Bordeaux

• The drive to the sand dunes on the coast of the Arcachon basin is about 45 minutes – be careful to avoid high traffic times. Our guide for a day, Mathieu picked out the wine at the oyster tasting in the specialty restaurant
• Back in the historic section of the Bordeaux, walk through the city to a few highlights… We enjoyed two dinners – the first night strolling to the Grand Cafe on the pedestrian only boulevard right by our hotel. Here is a drop-in hip hop break dance performance by some Haitians (judging from the music). They lasted only a few minutes: passed the hat and then moved on to the next place!
• On the second night we tried out local cuisine at Brasserie Bordelaise – don’t miss this one!
• The service started out slow…the wait staff didn’t give us any attention for some time, but when they did, our orders were filled and delivered in 5 minutes! the waiter comes with a brief description of what the choices are. Drinks arrive as ordered in the midst of lots of new diners pouring in the door at the same time. Large bowls of salad, vegetables and potatoes are in the middle of the table to pass around. A little pricey at 35e including a generous tip, and so so delicious, we suggest you don’t miss it.
• A walk about includes a stroll past the last house that Goya lived in. He died here in 1828. Here is Goya’s house including a close up of a dog water bowl! And the installation of a sculpture right outside the classic opera house.
• Let’s stay here next year: the prices are right on the outside of the building.
• After two nights, we move on through the Dordogne River valley to the province of St. Emillion. Lunch is in this small mid-evil town. We visit the Hermit’s residence under the side wing of the church where a spring bubbles up with fresh water.
  Emillion, enormously popular for his healing powers, hid here. Those who found him sought to be baptized, to find forgiveness, to be blessed and yes, to be healed in the waters of the stream.

Chile

• Chiloe Island – flat, wind blown, sparse, wooden churches built by missionaries who had limited tools and no nails!
• Valparaiso – the San Franciso of South America only 2 hours from Santiago. The views of the chaotic port, the 57 hills, the cable cars, the fish market and the graffiti thru the steep stepped side walks makes this a remarkable, lively city to visit.
• Puerto Montt to Bariloche – cross 3 lakes and 2 mountain ranges to explore two countries! in only one or two days!
• Punta Arenas – the farthest city south in Chile – the tip of the world at the mouth of the Magellan Straits. Before the Panama Canal, this was the world port. Later it became the jump of exploration to Antarctica. Join us in Feb 2016
• Trekking Patagonia – The EcoCamp experience – We will be there Feb 28 – Mar 3, 2016
• Patagonia Camp – the southern rim of the park. Can’t wait to return. This is the best kept secret, just outside the national park, beautiful accommodations, excellent guides, day trips to your activity level. The Mongolian style huts designed like round urts feel luxurious.

Ecuador

• High Sierra Tour – Hacienda Cusin – Join us November ’15 or Jan ’16 at this beautiful spot at the restored 1602 hacienda with 30 acres of stunning gardens, eclectic collections of colonial and indigenous artifacts in all the rooms, and a most charming and friendly staff! We have been coming back here for 15 years now – always feels like home!
• El Refugio at Intag Cloud Forest – a bird watching paradise with stunning trails for hiking. You want want to come home!
• Galapagos Islands cruises – Plan is for a NVT Group Tour in Spring ’17
• Quito & Nono – anytime! Nono is 45 mins from the city. enjoy an excellent restaurant “Tierra del Fuego” !

Peru

• Machu Piccu in the Sacred Valley
• Cuzco to Lake Titicaca
• Mochica splendor in the desert

Argentina

• Los Patos – An personal experience with a gracious family on a working estancia in the pampas region (grasslands) outside Buenos Aires – excellent horseback riding or enjoy a trip back in time in the carriage.
• Salta – A beautiful jump! A driving tour through remote sandstone mountains and desert peppered with cactus. The city is a mecca for trade between Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, thus the rich variety of people. Here is the new archeological museum with mummified children buried at 22,000 feet by the Incas as offerings to the gods. (See MAAM)
• Molinos & Colome – Art & Wine in the Argentina northwest. The Colome vineyard built and still owned by Donald Hess is an extraordinary stop. It may be possible to stay here, or return down the winding roads to Motions to stay in a beautiful hacienda in a small simple village.
• Buenos Aires – city streets & museums
• Trekking FitzRoy – this is the best day trekking! The trails are well marked, the people are very helpful. Go during the mid winter when days are short in the north. By contrast the sun will still be up until 10 pm down here.