Curated Recommendations
Tons of links to, and recommendations about, excursions, lodging, sights, museums, restaurants, buses, trains, gear, books, ferries and ships as we travel all the world’s seven continents. Nothing is on the list unless we personally recommend it. Ongoing updates. Select your preference below …
Quark Expedition’s Polar Adventure to Antarctica
Sailing on a Quark Expedition polar adventure, a 9 day voyage to one of Earth’s remaining wildernesses. Our vessel was Ocean Diamond, a 189 passenger classic expedition ship. Ultramarine is shown in the photo.
Kalma Restaurant
“The sum of experiences in the professional cooking, the desire to bring the personal touch to a project that reflects a whole way of doing, thinking and being into the world of gastronomy. Thus arose Kalma Resto, by Jorge Monopoli. An articulation of knowledge that is more than the sum of its parts.
Kalma is calm, it's intimate. A small space, just 24 seats, personal attention, varied accompanying music. The goal, getting beyond what is strictly gastronomic, generating experiences.”
Hotel Albatros Ushuaia
“Albatros Hotel is located just in front of the Beagle Channel, one minute walk from the Ushuaia Port and from the downtown, it includes spa and concierge services. It is located 3 km from the International Airport of Ushuaia, Malvinas Argentinas, just 8 km from the End of the World Train Station and at 300 m from the End of World Museum.”
Parillia La Estancia Restaurante
Located in the center of Ushuaia, La Estancia is a barbecue restaurant known for its lamb. It is rated as one of the best Argentine restaurants in the city. Double check the hours. La Estancia closes between lunch and dinner.
Australis’s Ventus from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
“We invite you to explore the wonders of the Patagonian fjords with Australis, a Chilean Expedition Cruise company that, since 1990, has been touring the main attractions of Tierra del Fuego, the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. Come and discover an impressive geography, marked by imposing GLACIERS, native forests and exotic flora and fauna, while sailing through channels of incomparable beauty.
Our journey sails through one of the few uninhabited areas of the planet, promoting an EXCLUSIVE, NON-INVASIVE tourism, accompanied by expert guides, trained to inform and instruct our guests on a scientific basis. A unique experience, which combines PREMIUM ALL-INCLUSIVE SERVICE, the best standards in hospitality and fascinating field EXPEDITIONS, all based on an operation that prioritizes, above all, sustainability and safety.”
Mesita Grande
“Located in the city of Punta Arenas you will find our place that combines the best of Italian cuisine and traditional Patagonian flavors.
Our pastas are fresh, with selected local products, which gives a delicious flavor and freshness to all our preparations.
The pizzas are instantly prepared by our "pizzaiolo", and cooked in a wood-fired oven, which gives it its unique flavor.”
Okusa Restaurante and Emporio
“Okusa is a restaurant with rustic charm and delicious Chilean food. The atmospher is relaxed and the service can be slow, but the food more than makes up for it. There is a full bar available, as well as wine and beer. Reservations are not necessary, but they are recommended if you want to dine in peace.”
Wake Up Cafe
“Snug cafe serving creative coffee drinks, breakfast plates & sweet treats in understated digs.”
Torres del Paine National Park
“Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile’s Patagonia region, is known for its soaring mountains, bright blue icebergs that cleave from glaciers and golden pampas (grasslands) that shelter rare wildlife such as llama-like guanacos. Some of its most iconic sites are the 3 granite towers from which the park takes its name and the horn-shaped peaks called Cuernos del Paine.”
Hotel Lago Gray
“Located on Grey Lake, surrounded by a crystalline glacier, granite mountains peaks, forests, and rivers, this hotel is the ideal location for a Torres del Paine National Park getaway. The whole family will enjoy a variety of services and facilities, available at any time of the year. Your adventure in this beautiful corner of the Chilean Patagonia will be unforgettable!”
Lago del Toro
“Located on the river side of the Serrano; natural borders of Torres del Paine National Park, seven kilometers to the administration office of National Park, where you can see the majestic beauty of the Paine Mountain and the Almirante Nieto Mountain.
Hosteria Lago Del Toro has ten comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, central heater and a dining-room. Hosteria Lago del Toro offers you personal service and a warm environment.”
Grey River Kayaking, Torres del Paine
Provided by Tutravesia.com
Difficulty level: Beginners
Duration: Full day
Distance: 25 Km / 18 miles of paddling
Operational season: September to April
Departures: every day on request
Hosteria Del Torres
“With 85 charmed rooms, Las Torres Patagonia it’s found 10 kilometers from the Towers of the Paine and it is the hotel closest to them. This privileged location makes it the neuralgic center for all tours to mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers.
The Hotel has a superb restaurant, where you can enjoy typical regional dishes prepared using fresh produce from the Hotels own organic vegetable garden. With more than 20 excursions, 150 horses, vehicles and guides willing to show you the wonder of this amazing national Park. You will also find a marvelous, relaxing SPA that will tone you up after a tour so that you can start a new day with renewed vigor.
The Hotels offers “All inclusive Programs” that includes transfer, agro-tourism, excursions, all meals, open bar, spa discounts and all the Patagonian Nature for you to enjoy.”
Pampa Lodge
“Our hotel was built in 2014, it is located in Pueblito Rio Serrano, 80 km away. from Puerto Natales, Pampa Lodge was designed in a way that it did not interfere with nature, making it part of the same environment, it is immersed between Ñirres, Wetlands and Rivers. It has a minimalist and rustic design, the decoration of the rooms was made with recovered wood and decorative looms made by artisans.”
Luciano Galvez Martinez - Local Guide
Luciano is an experienced world traveler who can provide excellent guidance through Patagonia.
Riverline Lodge
The Riverline was a warm little place, built close to the earth, and with its red tin roof and sturdy clapboard siding looked like it could withstand, and had withstood, just about anything. As evening approached, even though it was the dead of the Austral summer, a fine fire roared in the enclosed Pyrex and tile fireplace. It would’ve done any Nordic winter proud. Outside, flocks of clouds clustered ominously threatening more rain high above the mountains.
Navimag’s Esperanza from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales
Sailing on Navimag’s Esperanza, a 4-day and 3-night navigation across some of the most pristine channels in the Chilean fjords.
Kau Lodge
“Kau Patagonía is located in Puerto Natales, a 5-minute walk from the main square and in front of the Costanera.
It has 9 rooms that include heating, rustic-style wooden walls and natural fabrics. We serve a delicious full buffet breakfast, the rooms have a private bathroom and beautiful views of the Señoret channel and the Última Esperanza fjord, we make excursions to Torres del Paine and the surrounding area, as well as excursions to Lake Gray on foot and by kayak.”
La Pilarica Lodge
“Lying on the Andes mountain range and immersed in an area of unparalleled beauty, La Pilarica Lodge invites you to live a unique fishing experience with the highest level of modernity, comfort and excellence in service.”
Elki Magic
“We are a Tour Operator located in the town of Vicuña, in the heart of the Elqui Valley in the Region of Coquimbo, Chile.
We create and run our own activities to ensure optimum quality and to share with our visitors our love for the Valley and outdoor activities. We offer a personalized service in English, French and Spanish.”