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Travel Tag: Tierra Patagonia Hotel

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Besides a few eco camps and impressive adventurers in tents, there exists a handful of luxury hotels in which to relax after a long day’s hike, offering a welcome respite from the most brutal wind. Built at the southernmost tip of the world, Tierra Patagonia Hotel is perched on a bluff on the edge of Chile’s Lake Sarmiento.

Talk about being one with the scenery. The hotel blends into the landscape with the way the reclaimed wood curves like a sweeping movement of the wind. Driving up to Tierra Patagonia, most first-timers wouldn’t know the structure acts as a luxury hotel, much less the pure bliss that lies behind its unique walls.

The Experience

Once inside the hotel, the design furnishings are second to the unbeatable backdrop. With windows everywhere, the lakes and peaks of Torres del Paine National Park steal the show. Connect to the wi-fi when this is in front of you? Forget about it.

Tip: Oder the Austral Calafate beer while at the Tierra Patagonia bar. Best beer I've ever tasted!  Tip: Oder the Austral Calafate beer while at the Tierra Patagonia bar. Best beer I’ve ever tasted!

Once I could drag my gaze from the extraordinary view across Lago Sarmiento to the breathtaking granite monoliths of Torres del Paine, I became increasingly impressed by my surroundings. The great room seamlessly unites a sitting area containing a circular fireplace with a bar and dining space. The combination of a wood ceiling, walls constructed from boards of differing lengths, and wood floorboards laid at an angle give the design an energetic feeling and flow.

The Room

No matter if you settle in a standard room or a suite for a few glorious days here, you’ll be getting access to the main attraction: the view of Torres del Paine National Park. I kid you not, my favorite view on earth lives in this park, and like the Black Eyed Peas, I just can’t get enough.

The 40 guest rooms are simple yet handsome with their minimalistic furniture and elegant bathtubs including, you guessed it, a view of the National Park.

Activities

On arrival, guests meet with guides to plan their various excursions during the visit. First on the list should be the Base of the Towers (Torres) hike. This is arguably the most famous hike in the park with 7-8 hours of trekking over 18 kms through mountains, forests and boulders. Motivation and stamina required.

Spend the day hiking to spectacular mountain vistas, return for a swim or a massage in the spa, and end the day with a glass of Chilean wine in a fluffy egg-shaped chair as the sun sets on the rocky pinnacles of Torres del Paine. Luxury adventure at its finest!

The Spa

For the less energetic, prune away inside Tierra’s Uma Spa pool. I’m going to let the pictures do the talking for this heated indoor pool and outdoor jacuzzi.

The Cuisine

Due to the amount of outdoor fun in Patagonia, how to fuel your body is important. The food served at Tierra Patagonia is rustic and elegant – so right up my alley. With a massive spread set out at breakfast and three course menus at lunch and dinner, guests walk away fat and happy. If you’re out for an excursion during the day, your “box lunch” will be just as delicious, your brown bag overflowing with contents such as gourmet sandwiches, chocolate bars made from local chocolatiers, and the best item – puma poop. It’s not what you think, I promise. This glorified granola bar that Tierra’s friendly and attentive staff affectionately calls ‘puma poop’ is one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth, and it definitely gave me a second and third wind to be able to hike 4 hours back to the hotel.

-Recipe-

Getting In

Book the three hour flight from Santiago, Chile, to Punta Arenas via LAN Airlines. A four hour drive from Punta Arenas airport, Tierra Patagonia isn’t exactly a quick and easy vacation, and it shouldn’t be treated as one. Time spent here in Chilean Patagonia should be as slow as the local’s pace of life, taking many moments to appreciate the snow peaked Torres and barren land as far as the eye can see. A staff member from Tierra will pick you up from Punta Arenas and drive you to the hotel with gourmet snacks and views included. Get excited – adventure begins at the end of the world!

Check out Tierra Patagonia’s sister property, Tierra Atacama, in the driest place on earth!

Travel Tag: Insólito Boutique Hotel

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After realizing it’s only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Rio de Janeiro, I did what any hopeless-romantic travel blogger would do…I planned a trip to Brazil.

