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The last few weeks have certainly been interesting for travel agents.
First of all there were the comments made by President Obama regarding the relevance of travel agents in todays industry SEE LINK, which while aimed specifically aimed at US-based agents brought into question the role of travel professionals around the world. Hot on the heels of these comments, Travel+Leisure magazine published its annual A-List of agents SEE LINK. Among those mentioned this year are our friends and collaborators Maita Barrenechea (Mai 10, Argentina), Martin Frankenberg (Matuet, Brazil), Silja Torborg (Trails of Chile, Chile), and Rachael Bockoven Colbert (Big Five, USA). For what its worth, we consider the travel agent as important an element in the
WELCOME
industry as ever. Who else can guide the traveler through the pitfalls, disinformation, and dubious reviews so common on the internet? Who better than your local travel expert to differentiate between one product and another than someone who has been to the destination, slept in the bed, done the excursion, swam in the pool, and ordered room service? Kudos for our awardwinning friends and the thousands of
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San Francisco Ntra. Sra del Rosario Limpia de Canales San Lucas Limpia de Canales All Saints San Andrs La Pursima Ntra. Sra. de Guadalupe Ntra. Sra. de Guadalupe Enfloramiento
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ABOUT ALTO ATACAMA DESERT LODGE & SPA
Recently highlighted by National Geographic Traveler editors as Chiles most authentic and unique hotel in their 2011 Stay List, Alto Atacama desert lodge & spa has taken the Atacama experience to a new level. Tucked away in a valley of serene beauty, Alto Atacama is blessed with a most spectacular location, flanked by mountain ranges, iconic archaeological sites, and the San Pedro river trickling its way alongside, blending seamlessly into its surroundings very much like the typical dwellings of the area. The interior decoration is also faithful to the local aesthetic; rustic yet elegant, with local crafts adding warmth and character. All 32 rooms have a private terrace; the perfect spot to absorb the color and silence of the valley. In our restaurant, our Chef creates an original range of culinary delights, all of which are washed down with delicious Chilean wines. Guests can choose from over thirty cultural and adventure activities, with everything from a visit to the workshop of a local artisan or a meeting with a shaman, to bike rides and volcano treks. We also offer myriad options of drives into the most stunning landscape, unique locations for outdoor luncheons, and unforgettable sunsets. At our observatory the intimate, small-group experience has been designed to be more sensory than technical, focusing on the magnitude of the magnificent night sky of Chiles north. For a more relaxing time, our Puri spa has six outdoor pools, indoor and outdoor whirlpool baths, and a wide range of spa treatments.
El Universal:Pag.J6 Impreso por: JuanGuevara el 22/01/2011 a las 23:24:56 color
TILO GUESTROOMS
March 1st 2012 is the official opening date for our ten new Tilo guestrooms. The word tilo means lagoon in the indigenous tongue of Atacama, and should be enough to indicate the location. Thats right, they sit just above the lagoon and offer stunning views towards the mountains of the Catarpe Valley. This will be our highest category of guestroom, joining our 27 Catarpe and 5 Quitor guestrooms. They will be some 15m larger than our current guestrooms, will have an outdoor shower and lounge area, and they will also be wired up for connecting an LCD screen (upon request).
[2] www.altotacama.com
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DESTINOS I
EL UNIVERSAL
GEYSERS DEL TATIO. Hay que madrugar para ver las fumarolas
Iguaz
TRUTH IN T RAVEL
Jerez! S, CAMPERA
BUSCANDO MOS LAS OLAS ENCONTRA EL PARAISO
MAUI (HAWAI)
BUDAPEST
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Mochileros y viajeros premium llegan de muy lejos para explorar paisajes extraos como el Valle de la Luna y los Geysers del Tatio. El punto de partida es San Pedro, un pueblo hecho deLA CIUDAD adobe
gretel.zanella@eluniversal.com.mx
ENVIADA
ay piedras que no se han movido de su lugar en 23 millones de aos. Todo sigue intacto en algunas regiones del desierto de Atacama porque no ha cado una gota de lluvia. Eso lo aprend en el History Channel, pero, segn mi gua, no ha pasado tanto tiempo, slo unos 200 aos despus del ltimo chaparrn. Atacama, en la II Regin de Antofagasta, al norte de Chile, es el territorio ms seco del planeta. Qued atrapado entre la glida corriente de Humboldt en la costa del Pacfico y la barrera de la cordillera de Los Andes que impiden que la humedad llegue a sus dominios. De pinta marciana, con sus piedras y suelo rojizo, posee uno de los cielos ms despejados del mundo. Cuando la luna sale es una pelotota plateada con sus crteres rozagantes, aun antes de que el sol se oculte. Cuando no, la Va Lctea se desparrama; Orin, la Cruz del Sur y una legin de constelaciones alumbran los recorridos nocturnos de los que, por amor a las estrellas, aguantan fros debajo de los cero grados. Alguien dijo que las condiciones de este lugar siguen tan violentas como cuando comenz la vida. Atacama hierve por dentro y libera energa con fumarolas al amanecer. Sus raras formaciones y arrugas son producto del tremendo movimiento tectnico y la erupcin de volcanes. San Pedro, a 2 mil 438 metros sobre el nivel del mar, es un oasis conquistado primero por incas, luego por espaoles y, despus, por mochileros y viajeros con petacas Louis Vuitton. En este viaje coincid con N., fiel creyente de la energa del Cosmos, del poder de las piedras y de los marcianos. Tambin vino M. Le gusta disparar el obturador de su cmara y tomar nota de las recomendaciones para comprar msica chilena. No deja de comer hojitas de coca como si fueran pepitas para que no le d el mal de montaa. En el pueblo se contratan las excursiones. Tour operadores sobran. Las tarifas de hostal empiezan en 8 dlares, y en 398, si es un hotel de lujo como el de nosotros, con paseos incluidos.
