Argentina | Discovering Argentina by horse | Tango is one attraction Argentina is famous for – but horseback riding is the actual signature thing you 

culture - Fernwayer Travel Stories & Experiences

Argentina

Tango is one attraction Argentina is famous for – but horseback riding is the actual signature thing you can do when visiting the South American country.

We opted for an entire horseback riding vacation to explore the country's diverse landscape – from the fertile plains of the Pampas in the center to the Andes Mountains in the west. Having been a big horse fan since I was a kid, I wasn't afraid to spend a few days riding, but it was my husband's first time in the saddle – and he fell in love with this kind of slow travel.

Choosing a tour guide might seem straightforward, but it’s key to ensure that equipment is in good condition, tour guides know the culture and nature, and horses are well-fed and trained. Don’t go for the first offer, but really speak to people and check their values. You don’t want to end up 5 days on a horse in an inconvenient saddle or even have an accident because of a lack of security standards.

Discovering Argentina by horse

Colombia

[⛪️] 
Salta’s old town center has rich history and a living folk culture. Colonial facades, neo-classical architecture, church with bell tower and crowds of happy people meeting up with friends before dinner. 

[🎤] 
My night ends at a peña (music/social club) where local musicians perform songs and the audience sings and dances along.

[💃] 
There’s the chacarera, a lively partner dance with much stomping. During zamba, couples circle each other, waving white handkerchiefs. Finally in the cherished malambo, a male gaucho performs his best steps to show off his strength and boldness to upstage other competitors. Then the dancers go around the room looking for partners from among the audience, and it’s fascinating to see the eagerness of the crowd to join in. 

[🍷] 
There’s a lot of Fernet-and-Coke - or the local Torrontés - on the tables to go along, and soon everyone is singing to the chorus. Their spirit is infectious.

Folklore Movement

United States

Botswana

“But in the Kalahari, it's always Tuesday, or Thursday if you like. Or Sunday. No clocks or calendars tell you to do this or that.” - The Gods Must be Crazy

Walking with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen of the Makgadikgadi Plains in the Central Kalahari, quintessential hunter-gatherers, I learned several things that I hope never to have to use - how to pronounce first names that are laden with clicks, collect plants for medicinal recipes, dig for scorpions, and make a fire with twigs and leaves.

Makgadikgadi means 'dry, dry', but the bush men and women know how to live in harmony with the land. Family and cultural ties are strong.

Thanks to Jack’s Camp for organizing this visit, they have longstanding connections with the local people.

Walking with Zu/’hoasi

Canada

A visit to Fogo Island is all about the power of culture, art and community as catalysts for social and economic change. It’s a story of the indomitable spirit of people who refuse to give up their land.

First Impressions?  Minimalist winter scenery, it’s 🧊 season, one of Fogo Island’s seven  seasons. There are wooden Saltbox Houses, that must have leaped out of a child’s painting book. Reminders of fishing are everywhere. 

My favorite part of the trip is spending time with the islanders who do community orientations and cabin outings for visitors. These are people who are proud of their Irish or English heritage (seven or eight generations in Fogo Island notwithstanding) — who sing songs and tell stories of their ancestors, invite strangers into their homes to share salted cod and tea, take you on ski-doo for ice-fishing, teach you to forage for berries and show you how to preserve vegetables in mason jars to last through winter.

Far Away From Far Away

The Coffee Triangle - which includes the pueblo towns of Salento and Filandia - has its own culture, diversity, food and of course, coffee. 
[☕️]
I was told that I would find the best cup of coffee in the world in Colombia’s Zona Cafetera. I found some of the tastiest beans in little vintage cafes with vintage coffee machines. The coffee plantations nearby offered tasting sessions too. Part of the fun Is to climb on the back of a colorful Jeep to get to the plantations.

On the Coffee Road, in the colorful town of Salento, the biggest attraction - besides the coffee and the arepas - is its traditional architecture of one- and two-story buildings, with walls painted white, and doors and window frames in the brightest of candy colors.

Coffee Culture

Faroe Islands

I’m seduced by the untouched beauty and drama of the Faroe Islands. Driving into Tórshavn, I witness a rare Faroese sight.

The ocean is bright red. The beach is packed with onlookers. It’s a grindadráp, a pilot whale hunt. Heavily regulated, it’s being carried out with process perfected over millennia. A local couple points out their son to me, he is on one of the boats — “unless we send a boat, we won’t get our share of the whale meat.”

When a school of pilot whales is sighted, boats gather around and slowly drive them towards the chosen bay or beach, for it’s illegal to kill the whales in the open sea. This time, there are about two hundred of them. Every bit of them will be consumed or used — and none can be sold.

I’m shocked, outraged, fascinated, caught up in the excitement and terribly conflicted. As a traveler, I respect — and seek to understand — culture and tradition. And the Faroese are holding on to this one — as it symbolizes for them their relationship with the sea.

Culture Shock

Georgia

Tbilisi made me excited, because of the lovely atmosphere, amazing people and perfect weather. It is inspired me from the center to the outskirts. I would like to continue exploring Georgia and it’s culture.

