The LANDED Podcast

LANDED Podcast 036 Rocío Florez – Founder of Gocta Natura Rocío Florez is the Founder and CEO of Gocta Natura SAC and Gocta Natura Reserve. The reserve protects more than 200 acres in the Chachapoyas region of northern Peru—in the transition region between the Andes and the Amazon. For generations, the forest had been cut down to make way for cattle. Under Rocio’s leadership, the land is being rewilded to cloud-forest—habitat for birds, monkeys, and orchids. It is also the site of a lodge that allows guests to access the forest, one of the world’s tallest waterfalls, and the area’s ancient cultural sites. Rocio holds a degree in Finance from California State University and a master’s degree in social management from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. She worked for 12 years at the World Bank, where she led the Peru chapter of a Hygiene Behavioral Change Research Program, while also providing support to initiatives across Latin America. In 2009, she moved to the Amazonas region of Peru and established a sustainable development project in Cocachimba, in partnership with local communities, the private sector, and the National University Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza of Chachapoyas. The initiative combined community capacity building, including the Children’s Forest Rangers program developed with the University, rewilding and reforestation, communication for change, and women’s leadership and economic empowerment. Over time, these efforts evolved into a rewilding hospitality model that integrates conservation, community development, and meaningful guest experiences. Today, Gocta Natura is a certified B Corp and a signatory of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). Rather read than listen? Find the transcript below Today we’re talking about your lodge, Gocta Reserva, in the north of Peru. You found this property with your husband on a birthday trip. Exactly. We had not been in that area ever, so we decided to go and learn about the archaeological sites of that area in Peru, visit all the archaeological sites and wander around. We took a 7-day trip, it was a nice amount of days to visit almost everything. And we saved not knowingly, but knowingly I guess, the best for the last. Gocta and Cocachimba are famous for their waterfall. Some people say this is the highest waterfall in the world. I don’t know what your thoughts are. Well, they say the third tallest, but still, there are discussions about that as well. So we decided to go because someone told us about the waterfall. It was not in our map and we entered the area, where you have to go back through the same road. So you go in and the final part is the town of Cocachimba. From there the view is amazing because there are all these cliffs surrounding the small town and the area.  We entered just after the rain had stopped and the sun came out. When it rains a lot of water, all the cliffs have waterfalls in different sizes, but Gocta is the main one in size. We really were astonished with the beauty of the place from the very beginning. That’s great. Now, I think when most North Americans think of Peru, they have a picture of the Andes, which probably includes something like Machu Picchu. And Machu Picchu is in a transition zone between the high Andes and the Amazon. Gocta and Cocachimba are also in sort of an Amazon high Andean location, but you’re a cloud forest location. Yes, exactly. We are in the lower part of the Andes, the newest part of the Andes. Landscape, by the way, is one of the attractions as well because it’s just beautiful. Wherever you go, whether to an archaeological site or when trekking, you will encounter these amazing views at some point. It is the Amazonian basin as you were saying, but it is high and it is cloud forest as well. And when we think of cloud forest, we think especially of birds. Yes, we have beautiful birds, some of them really in danger of extinction like the spatula tails hummingbird, but we have a wide variety of birds. And we learned about that as the time went by.  For the past five or six years, I’ve had ornithologists come once a year to do an inventory to see how we were doing. So right now, in the property, we have over 180 varieties. And in time, we’ve learnt to plant for them. The spatula tail needs one type of flower, and the Tanagers need another type of tree, and so on.  Conservation in Action: Community-Led Tourism in Cocachimba Rocío when you found this land it wasn’t what it should be. It wasn’t the native jungle, the cloud forest. It had been cleared for cattle. Yes, cattle and agriculture. But I understood that as soon as I met the community and families. From the beginning, I would visit frequently, ever since we bought our first piece of land while returning from our first trek to Gocta. We would get to know about the families there and so that’s how we started for instance understanding why they cut trees. It is just a family economic matter. They plant beans or coffee for subsistence.  But what happened in the meantime, was that tourism started coming. In most instances, they have left their land alone to grow, because they’re fully engaged as a community in tourism. There are well-trained guides locally. They are those who take the tourists on horseback all the way, especially back from the waterfall. Small hotels have arrived and restaurants as well, but very mildly. So, it still is a very nice little town. And so tourism in a way has replaced and has become a source of income for the families. Well, it goes beyond the guiding and the hospitality. It goes to the food, it goes to the transportation. And in many cases when this happens, we’re also seeing a reduction in poaching. And people who maybe formerly made their lives as hunters become some of the best wildlife guides. Yeah, that has been the transition which we’ve experienced. We got there 17 years ago and the waterfall had been discovered to the world in 2006. As it was only 3 years after that, we’ve seen the growth of tourism and specialized tourism as you were saying, the bird watchers and people from different parts of the world and also from Peruvians.  A Private Home in the Forest: The Personal Story of Gocta Natura You have no background in hospitality and it wasn’t your intention to open a hotel. This was a home you built and then you added a cabin for friends and now that’s evolved into six cabins and you’ve generously decided to share this place with the rest of the world. It happened slowly, very slowly because as you say, I didn’t have any background in hospitality. The first years, we would stay in town with the families, so we got to know the families and the families got to know us. Then we decided to build a home, as you were saying. but a large home.  The main area of the home was a very large living room with a kitchenette and our room, and then one additional cabin. My daughter is an architect so it was really great that she had to design it. And then along with the main area, we built one cabin and we had people that know, friends of ours from Lima come and stay there for a while. It became obvious that we needed more space and we built two more.  At that time, I was cautiously thinking about hospitality, but not really. I was engaged in projects that we would do with the community like the program to build young kids into the value of their place and the value of the environment and the forest.  I was reluctant. I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy being a host or receiving people. So, we opened up in a very private way. The gate was closed and reservations had to be made in advance. So, we started receiving people and they would come to a home and they would eat like you eat at home and they had a wonderful time and so that started growing. I want to circle back to two things you’ve said. One is that you bought the land the day you saw it. Yes. We bought the first piece of land when we were coming back from the waterfall. My husband asked the guide, “Do you know if anyone is selling a piece of land?” And I just froze because I thought this is it, this is it because I love this place. I didn’t even turn around because I didn’t want to ruin the magic. So, yes, we left the place committed to paying for that piece of land. We had thought about retiring, so it made sense. And we had always thought about going to the country and doing something there, but we didn’t know what at all. And so, yes, it was from the beginning. And then what followed was that I would come back and then they would show us another piece of land. And the reserve now is made up of different pieces of land that we started buying and we have 84 hectares.  The second point I wanted to emphasize is that before you built a hotel, you worked for many years with the local community with children to reforest the land. Yes. First of all, we did a public private partnership with a firm that was willing to fund half of a program that was very successful in the south of Peru. And we brought the person that is the director and founder of that program to Cocachimba to share what they’ve done in the south with the families in Cocachimba.  And so they accepted to work on it. It lasted about two years and it targeted the point of improving the economy in the family. So they would learn to save the water to have gardens, vegetable gardens, with drip irrigation or covered and they would learn about nutrition as well and many other sustainable technologies.  That lasted two years. And it was really beautiful because someone who had the experience of the project in the south would come and live with everyone for three months and work with them on this concept. So that was beautiful.  The other one was that I started a program that was called forest rangers of Balera which is the district. I invited kids from 8 to 14 years and during four years we worked on that beautiful program. I enjoy it so much. I had volunteers coming from Finland and they would work with the kids once a week. We would meet and we would do expeditions and we would visit the main university in Chachapoyas, which is the capital, and we would have you know sessions at the lab or we would visit the barn that they have there. Very high-tech university in Chachapoyas. So it was really fun and that lasted for years and those children are now grown-ups. They have worked with us at times and they’re going to university in different places like Chachapoyas or the city of Tarapoto or the city of Chiclayo and they’re learning different things: architects, one lawyer, communications and they come during their break and some of them work with us. And that’s so rewarding to see them grown and coming back. Beautiful. Rather than moving to the big city in the hope of finding. So the families are kept intact, the generations and they’re reinvesting in the community. Exactly. They come back and they do for instance a website for the local association of tourism. They do the web page or they build houses. So that’s really beautiful. So yes, I engaged in those two mainly the first years until 2014 when our main house was ready. So the lodge designed by your daughter, the food designed by your son Matias. Isn’t that beautiful? Yes. So my daughter, you know, she designed the cabins and the main house. And then she decided to stop her career and that was the last thing she did. That was so beautiful. She’s now a very well-known watercolor artist and conducting this program of well-being through watercolors. And Matias came from his first trip in Australia and got connected with Gocta Natura and the people and the community and the kitchen, of course. So it started changing. It started widening in the sense that we started learning together about the people that grow in different areas of the Utcubamba Valley. And so we would go and meet the women of Kuelap, this locality, where they grow their own tubers and potatoes and peppers, their own way following the cycles of the moon. We learned about them and we started buying because their product was not beautiful but it was wonderful. You know it didn’t get to the markets. It didn’t have a demand but it started having a demand in time because of the story because of the care. We started growing in that sense and so Matias started designing every dish. Every food had an inspiration in an area that we had visited, in the produce that we had bought and we became connected with the area as such from the start of the Utcubamba River to almost when it flows into the Marañón and into the Amazonas. So it widened our scope of view and understanding and love for the place. And Matias he’s been working with Virgilio and Pía. Yeah, I think it was his first job when he came from his training stay in Australia and he worked for a year or so. And then he went off to do a small business of catering and then very soon afterwards he opened up his first coffee place, it was a small restaurant in Barranco and he started creating right there. It was different what he offered. It was a different food. It was creative in the dish, in the textures and in the taste of course. And then this restaurant became a chain. Now they have I believe three in other places. Mó bistro or Mó cafe.  