Búzios is known at the St. Tropez of Brazil, just as Buenos Aires is called the Paris of the South. Why is it that various places in South America need to be defined by an existing location elsewhere? They have their own identity and can stand on their own unique two feet. I’ve never stepped foot in St. Tropez, but I image the two cities being quite different in make up. Although rolling in the deep, Búzios lifestyle doesn’t strike me as ritzy as the residents of the French Riviera, floating on their P. Diddy-style yachts and walking around as if they’re in a rap video. In many ways, Buzios has kept close to it roots, the marina filled with old fishing boats and a zero sense of urgency.

The Concept

That same sense of zero urgency was carried over to a hidden beach retreat known as Insólito. Meaning “remarkable” in Portuguese, the Insolito Boutique Hotel is part art gallery, part romantic escape, and part nature paradise built upon a rock outcrop over secluded Ferradura Beach.

Eat

Situated at the top of the hotel with a view of the pool and ocean is A Galeria Restaurant. Take your lunch outside on the deck or take a break from the sun and cool off indoors with some acai. I pick the purple berries every time.

Drink

During the South American summer, the Insólito Beach Lounge is the place to be. Inspired after European beach clubs, this lounge-bar serves up delectable beachside cocktails alongside Mediterranean cuisine, covered decks and wifi. I can see myself here with a caipirinha and umbrella, wasted away again in Margaritaville Brazil.

Sleep

Each of the 24 rooms were individually designed by owner Emmanuelle Meeus de Clermont Tonnerre in a way to express the soul of Brazil. Apprehensive about turning her former home into a buzzing hotel, Emmanuelle wanted to have a place where people could feel connected to nature and a place that’s constantly changing with exhibitions and events. This is where the art gallery comes into play as the rooms serve as exhibitions for uniquely designed pieces that make reference to music, photography, literature, history, fashion and culture.

Relax

I’ve never stayed with a hotel that has incorporated so many romantic nooks and alcoves in which to bask with your significant other. Thank God mine accompanied me on this trip! With three pools, two Jacuzzis, saunas, Turkish baths, and yoga classes on offer, who needs the beach? So many options, so little time! Future guests take note: you’ll need a week here before resuming to normal life.

A special thank you to the Brazilian Tourism Board for inviting me to stay as a guest and showing me the best of Buzios!

Biking Death Road in La Paz, Bolivia

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I mulled that phrase over and over in my mind before committing to the activity, or death wish, rather, as many call it. I researched photos, conditions and skills needed, letting it all sink in a few days before my trip to La Paz. I was headed to the Bolivian Salt Flats, and a common route takes many visitors through La Paz in order to arrive in Uyuni. If I was going to be in the area, the world’s highest capital city, I might as well bike down the world’s most dangerous road. So many superlatives! The higher you go, the better the view…right? Eh. More like the higher you go, the longer the fall.

I researched this ridiculous activity for a few hours, knowing it wasn’t something to take lightly. A company called Gravity seemed to pull at my heart strings with its excellent reviews, safety precautions and biking gear. For a whopping $110 in exchange for a 14 hour day, I had either just sold my soul to the biking gods or biking devils…the jury was still out. Around 300 people die each year while on death road, and I wasn’t going to make it 301.

Our group of 14 met at a pub before embarking on the one hour drive to La Cumbre (4,760 m) where we’d start downhill on our bikes equipped with double suspension and hydraulic disk brakes. Upon arriving, we were given outer shells to protect us from wind and rain (but sadly not sand fly bites…stay turned for that story) and obviously, our bikes. Super impressed with its incredible suspension and ability to handle my inability of off road biking, I wanted to straight up steal this bike. I was told the bike was “over qualified” for the terrain we were about to experience, but what if the one steering it was under qualified? Riddle me that.

Throughout the course of the day, I experience the coldest of cold and the hottest of hot weather. I rode a total of 40 miles from snow-covered high-altitude plains and mountain ranges down to the steaming Amazonian Jungle. At the top of the mountain, Mother Nature was a bitch. Freezing rain pelted me like a thousand needles each second. Imagine biking downhill in the pouring rain, road beneath your wheels soaked with water, rain drops filling your eyes, making it almost impossible to see the drop off to your immediate right. Safety first? Not exactly. This was my first inclination as to why it’s named what it’s named, and why we all took a shot of pure grain alcohol before disembarking. They don’t call it the World’s Most Dangerous Road for nothin’.