Georgia is in my 💜

Guatemala

The spectacular Mayan ruins of Tikal overrun by miles of  unspoiled jungle are extraordinarily rich in wildlife incl. the elusive jaguar. 🐆 

It’s one of the few UNESCO World Heritage sites that combines both cultural and natural richness and the 500+ sq km contains numerous remains of the Mayan civilization scattered across wetlands, savannah and tropical jungles teaming with birds and monkeys.

It was a thrilling experience to wander in a place that was one of the great cities of the world around 700 AD and wonder how people lived at that time. 

We went late afternoon to take advantage of the magical light falling on the structures and our guide, Daveed, was very helpful in highlighting the important sites and the life at that time. We enjoyed watching the sunset from the top of Temple IV. A perfect filming location for Yavin 4 in Star Wars.

After the sunset, we walked in the fading light to the spectacular Grand Plaza, relieved in Daveed’s assurance that the 🐆 is shy of humans.

Pyramids of Tikal

‘Lake Como surrounded by volcanoes’ is how Aldous Huxley described Lake Atitlan. 

The lake is surrounded by 11 ethnic towns and villages and we rented kayaks to explore the villages. We passed several fisherman in their cayucos and saw some birds but peacefulness was the prevailing sentiment.

We met an 82 year old woman weaver and her daughter in San Juan village who use only natural dyes for weaving their huipiles. While we caught only one word in four, we enjoyed a vigorous conversation on which animal and plant dyes they use to create color.

San Pedro village had very happening cafes and bars. Guatemalan coffee is as good as the best we have had with its high elevation and warm humid climate creating a well balanced coffee.

The Tzumen ‘Ya’ Museum was interesting to learn about the culture and lake formation.

Village Hop on Kayaks

Mexico

The Mayan culture is one of the most important indigenous cultures in Southern Mexico. Artifacts from bygone times stretch far across the jungles of Quintana Roos and Chiapas. 

If you want to learn more about how indigenous peoples lived before colonization, don't miss the ruins of Palenque. Arguably the largest Mayan ruins on the continent, they're tucked away, deeply hidden in the Mexican jungle. The highlights of the actual ruins are the numerous temples, a palace and aqueducts, and of course, a guided tour where you can learn all about Mexico's history. If you venture out into the jungle, you'll encounter rare wildlife like monkeys, colorful birds, and giant snakes.

Take sunscreen, plenty of water, and some snacks, as the tour takes at least half a day.

Visit Ancient Mayan Ruins

Tacos al pastor, elotes, chilaquiles, quesadillas, ceviche – the list goes on, because Mexican food is not only tasty but offers hundreds of different things to try. Anyone visiting Mexico City must, by all means, do a street food tour – a culinary and cultural adventure.

If you want a more adventurous Mexico City street food experience, there's no better place to venture than Mercado de San Juan, known for serving up crawlies and edible insects. 

Famous for being Frida Kahlo’s weekly shopping spot, Mercado Coyoacán is a little more expensive, but once you've tried the Tostadas de Coyoacán or fresh pulpo, you’ll forget about the price. For more hipster, upper-class street food, you can also try Mercado Roma – I’ve had some delicious sweet Pan de Los Muertos.

Taste the best street food

Spain

If you want to explore Spain on foot, you should definitely set out on one of the pilgrimage routes through the country. All routes lead to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, which is located in the northwest. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Camino de Santiago has been named a central point of cultural exchange – and a historical highlight that shows what medieval Spain looked like. We chose to follow the famous Camino Frances. The original 800km route takes 5 weeks, but we decided to get in a little later, we only had 11 days, and opted for the route starting in the Galician town of Sarria. Along the way, you'll meet many other tourist pilgrims, but you'll also be able to immerse yourself in the local culture and taste Spain's best delicacies (tapas, seafood, and Spanish Serrano ham). Be prepared for a lot of walking – and take the best walking boots you have. We’ve enjoyed every minute, but some people we met had the wrong equipment, complaining about blisters.

The “French” pilgrimage route

A road trip through Spain is literally the best option for those looking for a local, less touristic experience. You can basically rent a car anywhere you want – we started in Barcelona, heading down the coast, and taking stops in Ebro Delta and Denia and other sleepy beach towns down the road. One of our highlights was the Spanish town of Cartagena – a historical hub with beautiful angled roads, traditional culture to explore (expect to be invited to some Cerveza by the locals), and history lessons about Phoenician traders, Roman soldiers, and Christian Reconquistas. If you have some days left, visiting Andalusia is a must. It's by far the most beautiful region in Spain and is known for its majestic horse breed, pristine beaches, hot weather, and super friendly culture. 
All in all, it took us two weeks to get down the coast – but you can make it in a week as well – though you might have less time to explore, sunbathe, and learn about the history of Spain

Argentina

La Pampa

Discovering Argentina by horse

Salta Province

Folklore Movement

Botswana

Central District

Walking with Zu/’hoasi

Canada

Newfoundland and Labrador

Far Away From Far Away

Colombia

Quindio

Coffee Culture

Faroe Islands

Vága Municipality

Culture Shock

Georgia

Tbilisi

Georgia is in my 💜

Guatemala

Petén Department

Pyramids of Tikal

Sololá Department

Village Hop on Kayaks

Mexico

Chiapas

Visit Ancient Mayan Ruins

Mexico City

Taste the best street food

Spain

Navarre

The “French” pilgrimage route

Region of Murcia

Off-the-beaten-path