South America

Travel through South America by country:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Travel through South America by popular city:

Bogota, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro

Travel through South America by popular things to do:

Adventures in the Amazon, Falkland Islands, Iguazu Falls, Tierra del Fuego


Photo of the Day (12/25/06)

Here is one to Romania! It’s hard to believe they will be a part of the EU in no time…

I have never been but the mountains (Piatra Craiului) are supposed to be great. A few of my friends have gone there to hike and ski and loved it. Here is a photo of the countryside from Marek Wagner for the Czech travel mag Koktejl.

Romania and Bulgaria are the new hot places to travel in Europe. Adventure travelers fear that the EU membership will make them lose their edge. Real estate agents are buying property there like crazy because it’s still cheap but they know when those budget airlines start offloading (first students, bachelor party types, then families from Western Europe) by the thousands, it is officially over.

Christmas Traditions Around the World

Something tells me we’ve surely done a post like this in the past, yet with each holiday season it never hurts to remind ourselves how individuals and families across the globe are spending their time on this very day. On this about.com page they list traditions from various countries which include Egypt, Argentina, Finland, and Papua New Guinea to name only a few. In the Philippines (the only Asian nation where Christianity is the religion chosen by the people), Christmas celebrations start up to nine days before with a mass called Misa De Gallo. The story continues and sounds pretty valid where some of the others seem a bit questionable, like Christmas in Micronesia and Iran. Who am I to say though? I’ve only celebrated the holiday in my home land, but I’d love to hear what traditions are practiced by our readers both near and far.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of December 17

It has been a hectic day filled with holiday shuffle and travel and it has truly worn me out. I’m exhausted and with such a busy week I confess, even I missed out on some of these great plugs found here on Gadling. If your week was anything like mine be sure to check them out too.

5. Lots of Santas:
Ho, Ho, Ho… Considering the time of year and season it only makes perfect sense to feature this march of hundreds of thousands of Santas in Russia once more. I’m sure it was an awesome event for anyone visiting during the time.

4. Planespotting in Saint Martin:
Please give a warm round of sound to Justin Glow who makes his Gadling debut with this interesting post of how enjoyable it is to sit lazy with cocktails on St. Martin sand and well, watch the planes as they come fly very close to the ocean and far too close for my comfort zone.

3. The Austin Report Part 2: Bizarre Shopping:
Tis’ the season to be emptying your wallet and not look back. Looking for some gifts with character? Head to Austin with Neil as he points you to some neat shopping destinations around the Texas town.

2. Hanukkah in Honduras:

Spending the holidays abroad can be a blast, but depending on where you go it can also be a real hassle. Iva points us to a very nice read about an adventurous family spending Hanukkah in Honduras. I wouldn’t have put the two together, but I know little about menorah’s and what is done on each of the 8 days.

1. The Wandering Honeymooners:
Huggy, happy, honeymooners always bring a tear to my eye. I’m so envious right now. The Moran motto: “Get hitched. Hit the road.” I love it and love that Brendan and Sarah are sharing their beautiful matrimony on the road with all us single, lonely or simply travel deprived individuals.

SF Chronicle’s Annual Geography Quiz

My Monday morning hasn’t even gone into full swing yet and I’ve already managed to burn-out my brain. The coal from last night’s sleep still rests in my eyes and no, I didn’t wash my face yet, I roll out of bed and blog before all that happens. What I’m trying to say my friends is that I will be departing from providing you with any further travel related content to get some more shut-eye and then start my day all over again.

Anywho, somehow in my half sleep mode I made my way over to the San Francisco Chronicle and saw their 10th Annual Geography Quiz and then I decided to take it thinking there would be some multiple choice and I would score big during my dream state. Suddenly a buzzer sounds off in my head and I realize it is far too early and the questions seem far too difficult. Which lake separates Uganda from Kenya? Has anyone ever swam from the Scottish mainland to the Hebrides Islands? Yeah, it is too early for me to be taking this.

For those who find they can cross their T’s and dot their I’s just fine this morning go see if you know what happened on December 31, 1994 in the Republic of Kiribati that the Kirimati residents had never experienced before. Post your results here and I’ll be sure to get back to you with mine after another two hours rest.

Friday Funny: Old Travel Dangers Video

Jeff and Nancy take an exotic lovers vacation to (gasp!) Acapulco, Mexico in this absurdly silly and over-wrought video from YouTube. Nancy actually looks quite fetching walking the beach, and one immediately wonders how she got stuck with this Jeff guy, but that’s beside the point, I suppose. No matter. It’s a shame, in an odd sort of way, they don’t make videos like this anymore…although if they did, one would imagine it would be Rwanda or something, not Mexico, that people would be warned about. Amazing how things change.