After a grueling first portion of the ride, the weather started to ease up. The temperature rose a few degrees, and I was a happy camper again. We made it to the second portion of the road, where we were told that large rocks were nothing short of everywhere and were instructed to either go around them, or if time didn’t allow, run straight over them. Our bikes were “over qualified” and could handle it. Uh huh. It wasn’t the bike I was worried about. It was the large rocks with an alternate name of “baby heads” (I’m sorry, what?) simply because that’s what they apparently mirrored. Okay. Baby heads. Let’s go squash some baby heads.

Our guide was right. I came across baby heads as frequently as trips came up on my itinerary. If I went overboard, it was clear that my helmet really wasn’t going to do much for me at that point. Around this time, baby heads and a sharp turn plagued me all at the same moment. I panicked a wee bit, clenched my front brakes and went right over my handle bars. It wasn’t until I stood up, dazed, confused, battered and bruised, that I realized I was three feet from the edge. This little bike ride was no joke. With my confidence shattered and the left side of my body in pain, I made my way slowly down the path again. I went under waterfalls and through small ponds, all the while letting out barely audible whimpers and curse words while laughing to myself after each small victory.

I was getting heated at this point, a sure combination of my unbreakable concentration and the boiling weather towards the bottom. And then, it was over. I’d biked Death Road and lived to tell the tale unlike many before me. What do you do after surviving the World’s Most Dangerous Road? You drink beer and visit monkeys at an animal refuge. It allows for a great calming affect, I assure you…

…until you realize you’ve been eaten alive by sand flies. Prevalent in many parts of the world, these incredibly irritating insects are a third of the size of a mosquito, and you cannot feel them bite you. So not only can you not see them, you can’t feel anything either. It’s not until a few hours later that panic will ensue, along with the itching and trip to the pharmacy. Word to the wise: wear a LOT of insect repellent while biking Death Road. It’ll save you a lot of sleepless nights.

The Best of Búzios, Brazil’s Beachside Retreat

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Known to many as the St. Tropez of Brazil, Búzios carries the same casual spirit and atmosphere of a fisherman’s village that lures in locals and visitors alike who have an affinity for the beach and money to spend. Sure, the Brazilian coast is overflowing with tropical sandy destinations, “but this is Búzios.” I repeatedly heard this phrase throughout my time in the resort town, as if rain or shine, traffic or no traffic, crowds of people or not a soul in sight…Búzios was going to leave you satisfied, and you were going to leave Búzios with plans to return.

With 23 beaches, boating, snorkeling, diving, golfing and partying, it’s no surprise that the intimate town of Búzios is a favorite among the inhabitants of the well-known bustling city of Rio de Janeiro and surrounding areas. Only 110 miles from one another, many people find it a city escape, a quiet haven from the honking and crowds in the city center. Some turn it into a romantic getaway and stay stashed in a secluded beachside bungalow all weekend. Others see it as a party destination where they meet friends at Rua das Pedras, an electric area on the waterfront full of bars, restaurants and probably too many bikini shops.

It’s no surprise to see why the city can’t keep up with continued tourism. With one land based entry/exit coupled by cruise ship visits in the marina, visitors can sometimes find themselves sitting in hours of traffic on peak weekends. Perhaps it doesn’t so much matter to those used to it because this…this was Búzios afterall. There were no bad days here, not only apparent by the scenic attractions, but also evident in the attitudes of the Búzios people. One man who had lived on the island for 20 years told me that in Búzios, you’re a person, not a number. I can only think he was referring to the town’s counterpart, Rio de Janeiro, where according to him, nobody cared to know your name. Here, you couldn’t put a price on peace and tranquility, no matter how much one night at a hotel went for, or how jacked up the price for an acai bowl was, followed by a cold caipirinha.

I’m confident in saying that after only a few days in Búzios, I may know it better than most frequent visitors. I popped in enough hotels to host a Búzios House Hunters episode, eaten at the best restaurants to know good vs. better, and traveled both land and sea to advise where to spend your mornings and afternoons. It’s all here – no travel agent fees attached.

Where to Stay

Insólito Boutique Hotel: I’ve never stepped foot in a hotel with more romantic alcoves or nooks than Insólito. There was a family staying here while I was working with the hotel, and they probably felt a little displaced amongst all the couples. Stay turned for my next post featuring this amazing property!

