The 2000-square-km Atacama Desert in northern Chile is one of the most arid in the world. Each year thousands of tourists flock to San Pedro de Atacama, from where they set out to explore some of Chile’s surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert with natural phenomena and ancient settlements.
Here 5 recommended places to visit in the surrounding Atacama Desert, but first let’s get an impression of this colonial town itself.
Chile is a country of extremes. It measures 4300 kilometers from Peru to the Strait of Magellan and averages 177 kilometers from east to west. The country is entirely closed off from its neighbors by the Andes Mountains. The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world and Nevada Ojos del Salado is the world’s highest volcano.
When it comes to open, wide, and overwhelming landscapes, here are 5 of my favorite slow-travel destinations.
It may not come close to Africa, but South America is a fantastic continent to see wildlife. Not only can you see animals often and at many different locations, at some places you can touch them, caress them, connect with them (in a responsible way!).
In fact, one of South America’s great travel attractions is wildlife.
After 2,5 years of Amazon Coen and I are happy to have returned to the colder and drier climate of South America, the Andes Mountains.
We are cold-weather people.
During our 9-year journey in South America, we visited Bolivia six times. In
Here we will talk about some of our favorites festivals in Bolivia.
Our journey in Peru started around one of the most bewitching places in South America:
Lake Titicaca.
What is the link between slow travel and waterfalls, you may ask?
Good question!
Let’s take a look.
“An image of the earth, its landscapes, directly affects people. The beauty of the earth creates enormous emotion, and through that emotion, you can transmit knowledge and raise consciousness.”
~Yann Arthus-Bertrand
Sightseeing in Buenos Aires, let me think for a sec. Okay: taking tango lessons, eating slabs of beef, visiting the Recoleta Cemetery, strolling around Palermo, checking out the football stadium in La Boca…
But, surprise surprise, there is more to Buenos Aires!
It was one of these beautiful days: a dark-blue sky, sun rays warming me, and an empty to-do list. I strolled through La Paz’ city center and ambled uphill on the northeastern side of El Prado, the city’s main avenue to visit five of La Paz’ museums, conveniently located in one street, called Calle Jaen.
It was a long walk, but as I wasn’t in a hurry it didn’t matter.
“The sound of silence”
~Paul Simon
My parents had an album by Simon & Garfunkel. I loved listening to it and when I started learning English in high school, one particular song triggered me: The Sound of Silence.
The rustling of leaves brings peace of mind. It slows me down and makes me aware of my surroundings: nuts and flowers, delicate mushrooms, fabulously twisted lianas, colorful leaves. I spot butterflies, crickets, leaf cutter ants. I take note of the soothing sounds of humming insects and scurrying lizards.
A forest is hardly ever silent.