And how many people from the local community are you employing today? Today I’m employing 11 people from the community and three more from Lima or Tarapoto as well. The chef is from Tarapoto. And what we do is, when we have a full house, we have several people come. We work with women a lot. And if they have a family and younger kids, it is great for them to have a way of generating income for a few days. Like they stay one week or 10 days. We do that in the maintenance of the garden, the vegetable garden and the forest. A full house for you is.. 20 is the fullest. Nice for me is 16. So you have six cabins. Those are designed for two adults, but the day beds are perfect for a child. Yes, it’s perfect for a child. And then we have the last one, number six. It has a mezzanine with two beds and an additional can enter as well. So beyond the waterfall and the cloud forest and the birds and the coffee and the food, people come to this region for the ancient culture, you have several sites famous for their mummies and sarcophagi and you have the cloud forest city of Kuelap. We enjoy doing the itineraries as well. We offer our guests the full package and we try to manage the distances so that it isn’t too long in one day. And yes, it is just gorgeous. It’s just amazing because you mentioned the sarcophagi or the mausoleums that are in the cliffs. So what I was saying before, you get to see them, but also see the landscape and where they worked and how they placed their sarcophagi in the cliff overlooking the sunrise, overlooking these landscapes is really beautiful. It’s really a magical moment.  I have groups that go to visit one site in particular that is called El Tigre and it has several different sarcophagi in one cave. It’s quite high and I have people get really emotional after seeing them standing there overlooking the sunrise. It is beautiful.  And then of course Kuelap is the best known and is the main citadel, multi-purpose citadel is well kept. It’s been restored wisely and so it’s really beautiful to go. But there are many other citadels that you can see at the top of other mountains.  You can connect the visit a town, visit a citadel in other sites or visit Kuelap and there are more archaeology sites surrounding Kuelap. It is really an experience for the guests to get here and normally you don’t encounter people as well or as many people. If you visit July, you’re going to see a lot of people, but if you come in February, it’s the best, very quiet, and you can take your time. If you have a good guide, it’s really important because the information that they can give is really, really interesting.  Logistics: you’re 50 minutes north of the Chucho airport, which is the main flight connection to Lima. Exactly. We have daily flights to Chachapoyas in the morning and yes, it’s only 50 minutes in  quite good highway. So, you will reach our place very soon. And since it comes in the morning, you can also do some visits that day as well before coming to us, like walking through the city that is really beautiful, or visit the canyon surrounding the airport and then come you know in the afternoon maybe eat lunch in Chachapoyas as well and come to us. Kuelap is a full day. It’s about 2 hours two and a half to the south. Yes, it is a full day. So you visit that and you can stop in the way to see certain sarcophagi or hieroglyphs in the way to Kuelap. If you live very early to Kuelap, you can do something else, one more thing, like eat lunch by the river across from Kuelap and visit other ruins as well.  Do you take people to Leimebamba? I’ve done that. At the beginning it would be early in the morning to Leimebamba and then coming back to go to Kuelap which is really a lot, but some years ago I started doing that they would stay one night. So the itinerary would include a night or two if they wanted to in Leimebamba because there’s beautiful sites to visit in that area as well and then go to the museum. And then the next day visit ruins on your way back. Now we’re avoiding it because the highway from Tingo, where Kuelap is, to Leimebamba is not in good shape. Supposedly they’re going to start building a new one or repairing it thoroughly. We hope. And then we’re going to go back to Leimebamba because it is just beautiful as well and it has a lot to offer. So One day I’m going from your hotel to Leimebamba. And then I’m continuing to Cajamarca. Perfect. Yes. The road is not very good, but people do it. And there are, you know, people going that way as well. And they say the scenery is just beautiful. I haven’t done it. You can also head to the Laguna Los Condor from Leimebamba. Very beautiful, but a little bit of a hard trail with very expert guides and horses and stuff. So, it’s a whole adventure. Horseback riding is one of the most special ways to encounter this landscape. Yes, we don’t have many horses for unaccompanied riding yet, but we have local guides with horses who can accompany you for long distances. At every destination, you will find horses to get to where you are going. At Gocta Natura, hopefully this year or next, we are going to have this, since we have plenty of space for wandering and are building a road into a previously unvisited area. We are going to have a mulas just riding in an open dirt road with trees from one place to the other. Although you may not have been trained in hospitality, you clearly have a natural gift for it. What is hospitality to you? Hospitality, it’s a warm, attentive, informed way of receiving a guest for us.  Reaching out before he or she comes, getting to know their interests or the special tastes or restrictions or their preferences in general before they get there. So there is a familiarity when they arrive. It is about sharing what you care about the most, what we have built. The passion and care and love placed in each detail, because it makes for a wholesome stay. It connects with well-being, feeling well, forgetting what happened before or your thoughts and getting into this place that surprises you. Even though we send pictures and we say it’s a reserve -we don’t say it’s a hotel- there is an element of surprise when our guests get there. Because they arrive and are driven into a forest and then they are walked by one of us to their cabins. And as soon as they get to the cabin, they understand that it is private, that you can sit at the desk and rest, that you have freshly brewed coffee or tea or an apple to eat while you’re sitting on your deck and they are surprised by that. They normally smile. They normally tell you something, that’s really so beautiful for us.  And then the food that we serve is placed in the dish with care. It has been conceived with care. Hospitality is about our guests sitting at the end of the day in the living room with a chimney on, or just sitting by the pool or just walking through our botanical garden through our trails in the forest and coming back thrilled and sitting at the table. A beautiful set table with produce and decorations, but nice and warm all along and having a wonderful meal.  But we started doing the itineraries because we thought -or we learned- that our guests would go in cars or with guys with a different treatment on a day itinerary, on a full day, and come back tired and with a different mood. We started designing the itineraries making sure that they would get our hospitality model inside the car and all along the trail and visit and stuff. So if they wanted to have a coffee, they would have it, or a fruit in the way, they would eat it. And then our guides started learning about Gocta mode. So what I’m hearing you say is that you’re sharing your special dream, that you’re presenting it with love and attention and warmth, that you’re really welcoming people into this world. You know, when a baby is born, they receive a few things. Eye contact, warmth, and human connection, and something to eat. Exactly. That’s what we do. And when I say we, I really mean my team. The team is just wonderful. And when a new one comes, that knowledge or that way of doing things, it flows. So we are all happy doing what we do and providing just enough, I would say, quality for them to feel comfortable. Because too much is not as pleasant as just doing it with care and style but just enough. There are sitting places on different roads so that people can sit and be. The concept I’ve been thinking about lately is transformation. Given the limited time that we have with our travelers, how do we affect transformation? I know this is something you’ve been thinking about. Some of the things that we’ve talked about, natural beauty, the awe of a waterfall or of an ancient culture, the wonder of birds and being in a cloud forest, and the connection with your staff. All of those things create the opportunity for meaning and deeper connection with those that they’re traveling with. Yes, totally. The time competes with that because it is best when you have a free afternoon to just be. And it is common for our guests to change their itineraries and say, “No, tomorrow I don’t want to do anything. I just want to stay here.”  And since we do a special itinerary visit to the waterfall, there are certain ways. You can leave at 5:15 a.m. with your breakfast on the horse and a guide, and go to see the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Peru’s national bird). We do that. It’s just magic to get there and see them early in the morning in their sessions of getting ready for the rest of the day. These huge birds, the female and the flirting with the male and the young ones and everything. You can see 15 of them in these canopies in the forest. So you can spend time with those noisy encounters. So that is an experience that ends eating breakfast by the waterfall and then they come back early. That is a wonderful day to just stay in Gocta and do a small walk or have a massage or just read. You leave with that little piece of transformation which means just enjoying yourself in nature for a while. The Art of Transformational Travel: Connecting with Peru’s Wilderness Rocío, just talking with you is calming. Oh, thank you so much. I love what I do. I love what I do so much. And now you know what I can tell you now is that I’m planning to start again the forest rangers of Valera program with the new generations, most of them kids from our own people in school. I’m preparing a project to be funded that has to do with the reforestation of a specific endemic palm tree that is called Ceroxylon Peruvianum. We’re planning to in partnership with other institutions to reproduce these trees genetically and to expand the forest with them inside. We have like 36 in our forest and they’ve been studied. They have a lot of specialties and they’re beautiful and we’re looking for funding to do that to do 40 hectares of forest and we have sometimes the kids from school come over and do something like plant trees or do games in the forest. I’m planning to do a remake of the Guardabosques program linked to the new forest. The program has been accepted. Now I have to really work on the design. It is really what keeps me going. It’s really my soul, something I’ve learnt, how it has transformed me. The post Rocío Florez – Gocta Natura appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 035 Nicolas Sahli – Founder of The Singular Hotels Nicolas Sahli is one of the founders of The Singular Hotels. With his father, Felipe, they have created two of Chile’s standout properties: The Singular Santiago and The Singular Patagonia.  The Singular Santiago The Singular Patagonia “Growing up between the Andes and the Pacific, I learned early that this country has a rare gift: landscapes so extreme and so beautiful that they demand your full attention. From the silence of Patagonia to the golden light of the desert, Chile has a way of making you feel genuinely alive.” That sense of wonder is what drives Nicolas in his work. Chile deserves to be experienced slowly, with curiosity and intention—on a boat threading through the fjords, on horseback through the desert, or hiking in the wild heart of Patagonia.  “My hope is that every guest who walks through our doors leaves with a story that belongs entirely to them, shaped by a corner of this country.” This is not just a professional belief—it is how his family lives. “My wife and I have made Chile our greatest shared adventure, exploring it endlessly with our five children. And every time, Chile finds new ways to surprise us.” What I find most rewarding is seeing our guests depart not just rested, but genuinely moved—carrying with them a feeling that they have touched something real and extraordinary about Chile. The post Nicolas Sahli – The Singular Hotels appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 035 Lilo Gari – Master Adventure Guide Lilo Gari puts it this way, “Patagonia has always been what makes me happy.” Lilo was born in the Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He’s been living in Bariloche for the past nine years. It’s a place where he spent every summer growing up. “That’s why I developed such a deep love for this place.” With a corporate past and an outdoor present, Lilo now works as master adventure guide, and as an outdoor experience product developer. “I see my role as a hybrid between a commercial strategist and a field guide. During the low season, I focus on planning, developing new experiences, and training partner agencies. Then, in the high season, I’m fully dedicated—almost without pause—to ensuring our guests are happy and able to truly absorb the experience. Through creativity and attention, he builds bridges between the sometimes-stressful lifestyles of the travelers he serves, and a more circadian, nature-driven way of living. “What I love most about my work is earning the trust of our guests and creating a space where we can reach a certain level of depth and connection. The natural environment plays a key role in this—it encourages creativity, openness, and sometimes even a bit of courage, so that when guests return home, they do so as a better version of themselves—me included.” Lilo believes there is something in Patagonia for everyone, and his intention is to truly pay attention to each guest—to help them find their own form of Patagonian joy. Throughout the journey, Lilo stays constantly attentive and flexible. “While Patagonian weather can be unpredictable, nothing is quite as dynamic as our guests’ expectations.” “I understand that guests entrust me with the most valuable thing they have: their time.” The post The Power of Moments in Patagonia appeared first on LANDED Travel.