Casas Brancas: This pousada (term used for inn or hotel in Brazil) made it out in my top three as it houses a delicious restaurant, views for days, and 32 spacious rooms with the most beautiful bathtubs…just a few of my favorite things!

Costo do Sol: Only three years old with 40 apartments, Costo do Sol was one of my top favorites in Búzios. With rooms like this:

and views like this:

It’s easy to see why couples from all over the world choose this as their wedding venue.

Tromonto di Búzios: Views, views, views. It’s important here in Búzios, and so is the first meal of the day. At Tromonto, breakfast is served all throughout the day, no hourly restrictions at all. Ahhhhhhhh. Nothing says pure bliss like breakfast for dinner if you so wish.

Le Relais La Borie Hotel: This is the only hotel directly on the beach in all of Búzios. Sure, while some pousadas may be across the street, nothing beats oceanfront views in the morning. And while you “got your toes in the water, ass in the sand, not a worry in the world, a cold beer in your hand,” what really got me going about this place was its dessert trays and comfy cloud-like beds, basically keys to my heart.

Rio Búzios: This is the Argentine playground set on João Fernando beach. With 30 rooms and a spring break vibe, fun is sure to be had here. General Manager Flávio will help with whatever you may need.

Where to Eat

Rocka Beach: This crazy fun establishment is part restaurant, part posh beach hangout for the young, wild and free…although I saw a few families among the chic looking crowd. Great food, even better drinks, and in very close proximity to the area’s nude beach. Score.

Sollar: I’ve always liked cheese, but never have I ever been a fanatic like my sister who dines at restaurants called Cheesetique, or like my best friend who loves it so much, she gave it up for Lent. I’ve always just thought of it as another dairy item in the food pyramid, something you put on sandwiches, something yummy to pair with cured meats and jellies at parties. My oh my how times have changed after my mozzarella tasting at Sollar. The chef brought out the cheese at each stage of creation, the first being soft like butter and ending with something you’d put with a salted cracker. Go here, and go for the cheese tasting. It’ll change your world and outlook on the dairy item.

Café Atlantico: Best meal I had in Búzios. Look at this plate full of sugary goodness! Before this happened, I indulged tuna with an acai glaze and nibbled on the mango and shrimp skewers my boyfriend was taking down next to me. Noommmmm.

What to Do

Eat. Drink. Beach. Repeat. Boating around is always a fun alternative, too!

Travel Tip: If driving from Rio de Janeiro, check out XperienceRio for private transfer services to Búzios!

A special thanks to the Búzios Tourism Board for welcoming me as a guest and showing me the best of Búzios!

What to do in: London, England

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Upon Arrival

First thing’s first. Let’s start with the obvious: getting into the city. It may be daunting as London has three different airports in three different regions of the greater London area. We’ll start with Heathrow.

If you’re flying into Heathrow, the most economical way to arrive in Central London is to buy an Oyster card in the airport and take the Underground Piccadilly Line train that runs from all terminals, and journey time is 50 – 60 minutes. The fastest route into Central London is via Heathrow Express, the non-stop trains that run to Paddington every 15 minutes, and journey time is 15 minutes from Terminals 1, 2 and 3 (a few minutes more from Terminals 4 or 5). London taxis are available outside each terminal. The cost to Central London is £45 – £70 and the journey time is about one hour. Buses and more rail options exist, but I wouldn’t mess with anything else, unless you want to arrive in style, in which case you can hire a private chauffeur.

My pick: London Underground

If you’re flying into Gatwick, take the Gatwick Express, the fastest route between the airport and Central London. Non-stop trains run to and from London Victoria station every 15 minutes and take about 30 minutes total. Buses include National Express (to London Victoria, operate once an hour with a journey time of 1.5 to 2 hours) and easyBus (non-stop from Gatwick with prices from £2. Buses depart every 15 minutes at peak times and run from 4am until 1am.). Taxis are also on offer, taking around an hour to arrive to Central London.

My pick: Gatwick Express

If you’re flying into London City Airport, get excited. It’s one of the easiest and most accessible airports in London due to its location just 6 miles east of Central London. The airport has its own stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which takes you to Tube interchange stations such as Canning Town, Stratford and Bank. Buy an Oyster Card for this. Bus routes 473 and 474 serve the airport and accept the Oyster Card as well. Taxis and private cars are available.

