Luxury Travel Blog

Ideas to inspire your world: luxury, culture, food, travel, style

Destination: South America

Our list of articles tagged with "South America."

December 7, 2023

Traveling on the Andean Explorer Luxury Train in Peru

Running along one of the world’s highest train routes, the Andean Explorer is a renowned luxury train in Peru that is a luxurious way to connect private touring in Machu Picchu and Cusco with other favorite destinations, such as Arequipa and Lake Titicaca.  Artisans of Leisure can include the Andean Explorer on any of our private luxury Peru tours.

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February 9, 2023

Special Luxury Trips for Grandparents Traveling with Grandchildren

One of the most popular types of trips we arrange are private, personalized luxury tours for grandparents who want to take their grandchildren on incredible one-of-a-kind trips. Read about some of our favorite experiences we arrange that are customized around each family member’s interests and requirements.

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December 10, 2022

Our Favorite Luxury Train Journeys Around the World

Synonymous with the Golden Age of travel, luxury train journeys evoke the romance of a bygone era in a way that few other experiences do. Read more about our favorite luxury train journeys that we can incorporate into our customized private tours around the world.

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March 15, 2021

Wine Touring in Argentina & Chile

Our private tours in Argentina and Chile take travelers to the top wine regions—including Mendoza, Cafayate and the Colchagua Valley—for wine tasting and touring.

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February 17, 2021

Visiting Rose Plantations in Ecuador

Ecuador is renowned for growing the world’s best roses. Artisans of Leisure arranges private tours of rose plantations and haciendas in the spectacular highlands of the Andes Mountains.

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June 21, 2020

Meals We’re Dreaming of Around the World

One of the things we love about traveling is the food! Here are some of the meals and culinary treats that Artisans of Leisure travel experts are dreaming about for when we’re able to travel again.

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April 22, 2020

Accessible Travel, the Artisans of Leisure Way

Artisans of Leisure arranges private international accessible tours and accessible travel in destinations around the world. We work closely with individuals who have mobility limitations to make sure that each tour is personalized to their individual needs, requirements and interests.

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November 6, 2019

Private Coffee Tours in Colombia

Artisans of Leisure arranges private tours of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of spectacular scenery, award-winning coffee plantations and colorful mountain towns.

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August 22, 2018

The Best of the Galapagos & Ecuador

Ecuador is one of our most popular destinations for travelers interested in nature and wildlife. Artisans of Leisure arranges tours for travelers to experience the very best of the Galapagos Islands and the cultural highlights of mainland Ecuador. Enjoy these images of the best of Ecuador from recent trips made in the country by Artisans […]

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September 25, 2017

Luxury in Peru

Peru offers travelers ample opportunity to stay at top luxury properties, indulge in  local cuisine, and learn about local crafts and culture.

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March 26, 2017

Climbing Sydney’s Iconic Harbour Bridge

A thrilling climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of our favorite soft-adventure activities in Sydney, especially for the unique perspectives it gives on the beautiful city. The BridgeClimb experience begins with a history of the steel bridge, which was built in 1932 to connect Sydney’s central business district with the […]

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February 13, 2017

Interview: An Incredible Around-the-World Tour

Artisans of Leisure travel specialist, Abbey Chase, recently spent a year traveling around the world—in style. Some of the highlights of her incredible tour included visiting more than 80 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Bagan, a helicopter tour of Siem Reap, a private tea ceremony in Kyoto, a river […]

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September 2, 2016

The Best Luxury and Landscapes in Northern Patagonia, Argentina

Argentina’s Lake District in northwest Patagonia is a region of spectacular beauty—a landscape of dense forests, deep-blue lakes and rugged Andean peaks. In the middle of it all, perched dramatically on a hilltop, is the iconic Llao Llao Hotel & Resort. Founded in 1935, this landmark hotel was built to attract visitors to Nahuel Huapi National Park, […]

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April 20, 2016

Arts and Crafts Touring in Peru

An interesting part of any trip to Peru is exploring the country’s rich history and culture through its fascinating arts and crafts. Beautiful handmade textiles are among the most famous Peruvian crafts. They’re also among the most ancient: The oldest fabrics discovered in Peru have been dated to around 10,000 B.C. Artisans of Leisure Peru […]

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January 6, 2016

Iconic Image: Moai of Easter Island

The moai of Easter Island (a territory of Chile also known as Isla de Pascua or Rapa Nui) are some of the most enigmatic statues in the world. These enormous monolithic figures were sculpted  over five centuries ago by the Rapa Nui people. There have been many hypotheses regarding their creation and symbolism, lending an […]