  LANDED Podcast 033 Simon Heyes Simon Heyes is an ace of Latin American travel—the final boss, the old gaffer. Simon fell head over heels for Latin America back in the early 90’s. He’s been a guide throughout the Andes—from Colombia to Chile. Then, after working for leading specialist UK tour operators, he started Senderos in 2004. The question Simon asks is: How can you love Latin America and not want to preserve it, conserve it, and help it regenerate?  Simon argues that tourism is uniquely capable of doing just that. It is a powerful tool for Conservation, Community, Culture and sustainable Commerce.  Senderos is a positive-impact focused, UK-based marketing, sales and PR firm.  Its clients are conservation-focused wildlife lodges, private estancias, boutique hotels and expedition vessels in Latin America.  Simon has been involved with The Latin American Travel Association since 1996. His firm has been a proud affiliate of The Long Run since 2017, and founding members of The Conscious Travel Foundation. Senderos gained B Corp certification in early 2024—bravo Simon! Well done—joining Travel by B Corp soon after. I’m chuffed to bring you this conversation with The Ledge himself, Simon Heyes of Senderos. The post Simon Heyes appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 032 Sebastian Correa Sebastián Correa Ehlers is Vice President of Explorations & Land Management at Explora. He leads exploration programs and expeditions across South America, and in emerging destinations such as Iceland.  Trained as a philosopher, with early studies in architecture, and formative experience as a missionary in the Peruvian Andes, his work combines territorial insight, operational leadership, and place-based storytelling. He creates meaningful exploration experiences grounded in respect for landscape, nature, and culture. Sebastian lives in Santiago with his family, and we caught up by phone. “Humbleness is about understanding your scale in this universe. If you discover that, you will be in the right place in your own life. These places are the key for that because in dialy life in cities it’s difficult to understand who you are and what your scale is. You are part of something great but much bigger than yourself. And you are the key to it, but you must understand the size of it and your own size on it”. Explora Lodges Explora is a collection of lodges focused on immersive travel in some of South America’s most remote regions. Designed for comfort while keeping guests closely connected to the surrounding environment, each property sits within extraordinary landscapes. With a strong focus on sustainability and expertly guided excursions, Explora invites travelers to experience the region’s natural beauty and cultural depth in a meaningful way. Explora Uyuni Explora Parque Patagonia Explora Torres el Paine Explora Rapa Nui Explora Sacred Valley Explora Atacama Explora El Chaltén The post Sebastian Correa appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 031 Ignacio Masias Born in the Cordillera Blanca region of central Peru, Ignacio Masias is a visionary hotelier, deeply rooted in the landscapes and cultures of the Andes. His first major project was the early development of his family’s land in Aguas Calientes, where he helped shape what would become the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. That early effort helped define a turning point in Peruvian tourism—elevating the standards for service and immersive experiences. After studying business and hospitality in the United States and Europe, Ignacio returned to Peru with a clear mission: to reimagine travel through design-forward spaces, storytelling, authentic cultural connection, and environmental stewardship Since then, “Nacho” has founded a collection of exceptional properties: Atemporal, a stylish urban retreat in Lima; CIRQA, a restored 16th-century monastery in Arequipa; Titilaka, a modern lodge atop a private peninsula on Lake Titicaca; and Puqio, a refined tented camp in the Colca Valley. Each reflects his commitment to understated luxury, cultural resonance, and sustainable travel. We reunited during a trip to Guatemala, reflecting on his journey, lessons learned, and what’s on his horizon. “I think creativity is about having no fear, or at least facing it, because many people are creative but they have a fear of being wrong. So when you overcome that fear of being wrong and you don’t care about being wrong and you learn from being wrong, you let loose your creativity and it grows every time you make a mistake.” The post Ignacio Masias appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 030 Prince Joao Henrique of Brazil Did you know that, to escape the Napoleonic forces invading Portugal in 1807, the Portuguese court relocated from Lisbon to Brazil? They ruled the empire from Rio de Janeiro until Brazilian independence in 1822. Although no longer in power, the Portuguese royal line continues. Several of its contemporary members are well known for their public service and activism. That legacy is carried on by His Highness Prince João Henrique Maria Gabriel Gonzaga de Orléans Bragança, a scion of Brazil’s Imperial House. A grandson of Pedro de Alcântara, he belongs to the Petrópolis branch of the Orléans Braganza family. Educated in photography and business, João Henrique is a photographer, with about a dozen books capturing the landscapes and people of Brazil, Polynesia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. We discussed one of these books, Olhar de Joao, which highlights his time with 1978 documentation of the Xingu culture of Brazil’s Amazon region. A committed environmentalist, Joao has focused on rainforest preservation. He owns and operates a boutique hotel, Pousada do Principe, in Paraty. He views small-scale tourism as a realistic path to environmental and cultural preservation. Joao lives in Rio, near the rocky Arpoadaor Peninsula—the division between Copacabana and Ipanema. He’s the father of a son and a daughter, Prince João Philippe and Princess Maria Cristina. With his relaxed Carioca surfer vibe and strong ties to Brazil’s monarchical past, João Henrique is a man for every age. A royal spirit, he is distinctly attuned to contemporary Brazilian culture and sustainability. The post Prince Joao Henrique of Brazil appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 029 Uncovering New Sections of the Inca Trail with Guido Huaman Serrano Ghetto Huaman Serrano is a native of Cusco, and a natural as a guide. He’s been scrambling around the Peruvian Andes for decades, leading expeditions on through the Sacred Valley and along remote stretches of the Inca Trail. Recently, I organized a “black diamond” hiking trip with some friends I’ve known for years—likeminded men who, like me, needed some time to think. We needed a pause from our full plates of adult responsibilities to process questions of fatherhood, marriage, faith, and our careers. That route took us from Cusco to Machu Picchu through sections of trail none of us had explored before. For that special trip, Guido was our handpicked guide. Guido helped us dig deeper into a landscape and a culture that I thought I already knew. Along the way, he dexterously stepped us through history, geology, cosmology, botany, ecology, and ornithology. He’s one of those rare guides who, producing a handmade flute from thin air, can pipe an impromptu folk song that actually improves the moment. He’s organized, good humored, prepared, experienced, and unflappable. Need drinking water on a section of trail without any? He’ll find a way. Guido and I talked throughout our journey, and I’ve compiled some of those daily conservations here for you. “(This trip) has meant a lot of things. I think maybe mostly, gratitude. Just thinking about what we are blessed with. I think we were blessed in many ways (…). I definitely feel gratitude for both this world that’s been created and the opportunity to learn of other cultures and share that with the world.” The post Uncovering the Inca Trail with Guido Huaman Serrano appeared first on LANDED Travel.

