Dear Travel Partner,

the start of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is only a few days away! Our last newsletter already informed you about the travelling Olympic Torch Relay, which is even celebrated with an own song - "A Vida do Viajante" or "The Life of a Traveller". What a catchy title to introduce our July news!

Does all the colourful Olympic celebration ambience inspire you to travel to beautiful Brazil or is there another fascinating place in South America you always wanted to explore? Either way, South American Tours is the right team to play with! We provide you with the best tour offers in entire South America. Please contact us in case of further questions or click on the following links.

Below you will find our July news for South America, travel suggestions and product updates.

Check out our website or Facebook page for further news and regular updates.

Thank you for your support and let the Games begin,

Your SAT Team

There is much more to enjoy in Rio de Janeiro apart from the Olympic Games! How about a visit to the city's revitalised downtown area Porto Maravilha? Recent constructions turned this district into a vibrant cultural hub with loads of activities to do for locals and tourists. Attached to this area lies the new promenade in the Guanabara Bay which invites everyone to relax and contemplate. Connected by a sustainable light rail vehicle, SAT views this extraordinary transformation as one of Olympic's most crucial legacies for the city. The best way to explore this place is to book with us! We offer a great variety of tours in Brazil - just  contact us for more information.

You don't believe that? Yet it's the truth - since July this year, the Olympic City Museum opened its doors to the public prior to the Rio 2016 Games. You can find it next to the Engenhao Stadium with the virtual reality system being the major attraction. Thus with this technology the visitors have the opportunity to "fly" over the city with spotting sights such as the Olympic venues, Porto Maravilha area and the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Come and be part of this spectacular experience with SAT! We love to provide you with our special offers. Just check out our various Brazil Tours here.

The History of Machu Picchu as we know it might change forever, according to latest discoveries. In Pachamama, situated some hundred metres off the former Incan capital Cusco, pre-Incan petrographs have been found including the drawing of a lama, a human being as well as a geometrical image. Due to further investigations, the finding zone remains closed in order to prevent damages on the petrographs. Nevertheless,  famous Machu Picchu and all the other touristic hotspots in the area can be explored as usual! Does this story raise your interest about this sacred place? Then look no further - SAT offers you the best travel deals for wondeful Peru! Please contact us for further information.

Tourism plays a crucial role in Uruguay's economy and is supported actively. Besides nautical tourism in one of the major touristic hotspot Punta del Este, the country now aims for a stronger focus on wine tourism which is especially significant in the area around Montevideo. Different red and white wine types such as Tannat or Chardonnay are grown here. However, also the small town Carmelo represents a huge wine player! We highly recommend a stay at Narbona Wine Lodge or  Irurtia Bodega where exclusive interior meets a rustic wine culture with years of experience. Curious about a glass of original South American wine? Check out our special Uruguay tours such as our "Wine at Carmelo" tour at Irurtia Winery and  contact us for further information!

On June 30th, Peru tasted victory: during the second edition of the International Contest of Roasted Coffee hosted in Paris, six of the country's coffee types received various important prices. Amongst the winners were coffee beans from Puno, Pasco as well as the Amazon Region. The purpose of this event is to promote and acknowledge coffee from all over the world. On the whole, Peru performed extremely well and as a travel destination does not only convince with its brown beans, yet also with its stunning landscape, ancient history and magnificent culture. Interested? You can find our travel itineraries for Peru and South America as well as more information here!

Can you imagine a better way to experience La Paz than a ride in the highest and longest urban aerial cable car? Since 2014, the metropolis' "Subway in the Sky" links the city with its neighbourhood El Alto and gained high recognition among its inhabitants who save a lot of travelling time with this project. The Austrian-bulit environment-friendly alternative is also a popular tourist attraction thanks to amazing views over the city and valley below the Cordillera Real. Due to its success, La Paz plans seven more cable lines to come. Isn't this a fabulous opportunity to explore Bolivia? Then book with SAT now! Please just contact us for further information or travel itinerary details!

We would like to share a very special travel tip with you: the El Angel Ecological Reserve in Ecuador! Experience a unique natural habitat on an altitude of up to 4768 metres above sea level. Exclusive for this area is the specie Frailejón. With a maximum height of seven metres, the plant displays a national emblem for Ecuador's Northern Highlands and the most attractive mountain scenery in the Andes! Other stunning attractions found in the forest represent the numerous lakes, lagoons and glaciers. Curious about a hiking trip to the enchanted forest? No worries, SAT organises a fitting Ecuador journey for you! Please contact us for travel routes and other information.