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December 11, 2015

Private Archaeological Touring in Peru

One of the highlights of touring in Peru is learning about the country’s important archaeological sites while accompanied by an expert guide. Peru has been home to many important and powerful civilizations, including the Chavin, Moche, Nazca and Chimu. The best-known ancient Peruvian civilization is the Inca Empire. Inca heritage is still apparent in the […]

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November 6, 2015

Exclusive New Culinary Tours

Artisans of Leisure has been on the cutting edge of culinary travel for over a decade. Staffed by a group of in-house foodies, food writers, cooks and culinary travel experts, we continue to expand our culinary tours around the world. With an international network of culinary experts, acclaimed chefs, food historians and writers, Artisans of […]

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October 15, 2015

Just Back: Insider Peru

We recently returned from an extensive private tour through Peru, one of our favorite destinations for its rich offering of cultural, culinary and adventure experiences. Highlights included Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu (including Huayna Picchu), Cusco, the Nazca Lines and the Bellestas Islands.

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October 7, 2015

New Zealand for Film Fans: A Tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set

For fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies, there is perhaps no better destination than beautiful New Zealand. The stunning landscapes throughout the country served as inspiration and scenic backdrops for many memorable scenes in the movies. A highlight for LOTR fans is a private tour of the Hobbiton Movie […]

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June 24, 2015

Exclusive New Private Culinary Tour of Peru

Artisans of Leisure is excited to announce our new Culinary Tour of Peru, a food-focused private tour that immerses travelers in Peru’s culinary and cultural traditions. Peru is one of the most exciting culinary destinations in South America, and our new tour showcases the country’s wonderful culinary traditions and latest culinary innovations, from ceviche and pachamanca […]

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June 8, 2015

Luxury in Chile

With stunning landscapes including scenic mountains, desert skies full of stars and refined urban neighborhoods, Chile is one of our favorite destinations in South America for all types of travel. Around the country, Artisans of Leisure clients enjoy stays at Chile’s top high-end properties in addition to private touring. Santiago received a new addition to […]

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February 4, 2015

Notes from Our Travelers: Celebrating a Milestone Birthday in Peru

Travelers who have just returned from a private Artisans of Leisure tour in Peru shared these beautiful photos from the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The trip was celebrating a 60th birthday, and Artisans of Leisure arranged some extra touches to help make it memorable. Here’s what they had to say: “We had a perfect day at […]

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January 7, 2015

Private Tour of Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls & Buenos Aires

Our new Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls & Buenos Aires tour is the perfect option for a first visit to South America. This popular tour features the incomparable beauty of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the urban sophistication of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the breathtaking natural drama of Iguazu Falls, which sits along the border of […]

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August 21, 2014

Llama Trekking in Northwest Argentina

Llama trekking in the foothills of the Andes is an unforgettable way to experience the stunning nature and vibrant culture of Northwest Argentina. A two-hour flight from Buenos Aires, Salta City is the gateway to Northwest Argentina and the rural provinces of Salta and Jujuy. This delightful and less-visited region offers many varied touring options, […]

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April 2, 2014

Top 10: Favorite Breakfasts around the World

We always enjoy experiencing how different cultures approach the most important meal of the day. Here are a few of our favorites: 1.) Breakfast at a cave hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey We love sitting on the hotel terrace and taking in views of the fantastical rock formations of this beautiful region while eating a classic […]

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January 7, 2014

Chile in Photos

Enjoy these photos from our incredible tour throughout Chile, including Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, Santiago, Valparaiso and the Colchagua Valley.

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September 24, 2013

Thanksgiving Abroad: Unique Trips Families Will Love

The Thanksgiving holiday is an ideal time for a quick overseas getaway with family or friends. It’s also a great way to celebrate the tradition in a creative way. Artisans of Leisure’s private, customized Thanksgiving tours combine in-depth cultural touring with the best of the season, such as fall foliage, special cultural performances and holiday […]

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June 25, 2013

Iconic Image: Machu Picchu, Peru

Travelers of ours who recently returned from an Artisans of Leisure Peru tour sent us this amazing photo of a kestrel in flight above Machu Picchu. The bright orange feathers make a bold contrast with the grass on the Inca terraces and the lush foliage of the Andes mountains surrounding the site. Here’s what they […]

