Good Eats in Santiago

The travel magazine Afar boasts in its October issue about a yummy find in Chile’s capital city:

“The chef behind Santiago’s restaurant Boragó is on a mission to promote his country’s overlooked ingredients, such as the superacidic copoa fruit, which grows in the Atacama desert.“

Pictured above (courtesy of Afar) is grouper baked in a mud oven, a technique used by the indigenous Mapuche peoples for centuries.

Knowmad Adventures provides restaurant recommendations for each destination that you arrive to in your Buen Viaje document before you depart. The Buen Viaje document also contains handy info like 24-hour emergency contact numbers, your hotel addresses and maps.

Win this FREE Daypack & Knowmad Gear!

Win this FREE daypack and Knowmad gear! How?

1) ‘Like’ the Knowmad Adventures page on Facebook.

2) Get your Facebook friends to ‘like’ our page too. (Hint: More the merrier! The more friends of yours that like our page, the better chance you have to win.)

3) Once we reach 1,000 likes we’ll choose a winner at random and if you suggested they like our page you win too.* (Can you say win, win?!)

It’s simple. Get Knowmad to 1,000 likes, and you and a friend could be hiking in style in no time!

*The chosen winner will be contacted via Facebook message.

World Wide Image

Oh my life is rough – here I’ve been finding myself going through countless amazing images of South America as my job. Couldn’t help but share some of these that haven’t quite made it into any of our publications yet…

Un Beso, Tara

Ps. All of these photos were taken on travels to South America – click on any photo for an itinerary that will bring you there.

8 Women, 8 Days in Peru

Amy is one of eight women recently returning from eight days in Peru. The women’s group connected through AdventureHer and created a custom Knowmad itinerary journeying through Lima, the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and more.

Muchisimas gracias to Amy for her delightful travel journal. Below are just a couple morsels from the full journal.

 
“Each of us has different backgrounds, occupations and life experiences but were all brought together by the desire to experience a new culture.”

Money Matters in Chile

Today one U.S. dollar equals 484 Chilean pesos and of course exchange rates fluctuate, so check online before your trip to Chile – I like www.xe.com. For those of you out there like me, quick math has never been my thing (especially when in a foreign language!) so the following is a little system I’ve come up:

Read Full Post

Pin Us on Pinterest

Because images are some of our most beloved things here at Knowmad (after traveling of course), we are more than thrilled to announce our arrival to one of the most amazing image sharing sites out there – pinterest.com.

If you haven’t heard about it, and beautiful photos of anything and everything from pets to hair to food and more are something you’d be into, then check it out. But be warned: it’s addicting!

And if you’re already spending way too many of your waking hours pinning and repinning (you know who you are) then Knowmad’s Pinterest can’t be missed. Follow us for stunning photos, good reads, tasty dishes, gear, and all around good, clean inspiration from the Southern Hemisphere!

 

Gastronomy: Merken in Food & Wine Magazine

While perusing through the August issue of Food & Wine the other week I was delighted to find that not only was Minneapolis (Jordan and I’s hometown) featured as a foodie’s paradise, but Knowmad’s favorite spice, Merken, from Chile got a mention as well. I’ve of course been throwing it on everything since…roasted tomatoes (yum), hard boiled eggs (why not?), or cereal (alright, now I’ve gone too far!). It’s an excellent substitution to paprika, adding just the right amount of smoky flavor.

Un beso, Tara

(Image via Food & Wine Magazine, August 2012 Issue.)

Condé Nast Traveler Experience Makers Award for the 4th Year in a Row!

Conde Nast Traveler Experience Makers Award

What makes someone worthy of the Condé Nast Traveler Experience Makers award? This person is not just an expert in their field, but a person that views crafting the perfect trip as an art form. A person who is considerate, taking the time to listen their travelers’ interests, style, and needs; a person who is knowledgable, always on the pulse of new activities, cultural opportunities, and remote lodges; and a person who is passionate, someone who understands that the each trip is a unique reflection of the traveler that ultimately gets to embark on the journey. We’re proud to say that Jordan Harvey, Knowmad’s Co-Founder, is this person.

Read Full Post

Parting Shots: How a Galapagos Charter Became the Trip of a Lifetime!

Galapagos Islands Charter

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. 

Read Full Post

Best Peru Restaurants: Your Guide for Knowing Where to Eat from Lima to Machu Picchu

Best Peru Restaurants Sacred Valley

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.

Read Full Post