My pick: Docklands Light Railway

My advice for seeing London is simple: travel like a local. This means buying an Oyster card and using the Tube. It’s actually very easy to use and you’ll have more money to spend at Harrod’s and Harvey Nichols because of it.

Shop Til You Drop…or Run Out of Money

London rivals the various iconic fashion cities of the world: NYC, Paris and Milan. My advice would be to get lost in the famous department store of Harrods and then venture to Harvey Nichols, not missing the 5th floor sushi bar. Pop into Top Shop and Burberry along the way, as these British staples are a must-see-and-shop while in the neighborhood of Knightsbridge. You can spend lots of time and money here, so beware.

Eye Candy

Okay. Fine. Maybe riding the London Eye is a wee bit touristy, and maybe the line to buy tickets is long, but I see it as a chance for an amazing photo op of the city. The higher you go, the better the view.

Sky High

A highlight of my recent trip to London was definitely my heli ride with The London Helicopter. I was invited by Dave Burt, creator of the IG account @London,to see the city from the sky, and what crazy would turn that down? Not this girl. From the smooth ride to the amazing staff, I couldn’t recommend a better activity while across the pond!

The Shard

View, views, and more views. That’s pretty much what I’m all about. See that shard of glass looking building in the photo above? That’s what we’re talking about. A great option for seeing the city lights is visiting the Shard bar on the 31st floor of the building.

Museum Goers

Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, National Gallery, British Museum, Tate Modern…and the list goes on and on. London does a lot of things well, but one thing’s for sure – it definitely knows its exhibitions. If you’re looking for a fix of culture but not a clue where to start, take a look at Visit London’s suggestions here.

Market Lovers

Borough Market – Breads and fruits and vegetables, oh my! This market is for the hungry at heart, as they will be blessed with beautiful cuisine set up for client’s viewing and tasting pleasure.

Portobello Market – Vintage and antique finds make my heart sing, and Portobello Road does just the trick. Held in Notting Hill, get lost in Portobello Market wandering the street stalls that offer everything from fruits to posters and vintage jewelry and clothing.

Old Spitalfields Market – This vintage and second hand market includes an eclectic range of shops and restaurants to enjoy in the trendy neighborhood of Shoreditch.

Foodies

Tea – Mmmm. Tea time is the best time. Head to The Dorchester, The Milestone or The Berkeley.

Ye Old Cheshire Cheese – What’s in a name? Everything in this case! Why wouldn’t you waltz inside this fine establishment? If you’re looking for a laid-back British pub, this is your place.

Bubbledogs – Champagne and hotdogs – a match made in heaven.

Bob Bob Ricard Restaurant – It has a “Press for Champagne” button at every table. Enough said.

Department Stores – The famous Harrods and Harvey Nichols British staples aren’t just department stores. Talk a walk into the food areas and you’ll want to spend more time salivating over the delicious offerings rather than shopping.

Hakkasan – This Michelin Star award-winning restaurant offers modern Cantonese cuisine, world-class mixology and dramatic design. Just go. Your tastebuds will kindly thank you.

Chiltern Firehouse – I wasn’t impressed with the size of the menu, but when my eggs with black truffles came to the table, the soupy mixture tasted so much better than it looked. Perhaps I’m not selling it at the moment, but the restaurant is a beautiful spot for a scrumptious brunch.

Sketch – This is quite possibly the weirdest yet most amazing dining experience of my life. Both complex and unique, this menu and its food presentations will blow your mind. The best part: the bathrooms. I kid you not. Think Mork and Mindy pods, if you’re old enough to know what that is.

Restrooms at Sketch Restaurant Restrooms at Sketch Restaurant

Where to Stay

The Milestone Hotel: English opulence can be found throughout these hotel grounds. Located in the coveted Royal borough of Kensington, the 5 star hotel is in every way an English country mansion. Read more from my stay here.

Bvulgari Hotel:  Located in the esteemed neighborhood of Knightsbridge on the edge of Hyde Park, the Bvlgari Hotel & Residences London is beautiful British luxury like you’ve never seen before. During my visit, I couldn’t help but to stare down the most beautiful body of water I’ve ever seen.

Millinneum Gloucester Hotel: This hotel is conveniently located just steps from the Gloucester Road tube stop, making it almost unnecessary to tug along an umbrella in the questionable London weather (which is daily).

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