …
North West Argentina – the painter’s palette by Alan Lyall on 14th March, 2014 North West Argentina NOA to the locals, North West Argentina is dazzling our Alan with its diversity – he’s seen frogs, ships, cathedrals and devil’s throats, to amphetheatres, ships, monks and much more. Check his stunning photos on our Facebook page. He writes….. “NOA is a place to let your imagination soar and wonder, …
Out and about around Santiago de Chile by Alan Lyall on 6th December, 2013 Discovering Chile’s capital: Santiago Santiago, Chile’s capital, is in a privileged location; a mere stone’s throw from the highest peaks of the Andes; a short drive from the Pacific and in the heart of Chile’s wine country. If you are passing through Santiago, take a few days to explore some of the delights the area …
Magical San Pedro de Atacama desert by Alan Lyall on 12th July, 2013 Discovering Atacama desert This week Andean Trails’ Alan Lyall talks about Atacama and thinks back to Chile, where he lived for more than a decade. He recalls one of his favourite parts of the country, where he has seen space shuttles, 3km-long poems and spouting geysers: This is Atacama. Alan writes: “San Pedro and the …
Journey to Falkland Islands and Patagonia by Alan Lyall on 5th July, 2013 Travel to the Falkland Islands Former RAF man John and his partner Helen recently decided to fulfil a life’s dream and visit the Falkland Islands and Patagonia. They flew with the RAF via Ascension Island to the islands in the south Atlantic – check their photos on Facebook here. John and Helen write: “Ascension …
Top 10 things to do in Cusco, Peru by Alan Lyall on 21st June, 2013 Cusco is one of Peru’s top holiday destinations, thanks to its proximity to Machu Picchu and its own vast array of attractions. Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis has been visiting Cusco for more than two decades, while Fiona Cameron lived in the bubbly and bustling Inca city for more than 12 years. Here we share …
Galapagos Islands Cruise: Alan’s dream by Alan Lyall on 17th May, 2013 Alan tours the Galapagos Islands Alan Lyall has just got back from a dream trip to the magical Galapagos Islands, where he cruised for a week on the Letty, one of the first class Eric, Flamingo and Letty series of boats. Check his photos on Facebook, and read his colourful and honest day-by day account of Galapagos …
Ecuador: Part II of Alan’s tales from Ecuador by Alan Lyall on 9th May, 2013 Alan’s Ecuador tales, part II Alan’s second Ecuador blog sees him think he’s back in Scotland, take a taxi through the clouds and scour Cuenca for a cannily-priced Panama hat…. Alan writes: “Cuenca is a beautiful city in the southern Ecuadorean Andes with a well-preserved colonial centre, and is the home of the Panama …
Ecuador: Alan’s travel tales from Ecuador by Alan Lyall on 2nd May, 2013 Ecuador travel tales, by Alan Andean Trails’ Alan reports back after his first week exploring Ecuador, which has seen him befriend ice cream sellers, cross the equator three times in a day and sleep in a hotel with a plane in the garden…….. Alan writes: “We landed on time and the new airport at …
