
Travel Inspiration

New 2019 and 2020 Inca Trail trips booked by September 30th will receive $200 off per person (on a 7+ day trip) or $300 off per person (on a 14+ day trip). The awe-inspiring Inca Trail trek is one of Peru’s most revered and also one of its most popular. Permits for the Inca Trail will become available soon, with some high-season dates selling out immediately.
The Macalester College Alumni Association in conjunction with Knowmad Adventures is proud to announce an incredible group trip “Darwin’s Galapagos Islands and Haciendas, Markets and Volcanoes of Ecuador.” This twelve-day trip will highlight incredible Andean landscapes and fascinating indigenous cultures in mainland Ecuador and includes a luxurious 6-day small ship cruise around Darwin’s Galapagos Islands which are full of fascinating endemic species and beautiful volcanic landscapes. Join Director of Alumni Relations Gabrielle Lawrence along with excellent local guides and naturalists as we take the path less traveled for an authentic Ecuador experience and a high-quality expedition cruise in the Galapagos!
Although we always knew Carley Rosen would be leaving us to move Chicago this June, she is still going to be sorely missed. We celebrated her new beginnings with brunch at one of our favorite South Minneapolis eateries, Blackbird Café. The food was great and the company better.
Jerry and Maureen Pearo, Russ and Mary Horsch, and Damon and Becky Farber packed their bags this past February and headed south, to Santiago, Chile for an incredible Chile and Easter Island travel experience. Their custom trip included stops at the La Vega and Mercado Central (two of Chile’s most famous markets), Chiloe island, the Cochamo Valley, vineyards in Valparaiso and Easter Island.
As of this year, Chile has lifted their reciprocity fee for the United States. This means that any U.S. Citizen traveling to Chile will no longer have to pay an entrance fee (historically this fee has been upwards of $140 USD).
“We are a group of ‘seniors’ who love to travel, and are considering a South America destination for our next trip,” wrote Kathy when she first approached Knowmad. So, how is it that her group of adventurous ‘seniors’ ended up choosing Patagonia as one of the focal points of what eventually became a unique, 3-week trip to Argentina and Chile? Their route spanned from Buenos Aires to the jungles of Iguazú falls in Argentina and Brazil, down to the lush Bariloche area of Northern Patagonia, onward to the glaciers of Southern Patagonia, crossed through the Andes Mountains over to the jagged peaks of Chile’s Torres del Paine before ending in the Central Chile to explore bohemian ‘Valpo’, Santiago, and wine country. Read on to find out what makes Patagonia an outstanding destination for over 50 travel as well as for younger, adventurers alike.
The central region of Chile offers travelers a balanced blend of culture and scenic vistas where the traditional and modern live side by side. Inside of the artsy and bustling neighborhoods of Santiago, find deep history, green park oases, and caring people. Just outside of Chile’s largest city, find ocean to the west, mountains to the east, and wine valleys to the south. The nearby bohemian port city of Valparaíso draws artists and adventurers to its cascading hills, while the nearby wineries draw aficionados and soon-to-be wine connoisseurs alike.
Chile has become a hub for many travelers planning to visit South America with its stunning natural landscapes, delicious wine, and local culture. The capital city of this diverse country, Santiago, has often been known as just a stop-over city on the way to explore all that Chile has to offer, but this thriving metropolitan city should not be overlooked.