by ALCHEMY DMC | Ago 30, 2017 | ALCHEMY DMC News, Tourism News
Laura Barreiro, a member of our MICE Department, tells us about her experience in the Argentinean Northwest.
Nature, culture, peace, diversity, colors… All is combined in the Argentinean Northwest.
Salta’s city, with its colonial architecture, its narrow streets, the surrounding hills and its various parks and beautiful churches, is the ideal starting point for discovering the region.
An outstanding experience is visiting Cafayate. The accessing route does not stop amazing the travelers. The mountain road dazzles with the changes in landscapes, the variety of geological formations, the red colored earth…Cafayate belongs to the Salta Wine Route. The main wine in this region is the Torrontes (white wine).
An essential visit is discovering the Calchaquies Valleys, with its imposing mountains, cornice roads, rivers, streams and charming little villages.
Another incredible visit is Salinas Grandes. These salt flats are an unforgettable white desert that contrast with the blue sky and amaze with their immensity.
Jujuy province also has the Quebrada de Humahuaca, which has been declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Here, villages such as Tilcara, Humahuaca and Purmamarca (with its incredible Cerro de los Siete Colores -Hill of the Seven Colors-) are characterized by their traditions and the tranquility, surrounded by a wonderful natural area.
Another highlights? The regional gastronomy, folkloric music and people’s charm. Argentinean North is definitely a place not to be missed!
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Suggested accommodation options in the region:
House of Jasmines – SALTA
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Grace Cafayate – CAFAYATE
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Patios de Cafayate – CAFAYATE
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Manantial del Silencio – PURMAMARCA
by ALCHEMY DMC | Ago 30, 2017 | ALCHEMY DMC News, Tourism News
IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE SOUTHERN ‘PORTEÑO’ NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN FILLED WITH AMAZING STREET ART THAT SURPRISES FOR ITS QUALITY (AND FOR ITS DIMENSIONS) / ARGENTINE AND EUROPEAN ARTISTS / WHAT’S THE “COLOR BA” INITIATIVE ALL ABOUT?
One of the most interesting news is that the neighborhood seems to be increasingly intervened. In building facades, forgotten walls or local shutters, dozens of murals of many artists and groups related to, and emerging from urban art – mostly thanks to the “Color BA” movement – transform the public space into an art festival. In only two editions, this initiative managed to transform – and as they claim – beautify La Boca, legitimizing the conception that art should be within reach of all.
Three main representations of this murals boom: the imposing portrait of a girl of La Boca by the Argentine artist “El Marian” located at Suarez & Juan de Dios Filiberto intersection; a double median by italian “Millo” (main photo of this article) located at Benito Pérez Galdos & Caboto; and the colors of irish artist “Maserart”, in a half block intervention on Martin Rodriguez street Martín Rodríguez between Ayolas and Lamadrid.
Photos: provided by Murales BA.
Original Link: www.malevamag.com/la-boca-arte-arte-y-mas-arte-como-nunca-nuevas-galerias-murales-y-museos-imprescindibles-por-melisa-boratyn
by ALCHEMY DMC | Ago 30, 2017 | ALCHEMY DMC News, Tourism News
Our country received the “Best integral assessment Program” distinction in the last edition of the most important luxury tourism industry event worldwide, last held in Las Vegas.
With the purpose of positioning the Argentine Republic in the specialized segment of luxury tourism, the National Ministry of Tourism, through the National Institute of Tourism Promotion (INPROTUR), successfully participated in this new edition of Virtuoso Travel Week, Las Vegas, United States of America, from August 12th to the 18th, 2017.
Our country initiated their participation last Sunday morning with a presentation along with Buenos Aires City Tourism Entity and three On-Site Virtuoso Operators. On Monday night, INPROTUR and Buenos Aires entertained the main travel agents responsible of promoting our country at the Destination Showcase Dinner, where Argentina had the opportunity to host three tables. Besides, a breakfast was provided on Tuesday with a brief training course for travel agents and operators.
The hard work and participation of Argentina in recent years with the Virtuoso network has been recognized in this edition with the award for the best comprehensive assessment program. “INPROTUR demonstrates a great commitment to excellence and product knowledge, qualities highly valued by this network,” said Albert Herrera, President of Global Product Partnerships for Virtuoso. “This award places Argentina in a very exclusive place, being recognized within Virtuoso partners, as leaders within the industry. ”
Virtuoso is the largest network of luxury tourism operators in the world. American-based, it brings together 10,000 elite travel specialists in 25 countries in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa, as well as over 1,700 of the world’s top travel suppliers and Destinations of first level.
The meeting brought together more than 5,700 professionals among travel agency owners, hotels, consultants and specialists, as well as some of the world’s leading tourist destinations focused on the luxury segment.
Argentina had more than 290 appointments with sellers of the most exclusive destinations. During which different destinations along the country were presented, emphasizing wine and gastronomy, natural and cultural landscapes, history and, of course, a wide variety of services with great quality.
Overall, there has been an excellent reception of the new measures adopted, such as the elimination of 21 percent of VAT on accommodation for foreign tourists and the termination of collection of the reciprocity rate for Americans and Australians, among others.
by ALCHEMY DMC | Jul 25, 2017 | ALCHEMY DMC News, Tourism News
The World Heritage Committee has recently inscribed Los Alerces National Park on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Los Alerces National Park is located in the Andes of northern Patagonia, 30 miles (50 km) from Esquel city, and has a western boundary which coincides with the Chilean border.
Successive glaciations have molded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques and clear-water lakes.
