Clear waters
In the Cook Islands, relaxing on a beach is a perfect way to unwind on vacation and the beaches are open to everyone and are free to explore. There are….
Author: Oakland Travel
Local markets in the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are known for their bustling and lively markets, full of everything from souvenirs to art to mouth-watering local food. Rarotonga’s main town, Avarua, is home to the….
Cocktails
Does the sound of relaxing on the beach with a cocktail in hand make you smile? If so, you may want to check out the Cook Islands. Stunning sunsets, clear….
Cook Islands Cuisine
From buffet-style meals to fine dining, the cuisine of the Cook Islands has a variety that can satisfy any taste. Whether you are feeding picky children or want to try….
Seafood
If you’re a seafood lover, the Cook Islands may be the perfect vacation destination for you. From fresh fish sandwiches to sashimi, these islanders are known for their delicious seafood…..
Island Food
What is the best meal you have had on vacation? Trying local food in a new country is a great way to experience the culture firsthand. The Cook Islands’ cuisine….
Coconuts
In Rarotonga Cook Islands, fruit is a very important part of the diet for the locals. All over the island, there are fruit stands along the side of the road….
Romantic Getaways
Getaways with the person you love are an experience unlike any other and the Cook Islands are an amazing place to bring together romance, relaxation, and fun. From adventurous activities….
Stand Up Paddleboarding
SUP, or Stand Up Paddleboarding is very popular in the Cook Islands. It’s the best way to see blue parrotfish, turtles, pastel skies, and more. Don’t worry if you don’t….
Bonfire on the beach
Bonfires in the Cook Islands can involve hanging out with those you love, eating delicious food, singing, and more. Being near the sea and standing on soft sands can make….
Crystal-clear waters
Do you prefer to be in the water or near the water? Whether you crave excitement or relaxation, the Cook Islands has options for everyone. Not only are there several….
Rest & relaxation
Rest & relaxation is the number one reason people come to Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. One of the most relaxing things to do in Rarotonga and Aitutaki is a….
Dancing In The Cook Islands
On the Cook Islands, not only can you witness some incredible traditional dances, but you can take part in them yourself. With traditional music, colorful headpieces, and lots of excitement,….
Flower Garlands
In the Cook Islands, flower garlands are called Ei’s. They are used in many different traditions, such as greeting a stranger or bidding farewell to a friend. They are either….
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest of the world’s large lakes. The lake is one of less than twenty ancient lakes on earth….
Inca Trail
Located in the Andes mountain range, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu passes through cloud forests, alpine tundra, settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins before ending at the Sun Gate….
Cordillera Blanca
In the Andes Mountains in Peru, the Cordillera Blanca, or “The White Mountain Range” is the most extensive tropical ice-covered mountain range in the world and has the largest concentration….
The Desert
Did you know that many of Peru’s major cities lie in the country’s desert and that includes Lima? The National Geographic Society splits the coastline of Peru into two deserts:….
Nazca Lines
Situated in the Peruvian coastal plain about 250 miles south of Lima Peru is a collection of enormous geoglyphs called the Nazca lines. The designs are etched into the desert….
Machu Picchu
If your Peruvian vacation includes Machu Picchu, here’s some info you’ll need for your trip. Machu Picchu has no airport and no roads between Cusco going to Machu Picchu. To….
Ponchos
A poncho is the typical dress in Peru. It’s been around for a very long time, even before the Incas, and the word poncho was derived from the Quechua word….
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca, on the border between Peru and Bolivia in the Andes Mountains, is one of South America’s largest lakes and the world’s highest navigable body of water with a….
Arequipa
Arequipa is the colonial-era capital of Peru’s Arequipa Region. With volcanoes on three sides, it’s filled with baroque buildings constructed from sillar, a white volcanic stone. It is the seat….
Llamas
Llamas and alpacas are found in Peru and Bolivia and are used by humans primarily for transportation and fleece production for thousands of years. Llamas and alpacas belong to the….
Humantay Lake
In Peru, Humantay Lake is a sight to behold, because surrounding the turquoise waters are the remarkable Salkantay and Humantay Peaks. The lagoon, formed by the thaw of the Humantay….