  LANDED Podcast 028 Discover the Vibrant Culinary Scene of Cartagena with Local Chefs Cartagena boasts one of South America’s most dynamic and flavorful food scenes. Each year, new culinary delights emerge, reflecting the city’s rich tradition, skill, and innovation. In this episode, the focus shifts to Cartagena’s culinary creators. Juan Camilo Ossa, El Beso Restaurant Juan Camilo Ossa, chef at El Beso restaurant, highlights Cartagena as a remarkable spot for the culinary industry, buzzing with trendiness. For him, dining in Cartagena is a vibrant experience, filled with colors and tastes—approachable and authentic. Dining in Cartagena is all about celebrating simplicity and the flavors on the plates. His restaurant is located in the bohemian Getsemaní neighborhood. Once home to enslaved people, this area is now a vibrant hub. Post-pandemic, Getsemani is flourishing, coming alive with artists and a tight-knit community. Juan mentions that the colorful streets are filled with celebrations, where people host carnivals, barbecues, and soccer games. He emphasizes that this is the magic of Getsemani—an interconnected community that supports one another. El Beso RestaurantWebsite: https://elbesorestaurant.com/Instagram: @elbesorestaurant Alejandro Ramirez, Pascal & Municipal Alejandro Ramirez shares his extensive experience in the restaurant business across Europe, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States, which led him to return to Cartagena to launch his first restaurant. He appreciates the city’s laid-back vibe and slower pace of life. Alejandro describes Cartagena as welcoming, fostering a close-knit atmosphere. He believes that he is not just working for his restaurant but for the city itself. When one restaurant thrives, they all benefit. To showcase this, Alejandro tells us about the WhatsApp group the restaurants have to support each other, maybe just to ask who has some sugar left for tonight’s dessert. He highlights food festivals like Alimentarte, held every January, where renowned chefs gather to create special dishes, with profits benefiting the Corazon Verde Foundation. Alejandro points out that there’s always a celebration happening in Cartagena, reinforcing the community spirit. PascalWebsite: https://quienespascal.com/Instagram: @quienespascalMunicipalWebsite: https://restaurantemunicipal.com/Instagram: @rest_municipal Martha Mogollón, Granitos de Paz Martha, a native of Cartagena, has been passionate about social causes since high school. She explains that Granitos de Paz embodies the belief that small efforts can lead to significant change. Founded in 2004, inspired by a comparison of Cartagena’s poverty to that of Africa, Granitos de Paz focuses on providing tools and opportunities for people to rise above extreme poverty. Martha emphasizes the resilience and vibrant dreams of Cartagena’s residents as the driving force behind their mission. The “Patios Productivos” program, also runned by Granitos de Paz, began in 2007/2008 to help individuals grow their own food, transforming neglected gardens into sources of organic produce. Families that once struggled to make ends meet are now cultivating microgreens and earning a sustainable income. Restaurants like Celele and Mar y Zielo source their products, showcasing the impact of Granitos de Paz. They aim for restaurants to feature dishes that highlight their work, connecting diners to the positive change their meals contribute to in the community. Celele has set an exemplary standard for innovation and collaboration, helping Granitos de Paz grow their mission. Currently, 207 families are involved, with projections to expand to 350 by year’s end. Granitos de PazWebsite: https://granitosdepaz.org.co/Instagram: @granitosdepazPatios ProductivosWebsite: https://patiosproductivos.org.co/ The post Cartagena’s Vibrant Culinary Scene appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 027 Discovering the simple ways of living in Patagonia with Gonzalo Sanchez In this episode of the LANDED podcast, we had the pleasure of talking with Gonzalo from his hometown of Puerto Natales, where he lives with his wife and their two children. Gonzalo has devoted his life to the natural and cultural treasures of Patagonia. Sometimes you visit a place so special, that it gains a retrospective significance out of all proportion from the actual time spent there. A place that creates a lifelong affinity—a connection to your heart and your sense of self. A place that becomes part of you. Estancia Cerro Guido, a private ranch located east of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, has that effect on visitors. They are captivated by the wildness, the spirit, the hospitality of this stunning slice of Patagonia. Gonzalo Sanchez is Estancia Cerro Guido’s mouthpiece—its chief evangelist to the outside world. He’s another one of those Patagonians who, after sampling the wide world, realized that he was born in the right location after all. This episode is more than just a hotel discussion, Gonzalo proudly talks about their work at one of the biggest working estancias, still operational in Patagonia, providing an authentic experience to travelers. Gonzalo explains how he’s always felt linked to Patagonia, making it his own cultural background. He now lives in Puerto Natales with his wife and children who are also proud of their Patagonian heritage and culture. Additionally, just 45 minutes from Torres del Paine National Park, Estancia Cerro Guido offers access to all the main highlights as well as a myriad of activities that are accessible because of them being a working ranch. We also discuss the estancia’s efforts to achieve a harmonical balance between the conservation of wildlife and the gaucho culture. As gauchos and pumas have long been on opposite sides to protect the live stock. Estancia Cerro Guido is actively trying to change the perception of pumas within the community, using the old leoneros, a kind of gauchos that used to just hunt pumas, along with scientists and enthusiasts to help track and protect these animals. “We seek to continue our lifestyle tradition, in harmony with nature. We want to show all of our travelers and the world that Patagonia is not only the natural beauties that they will see in Torres del Paine but also has a rich cultural heritage. We are keepers and we are trying to preserve the true spirit of Patagonia.” Estancia Cerro GuidoWebsite: https://estanciacerroguido.com/en/Instagram: @estancia.cerroguido The post The magic of Patagonia with Gonzalo Sanchez appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 026 Chilean Adventures with Rodrigo “Negro” Vera In this episode of the LANDED podcast, we talk with Chilean adventurer Rodrigo “Negro” Vera and discuss the many possibilities the Chilean lakes district has to offer for adventure enthusiasts. Rodrigo Vera is a man of the mountains. Born in Santiago, Chile, Rodrigo moved to northern Patagonia in his teens. The son of mountaineer Victor Vera, Rodrigo learned from his father and reveled in their explorations of the forests, volcanoes, the rivers of Araucania. After serving as a mountain instructor for the Chilean Army, Rodrigo certified with the Asociación Nacional de Guías de Montaña and as a Wilderness First Responder. In 2010, Rodrigo founded Mawida Adventures, a multi-sport outdoor adventure company based in the Chilean Lake District. He enjoys skiing, climbing, river sports, and the simple pleasures of life at home. He lives with his family in the countryside outside Pucon, at the foot of the always lively Villarrica Volcano. In this episode we go through Rodrigo’s life choices and the creation of his company, as well as everything that the area has to offer. Pucon, where Rodrigo is based, is often rightly compared to Jackson Hole or Banff. Rodrigo has explored this area extensively, looking for the best activities throughout, and offering an array of options for all desired levels of activity. As we learn about his journey, we find ourselves exploring the remarkable landscape of Chile and its colorful people. Rodrigo Vera’s journey is full of inspiring stories. He enjoys being in the wild, doing expeditions, and receiving people from around the world. He describes himself as ‘a character’ and an adventurer. He enjoys pushing his own limits and pushing others to thrive and achieve something special. So, whether you are an adventure junkie, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone who appreciates nature, this episode will have you longing for the Chilean Lakes District. Mawida AdventuresWebsite: https://mawidadventures.cl/Instagram: @mawidadventures The post Adventure in Chile’s Lake District with Rodrigo Vera appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 025 Sustainability & Social Change with Reyna Oleas and Roberto Plaza In this episode of the LANDED podcast, we talk with our Galapagos friends and Ecuadorian power couple Reyna Oleas and Roberto Plaza who devoted their talents to the Galapagos sustainability and conservation. Located in Santa Cruz’s highlands, Montemar’s private villas is a holistic project in the Galapagos, combining luxury tourism, organic farming, and species conservation. Under Reyna and Roberto’s guidance, the Montemar project has grown well beyond their property and has become a center for the community and science. Reyna and Roberto tell us how the project was born, Montemar’s development and what it has meant for them as a family, as well as the crucial part they played for the community during the pandemic. When frontiers were closed and there was no money coming in from tourism, islanders were struggling to prepare a bowl of soup for their families. Working with other special people from the Galapagos and the goodwill from so many, Reyna and Roberto talk about the strength of an ‘illuminated community’ and the work of love from everyone involved. This episode is more than just a Villa pitch; it’s a walk through a community’s struggle and how Reyna and Roberto’s efforts, helped ‘activate’ so many others to create real change within the Galapagos. As we learn their journey, we find ourselves admiring the courage and commitment if the local community who played a big part in keeping the pristine form of the Galapagos Islands. Whether you have visited the Galapagos or there is a trip on your radar this episode will bring greatest appreciation to the area’s engagement and responsibility towards the residents and their surrounding nature. Reyna and Roberto’s in an inspiring story that will hopefully encourage us all to think about the common well-being and how we can help those in need. “We did it by heart because it’s what we love. We identified what we wanted to do as a family life project. And I believe that all these components were born from what we believe in and not because there is a market for. It’s the path want to walk as a family because we believe in it.” Montemar VillasWebsite: https://montemar.ec/ Instagram: @villasmontemargalapagos The post Sustainability & Social Change with Reyna Oleas and Roberto Plaza appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 024 Gabriel Saragovia’s Costa Rican Eco-Sanctuary Journey Join us as we traverse the lush, untamed landscapes of Costa Rica with Gabriel Saragovia, the visionary behind