However, the real attraction is the Alerce tree, one of the longest-living species on the planet with specimens that have survived up to 4000 years. Lured by the acclaim of well-known parks to the north and south, most hikers miss this gem, which makes your visit more enjoyable!
by ALCHEMY DMC | Jul 25, 2017 | ALCHEMY DMC News, ALCHEMY DMC News, Outdoors, Tourism News, uncategorized
Bettina Torchiana, a member of our MICE Department, with 10 years of experience in the area, tells us about her experience in Atacama Desert: “Remote places are not only far away, they are also an opportunity to re-encounter with life itself”
San Pedro de Atacama is the base for touring the spectacular Atacama Desert, the most arid desert in the world and where dozens of natural attractions makes it the ideal destination for nature lovers.
The Explora Hotel is the perfect combination for those seeking adventure but luxury service as well, which are fully compatible even when our previous ideas makes us think otherwise.
Explora is the true reflection of this, where through unique circuits we can enjoy the natural environment without leaving aside the enjoyment for the excellence in service, the personalized attention, details surprising us at every moment and the exquisite gastronomy.
Do not miss this paradise by the hand of Explora Hotel. I assure you it will be an experience that will remain in your memory.
by ALCHEMY DMC | Jul 25, 2017 | ALCHEMY DMC News, Tourism News
- Lima is not just a “stopover.” It’s the gastronomic capital of the Americas
Some people visiting Peru avoid Lima altogether. It’s a huge mistake. Everyone going to Peru should spend at least a day savoring its brilliant food. According to Bloomberg, Lima holds three of the world’s 50 best restaurants.
Peru’s cuisine is heavily influenced by both Chinese and Spanish traditions. Dishes are crafted with an array of seafood mixed with unique Andean ingredients. So, if you decide to stay in Lima and go on a food safari but the lack of reservations or funds, we suggest that you do a bit of research and check these other mid-range priced restaurants with menus to rival some of the most exclusive places.
- Machupicchu is not a photo opportunity or a trek to cross off the bucket list, but a chance to learn about a unique time in human history
Please avoid spending all your time behind the lens of a camera. Immerse yourself in the beauty and atmosphere of this spectacular site. Machupicchu deserves human reverence and respect, which treating it as a photo op does not represent.
Machupicchu was the zenith of a civilization that placed the needs of its people and mother earth “Pachamama” above everything else. This site is perhaps the most beautiful open-air classroom in the Western Hemisphere to learn about human resilience. Machupicchu is not for selfies.
To ensure you get the best experience out of your visit, watch this video before you make your trip; if you are a reader, these books might get you on a good footing to fully engage with the lessons from your guides.
- Coca leaves are not cocaine.
Despite what so many believe, the coca plant is not cocaine as it is usually portrayed in the western world. For the people who live in the Andean mountains of Peru and Bolivia, coca is an ancient medicinal and spiritual plant. It was initially domesticated about 5000 years ago. The plant has been an essential part of the religious belief system of the Andean people. In fact, coca leaves are to the Andean and Amazonian people what the cross is to Christianity, i.e. coca leaves are used in rituals specific to “Pachamama” or Mother Earth.
The consumption of this plant as a food source by the Andean people is well documented. Coca leaves supply the body with high amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Contrary to popular belief, chewing these leaves as the Andean people regularly do does not cause any stimulant or euphoric effects, nor does the practice causes any dependency.
Coca leaves are often confused with cocaine, the drug that is synthesized via a combination of chemical reactions with chemicals such as sulfuric acid, kerosene, chlorine amongst others. The production and distribution of cocaine are the outcomes of a global chain of supply and demand that involves many powerful stakeholders, in which coca farmers are the lowest workers in a huge network of businesses and people seeking profit.
- Global warming is a fact, and the evidence is clear in all the places you will visit in Peru
You would do well to become aware of the recent natural disasters affecting Northern Peru. Landslides, floods and torrential rains wreaked havoc throughout cities and the countryside killed many people and left thousands of others homeless.
Climate scientists believe that this wave of natural disasters was triggered by a very unusual “El Niño” phenomena. This kind of “El Niño’ is a manifestation of a global warming problem. A trip to northern Peru will surely be enough to convince you of the severity of this situation. It is estimated that by 2050 most glaciers in Peru’s Andean range reaching 18,000 feet and below will disappear due to planetary warming.
When you hike the Salkantay trek to Machupicchu, you will witness the enormous number of dry rivers that once used to carry water coming from the glaciers. The impact of this loss of glaciers can be seen in the struggle for water that local farmers confront every day. In turn, this situation is already affecting the chain of food production and the subsequent rise in prices of these goods.
- Ayahuasca is not just DMT – getting high on it has negative effects for the Amazonian people.
Ayahuasca has been part of the Amazonian medicinal and spiritual usage for centuries. It has always had traditional uses by jungle shamans who have sought through its use, a connection with a higher spiritual world of their own. Its use is intrinsically related to their belief of a “visión del Mundo” or cosmovision.
In recent years, however, the consumption of this drink has become commercialized, part of a tourist industry. If you Google “Ayahuasca,” you will find so-called “shamans” from Scandinavia and Canada to New York and Los Angeles. The purpose of these gatherings is not to perform ritual healings but rather to fall into a state of hallucination that does not correspond to the Amazonian cosmovision.
Similar gatherings occur in the Amazon jungle where some of the locals have facilities to host foreigners who can pay money to become high on Ayahuasca. This practice is not the true traditional use of Ayahuasca and will not be correctly understood by those partaking in it. Rather, this represents a form of cultural appropriation and exploits the traditional usage of this culturally significant brew.
If you truly wish to experience Ayahuasca for healing purposes, then seek out local traditional users, elders, and shamans. You will then have the complete experience of not only the drink but the cultural significance it plays within the Amazonian people.
