Travel Photography 101

photography 101

Truth: Great photos have very little to do with the camera and almost everything to do with the photographer. Even with the fancy Instagram filters and the handy “enhance” button on iPhoto, it’s the person behind the lens that’s making the difference between a mediocre image and a masterpiece. I’m nowhere near the masterpiece side of the spectrum, but can offer a couple of tips on photography for the amateur photographer looking to experiment with their SLR camera on their next trip abroad.

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Best Chile & Argentina Travel Agent & Trip Operator: Travel & Leisure Awards Jordan Harvey

Best Travel Agent Jordan Harvey

Ladies & gents, damas y caballeros, he’s done it again! Jordan Harvey’s travel planning skills have been praised before, but this week they’ve gotten international recognition as he was named the best travel specialist for Argentina & Chile vacations in Travel + Leisure Magazine. Check newsstands for the October issue and flip to page 94 or read about the Travel + Leisure A-List online.

“I almost fainted right there in the Dallas/Ft. Worth customs after landing from Chile,” Jordan says of finding out. “We work really hard and have unparalleled levels of knowledge and operating capabilities in our regions, but we focus much more on the experience and staying on the cutting edge in our destinations than we do on getting press and winning contests, so this came as a huge shock. Not to mention we’re probably the newest and smallest company on the list,” he added.

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Arboretum to Galapagos Islands and Ecuador

Galapagos Islands and  Ecuador
Knowmad Adventures
in conjunction with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is proud to announce an incredible group tour to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. “Darwin’s Galapagos Islands and the Flora and Fauna of Ecuador” is a two week journey that will highlight the incredible landscapes and diverse ecosystems of 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 Emeritus Peter Olin and Knowmad Co-Founder Jordan Harvey along with excellent local guides. In addition to cruising the Galapagos, on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, you will have unique cultural interactions, explore the cloud forest’s plants, orchids, and over 132 hummingbird species, visit a rose plantation, and much more!

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Patagonia Vacation Packing List

patagonia vacationPacking for a trip can be an overwhelming task, especially when you’re headed out of the country – on a Patagonia vacation perhaps. Most people advocate for packing light but if you’re anything like me, this concept is merely inconceivable. Instead, I like to focus on packing appropriately. This means including all the necessary items on my packing list, and throwing in a few extras, just incase.

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Find Comfort in a Good Book: Books by Isabel Allende

Atacama Desert Chile South America

Knowmad Co-Founder, Tara, picked up her first Isabel Allende book as she was navigating an uncertain future 11 years ago – moving across the world with her husband and Knowmad Co-Founder, Jordan, and starting a business together – and she found solace in the pages as she dove deeper into the story. She hopes that as you navigate today’s changing landscape, you can also find comfort in a good book.

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The New KnowmadAdventures.com

knowmad adventures website

We are proud to announce that the all new Knowmad Adventures website is live! The new site, which was completely redesigned by Knowmad co-Founder Tara, has greatly expanded content including more in-depth bios of the growing Knowmad team, more suggested trip ideas including exclusive Galapagos yacht cruises, and a traveler review section. We’re also jumping out of our seats excited about improved functionality letting travelers design their very own trip as well as searching by travel style such as family, luxury, active and more (kudos to super programmer Josh and nose-to-the-grindstone Media Manager Lisa!).

It is with as much relief as joy that we make this announcement. As a small company building a site this expansive had us all wearing the proverbial many hats, and for that or otherwise it’s safe to say we’re all left with a lower thread count atop the cabeza, if you know what I mean! But hopefully what didn’t kill us made us stronger and we proudly invite you to explore the new face of Knowmad Adventures today.

My Conversation with Carolina in the Atacama Desert

atacama desert hike
We met late in a trip that had already taken my husband Jordan and I deep into the Chilean Patagonia. Journeying to the ends of the earth we rode sturdy criollos alongside spindly guanaco herds, hunted fossils of giant sloths, felt the grumbles and groans of crumbling glaciers before flying north. Waking in Patagonia and ending your day in Atacama Desert is truly like traveling to Mars – although separated by only a few hours in a plane, the landscapes are completely opposite. Arriving content but weary, I found myself wrestling with the dry altitude (the Spanish-colonial pueblo of San Pedro de Atacama rests at 7,900 feet above sea level). Jordan, however, had his mind set on one thing: summiting one of the majestic volcanoes lumbering in our horizon. We chose Cerro Toco, elevation 18,386 feet.

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What’s the best time to travel to Chile & the Patagonia?

patagonia

One of the first questions we’re asked regarding travel to any particular place is, “When is the best time to travel there?” The short answer is that the best summer weather in Patagonia and Chile is during the U.S. winter, making December, January, February and March ideal times for travel. This means the best time to plan a trip to Patagonia is now, during August and September.

Whether you’re looking to stay in one of the world’s finest adventure lodges such as Explora Salto Chico or if you’re more into the idea of a multi-sport trip with camping, Patagonia’s crown jewel known as Torres del Paine National Park is in high demand during these months. Availability is already problematic during the holidays and is starting to fill up for January and February.

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Lake Titicaca Travel: 4 Ways to Get Off The Beaten Path

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and, after Machu Picchu, one of the most popular destinations in Peru. Straddling the Peru-Bolivia border at over 12,000 feet high, the lake is a sacred place for many Peruvians. According to ancient Andean mythology, the first Inca king and descendant of the sun surfaced from this lake to create the Incan Empire. It is also said that the sun, moon, and stars rose from Lake Titicaca and into the sky. These days, it’s a wonderful spot to get off the beaten path, connect with Peruvian culture and mythology, and have a truly unique experience in the high plains of Peru.

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Parting Shots: Romanced by Argentina on a Sensational Buenos Aires, Calafate & Patagonia Honeymoon

Argentina South America

Lindsey and Jim celebrated their new marriage on their Argentina / Patagonia honeymoon by exploring the dazzling sights, rich culture, and breathtaking wilderness of Argentina. They started out in Buenos Aires, getting the chance to attend one of the country’s most famed cultural highlights: a Tango & Folklore Show. They also took several guided walks around the city, exploring the unique neighborhoods, learning about the culture and history up-close, and seeing the incredible street art that gives Buenos Aires part of its vibrant feel. Continue reading to learn more about the Patagonia portion of their honeymoon.

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May You Find Joy in the Journey

Joy in the Journey - Knowmad Adventures Holiday Card
Pictured above, top row: Renee Davies, Jordan Harvey, Tara Harvey, Krista Erdahl, Dan Luedke | bottom row: Lisa Kellenberger, Carmen Mancino, Kayli Kirkegaard.

As the weather changes and we’re whisked into the holiday season, we’re reminded to take a step back and reflect on the exciting developments and events of this past year.

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