Nos advierten que debemos aceptar lo que nos ofrezcan y nada de fotografas. En el patio est la mesa puesta. Nos damos la mano con timidez. Trajeron hasta una banda de msica. Una voz perdida dice que pasemos a la mesa, pero nadie le hace eco y nos perdemos el convite.
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Yo creo que tiene ms facha de Marte que de luna, sobre todo cuando el sol del atardecer da a las piedras sus mejores tonalidades. A 14 kilmetros de San Pedro, el Valle de la Luna, en la Cordillera de la Sal, es una obra monumental de riscos filosos escalonados, montculos que crees haber visto en la Guerra de las Galaxias y paredes verticales como la del llamado Anfiteatro, al final del valle, de forma semicircular y tan imponente que casi te abraza. Desde la Gran Duna, al otro extremo, el Anfiteatro se ve pequeito. Ya no est permitido caminar por el filo de este cerro de arena de casi 100 metros de elevacin. Slo se puede subir por un costado. Por culpa de otros turistas ya no podr rodar en ella. El paso de tantos la estaba deformando. Nos conformamos con mirar las ondas que traza el viento sobre su superficie dorada y brillante. N. ya est descalzo y en posicin de loto. El viento lo saca de trance cuando le arroja un puado de arena en la cara. Y s que duele. Al Valle de la Luna se puede venir en camioneta o en bici. Tambin se hacen recorridos en trekking de da y de noche en luna llena. En la sombra, la tierra colorada se apaga hasta el ms triste de los grises. Entonces puedo ver el suelo lunar de texturas lisas y rugosas. Se me antoja un traje de astronauta y que alguien apriete el botn anti gravedad.
ATACAMA
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No s si esta vez quiero ir a Marte o a la luna, o simplemente irme al cielo. En las lagunas altiplnicas seguro se puede platicar con Dios. Cuatro mil trescientos metros de altura sern suficientes? Hipertensos, abstnganse.
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PISCO SOUR WITH RICA-RICA
While generally considered of Peruvian origin, the Pisco Sour is the national drink of both Peru and neighbouring Chile, with each country obviously claiming that theirs is a: the original, and b: the best. But why let these never-ending disputes interfere with our pleasure of drinking it? This is a delicious concoction of the white-grape brandy called pisco, made deliciously frothy when mixed with lemon juice, syrup, egg white and bitters. It is a cold and complex drink with a cloudy, yellow-white colour, and is the perfect aperitif. At Alto Atacama we give this drink a northern twist by adding rica-rica. This aromatic herb is famed for its medicinal qualities, having been used for centuries by the indigenous population to improve circulation of the blood, headaches, as well as problems of the heart and kidneys. It is a perennial plant of some 50 cm, which grows at around 4,000 metres (12,000 ft.) above sea level. The combination is superb, creating a far more aromatic drink. Of course not everyone can get their hands on rica-rica. For those who wish to veer away from the classic recipe, the rica-rica can be replaced with basil, mint, chili pepper, ginger BE CREATIVE!!!
[3] www.altotacama.com
Ingredients (Per person) 2 measures of Pisco (Preferably 35-44% Alcohol) in which three or four small twigs of the rica-rica should have been soaking for at least one week. measure of goma simple syrup (or one tablespoon of caster sugar *) measure of freshly-squeezed pica lemon juice or lime juice 1 tblsp. of egg white Ice Angostura Bitters Preparation Squeeze the pica lemon juice or lime juice. Pour the pisco, lemon (or lime) juice and syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add plenty of ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute. (This is the secret to a great pisco sour). Remove cap of cocktail shaker and add the egg white. Shake vigorously for a further 30 seconds. Pour into the glass. Add two or three drops off Angostura Bitters to decorate. Enjoy! Make another one.
Book Alto Atacama before November 1st and receive a USD100 per room spa credit.
This offer is available for guests on Premium programmes, staying at the hotel from now until December 31st 2011.
Gary James, International Sales Manager | m gary.james@altoatacama.com Reservations: (562) 957 0303 | m reservas@altoatacama.com
www.altotacama.com