Rio Perdido. Gabriel, a Colombian native with a rich family history of migration and resilience, shares his captivating journey from his formative years in South America to spearheading sustainable tourism in his adopted land. Together, we traverse his life’s path, unveiling how his passion for preserving Costa Rica’s natural beauty is more than a mission—it’s an inspirational adventure that redefines what it means to travel responsibly. Prepare to be transported to the lesser-trod corners of Costa Rica, where aridity meets the emerald embrace of volcanic terrain. We journey from the savanna-like climes of the north, reminiscent of a tropical Utah, to the awe-inspiring thermal rivers that flow beneath the Miravalles volcano. With the guidance of local experts, we uncover a Costa Rica apart from the postcards—a land where warm thermal rivers defy expectation and hidden waterfalls beckon the truly adventurous spirit. Rio Perdido stands as a testament to Gabriel’s dedication, marrying state-of-the-art eco-friendly design with the raw allure of the natural world, creating a sanctuary where adventure is woven into the fabric of sustainable comfort, setting the stage for a travel experience that harmoniously resonates with the heartbeat of the earth. “For me it’s so crazy to think that I get to work and create with an amazing group of people, and operate and provide a product that people are experiencing in a place that I certainly consider one of the top, most beautiful places in the world.” Rio Perdido HotelWebsite: https://rioperdido.com/Instagram: @rioperdido The post Gabriel Saragovia’s Costa Rican Eco-Sanctuary Journey appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 023 Michelin Stars & Social Change with Juan Manuel Barrientos In this episode of the LANDED podcast, we had the pleasure of having an enriching conversation with the gastronomic genius and philanthropist, Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos from El Cielo Restaurant. Known fondly as ‘Juanma’, he is the first Colombian chef to earn a Michelin star and is renowned for his innovative menus featuring local Colombian ingredients. In the first part of our discussion, Chef Juanma walks us through his gastronomic journey. He shares his experiences training under renowned chefs in Argentina and Spain and discusses the creation of his gem, El Cielo. His approach to food is both innovative and deeply respectful of his Colombian roots. His focus on local ingredients and his dedication to culinary storytelling made for an engaging discussion about gastronomic entrepreneurship. But the discussion does not stop at food. Chef Juanma is not only a culinary maestro but also a philanthropist. He introduced us to his non-profit organization, the El Cielo Foundation, which works as a great example of hope and reconciliation. This foundation offers a blend of culinary training and non-violence lessons to wounded soldiers, former guerrillas, and victims of violence, helping them transform their lives. We explore the inspiring stories of those who have walked this transformative path. This episode is more than just a gastronomic exploration; it is a testament to the transformative power of food and forgiveness. Chef Juanma’s vision and efforts serve as an example of how culinary entrepreneurship can be used as a tool for positive change. As we learn his journey, we find ourselves exploring the remarkable intersection of gastronomy and philanthropy. Chef Juanma tell us how he uses his love for food to heal wounds of the past, proving that food is not just about taste, but also about nourishing the soul and bringing people together. In the end, we also got a sneak peek into the future plans of Chef Juanma, including the expansion of his food empire across the United States and the opening of a new El Cielo restaurant. So, whether you are a food enthusiast, a chef, or someone who appreciates heartwarming stories of change and reconciliation, this episode is a must-listen. Chef Juanma’s journey is full of food talk and inspiring stories, making this episode a gourmet treat for the mind, heart, and palate. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it! “I think creativity is about having no fear, or at least facing it, because many people are creative but they have a fear of being wrong. So when you overcome that fear of being wrong and you don’t care about being wrong and you learn from being wrong, you let loose your creativity and it grows every time you make a mistake.” El Cielo RestaurantWebsite: https://elcielorestaurant.com/Instagram: @elcielorestaurant The post Michelin Stars & Social Change with Juan Manuel Barrientos appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 022 Pioneering Ecotourism in Peru with Jose Koechlin Join us as we journey through the raw and unspoiled beauty of Peru with our guest, Jose Koechlin, the founder of Inkaterra, an ecotourism company that has been instrumental in preserving Peru’s rich biodiversity and rural agricultural traditions. All told, Inkaterra hotels have trained more than 4,000 local residents hoteliers, field guides, and agro-foresters. Jose, a pioneer in the ecotourism industry, shares his experiences working with renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog in the Amazon rainforest. He was a producer on Herzog’s two Peruvian films: Aguirre, The Wrath of God (1971) and Fitzcarraldo (1982). Both were filmed under maddening conditions—heat, insects, flood, psychological drama, a request to catch 400 monkeys, and the need to move a ship over a mountain—in Peru’s Amazon regions. During his early involvement with Herzog, Jose realized the need for Amazonian conservation, and this realization would become the foundation for future conservation work through Inkaterra. Listen in as he discusses his efforts in conserving more than 400 species of rare orchids, operating a rescue for trafficked spectacle bears, and creating habitats for countless butterfly and bird species. You’ll also hear about his ambitious plans to establish Peru’s first marine reserve on the Cabo Blanco Coast. In this episode, we also explore the rich biodiversity found in the Machu Picchu area, where Jose’s hotels have helped preserve hundreds of native species. Learn about the bear rescue project, which has saved six bears from poachers and traffickers over the last two decades. Jose also gives us a sneak peek into his plans for a high-end hotel nestled within the breathtaking vista of Machu Picchu, promising an unrivaled view of the canyon valley. “Nature has a social function, so in which way could nature provide its connection with humans in the least harmful possible way? That’s ecotourism.” Jose KoechlinWebsite: https://www.inkaterra.com//Instagram: @inkaterrahotels The post Pioneering Ecotourism in Peru with Jose Koechlin appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 021 Senator Bill Frist – The Nature Conservancy Senator William Harrison Frist M.D., chair of The Nature Conservancy‘s Global Board of Directors, has devoted his life to conservation and humanitarian work. He is not only a heart and lung transplant surgeon, but also a leader in volunteer medical aid, a pilot, an author, an entrepreneur, a marathoner, and a grandpa. Frist’s work with The Nature Conservancy –the world’s most wide reaching environmental organization– focuses on providing on-the-ground solutions to environmental challenges, and is science-based and focused on the link between conservation and people’s well-being. In this episode, Senator Frist tells us about some of The Nature Conservancy’s most impactful projects. TNC’s debt conversion program in Belize has become a global tool to promote biodiversity conservation, address climate change, and promote cleaner oceans and fisheries. The Water Funds Pilot Program in Quito, Ecuador, has provided clean water to millions of people. We explore the importance of conservation in the Galapagos Islands, and how the Treaty of the High Seas is addressing the global need for cleaner oceans, sustainable fisheries, and the devastating effects of climate change. We discuss how two-thirds of the world’s monitored fisheries are overfished, and how the world has already lost a third of its mangroves and half of its coral reefs. Additionally, we examine how the Treaty of the High Seas is requiring action and how over 160 nations are now signing and pledging to address the lack of sustainable fishing. Lastly, we discover how the treaty will help slow the warming of the oceans and the loss of biodiversity. Senator Frist shares his commitment to making the world a better place, through his work in medicine, global health, and conservation. He reflects on his experience as Majority Leader of the Senate, and his work with the PEPFAR legislation, the single largest commitment made by any country or president to reverse the spread of HIV-AIDS. This commitment has saved over 20 million lives, all due to the generosity of the American people. Senator Frist also discusses the misperception of how much of the U.S. budget is allocated to foreign aid, and the positive effects of even a small amount of investment in public health issues. “I think it is so basic to all of us to want to be a part of something that’s much bigger than ourselves. I’ve been blessed to be in positions to have that opportunity to make the world a little better place.” Senator Bill Frist M.D.Website: https://www.nature.org//Instagram: @senatorbillfrist The post Senator Bill Frist – The Nature Conservancy appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 020 Celine Frers – Photography in Patagonia Celine Frers knows the codes of the Argentine country life. Growing up among the gauchos of the pampas and the farmers of Corrientes, she has a deep appreciation for the customs and culture of those who work the land. After traveling the world as a photographer, Argentina’s magnetism drew her home. Since 2009, she has devoted her talents to celebrating her homeland’s rural traditions and unknown wild places. Celine has published six exquisite books of photography. Each was years in the making. Her craftsmanship, dedication, and awareness radiate off the pages in astonishing images. These books are worlds away from the postcard-obvious pictographies of airport gift shops. Her collections are visual love letters—sonnets to the beauty and spirit of her beloved Argentina. Her sensibilities as an artist are matched by her passion for adventure and her skill as an interpreter. She explores Argentina’s most remote corners—on horseback, by dirt road, and on snowshoes. Through genuine respect and patient observation, she earns the trust of her human subjects. We are the beneficiaries of the resulting insight, intimacy, and confidence. Although she has a home in the pampas town of San Antonio de Areco, Celine now lives in the Puna region in northwest Argentina—an otherworldly region of  jungles, canyons, deserts, and salt flats. Her next work will be dedicated to the people and places of the Andean regions of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. The allure of the wilderness and adventure took me, almost unconsciously, to choose a profession which has led me into the heart of many wild and secret places. I seek for the beauty of nature and culture; trying to convey in my photos those given moments when nature seems to explode and everything takes on a new meaning. Celine FrersWebsite: https://celinefrers.com/Instagram: @celine_frers The post Celine Frers – Photography in Patagonia appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 019 Camilo Garcia & Colombia’s Coffee Triangle Born and raised among the emerald-colored landscapes of Colombia’s Central Andes, Camilo Garcia Escobar is a natural exponent of the Zona Cafetera. He is an avid learner, a caring host, and a genuinely happy soul.  