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May 3, 2010
Patagonia: A land of exceptional beauty
Other than a quick visit to Buenos Aires en route to Antarctica, I haven’t spent much time in southern South America. But after hearing Jenny Taladua, Director of OAT’s Product Calendar, rave about the magical landscapes and welcoming people she encountered during a recent trip to Patagonia, I’ve decided to make Chile and Argentina more prominent destinations on my constantly growing “bucket list.”
Jenny, who has been with the company for nearly two decades, is easily one of OAT’s most traveled associates, and I’ve always enjoyed hearing about the places she’s been and the people she’s met in her journeys. So when she returned from South America in December and declared it “the best trip I’ve ever taken,” I was definitely intrigued. And I wanted to know: What, specifically, made Patagonia so special? For her, it was the region’s spectacular landscapes. From soaring, snowcapped mountains and sparkling alpine lakes to fertile, expansive pampas (grasslands) and lush, dense forests, Patagonia is, in her words, “remote, pristine, and mystical.” (Read about more highlights from Jenny’s journey).
And Jenny isn’t the only one to feel this way. Since introducing our Wilderness Beyond Small Ship Adventure a few years ago, I’ve heard from countless OAT travelers who’ve also been captivated by Patagonia’s natural beauty. Recently, Carol Bowman and her husband, Ernie Sowers, first-time travelers from Laredo, Texas, wrote to me about the uniquely Patagonian weather they encountered while hiking in Torres del Paine National Park: “Within two short hours, we experienced all four seasons.” (Read more about this phenomenon—and see the couple’s pictures—in Traveler Stories.) I can’t think of any other place on Earth where this can happen … a fact that makes me all the more interested in experiencing the exceptional beauty of Patagonia for myself.
Have you encountered similarly enchanting landscapes in your own travels? If so, tell me about them at harriet@oattravel.com.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring Southeast Asia (including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos), the South Pacific, and India and Nepal. If you’ve been to any of these regions with OAT, I’d love to hear about your experiences—and see your photos! Email me at
harriet@oattravel.com
Harriet Lewis