Westminster Travel Trips

When you think of skiing, you’re likely to conjure up the white winters of the Swiss
Alps, Mont Blanc in France, Vail in the US, or Mount Fuji in Japan.

But Latin America has of course the Andes. And Chile is where we’ll be skiing this
summer. The best news is that, given the tricky economic situation lived in the
country, skiers are greeted each year with excellent package deals.

Despite being lesser known than those in Europe or North America, Chile has
already hosted World Championships, and is also the chosen training ground for
some national ski teams, such as the US. Do you wonder why?

Imagine living in a place where you are greeted each day by the amazing Andean
mountains. Of course, Chileans pay a price in exchange for having such a wondrous
backdrop – pollution. Pollution easily gathers above the cities of Chile and given the
sheer height of the mountains covering the region, pollution simply stales above
with no way of escaping.

But a 2-hour drive towards the mountains quickly leaves the grey air behind and we
reach the Portillo Hotel. Built in the 1940’s on a site known to have been a burial
ground used by the Incan people, the luxurious Portillo resort is one of the top ski
resorts in Latin America, and given the quality of the slopes, it has been attracting
professional skiers and daredevils to the Andes since the late 1800’s.

The Andes, which peak at over 7,000m on Mount Aconcagua, are an idyllic
destination even for non-skiers. The scenery is breathtaking, the mountain air is
refreshing and the people of Chile are hospitable folk happy to help in whichever
way they can.

The crowds at the Portillo are a mixed bunch from around the world. Many are not
even there for the skiing. That’s why the Portillo offers a wide array of recreation, at
the resort and outside.

On a sunny day, you can take part in guided walks along the trails, stop off for a
picnic and return to the resort, get yourself into one of the external heated pools
and contemplate the stars. A full week of this and you’ll return home feeling
refreshed and ready to take on what comes along.

For skiers, however, adventure awaits you on the world-class Double Diamond
chute known as “The throat”. There are easier slopes for beginner skiers or
snowboarders and instructors are at hand to give you the basics. If you’ve skied
before and feel a little rusty, a lesson or two on your first day will get you back on
track. It is also important to point out that the Andes can be sneaky terrain and the
slopes that are seemingly easy at first sight will put you to the test. So I always
recommend even avid skiers to join a class to regain your confidence and relearn
the basics – it is a handy tool to have when traveling at the speed of light towards
the window of a restaurant.

If you really want to experience life on the edge, heli-skiing is for you. It is not for
me or for other light-hearted folk. But world-class skiers visit especially to heli-ski
the Andes.

The third day is usually when the pain sinks in. Your tired muscles beg for a break,
and on such a day, your best option is to visit the wine region. Chile produces some
of the best wines in the world, and a visit to Los Vacos is the ideal escapade where
you can taste some local Merlot or Cabernet.

A restful stay is assured at The Portillo, not only because there is a “no tv” house-
rule but also cater to a maximum of 500 guests at a time. Kids also have a myriad
of activities to choose from and allow parents a smooth, quiet stay.

For off-slope activities, local tour operators offer some very interesting activities,
such as a visit and lunch with the indigenous Mapuche community, or trips to
neighbouring resorts in Chile and in Argentina.

The Vale Nevado is only 1.5 hours away from Santiago and also offers deluxe
accommodation in its lively resort and some of the best snowboarding in the region.

The Termas, or hostprings, de Chillan are 6 hours away from Santiago. But the
reason why so many skiers will do this longer trip is the opportunity the ski the
Chillan volcano. The local hotel is also deluxe, offers guests a world-class spa and
the crowds are an international bunch. The off-slope activities are also varied
enough to make it a good destination for families.

Las Lenas ski resort is probably where you’ll find the best deals, and the slopes are
some of the most difficult, so you’re likely to be rubbing shoulders with experienced
skiers and world champions out on some training.

Known at the Gran Catedral, Bariloche is located in Argentina and given its unstable
weather conditions has some great off-slope activities, such as hiking, sightseeing
and a fantastic atmosphere at night.

All in all, and regardless of the resort you choose, the Andes are your best bet.
Enjoy the high life at any its luxury resorts, experience some incredible skiing, meet
people from around the world, sip some of the world’s finest wines, and wake up
each morning to the fresh Andean air and one the most exquisite vistas in the
world.

Cristina Santos owns The C Channel, a multi-interest website which attracts a
globel audience to its travel, weddings and shopping sites. For The C Channel
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are building up profiles for destinations around the world, and every day you
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Located in the far reaches of Aragon, Spain, the Parador of Sos del Rey Catolico is kind of “in the middle of nowhere.” The result of this is that relatively few tourists ever find their way here to this sleepy little village of less than a thousand inhabitants. When you enter, you’ll feel as if you’ve just stepped back several centuries in time. The village has a distinctly medieval feel.

The Parador Sos is of a typical Aragonese character. The building conserves and fits congruously with the monumental and historical atmosphere of the town of Sos del Rey Cat

Hong Kong is an eclectic mix of Chinese and British influences mixed with a massive amount of adrenaline. Fortunately, you can find places to stay when visiting Hong Kong without much problem.

Finding Places to Stay When Visiting Hong Kong

Hong Kong is both a modern and ancient city. First appearances reveal a modern metropolis teaming with commerce, crowds and traffic you would expect to find in any major city in the world. Walk down an alley, however, and you will find all kinds of oddities and a feel for the underlying currents of the city. Big business is done in Hong Kong, but so is a unique way of life. Whichever you pursue, you will need a good base to survive this hectic city.

Place to stay in Hong Kong come in all types of quality, shapes and prices. There are really cheap youth hostels with lots of “character” and five star luxury hotels that would make an emperor blush. Universally, the accommodations are smaller than you would expect in other parts of the world. You can expect rooms to be smaller than Thailand, but a bit bigger than what you find in Japan for corresponding prices.

Luxury lodgings are primarily located on Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong Island is the central area of Hong Kong, the location you see in pictures of the massive skyline. It is situated on an amazingly thin strip of land between the ocean and mountains. If you are doing business in Hong Kong, this is where you want to stay as most of the major commerce centers are on the island. There are a bevy of five star places offering accommodations. In truth, your choice is limited only by your budget.

If you are looking for cheaper accommodations in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New territories offer a variety of sources. You can even find hostels on Hong Kong Island. Put another way, accommodations are plentiful regardless of where you are. Hong Kong is a major transportation hub for Asia, so it caters to all budgets.

Finding a place to stay in Hong Kong is a piece of cake. Figure out where you want to stay and then shop around to find the best prices.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com – makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more Internet travel articles about travel hotel – Hong Kong.