All the best,
Your SAT Team

P.S.: We hope you enjoy reading our monthly newsletter! Still we want to remind you that you can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of this e-mail.


*** The following SAT offices will be closed for the upcoming national holidays ***

July 02: Chile, Colombia
July 09: Argentina
July 16: Chile
July 18: Uruguay
July 20: Colombia

The delightful city Carmelo, located at the Rio de la Plata, is one of Uruguay’s best kept secrets. Over the years, a more elegant and modern city evolved alongside the historic Carmelo, surrounded by vineyards, taverns, farmhouses and boutique hotels. A winetasting is a must in this region, for example at the renowned vineyard Narbona that not only invites you to enjoy homemade wines and cheeses but also promises an unforgettable stay at the on-site wine lodge. Another recommendation is the quaint wine shop Almacén de la Capilla whose atmosphere will take you back to the 1860s, when the shop was opened. If you are looking to try authentic traditional cuisine you should come by the self service restaurant Lo Korrea. While its outside might not catch your eye, the homecooked salt-of-the-earth food is delicious! Finally, what better way to end a busy day of exploring the city and beautiful countryside than a relaxing stay at the Carmelo Resort & Spa, A Hyatt Hotel? Besides luxurious rooms, it offers complimentary yoga classes at Chandra Spa, a private wine cellar and fine dining. Please contact us for more ideas and travel ideas!

In early May, bird aficionados in 169 countries celebrated the world's biggest bird watching event, "Global Big Day". Its fourth edition was the most successful yet, with almost 29,800 participants that filled more than 77,200 checklists and spotted a total of 6,952 species! Colombia, ranking first in bird species among the megadiverse countries, was awarded the event's "species leader" with an incredible 1,546 species spotted! Peru, Ecuador and Brazil were ranked 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively. But Colombia's natural abundance is not limited to birds. In 2016, 56,343 species were registered, 9,153 of which are endemic! Colombia is also the most diverse country in orchids, second most diverse in freshwater fish and amphibians as well as third most diverse in palms and reptiles. All in all, an unbelievable 10% of earth's species can be found in this unique country. Add breathtaking landscapes, dreamy beaches, delicious food and a fascinating culture and you will not be surprised that Colombia is an all-time favorite destination, especially for nature and outdoor enthusiasts! We have intriguing travel ideas on hand for birding programs, nature explorations, bike and hiking tours and many more so  contact us and let us inspire you!

Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa is a hidden treasure  in Patagonia that invites you to take a time out from your daily routine. No internet, cellphone or TV, just the breathtaking scenery for you to discover! The ecolodge provides all the comfort you need while keeping its impact on the environment as low as possible. The 30 cozy rooms offer a sensational view to the mountains and the restaurant pampers its guests with  local cuisine, including seafood from the Patagonian fjords as well as fresh produce grown in the lodge's own greenhouse. The Spa, natural hot springs and treatments are perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring the magnificent landscape surrounding the lodge! Navigate through the fjords, go on a hike in the Queulat National Park or follow the Carretera Austral through the wilderness - a phenomenal flora and fauna awaits you! The lodge can be reached from Santiago, flying to Balmaceda Airport and then following the Carretera Austral to Puerto Puyuhuapi, where a motorboat takes you to the lodge. Make sure to check out  this great video of Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa! For more details and itinerary suggestions, please contact us!
                                   Picture credit: Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa

It is a known fact that Mendoza produces some of the world's best wines and what better compliment is there for a good glass of wine than a delicious meal? When you are looking for the full culinary experience in Argentina, Mendoza is the perfect place for you! Some wineries offer not only wine tastings but a more immersive experience where visitors can help working in the vineyards, like harvesting, pruning or shedding of the vines, depending on the travel time. Or would you prefer trying your hand at combining the aromas of different varietals to  create your very own wine blend? Back in the city, numerous excellent restaurants are waiting to please your palate. There is 1884 Restaurant which was founded by renowned chef Francis Mallman and is sure to impress any gourmet. Another recommendation is Siete Cocinas whose culinary concept combines the cuisine of the country's seven regions and offers a delicious journey through Argentina. If you prefer to spend your nights in the countryside instead of the city, you can get settled into one of the stylish and cozy villas of The Vines Resort & Spa. Don´t miss a "Siete Fuegos" BBQ, another specialty of chef Francis Mallman. For more details about Mendoza and gourmet packages, please contact us!
Picture credit: The Vines Resort & Spa

After the airport of Puerto Iguazu had been closed temporarily to repave parts of the landing strip, it was re-opened mid-May ahead of the schedule. Additional construction works outside the terminal will conclude in June, including taxiways, apron and the aircraft warning lights.

Iquitos is one of the gateways into the Peruvian Amazon region. What makes this one special is that it offers both  lodge stays and river cruises. But where is the difference? The most obvious one is the price. A cruise is usually more expensive than a lodge due to higher operating costs and certain luxury amenities, like air-conditioning and gourmet cuisine. When it comes to wildlife sightings, both experiences are quite similar as both programs include excursions by boat as well as jungle walks to explore flora and fauna. But a cruise is able to cover a bigger area and therefore a larger diversity of habitats whereas a lodge is confined to a certain area which allows a more in-depth exploration. Another big difference is the way you experience your surroundings. Most lodges have a very open and airy construction of rooms and public areas to make their guests feel like they are immersed in the jungle. It is not uncommon to find frogs or lizards in your room. Cruise ships on the other hand offer a more contained hotel-like environment - no surprise visitors here! In the end, it all depends on your personal preferences and budget. But no matter which option you go for, the Amazon experience is always special, adventurous and absolutely impressive! Please  contact us for details!

