​It’s not just where you go, but how you feel: Travelers across generations are placing emotional fulfillment over ticking off famous sites. Sixty-one percent say they choose trips based on experiences over destinations.
The desire to feel something: Awe, wonder, joy, connection are outpacing the urge to simply “see” something.
The power of connection and belonging: The study reveals that quality time with loved ones and joyful shared memories are the strongest contributors to happiness when travelling. 
Purpose-driven travel and understanding your place in the world: Seventy-nine percent of travelers surveyed say travel makes them more understanding and empathetic of other cultures and 65 percent say being part of a community is important to them, while 68 percent say it helps them better understand themselves and their purpose.
Ethical travel is also a growing priority: Eighty percent say they are thoughtful about who they travel with and their ethics, and 74 percent avoid experiences that don’t support the ethical treatment of animals. Eight two percent say that it’s important to them to avoid overcrowded destinations and opt for more off-the-beaten track options or off-peak times of year.
Decompressing, disconnecting and finding wonder: In an always-on world, the results show travelers are craving time to pause and breathe. 
But it’s not just rest they’re seeking: 43 percent say they want to be active and explore on holiday, and 37 percent want to feel a sense of wonder. Many find that happiness in open, untamed landscapes, with 36 percent of respondents putting very remote destinations in their top 3 places they feel happiest and 35 percent choosing mountain environments. 
Not just a break, but a breakthrough: 37 percent of travelers surveyed are seeking a trip that offers the notion of something “new” and “different” to their everyday lives, along with the desire to learn about how people in other parts of the world live. Thirty-nine percent said they wanted a trip to help them feel alive and energized.
Going local: Modern travelers want to experience life like a local, not a visitor. Sixty-one percent prefer trips that allow them to live like a local and 85 percent value staying and eating in locally owned places—supporting communities while getting closer to the heart of a destination. Sustainability is front of mind too: 62 percent actively consider reducing their carbon footprint through rail or public transport.

Shortly after, I met with some local Brazilian operators at a conference for South American travel and found one that I thought was interesting, so I went to their office in Rio to meet with the directors. When I walked into their office, I brought the magazine and said "these are the kind of things that I want to try to sell". They just smiled and said that they had helped to put that magazine together, so they knew the areas very well.

Then in 2000, I went to the 2nd annual trade show in Rio to promote tourism to Brazil. I was a little leery because I met an agent who had gone to the first one and she said that nobody at the booths spoke English, so she just went around and picked up brochures and was through in a half hour. Luckily, the Brazilian companies learned their lesson and so for the 2nd show, they all had at least 1 English-speaker at their booth and so I was able to learn a lot more from them. I found out about Bonito, which had only started promoting itself as an ecotourism destination in 1995 and has been voted the top ecotourism destination many times by Brazilians.

A few years later, I attended a trade show for Brazilian adventure and ecotour operators. While listening to presentations about fantastic places like Chapada dos Veadeiros, Chapada Diamantina, Lencois Marenhenses and Serra da Capivara, I mentioned to the presenters that if they would produce videos about their areas, they would be more compelling for prospective visitors than just a couple of photos on their website. Luckily, technology has advanced and more and more videos about these places are out there now.

Now I've been to Rio, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Fernando de Noronha, Amazon, Bonito, north and south Pantanal, Chapada dos Guimaraes, Buzios, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Ouro Preto and Iguassu Falls.  So I've got a pretty good idea about what Brazil has to offer. Jorge has also been in the business for many years and, though his specialty has been Chile and Argentina (having been the U.S. sales rep for several companies from there), he has visited many places in all of the South American countries, so is very familiar with what they have to offer. He is especially interested in indigenous cultures.

Though I had been sending clients to Refugio Amazonas and Posada Amazonas for many years, I had never been there myself until recently and I had a wonderful experience.  Former guide, and now titled "Rainforest Specialist", ​Pierina Carranza accompanied our group of agents and Rocio Guzman, who handled my reservations for several years and is now the sales and marketing manager, was also there at various times. So, after many years of communicating electronically, it was great to finally be able to converse face to face to enhance our friendships.

You may not know it, but some lodges hire guides just for the summer, often bringing in biology or other natural science students to help during the high season. Or sometimes there are "traveling guides" - people who might work in one place for a season or two, and then decide that they want to see something different.

I was pleasantly surprised that our guides had worked at the lodges for many years - they even remembered several clients that I had sent maybe 15 years ago who had been in an accident because they insisted on defying safety protocols. So these guys had extensive knowledge about the animals, plant life and historic changes that had occurred in the local ecosystems over the years and it was great to talk to them about the changes that had been made over the years.  They are from the local Ese'eja indigenous community and Pierina was thrilled when I showed her an article about recent research that showed that those people had lived there, in harmony with nature,  for over a thousand years!