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July 14, 2012

Learn by Doing While Traveling the World

Want to learn to make mozzarella by hand on the Amalfi Coast? How about a private karate lesson in Kyoto? A surfing lesson in Bali? Would you like to paint porcelain in Austria or assist on an archaeological dig in Israel? We offer hundreds of such learning experiences that can be incorporated into our private […]

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April 13, 2012

Inspiration for Amazing Family Trips

Your son likes castles, your daughter likes shopping, your husband likes history, and you like art–how can you make sure that family vacations please everyone? Artisans of Leisure specializes in one-of-a-kind, private, customized family tours that feature a world of engaging experiences sure to satisfy families of all sizes, ages and interests. Here are a […]

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March 5, 2012

Just Back: The Best of Peru

We recently returned from an incredible private luxury tour of Peru that included Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Colca Canyon.

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February 28, 2012

Just Back: Peru

Artisans of Leisure travel expert John McGee recently traveled through Peru. Read about the highlights of his tour, all of which we either include or offer as options on our private tours of Peru. Touring highlights: Climbing to the top of the Machu Picchu site in the late afternoon when few tourists remained and feeling […]

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September 12, 2011

A Perfect Day in Buenos Aires

One of the Southern Hemisphere’s most sophisticated and dynamic cities, Buenos Aires is the perfect year-round destination. Nicknamed “The Paris of South America,” the Argentine capital possesses a compelling combination of beauty and culture. That’s part of the reason Artisans of Leisure offers so many private and customizable tours that include Buenos Aires. Our private […]

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July 29, 2011

Touring the Galapagos: A Few of Our Favorite Islands and Landing Sites

The Galapagos Islands is a dream trip for many travelers. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see incredible volcanic landscapes and the unusual plants and animals that inspired Charles Darwin and continue to intrigue scientists and visitors alike. Our Galapagos tours feature our favorite way to explore these remote and fascinating islands off the coast of […]

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May 12, 2011

Must Stay: Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in the Blue Mountains, Australia

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, a three-hour drive (or short helicopter transfer) from Sydney, is a must-stay for those who wish to experience one of the very best resorts in Australia. The valley setting is magnificent, surrounded by sandstone escarpments and thickly forested hills. The resort is made up of approximately 40 stand-alone suites, furnished […]

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November 19, 2009

Private touring in the Atacama Desert, Chile

Touring the Atacama Desert with your own private local guide is the best way to experience this spectacular region in northern Chile and its many attractions. Private touring allows travelers to visit Atacama highlights such as the Valley of the Moon without the crowds. We arrange exclusive activities such as a private breakfast while watching […]

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October 13, 2009

Family travel in Peru

Peru is one of our most popular family travel destinations. With awe-inspiring archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu, abundant wildlife, and incredible natural beauty, Peru offers the perfect mix of culture, nature and family-friendly activities. Our guides in Peru are particularly skilled at keeping sightseeing interesting and fun for the entire family. No visit to […]

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August 12, 2009

An interview with one of our culinary travel experts

Artisans of Leisure is well known for our private culinary tours in destinations around the world. We hope you enjoy this interview with one of our culinary travel experts. Q: How does food influence how you travel? A: Basically, I travel to eat. Quite often I plan my touring around a certain restaurant I want […]

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April 28, 2009

Must Experience: Argentina’s best estancias

Visiting an estancia (ranch) in Argentina is a wonderful way to experience the rural Argentine lifestyle, learn the importance of the land to Argentine culture, and relax with excellent food and wine among beautiful landscapes. Argentina offers a wide variety of upscale estancia experiences. Some of our favorite luxury estancias in Argentina are Estancia Villa […]

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February 20, 2009

Our Top 5 Best Adventure Tours

Many of our travelers like to complement cultural touring with soft adventure activities. The following tours in Asia, South America, the Himalayas, the South Pacific and Africa have just the right balance of soft-adventure and culture—and they all include private touring and the best luxury hotels in the world. 1). Journey Through Morocco A highlight […]

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February 6, 2009

5 Introductory Flavors of Peru

Peru is becoming a major foodie destination. For first-time visitors, here’s what to be sure to try while traveling in Peru, along with a few suggestions for the best places to sample each item. 1. Ceviche Made of raw seafood, marinated and essentially “cooked” in a citrus-based mixture, a fresh ceviche may end up being […]

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May 25, 2008

Argentina in Photos

Enjoy photos of a few of our favorite destinations in Argentina, from Patagonia in the south to Iguazu Falls in the north.

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