This month, SAT introduces a brand new tour in Argentina called "Meeting Argentine Original Pioneers" which includes a daytrip from Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco. Besides a guided walking tour, lunch as well as a visit of the town's most important sites, the tourists have the opportunity to participate in a Social Responsiblity Project or Sustainable Tourism Activity in or around town! Those projects regard visits to local organisations that contribute to the area's people or environment, such as a countryside range or natural park reserve. Tourists can support them through donations, product purchases or entry fees. Can't wait to experience this new, exciting project yourself? No worries! SAT will organise a special Argentina journey for you. Please  contact us for more information!

It is a generally acknowledged fact that Chile's sky belongs to the clearest and darkest on this planet. Therefore, astrotourism hotspots can be found in San Pedro de Atacama or around Santiago de Chile. Next to observatories, nightly guided walks or planetaria, many hotels and tours also include an astrotouristic activity. The project Astroturismo Chile aims to transform Chile's starry sky into a world brand. The recent discovery of an astonishing planet with three suns at ESO Chile in Atacama Desert supports this purpose enormously! 'Outta space' you think? If you are keen to undertake an astrotouristic or any other Chilean tour, please contact us for further details!

What a sensation! Thanks to sustainable, urban projects carried out in Medellín, such as the Parques del Río or Jardín Circunvalar, the town has been awarded with the World City Nobel Prize for its innovative advancement. The city today is an example of social innovation and urbanism and the reward fosters the inhabitants' pride towards their town. Apart from academic recognition, Medellín also has been selected as the best holiday destination in South America! Our tip: From end of July until mid-August each year , the city blooms during its unique flower festival! Doesn't this convince you to book your next trip to Colombia? Then please contact us for further information or travel itineraries!

This month, two cultural sites in South America has been announced as UNESCO World Heritage! The first one represents the building complex Pampulha Modern Ensemble in the adorable metropolis Belo Horizonte in Brazil. The designer Oscar Niemeyer established the construction with unusual forms in 1940 while linking Brazilian nature, modern architecture and local culture with each other. The second site regards the architectual work of Le Corbusier in various countries, amongst other in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires. The Curutchet House is a symbol for innovative architecture designs which meet the needs of the society. Both sites display masterpieces of contemporary architectural styles connected to ancient cultures.

Since 2008, Nina is part of our SAT Team in Argentina and as we all, she totally loves travelling around South America. Besides the major hot spots in Argentina, she has already visited many other attractions in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Thereby, she does not miss a chance to undertake short trips back to her favourite places in Argentina such as Mendoza, Calafate, Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia. However, her absolute favourite place to be displays Argentina's stunning North West region, especially Salta, Puna as well as the Humahuaca George. For further travel suggestions or any questions, please  contact Nina!

SAT explicitly recommends a stay in 5* Viña VIK during your next trip to Millahue, Chile. The exclusive wine spa and retreat offers 22 suites with panorama views over the stunning landscape. Don't miss one of the guided vineyard tours or horseback-riding excursions that transfer you to another world!

The recent restoration process at 5* SUMAQ Hotel around Machu Picchu, Peru, has come to an end and the hotel is now available for bookings. Enjoy a luxurious ambience among ancient history and vibrant Andean culture.

Recently opened in July 2016, the stylish Yoo2 Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, represents a must for all design-lovers! Local meets Contemporary, and the hotel is filled with electric beats and a special feeling of sensation. 143 rooms are available for booking with some having views over Sugar Loaf.

How about a stay in the new 4* Atemporal Hotel in Lima, Peru? This fancy alternative is situated in the quiet neighbourhood Huaca Pucllana and holds 9 rooms. The interior is very modern and focuses on photography. Breakfast can be served in the rooms and bicycles can be rented for a nice trip around.

How about a stay in beautiful 4* Boutique Hotel Casa Chic? Located in Carmelo, Uruguay, the exclusive hotel offers a range of sophisticated facilities, all based on an environmental-friendly approach. Enjoy a fabulous time within an elegant yet modern ambience!

Another great option to stay when in Carmelo is 4* Posada Campotinto. With a charming winery attached, guests enjoy a luxurious atmosphere among adorable interior and facilities. Along with excellent ratings, this represents one of the hotels to be!

Also a brandnew discovery represents 5* Windsor Marapendi Hotel located next to Barra da Tijuca Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The interior design is unique and provides a warm touch with sustainable materials. The hotel shares 487 rooms and offers exclusive services, delicious food and great entertainment.

5* Explora Atacama opened its doors for guests again after a period of reconstruction as well as redesign. Situated in the driest desert on earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the hotel offers perfect opportunities to explore this vast, unique environment in a highly luxurious ambience.

From December 15 on, LATAM Airlines will operate a new flight route between Lima and Barcelona with three flights per week. The new route offers passengers an improved access of desired South American destinations. Besides, there are more new flights to come connecting hubs such as Mendoza or Cartagena.