Last, but not least, I need to mention that the lodge facilities were of a very high standard and the food was outstanding - I never knew there were so many delicious ways to prepare quinoa! You definitely don't have to feel like you're "roughing it" when you visit one of these lodges.

Maipu: The Historic Wine Heart

• Location & Climate: Located just 15 km east of Mendoza city, Maipu is one of the oldest wine regions in Argentina, therefore it is more rural and traditional, focused on grapes and olives plantation. It sits at lower elevations than other Mendoza regions, resulting in a warmer climate.
• Wine Production & Wineries: Maipu produces different types of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo wines, which are riper, fuller-bodied, and fruit-forward, due to the ideal weather and location conditions. Many of its wineries have been family-owned for generations, preserving rich winemaking traditions. Highlights include Bodega La Rural, which features a wine museum, and Bodega Tapiz, where innovation meets tradition.
• Experiences in Maipu: Escape the crowds and get immersed in laid-back activities focused on history and culture. Visitors can join biking tours through vineyards, enjoy olive oil tastings, and visit small, family-run vineyards for a rustic and authentic experience. Also, indulge in a tour of 3 selected wineries, including a delicious lunch paired with wines and wine tastings with classic or standard line wines led by a specialized guide.
• Gastronomy: Find authentic and rustic flavors with many local restaurants and bistros offering Argentinian cuisine, featuring grilled meats and empanadas, often paired with the region’s wines.

Lujan de Cuyo: Premium Malbec

• Location & Climate: 25 km south of Mendoza city, Lujan de Cuyo sits at altitudes between 800 and 1,100 meters (2,600 to 3,600 feet). This higher elevation creates a cooler climate, ideal for producing premium wines.
• Wine Production & Wineries: Lujan de Cuyo hosts Argentina’s most famous Malbecs and wines, known for their great structure and balanced acidity. The region is home to some of the country’s top wineries focused on premium and ultra-premium wine production, including Catena Zapata and Norton, known for their award-winning wines.
• Experiences in Lujan de Cuyo: Discover luxury tastings, gourmet pairings, and private vineyard tours. Many wineries boast state-of-the-art facilities, offering visitors an exclusive look into the world of premium Argentine wines. Besides, visit Catena Zapata Winery and choose one of the different tours available. From a tour of its facilities, while learning about its history and the significance of Argentina´s wine production, you can enjoy a top wine-tasting experience with a dining of seven courses.
• Gastronomy: home to some of Argentina’s finest dining experiences, focused on gourmet dishes paired with premium wines. Many wineries offer fine dining with multi-course tasting menus prepared with local ingredients with a modern twist.

​

Uco Valley: A Rising Star 

• Location & Climate: Just 100 km south of Mendoza city, Uco Valley is the highest-altitude wine region in the province, with vineyards sitting between 900 and 1,500 meters (3,000 to 5,000 feet). The cooler climate and larger growing season create the conditions for more complex and refined wines.
• Wine Production & Wineries: Uco Valley renowned for its high-altitude terroir, produces refined Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. The region´s wineries blend tradition with innovative techniques for winemaking emphasizing quality, terroir expression, and sustainability. The most notable are Piedra Infinita by Zuccardi and Salentein.
• Experiences in Uco Valley: It is becoming a top wine tourism destination that offers personalized experiences in innovative wineries and exclusive wine tastings. It is perfect for scenic vineyard tours, hiking, and horseback riding while trying farm-to-table dining experiences with unique wine pairings. Also, visit 3 emblematic wineries of the region while admiring the incredible mountainous scenery. Later, enjoy classic wine tastings accompanied by a delightful lunch.

• Gastronomy: Many wineries offer farm-to-table experiences with local ingredients and a strong focus on sustainability practices. Also, there are creative dishes that highlight the region’s unique terroir.​

In a meeting with the current U.S. representative for the cruise line, he mentioned a couple of things that I was not aware of, though I have been selling the cruises for many years.

First he mentioned that their original boat was sold to an Ecuadorian company and is now chartered by Hurtigruten Cruises for sailing in the Galapagos. They have custom-built two new ships since then.

​Then he pointed out that the newer Stella Australis and the Ventus Australis were specifically built to be able to sail in shallow water so that they can get into the fjords and small inlets that are characteristic of the Patagonian coast. Regular ocean-going ships, such as those of the bigger cruise lines, are not able to get into those areas, so they have to sail farther away. Thus, like the cruise ships that carry more than 500 passengers to Antarctica, the passengers can only do "scenic cruising" from a distance - the passengers can't make any landings, except at main ports.