Camilo loves his work. That spark radiates through every encounter. He has the patience of a birder, the curiosity of a biologist, and an engaging enthusiasm of a cultural ambassador. His smile is cover image material for Colombia’s tourism board. A trained biologist, Camilo has a deep understanding of the Coffee Triangle’s wildlife and botanical riches. But he’s more than an academic; he’s an adventurer, a historian, an amateur anthropologist, and an impromptu logistician. Most of all, he’s a genuine friend to all who meet him. Camilo is one of our favorite guides in Colombia. The filmmakers at Disney selected him to be their tour leader during the research trip for Encanto. One of the film’s characters, the shapeshifting Camilo Madrigal, is named in his honor. We spoke with Camilo in the garden of Hacienda Bambusa, a historic eight-room guest house and private farm outside Armenia, Colombia. This hacienda served as inspiration to design the Madrigal family’s magical Casita in Disney’s Encanto. The post Camilo Garcia – Colombia’s Coffee Triangle appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 018 Nicolas di Costanzo & Chalten Camp Nicolás Di Costanzo (Nico Dico to his friends) is the product of a uniquely Argentine union. His late father, Gerardo, was the son of working-class Italian immigrants to Buenos Aires – a creative personality who inspired Nico’s sense of adventure and imagination. His mother, Cristina, is the daughter of a patrician Porteño family. She endowed him with perseverance, devotion, and a focus on details. This combination of traits imbues his personal and professional life.  After completing his degree in business administration at Universidad Catolica Argentina, he diverged from the traditional career path to focus on hospitality. For two decades he has worked in service and administration at remote lodges and hotels throughout Argentina. Now, he’s developing his own projects. He is the co-founder of Glamping Soul, a sustainable hospitality development group that opened Chalten Camp in 2019. Nico gravitates to destinations with breathtaking beauty and extraordinary wildlife: Iguazu Falls, El Calafate, El Chalten, Esteros de Ibera, and Bahia Bustamante. Along the way, he’s helped redefine the nation’s traditional concepts of luxury. To him, true luxury goes beyond comfort; it is expressed in warmth, generosity, and access to nature. He envisions a future that returns us to simple pleasures that are vanishing: serenity, awe, and connection.  At 42, Nico describes himself as grateful. The future as Nico sees it? It can only get better. “I am married to Marisol, the woman of my life: unconditional, persevering and intelligent. With her we formed a family and had our only daughter: Sira, the ultimate meaning of everything.” The post Nicolas Di Costanzo – Chalten Camp appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 017 Marcelo Toledo For Marcelo Toledo, metal is medium of communication. Having mastered the crafts of traditional Argentine silversmithing, he’s stretched beyond the conventional and deep into the realm of the abstract and emotional.  Born and raised in the suburb of Escobar, northwest of Buenos Aires, Marcelo began crafting metal at the age of 14 as a way to keep out of trouble. He began selling pieces in Caminito, La Boca’s epicenter of tourist kitsch. Quickly, he’s become a national treasure. In his early 30’s he was creating objects for popes, presidents, and celebrities.  Marcelo spoke with us from his showroom in the historic Buenos Aires neighborhood of San Telmo. We attempted to discuss art, craft, beauty, and what we love about Argentina.  If you’re thinking of traveling to Buenos Aires, LANDED’s Buenos Aires natives can help you arrange an insiders tour of Marcelo’s studio or gallery.  Marcelo’s online gallery: https://shop.marcelotoledo.netMarcelo’s Instagram: @marcelotoledook The post Marcelo Toledo appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 016 CAYUGA COLLECTION & HANS PFISTER Hans M. Pfister (that’s Mister Pfister to you!) is the co-founder of Cayuga Collection of Sustainable Luxury Hotels and Lodges. For more than 20 years, Cayuga has guided the owners of some of Central America’s top luxury eco-lodges. His functional roles vary with the needs of each hotel. At turns, he might serve as hotel management consultant, staff counselor, financial advisor, or environmental flag-bearer. The Cayuga Collection morphs every few years as new properties join and others graduate. At present, the collection includes: Hotel Aguas Claras, Puerto Viejo de Limon, Costa Rica Isla Palenque, Golfo de Chiriqui, Panama Senda Monteverde, Costa Rica Pasha Luxury Beachfront Estate, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Arenas del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica Kura Boutique Hotel, Uvita, Costa Rica Jicaro Island Ecolodge, Isletas, Lake Nicaragua, Granada, Nicaragua Hotel Grano de Oro, San Jose, Costa Rica This unique collection of hotels offer year-round employment to more than 450 local staff, and protect more than 1,500 acres of Central American rainforest. We caught up while Hans was at home in Escazu, San Jose, Costa Rica. In this conversation, we discussed the triple-bottom-line objectives of luxury eco-lodges, the role of sustainable tourism in environmental conservation, and how to tell if a hotel is greenwashing. Hans and his wife, Jennifer Libby, are the parents of three children: Lara, Noah, and Ben. Hans visits Cayuga Collection properties every week. He loves cycling and, German that he is, he loves a good beer. The post Cayuga: Hans Pfister appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 015 Max Eolo &amp; Valentin Virasoro Imagine yourself on a journey. You’re in a raw, wild landscape. Multi-colored granite peaks and glacial blue lakes line the horizon. The scale of the scenes before you is epic —amplified, intensified, mythic. It’s familiar, but new and surprising —like a waking dream. The distances are vast. In your core, you sense that you’re at the edge of the known. Moving forward is a release, a letting go, and a reconnection with some part of you you’d forgotten. Now imagine being welcomed home here. Entering a refuge from the wind and the wildness. A home that’s fitting–appreciative of its surroundings. A place of warmth and rest. Your host greets you with a gentle smile, and you are invited into the heart of the house to relax and be restored. Refreshed, you look forward to your next adventure. Patagonia&nbsp;is the stuff of legends. It is adventure. Its proportions and beauty reset some inner director. It orients you to your proper place in the natural world. My guest today is someone who gets it —who has fully embraced the spirit of Patagonia. His name is Valentin Virasoro, and on first meeting him, you may have the sense that you’ve been friends for years. Valentin has devoted his life to welcoming travelers —to sharing what makes Patagonia singular and unforgettable. He lives in El Calafate, the deep south of Argentina —where steppe meets mountain, near Lago Argentino and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. By trade, he is the general manager of Eolo —as nearly perfect a small hotel as can exist in a real place. <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > The post Eolo: Valentin Virasoro appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 014 Max Broquen &amp; VIK Retreats Maximiliano (Max) Broquen is my Argentine brother. On the long list of&nbsp;People in Latin America to Whom I Wish I Were Related, Max is topmost. I admire his character, vision, temperament, and commitment. Max is a talented project manager, thinker, administrator, and deal-maker. His first big opening was the&nbsp;Faena Hotel&nbsp;Buenos Aires&nbsp;in 2004. Today he serves as Managing Director of Vik Retreats. When he’s not on property, you can find Max kite surfing, playing fútbol, or spending quality time with his son and daughter. Erynn and I met Max at a travel trade show in&nbsp;Florianopolis,&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;in 2009—the same year&nbsp;Estancia Vik&nbsp;opened. Since those early days with Vik Retreats, he’s helped launch two hotels and a restaurant on Uruguay’s eastern shore; opened a world-class wine lodge outside&nbsp;Santiago,&nbsp;Chile; and overseen the renovation of the Vik’s largest hotel—Vik Galleria Milano—in the heart of Milan, Italy. Max and I meet up regularly, usually in Buenos Aires, but sometimes in places as varied as Morocco or Miami. We have dinner or lunch together, talk about work and family, and dream-sketch projects and adventures. We spoke just after the close of Uruguay’s peak season, while Max was at home in&nbsp;Punta del Este,&nbsp;Uruguay. The Millahue Valley Milla Milla Dining Room Getting to their Room Vik Master Suite Putting the Monster Couch to the paces Sunrise at Millahue Valley Multiuse Lounge The game room A new friend at the stables The estate Horseback riding in the winery Horseback Riding through the Winery Vik&#8217;s Winery Horseback Riding Horseback Riding Horseback Riding Horseback Riding Horseback Riding Playing with the Dog A new friend at the stables Playing with the Dog Puppies, Vik Chile Vik&#8217;s Zen Garden Vik Master Suite Vik Master Suite Vik Master Suite Vik Master Suite Bathroom The interactive painting in the dining room Milla Milla dining room on a departure day Ceiling detail, Vik Chile Living Room Entrance, Vik Chile Breakfast in the garden The wine cellar Vik Chile Cellar At the cabin, Vik Chile Vik&#8217;s Wines Vik&#8217;s Entrance Art detail, Vik Chile The living room The post VIK Retreats: Max Broquen appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 013 Stephanie Bonham-Carter &amp; Galapagos Safari Camp&nbsp; Stephanie Bonham-Carter hails from northern Quito, Ecuador. While at school in the UK, she developed her love of travel and cultivated her sense of adventure. In 2003, while traveling in her home country with future husband Michael Mesdag, the two made an unplanned, life-changing bushwhack hike on the Galapagos Island of Santa Cruz. Together, they created one of the finest tented-camp experiences in the Western Hemisphere. With just nine tent cabins and a family suite, Galapagos Safari Camp has become a model for sustainable, luxury tourism throughout Latin America. Stephanie and Michael take their Galapagos stewardship seriously; the commitment to preserve and heal their land was foundational in the conception and development of the camp, and continues to inform daily operations. Staying at Galapagos Safari Camp is an out-and-out pleasure. The Australian-crafted tents are spacious, comfortable, and equipped with en suite bathrooms. After days spent exploring