PeruRail announced that since the beginning of May, the "Picaflor Spa Car" (picaflor is Spanish for hummingbird) adds to the luxury experience of the overnight train Belmond Andean Explorer. Treatments are available from Monday to Sunday, between 9:00 and 21:00 on all four routings and can be requested once the train has been boarded. The products used include a line from Germaine de Capuccini as well as an exclusive Andean collection with local, natural ingredients.

It´s no secret that Quito is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the Andes. It offers something for every taste and the biggest online travel agency in Asia even named it one of the Top 10 destination for Chinese luxury travelers! Quito has several established luxury hotels as well as numerous new contenders. There is "Illa Experience Hotel", housed in a beautiful mansion in a traditional street of the historic center. Ecuadorian culture is represented in every room, each floor is dedicated to a different period and its restaurant "Nuema" serves award-winning, innovative Ecuadorian cuisine. The "Boutique Hotel Cultura Manor" offers another history and art inspired accommodation with beautifully painted walls and elaborate wood details. For a culinary experience, we recommend "Zazu", a Relais & Châteaux restaurant, where chef Wilson Alpala creates contemporary Ecuadorian cuisine. How about a piece of chocolate for dessert? The company  To'ak produces one of the world´s most exquisite chocolates from the rare and ancient Ecuadorian cacao variety “Nacional”. Their bars cost around USD 300 and are pure indulgence! Magnificent churches, museums as well as art or handicraft tours including a meet & greet with local artists round off the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Please  contact us for more premium options in Quito!

Walking towards the end of Copacabana that borders on Ipanema, you will pass by a modern building whose facade is covered with a perforated white fiberglass structure. The individual panels can be closed or opened to reveal the balconies and rooms behind it. This is Emiliano Hotel and its extraordinary architecture and interior design has earned it the 2018 Frame Award for "Hotel of the Year". It was designed by Studio Arthur Casas and constructed in 2017. The outside panels are designed exclusively for Emiliano Hotel to reflect the curves of Rio de Janeiro´s landscape and are known as "cobogós". Its interior is the perfect mix of sophistication, minimalism and comfort influenced by the bohemian flair of Copacabana. Many Brazilian natural materials were used in the design, including cane, wood, marble and granite. The tasteful interior is complemented by impeccable personalized service including a butler team as well the excellent Italian cuisine of Emiliano Restaurant. There is also a lobby bar and a Champagne collection with more than 80 brands. The Santapele Spa provides an elegant space for fitness, wellness and cosmetics and the rooftop pool is perfect for relaxing, refreshing or just enjoying the view of the ocean and the Copacabana. Please  contact us for more information and rates!
                                                         Picture credit: Emiliano Hotel

Josefina is a 32-year old Buenos Aires native and got to know the SAT family as a receptionist back in 2011 but left when she took a year off to live in Australia and travel the world. She returned to the SAT Argentina team as an Account Executive nearly 4 years ago. In her late teens, Josefina backpacked through the North of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru. That is when she discovered that travelling is her passion and she continued exploring Argentina and the world ever since that first adventure. 

Argentina is a big country with many different landscapes, but if she had to choose, Josefina's favorite place would be Patagonia. She is impressed by the seemingly endless land and the fact that it is so quiet and deserted makes it all the more breathtaking. Glaciers, mountains, lakes, rivers…simply nature at its best! 
Josefina's passion for travel is infectious and she will be more than happy to help you create the best travel experiences in Argentina and South America so do not hesitate to contact her!

On July 01st, the new luxury Hotel Las Islas will open on Barú Island, just 45min by boat from the city of Cartagena, Colombia. It offers 55 bungalows, 3 restaurants, 4 bars, 1 café as well as a spa, gym and pool. Hotel Las Islas is a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”.

Casa Andina Standard Cusco Plaza expanded their offer by 31 additional rooms and now operates a new total of 70 rooms. Check out their 360° room tour here.

Hyatt Centric Las Condes Santiago opened this month in the financial district of Santiago de Chile. It offers 166 rooms with a modern design and a restaurant with upscale Chilean-French cuisine.

Casa Andina Premium Cusco re-opened after the remodeling of the public areas and 43 of their 94 rooms. The renovation of the remaining rooms will be finished by July 2018. Click here to follow the 360° room tour.

Starting August 11th, TAM Linhas Aéreas will suspend its flights between Rio de Janeiro and Frankfurt as well as Paris due to decreasing demand.

On August 01st, Avianca will launch a new daily connection between Lima and Orlando (AV976 LIM-MCO 10:05-17:29 / AV977 MCO-LIM 15:27-20:29).

LATAM introduces several international and domestic connections starting this summer: Santiago de Chile to Cuzco (August 15th), Cuzco to Pisco (June) and Cuzco to Trujillo (July).

From June 27th to September 28th (Canadian summer), Air Canada increases Lima-Toronto frequency to five times per week.