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).
Being the fourth largest continent and unknown to many travelers, South America is big and mysterious. So here at Knowmad we have compiled a list of some of the best places to visit in South America to get you “lost in the right direction.”
I’ve found motherhood to be beautiful. The whole mess of it. The sheer joy I feel when Trey has a laugh attack. The waves of grief that pass from time to time from a loss of freedom I once had. Yet, really, it’s just a certain type of freedom that’s gone – from silly things, like being able to take a shower when I please, to bigger things like my old identity as a traveling, designing career-driven woman. I’ve discovered that the freedom gained is far more pure and visceral…the kind of freedom that’s found in love.
For professional travel planners a special interest group trip is exactly that – special. Whether it’s a student trip to Peru so young people can study Spanish or archeology and anthropology, a university alumni group with varied interests, or a yoga studio seeking wellness and renewal, trips seaming a unique focus with well-rounded travel experiences are a chance for the travel specialist to flex their planning muscles, expand their knowledge, and create entirely unique itineraries they never would have imagined otherwise.
Not far from the tip of South America sits an incredibly vast wilderness. A continent uninhabited by humans and only visited by a handful of the most adventurous individuals. Indescribably intricate and colossal ice formations rest among the dramatic Southern Ocean where scores of untamed wildlife find their home. Antarctica. One of the grandest and most stunning locations on Earth.
Save $200 per person for any 2014 Peru trip booked in April!* Have you or your family been considering an incredible journey offering exciting adventure and life-long memories? Nothing brings us closer to our loved ones or ourselves than travel, and U.S. summer and fall are great times to get away enjoying mild temperatures and no rains while visiting Machu Picchu, remote Andean villages, and colonial Cusco. Mention discount code KTJ010 when contacting Knowmad to receive $200 off any Peru trip booked before April 30th. The time for adventure is now!
The Galapagos Islands is the perfect place to charter a small yacht or catamaran expedition for just you and your group of family or friends. This allows for a more private and even personalized experience, where the guide and crew are dedicated entirely to your group. As there are many boats in the Galapagos meant for just 16 – 20 passengers, a Galapagos charter boat is often the best choice for large groups of friends, clubs, and multi-generational family vacations, and it’s easier than some may think. There are also a variety of boat types available: you can charter a private luxury boat, a tourist superior, or a first class boat. Additionally, some nice discounts come into play when you are able to charter a full boat instead of buying the individual cabin spaces. Keep reading to journey alongside this Knowmad group and learn more about Galapagos charter boats.
Peru has been a favorite in the world of cuisine for some time now, and its food only continues to impress and attract patrons from near and far. Part of its charm is that Peru’s culture is so well represented in its cuisine, making each dish a celebration; from fusion blends like Italian-Peruvian and Japanese-Peruvian, to unique incorporations of the fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains harvested locally. Peru’s restaurants and chefs are creating inventive new dishes all the time for fans of food everywhere to enjoy.
Because of the attention surrounding Peru’s food scene, its restaurants are growing in both quantity and popularity: many of them have been favorites for years, some of them are newer and spearheaded by beloved chefs, and there are also the gems that are known only by the locals. As some of the best restaurants in Peru are also the top restaurants in the world, we wanted to create a list of some of Knowmad’s favorites to help you navigate the delectable world of Peruvian dining!
As you read on below, if you are interested in making a reservation for your trip to Peru at any of the restaurant featured here, you can either use the links within each restaurants’ details to reach their website, or you can let your Trip or Operations Specialist know if you would like help, and we would be happy to assist in making those reservations for you.
It’s a series of moments that have lead Jordan to his 7th Travel + Leisure A-List win. It all started with a big dream in a small cabin nestled in the Patagonian countryside. Here, Tara and Jordan spent many hours, days, and weeks developing their travel company. And today we take a moment to reflect on some of the triumphs and challenges that ultimately make Knowmad, Knowmad.
Journey through the rugged and otherworldly terrain of Southern Bolivia, exploring lagoons, volcanoes and Uyuni salt flats before ending in the capital of La Paz, perched atop the Andes Mountains, stopping at the historical rich communities of Potosi and Sucre along the way. Ideal connection with Chile’s Atacama Desert or start and finish in La Paz.
I have organized travel groups for over 25 years and Knowmad Adventures is one of the best trip operators I have worked with. They recently put together a trip to Chile and Argentina for me and the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum that was exciting, fun, and one that was appreciated by all of our 19 participants. I will be using them for all future trips to South America.
By traveling alongside Knowmad you will be taking part in culturally and environmentally sustainable travel. You will be spreading the love, and the wealth. You will be doing Good Works. Learn more about Knowmad’s eco-travel efforts.
The Knowmad team put together the trip of a life time for us. Everything was perfect, from the guides to the accommodations to the activities, and your extensive knowledge of the area and personal relationships with the people we met in Chile were invaluable. We can’t recommend Knowmad highly enough.
After traveling to Chile two years ago with Knowmad Adventures there was no question as to who was going to help plan my trip to Peru! Thank you so much to Knowmad Adventures. The places they recommended, connections, and knowledge of these regions were impeccable. I highly recommend using Knowmad Adventures to plan your next trip to Peru or Chile!
Our trip was everything we dreamed it would be and more. Your group did a great job everywhere we went. We especially loved our guide Paula, and Explora was top notch too. All perfect.
Please don’t ever change the way you operate. You fulfill lifelong dreams and provide people with the chance to live what they thought could only be read about.
You put together a one-of-a-kind vacation for my group that I’ll long remember and enthusiastically recommend. I thank you and look forward, with much anticipation, to my next adventure with you.
We got back last night and I must say that the organization of the entire trip was AMAZING. We all loved Peru and thanks to Knowmad we even enjoyed it a lot more. Thanks a lot Jordan for everything as we had sooooo much fun. I’ll definitely recommend you to anybody that wants to experience Peru.
Journey through the rugged and otherworldly terrain of Southern Bolivia, exploring lagoons, volcanoes and Uyuni salt flats before ending in the capital of La Paz, perched atop the Andes Mountains, stopping at the historical rich communities of Potosi and Sucre along the way. Ideal connection with Chile’s Atacama Desert or start and finish in La Paz.