 But if you go one one of the Australis cruises, you will enjoy daily excursions to a land where their guides will teach you about the wildlife of the area, as well as the history of its early inhabitants. Puerto Williams, the farthest southern town of the world, will be your closest contact with the native peoples of this remote region. Definitely, this will be one of your most pleasant and unforgettable experiences, because Patagonia - explored from an Australis ship, leaves no one unimpressed.  

The internet is full of lodge websites, full of pretty pictures of the lodge and of plants and animals. But a good jungle experience is all about the guides at the lodge. You want to be with somebody that can find the animals, one who can impart their knowledge about plants and animals, one you feel comfortable and safe with.

Years ago I asked a friend of mine who owns a lodge if he was familiar with a new lodge I had heard about. He said "oh yes, that's probably the most beautiful lodge in the area - but their guides are all guides who were fired from other lodges."

Peru -
Though most tourists just head to Machu Picchu like a beacon, there are many other sites spread around the country, and many were built before the Incas rose to power. In the south, there are the Nazca Lines. Locals didn't seem to place much importance to them until Maria Reiche came to live there and worked tirelessly to preserve and promote the area. 183 km north of Lima are the ruins of the city of Caral. No other site has been found with such a diversity of monumental buildings or different ceremonial and administrative functions in the Americas as early as Caral.  In the north part of the country, there are several important sites. In Trujillo, you can find the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon pyramids.  Just to the north of there, not far from Chiclayo, is the Tucume archeological complex that includes 26 mud-brick pyramids built in the 10th century. East of there, near Chachapoyas, is the mighty fortress of Kuelap (called "the Machu Picchu of the North") and a treasure trove of unexcavated or partially excavated ruins of cities.

Of course there are many other sites all over Peru that are important archeologically, but the ones mentioned are some of my favorites.

In Peru:

• we have added a number of cultural tours, where you have more time to meet with the people in local communities to find out what life is like for them
• we have added more trekking options in the Cusco area and from Huaraz, including part of the Great Inca Trail that goes through that area
• we have added more itineraries of 10 days and longer, some of which include more time to go into the Colca Canyon to experience the fascinating communities down in there
• we modified some of the shorter 6-9 day itineraries so that you can do them in a group or in private.

In Colombia:

• We added quite a few sample itineraries that were prepared for other clients, so you can see some of the many possibilities we can offer
• we added multisport and trekking options in Chicamocha Canyon
• added a multisport option on the beautiful island of San Andres
• enhanced the Amazon tour options from Leticia

We can normally organize anything that you want to do in the countries that we offer. We try to put items on our site that we think will appeal to travelers, but there's so much more that we can offer..

We were told that it is not a problem to operate tours in the remote areas that are so popular because it is safe there and food and other supplies are still available. Though U.S. citizens can't get visas to go to Venezuela, it is possible for Europeans and others to get them, so they can still go. (a visa is required and is not available on arrival)

So we are now offering tours to 4 areas:

• Angel Falls
• Mount Roraima
• Hato el Cedral in Los Llanos
• Los Roques

​
​Because inflation is still very high in Venezuela, we can only show estimated prices on our site because the prices keep changing. But once you book, the price will be locked in. And our local operator said "these are the ones that are running 100% like a swiss clock!"

Participants were offered 3 pre-conference options for touring:

• Tambopata rainforest
• Ancash - the mecca for high altitude hiking in Peru
• hiking, biking and rafting in Colca Canyon

A videographer accompanied each group and a short video was compiled from the 3 trips.

During the conference, I had short meetings with 28 different tour operators, hotel reps, etc. and I also met with several people who represented fascinating regions that until now have received few foreign visitors.

Though we will always offer Machu Picchu, there is more to Peru than that and a 2nd or 3rd visit to the country can be very rewarding if you can only come for a short period of time. Stay tuned for new tour options on our website because we always try to be at the forefront of the industry when it comes to exciting new destinations and options.

​If you want authenticity away from the crowds, then come and talk to us. In talking to the many local operators that we know, we all agree that people don't know the fascinating sites that they are missing if they only go to Cusco/Machu Picchu. And if they will get out and visit local communities, they will find that it is a very rewarding experience. Though that can be an adventure for some people, we will also be adding more new, active adventures in various regions of the country (hiking, biking, rafting) to introduce people to exciting  experiences that they will be anxious to tell their friends about.