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the site of an ancient Inca city located in southern Peru in the Andes Mountains. This UNESCO World Heritage site is often referred to as “The Lost….
Maras
The town of Maras is somewhere in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 40 kilometers north of Cusco Peru. It’s famous for salt evaporation ponds, which have been in use….
Ceviche
Ceviche, also known as cebiche, sebiche or seviche, is a citrusy seafood dish popular throughout Latin America. It is traditionally made from raw fish and cured with lime. Though its….
Huacachina
Huacachina is a tiny desert haven located just west of the city of Ica in southwestern Peru. This little village surrounds a body of green waters called Huacachina Lagoon. Framed….
Iquique
Iquique is the capital of the region of Tarapacá and one of the most visited cities in the north of Chile. Famous for its beaches, Iquique is ideal for surfers,….
Easter Island
Easter Island, off the coast of Chile, is an island steeped in culture and mystery. The Moai statues are described as monolithic human statues carved from a single piece of….
Valparaiso
Valparaiso Chile is located about 75 miles northwest of Santiago and is home to about 1.8 million people. It was founded in 1536, and its colonial past is still present….
Hand of the Desert
The “Mano del Desierto,” or Hand of the Desert, is a 36-foot-high sculpture in Chile located in the Antofagasta Region in the Atacama Desert. It was created by famous Chilean….
Patagonia
Patagonia, home to stunning landscapes, exhilarating adventures, and diverse wildlife, is the perfect destination for adventure travelers. The region of Patagonia is split between Chile and Argentina (a quarter sits….
Lake District
Chile has many beautiful lakes scattered across the southern part of the country with many located in the lake district. This area of Chile is characterized by rolling green vistas….
Santiago
Santiago is the largest city in Chile, and it’s the political, financial, and cultural center of the country. The city is home to more than 6 million people and is….
Chilean Festivals
In Chile, festivals are some of the most exciting events and they’re held all over the country throughout the year. The Fiestas Patrias is one of the biggest celebrations in….
Valparaiso
Valparaiso is one of Chile’s most charming coastal towns, and it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city is known for its multicolored cliff-top houses, steep cobblestone….
Wildlife in Chile
Chile is a land of extremes, from the ice-covered fjords in the south to the Atacama in the north to the Andes in the east. This extreme geography produces an….
Chile
Compared to traveling throughout Europe or North America, traveling in Chile is fuss-free, comfortable, and easy on a budget. Chile’s most reliable mode of transportation within its cities is the….
Hiking
Chile’s diverse geography and wildlife can be enjoyed by travelers on one of many of the country’s breathtaking hiking trails. The beauty seen depends on where you’re hiking, whether it….
Easter Island
Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is one of the most isolated and mysterious islands in the world, located almost 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile. Easter Island….
Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest in the world as it records, on average, about 1 mm of rainfall annually. This lack of rain is due to….
Wine
Chile is one of the top ten wine-producing countries in the world. The Spanish created the first vineyards in Chile in the mid-16th century. This wine history was greatly expanded….
Ande Mountains
The Andes Mountains extend from Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile and they’re the source of the mighty Amazon River that runs through South America. The Andes….
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is Argentina’s big, cosmopolitan capital city. Its center is the Plaza de Mayo, lined with stately 19th-century buildings including Casa Rosada, the iconic, balconied presidential palace. Other major….
Penguins
Patagonia is a region encompassing the vast southernmost tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile and it’s home to four penguin species, the Magellanic, Humboldt, Gentoo, and King….
Iguazu Falls
Situated in Iguazu National Park, some 20 km from Puerto Iguazú in the north of the province of Misiones, Argentina, the Iguazu Falls are shared by Brazil and Argentina. The….
Asado
In Argentina, meals are an important affair. Large families along with friends and neighbors enjoy each other’s company all the more with a delicious feast to share, giving rise to….
Caminito
Located in La Boca, a neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Caminito (little path, in Spanish) is a street museum comprising colorfully painted houses typical of the immigrant dwellings that….