the islands and enjoying up-close encounters with endemic wildlife, guests can indulge in a dip in the pool, a sundowner at the viewing platform, and superior dinners at the main lodge. When we brought our daughters to Galapagos for the first time, Galapagos Safari Camp was our top choice. Our girls were welcomed like family, and the camp team make every effort to perfect our experience. Tiny wetsuits and bicycles were sourced for our two youngest girls, menus were adapted for the aspiring vegetarians, and the carefully selected private guide was a perfect match. Over the years, we’ve witnessed a consistent string of successes for treasured LANDED clients at Galapagos Safari Camp. We’d be honored to orchestrate your dream trip to these enchanted isles. Stephanie and Michael reside in Turbach, Switzerland with their two children. We spoke with Stephanie while she was in Quito, overseeing the camp’s head office. <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" 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data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > The post Galapagos Safari Camp: Stephanie Bonham-Carter appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 012 Facon by Martin Bustamante&nbsp; Martin Bustamante is the creator and curator of Facon, his singular shop in the Chacarita neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Facon is a treasure trove of Argentine heritage and craftsmanship. In Martin’s words, “Facon is a craftsman friend, a braider of tientos, a silver laborer,&nbsp;a patient weaver, a wood artist, a creative designer, a dream maker,&nbsp;a whistler of zambas, a carver of saints…a restless traveler, an inventor of stories, a faithful of Gauchito Gil, a sheep farmer, a reciter of poems.&nbsp;Facón is just a piece of the beautiful country we have.” Martin’s background in art direction and his work as an artist are manifest in the story he’s telling through Facon. You can start to grasp his sense of style, and his appreciation for texture, color, and balance when you visit @faconargentina on Instagram. To find these artisans, to know them and absorb their stories, Martin has traveled to some of the most remote and obscure corners of his country. Most of his travels are my road: he’s driven more than 100,000 kilometers in a series of trusty-slightly rusty pickup trucks. His current companion is a quickly aging 2014 Dodge RAM 1500. &nbsp; When he’s not hunting out the handmade and the gaucho chic, he’s riding motorcycles and spending time with his family. We spoke with Martin from his home outside Mendoza, Argentina. The post Facon: Martin Bustamante appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 011 ISLAS SECAS by ANDREY GOMEZ Andrey Gomez is at the top of his game. After more than 25 years as a general manager at top-tier retreats in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Andrey was named Managing Director of Islas Secas—Panama’s premier island hotel—in late 2020. This appointment caps an impressive string of bar-raising accomplishments. Those successes are especially inspiring when you consider his modest beginnings, picking coffee on his father’s farm in the hills outside the Alajuela Province town of San Isidro, Costa Rica. Andrey leads by example, with natural warmth and understated generosity. Although he’s known for his gentle smile and easy laugh, he’s a keen interpreter of his guests’ needs and wishes. He and his team have reached the “words are unnecessary” level of communication. At Islas Secas, Andrey has created a culture of service from scratch, in a part of Panama not known for luxury hotels. Together with the cherry-picked professionals who’ve followed him to the project, he’s elevating the local talent in ways that could benefit Panamanian hospitality industry for generations. Andrey and his wife Isel are the parents of two children: Montserrat and Mariano. He loves traveling, spending time with his family, and golf. He spoke to us from Casita Mirador at Islas Secas. The post Islas Secas: Andrey Gomez appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 008 CHOCOLATE AS CHANGE ENGINE: AJ WILDEY, EL CACAOTAL AJ’s been traveling throughout Peru’s cacao growing regions since 2013. Her work brings together Peruvian farmers, chocolate makers, and chocolate lovers. In 2017 she opened&nbsp;El Cacaotal, a showcase for the finest Peruvian craft chocolate. Here in the&nbsp;Lima neighborhood of Barranco, visitors immerse themselves in the world of Peruvian chocolate – from its broad spectrum of flavors, to the stories behind each bar. Let’s meet AJ. <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > Dry cacao beans <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > The post Peruvian Chocolate: AJ Wildey &#038; El Cacaotal appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 007 ENRICHING LIVES AND THE ENVIRONMENT&#8211;LUZ &amp; ROBERTO: BOENA LODGES  Luz Cacares and Roberto Fernandez make the most out of life. When we visited them for this interview, we spent the day hiking in the private rainforest reserve at Lapa Rios, on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Simultaneously, they were directing operations at four hotels, working with education and conservation foundations, and rebuilding the riverside restaurant at Pacuare Lodge. Luz and Roberto are the husband and wife team behind Boena—a collection of iconic wilderness lodges in Costa Rica that harness the power of leisure travel for conservation. Luz and Roberto are pioneers in eco-tourism; they’ve been part of the conservation landscape since 1986. Roberto started his&nbsp;rafting&nbsp;company, Aventuras Naturales, on the Pacuare River near Turrialba in 1986. Pacuare Lodge opened in 1996. They acquired Lapa Rios in 2020. With Boena, they’ve expanded their influence into&nbsp;Monteverde&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tortuguero. Boena’s five guiding principles are: untouched paradise, nature is luxury, life-changing adventure, rejuvenating indulgence, and authentic human connection. As they put it, “We exist so that the paradises where we operate will be there forever, for the enjoyment and wonder of generations to come.” That’s not just marketing. They live by that code. With some background noise from macaws and toucans, our conversation with Luz Cacares and Roberto Fernandez. The post Boena Lodges Podcast appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 010 Aria Cruise: Exploring Peru&#8217;s Amazon Basin with George Davila and Roger Tejada East of the Andes, Peru’s landscape descends into a densely-forested river basin.&nbsp; The waters collected here merge with those from the northern half of the continent to form the tributaries of the Amazon. In the north, the island city of Iquitos is the launching point for multi-day river cruises. Each day, guests are presented with full or half-day options to explore narrow river branches, visit indigenous communities, or view exotic wildlife. Longer cruise programs visit the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, which spans more than five million acres. Here, visitors can encounter pink river dolphins, monkeys, sloths, caimans, and a rainbow of birds.&nbsp; December through March is the rainy season, with higher temperatures and afternoon rainfall. To avoid the heat, most excursions are conducted in the early morning and afternoon; midday is best for siestas and cold drinks. I’ve been&nbsp;coming to the Amazon&nbsp;for more than 20 years, and it continually surprises. The wildlife, the weather, the seasons make each visit unique and special. In southern Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador, most of my Amazon explorations have been by canoe, on foot, and from lodges. On this trip, I was welcomed aboard the Aria, a small-scale cruiser based in Iquitos. The Aria is more than a luxury vessel; it is a floating base for wildlife observation, cultural engagement, and excursions on the river and into the forest. The mobility of these cruises broadens your reach, expanding the range of wildlife and habitats. While aboard, I sat down with two of the guides who made my trip so worthwhile. George Davila and Roger Tejada grew up on the river. This is the home of their ancestors. Their trained eyes have astonishing forest vision, spotting camouflaged wildlife undetectable to mere mortals. When we weren’t goggling birds, dolphins, and primates, they were making me laugh; they love their work and meet each day with contagious playfulness and wonder. If you’d like to visit the Amazon, speak with one of the expert travel planners at LANDED today. We know the territory first hand and by heart. 801.582.2100. Amazonian sky, Northern Peru Three-toed sloth Amazonian symmetry Marmoset family Side stream, Peruvian Amazon Amazonian shave Amazon swimming Wildlife spotting tour, Peruvian Amazon Anaconda, Peruvian Amazon Fisherman, Peruvian Amazon Flowers in the Amazon Amazonian Giant, Peru Into the flooded forest, Amazon Great Black Hawk, Peruvian Amazon The post Sailing Peru&#8217;s Amazon: Aqua Expeditions appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 009 IBITIPOCA: Rewilding the land through tourism, with Renato Machado and Nadja Hoffman Reserva do Ibitipoca&nbsp;is located in the interior state of Minas Gerais,&nbsp;Brazil—about an hour by private charter flight from&nbsp;Sao Paulo&nbsp;or&nbsp;Rio de Janeiro. The project is dedicated to the reforestation and rewilding of 9,800 privately-owned acres of temperate grassland, granite mountains, and rare Mata Atlantica rainforest. If you’ve seen Wim Wender’s&nbsp;Salt of the Earth, you’ll have a leg up on understanding the spirit of the project. The work began in 1984 with the purchase of one degraded cattle ranch. Through decades of replanting and species reintroduction in cooperation with nature and the families who depend on this land, Ibitipoca’s stewardship now extends through three municipal areas, bordering and buffering Ibitipoca State Park.&nbsp; But Ibitipoca is restoring more than wilderness. It mission is guided by the welfare of the planet and its people—with a focus on relationship building between humans and nature. In the words of its founders, “We aim to create a fertile environment for happiness to flourish, and we believe that this must be done holistically, involving the fauna, flora and local communities.” Ibitipoca is part social experiment, part environmental restoration project, appropriately seasoned with simple comforts and genuine pleasures. Ibitipoca’s centerpiece is&nbsp;Fazenda do Engenho, one of Brazil’s finest small hotels. Dating from 1715, the traditional farmhouse was rebuilt from 2006. Its charms include &nbsp;8 sumptuous guest rooms, honest meals, spa services, a yoga house, gardens, and a free-flying toucan who comes and goes as he pleases. &nbsp;After days of rest, riding, paddle boarding, waterfall showers, and exploring, I sat down with Ibitipoca’s ringleader, Renato Machado and General Manager Nadja Hoffman to try and process what makes this place so worthwhile. <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" 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data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > The post The Magic of Ibitipoca appeared first on LANDED Travel.

&nbsp;LANDED Podcast 006 Responsible travel in the Galapagos, with DOLORES GANGOTENA de DIEZ Dolores Gangotena de Diez, along with her husband Eduardo Diez, founded Quasar Expeditions in 1986. Their mission was to show the world why the&nbsp;Galapagos&nbsp;was a global treasure, not just another fishing ground and guano mine. Dolores first came to the Galapagos in 1969 as a teenager aboard an Ecuadorean Navy cargo ship. During this three-week boat trip with schoolmates (arranged by her high school biology teacher) she fell in love with the landscapes, wildlife, and spirit of these precious islands. “I have never again in my life felt so taken away by the peace and beauty of the scenery. I knew then what writers and Spanish sailors meant when they described the Islands as ‘Las Encantadas,’ the Enchanted Isles.” She returned to the islands many times over the next decade. In 1983, newly married Dolores convinced Eduardo to come along. He immediately understood the islands’ magic, even though their journey was aboard a rickety, cramped, wooden cargo ship. Dolores and Eduardo saw the vision of how to increase awareness of the islands’ worth as a natural treasure: comfortable, small-scale voyages for visitors, supervised by top-quality naturalist guides. They would be spent the next few years securing permits and launching the first true tourism vessels for the islands: the&nbsp;Nortada(12 passengers, with the first en-suite bathrooms), the&nbsp;Mistral, and a smaller sailboat. Today Quasar is a multi-generational operation with&nbsp;appropriately-sized yachts&nbsp;and some of the best itineraries in the islands. On this podcast, Dolores and I discuss some of the opportunities, threats, and challenges to protecting and preserving the Galapagos for generations to come. The post Galapagos Travel Pioneer appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 005 Luxury of Experience &#8212; Matias de Cristobal, Director General of Awasi Matias de Cristobal is the Director General of&nbsp;Awasi. &nbsp;He’s also a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of Relais &amp; Chateaux, and a Board Member of the W Hotel in Santiago, Chile. In a relatively short time, Awasi has developed a reputation for operating some of the finest lodges in South America. Awasi Atacama&nbsp;— a boutique hotel in the heart of&nbsp;San Pedro de Atacama. Private vehicles and one guide per guest room. Canyons, volcanoes, salt flats, lagoons, hot springs, and pre-Columbian sites. This is one of our favorite destinations for multi-generational families. Awasi Patagonia&nbsp;— set on a private reserve looking out on the&nbsp;Torres del Paine. After a full-day of privately guided hiking, riding, biking, or puma tracking, it’s hard to beat a soak in your private wood-fired hot tub overlooking the Paine Massif. Awasi Iguazu — located on the Argentine side of the falls, this lodge has changed the way visitors experience Iguazu. It’s no longer just a day trip or an overnight stay; now guests have a rationale for 3 and 4-night stays, visiting private reserves, hidden waterfalls, and Guarani villages. Much of&nbsp; Awasi’s success—the brand’s vision, personality, and strategy—can be credited to Matias. He’s a keen student of design, customer service, and philosophy. He’s helped broaden the vision of what travel can mean—how the people we encounter, and the experiences we share, can shape our lives. In this episode we discuss: How he developed his outlook on meaningful life experiences; His definition of what a true luxury is; and Define what he calls “the Awasi spirit”. Matias is a true friend, a mentor, and an innovator. Most of our conversations take place in noisy restaurants in Buenos Aires, so we recorded this interview by Skype.&nbsp; One day soon I hope we’ll be recording a follow up from the Grand Canyon. Kayaking the Parana River The post Argentina &#038; Chile: Awasi Lodges appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 004 Brazilian style with mad genius Bob Shevlin Bob Shevlin is a true character. In person, he&#8217;s the definition of cool: &#8220;cool doesn&#8217;t say much, but it knows what to say.&#8221; He&#8217;s a creative genius, but he&#8217;s humble and a little camera shy. That&#8217;s why I&#8217;m posting a photo of his bull terrier, Zero. Happily, Bob was willing open up and offer he backstory to his unforgettable hotel in Trancoso, Bahia, Brazil. We met Bob in 2015 at a conference in Switzerland, a few years after our first visit to Uxua. Seeing him for the first time, from across a hotel dining room, I remember thinking, &#8220;That guy knows more about fashion than I&#8217;ll ever know. Either that, or he&#8217;s um pouco louco.&#8221; (He also looks like he can benchpress multiples of his bodyweight.) By the time that conference ended, Bob had become one of our favorite people in the hotel biz. Bob and his business partner, Wilbert Das, are known worldwide for their sense of style and artistry. They also deserve much of the credit for preserving the essence of Trancoso, helping locals understand how special their community is, while earning fair value for their increasingly rare craftsmanship and skill. If you&#8217;ve never been to Trancoso, put it on your list near the top. If you want to enjoy it to the fullest, stay at Uxua. Back to Zero for a minute. This gentle bully is a local legend. We borrowed him during our 2018 invasion of Casa Anderson. He made my kids&#8217; day. Sure, he bit my arm and I had to drag him down the beach, but he also helped us feel right at home. Trancoso, we miss you. Friends at the beach Show Notes If you&#8217;d like to learn more about Uxua&#8217;s local artisans, check out Uxua Casa. Sure, a that custom chair might take a year to make, but it will be worth the wait. The post Uxua Casa &amp; Hotel Trancoso, Brazil appeared first on LANDED Travel.

&nbsp; LANDED Podcast 003 Sunniva Sorby Sunniva, or Sunny, is a polar explorer, fundraiser, motivational speaker, and friend. Although she’s disarmingly friendly and self-effacing, Sunny has jaw-dropping resilience and strength. In 1993, as part of a historic four-woman expedition, she skied 67 days across Antarctica, covering more than 700 miles in -60 degree weather. Headwinds topped 50 miles per hour.&nbsp; Each woman pulled 200-pound sled.&nbsp; They were the first women’s team to reach the South Pole without the aid of sled dogs or motorized vehicles. Since then, she’s returned to the Antarctic dozens of times, and how services as Director of Sales for Polar Latitudes, a leader in polar expedition cruising. She’s also completed expeditions on Kilimanjaro and the Greenland Ice Sheet. Now, she&#8217;s preparing to overwinter in Svalbard in a hut, in a regional inhabited by polar bears. <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > Lemaire Channel <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > <button class="lightbox-trigger" type="button" aria-haspopup="dialog" data-wp-bind--aria-label="state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel" data-wp-init="callbacks.initTriggerButton" data-wp-on--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-style--right="state.thisImage.buttonRight" data-wp-style--top="state.thisImage.buttonTop" > Show Notes If you&#8217;d like to contribute to Sunniva&#8217;s overwintering project, the website is Hearts in the Ice. The post Antarctica: An Explorer&#8217;s View appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 002 Experiencing Belize and Guatemala with Coppola Family Hideaways Francis Ford Coppola is widely regarded as one of the best directors in the history of cinema; a 2002 Sight &amp; Sound readers&#8217; poll put him at #4, and the critic&#8217;s poll listed him at #10. His films have earned more than 20 Oscars and 17 Golden Globes. His body of work includes such classics as the Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, The Cotton Club, Patton, Bram Stoker&#8217;s Dracula, American Graffiti, Peggy Sue Got Married,&nbsp;The Black Stallion, The Rainmaker, Tetro, and Don Juan de Marco. You probably know all that. You might also know of his wine making and magazine publishing. What you might not understand from the legends and documentaries is that &#8220;Mr. Francis&#8221; is a world-class husband, father, and grandfather. Really? Certainly. He sincerely regards family as the ultimate source of wealth. He&#8217;s been married to Miss Ellie since 1963. He composes songs and stories for his children and grandchildren. Out of a desire for more family connection, he acquired Blancaneaux Lodge in the Mountain Pine Ridge of Belize in the early 1980s. &nbsp;It was a family retreat until 1993, when it opened as a 20-room riverside resort. Turtle Inn, located on Belize&#8217;s central coast, was the next addition, followed by La Lancha on Lake Peten Itza near Tikal, Guatemala. &nbsp;These retreats (along with two others in Bernalda, Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina) are known collectively as The Family Coppola Hideaways. This podcast was recorded at Jardin Escondido, Mr. Coppola&#8217;s lovely boutique hotel in the Palermo Soho neighborhood of Buenos Aires. This is one of our favorite places to stay in BA; it feels like staying in the home of a gracious friend. &nbsp;True enough, I was staying as the guest of Christine Gaudenzi (Director of Sales and Marketing for The Family Coppola Hideaways) and Martin Kredit (Manager of Turtle Inn). When I checked in, I was surprised to find Mr. Coppola sitting in the back garden, pecking away at his laptop while wearing saffron silk pajamas and Gucci loafers. With Christine and Martin, we stayed up late into the night listening to &#8220;Mr. Francis&#8221; spin tales of his college years and family life. &nbsp;He&#8217;s a thoughtful and generous conversationalist; he listens to opinions, considers alternative viewpoints, and encourages discussion. At breakfast the next morning, he followed up with deeper questions and additional insights. Martin and Christine are some of the kindest and most thoughtful people in travel. Since this episode was recorded, we&#8217;ve seen each other again in Morocco, explored cayes and reefs in Belize, and planned an upcoming trip to the western islands of the Galapagos. These are the kind of friends you know you&#8217;ll have for life. The theme of family runs through each of the &nbsp;Coppola Hideaways. Bernie Matute, who manages Blancaneaux, has worked on property for more than 20 years; he started out as a porter. Dozens of the Coppola staff have worked for the company for more than 10 years. It&#8217;s a pleasure working with these properties; when we send our clients, we know they&#8217;ll be cared for with&nbsp;genuine kindness and sincere hospitality. Show Notes Not sure why I was in the mood to latinize Christine&#8217;s name and pronounce Martin&#8217;s surname like a goof; it was probably the Diet Coke. The post Coppola Hideaways in Belize &#038; Guatemala appeared first on LANDED Travel.

LANDED Podcast 001 Petit Miribel Marie Helene (know as &#8220;Petit&#8221;) Miribel and her husband Franz Schilter are the creators of Sol y Luna, a Relais &amp; Chateaux boutique hotel located in the town of Urubamba, Peru. Petit was born in France. She studied economics, and then came to Peru for her work in the mining industry. There she met Franz, and began exploring the Andes. The Sacred Valley, between Cusco and Machu Picchu, seemed like the ideal spot for a hotel; the region was close to two major tourism centers, rich in natural beauty, and surrounded by active adventure opportunities. In the early 2000&#8217;s Sol y Luna began operating as a cluster of cottages surrounded by gardens. &nbsp;In 2002, they added stables and a ranch. The following year they completed 14 new casitas. &nbsp;The spa opened in 2007, Wayra Ranch was completed in 2009, and the Deluxe and Premium casitas were added in 2010. Additional improvements (such as the heated outdoor pool) were completed in 2016. Early on, they identified the need for quality primary education for the community&#8217;s children. The hotel became a means of supporting a school, which opened in 2010. Today, Sol y Luna Intercultural School educates more than 200 children through a scholarship system. &nbsp;The school also provides housing, emotional support, meals, transportation, and special education. Show Notes Sol y Luna has a special place in our hearts. &nbsp;LANDED sponsors two children at the school, and our own children spent a summer enrolled as students. If &nbsp;you&#8217;d like to make a donation or learn more about sponsorships, please visit the sponsorship page or contact LANDED for additional details. The post Petit Miribel &#8211; Sacred Valley, Peru appeared first on LANDED Travel.