Patagonia and other adventure travel destinations
A blog for adventurers who like to travel in style
Discover moreValentina Torres is a Chilean travel writer, journalist, and explorer of the planet's southernmost lands. Based in Santiago, she specializes in inspirational narratives that connect travelers with the nature, history, and resilience of Patagonia. Through her work with Australis Cruises, she invites readers to discover the untamed beauty of the region with authenticity and respect.
Her deep-rooted passion for the region was ignited during her first expedition through Tierra del Fuego, where she discovered the powerful interplay between nature, local culture, and human resilience. It was this encounter that shaped her vocation to share the stories of the south.
Today, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between travelers and the essence of these untamed territories. Her narratives traverse the stunning geography of the region, ranging from the majestic glaciers of Chile to the wind-swept coasts of Argentina.
By focusing on the history of the region and the traveler's experience, she helps readers understand the true beauty of exploration. Her ultimate goal is to foster a journey defined by authenticity, depth, and a profound respect for the natural world.
Tango is a dance that emphasizes playful movement, intense expression, flair, and romance. First popularized in Argentina in the late 19th century, the dance has inspired numerous different types of tango throughout the world. Rooted in a blend of African and European styles in the streets of Buenos Aires, these moves survive today as “authentic […]
What could be better than relaxing on deck with a good book? Or want something to get you warmed up before you embark on your next adventure? In this article, we run down our top five sailing books of 2019. From riveting biographies to gripping memoirs, this list has something to keep every avid sailor […]
Getting from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine is the final and most scenic leg of any trip to Chilean Patagonia’s flagship national park. The town sits approximately 70 miles (112 km) south of the park’s main entrance, connected by roads that cross open steppe with the Paine Massif slowly rising on the horizon. There […]
Thinking of getting away this festive season? Although you won’t get a white Christmas in Chile, Chileans definitely know how to do festive cheer. Chile is in the Southern Hemisphere, so Christmas Day actually falls in the middle of summer. Temperatures hit upwards of 80°F, which means that a roaring log fire is off the […]
When most people think of Patagonia, they think of glaciers, mountains, big skies, and vast untouched wilderness. While many travelers will head to Patagonia for long hikes, extreme sports, and a simpler way of life, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the finer things in life during your stay. Both Argentine and Chilean […]
The best way to experience the Patagonian landscape is undoubtedly by boat. Cruising through Chilean fjords is breathtaking, as grey mountains frame gleaming glaciers that pour down into the ocean below. On a cruise ship, you can see these astonishing natural wonders from the best possible vantage point, as the ship’s deck provides uninterrupted, panoramic […]
Chilean slang can confuse even the most advanced Spanish speaker. Chilean people’s idiosyncratic pronunciations – such as dropping ‘s’ sounds in phrases like más o menos so it becomes “mah-o-meno”, meaning “more or less” – can throw off those who are used to European Spanish. Furthermore, as with many other Latin American dialects, Chileans use […]
The planet is warming up – since 1906, the average surface temperature has risen by almost 0.9°C. In the sensitive Polar regions this number is even greater, with average temperatures reaching up to 4°C higher than those recorded 50 years ago. However, today scientists prefer to use the term ‘climate change’ rather than global warming. […]
At Cape Horn boats face a challenge like no other. As one of the most unpredictable shipping lanes on the planet, only the most experienced sailors dare take on the crossing. The cape’s conditions are as a result of several factors, largely to do with its extremely southerly latitude. This location creates fierce prevailing winds […]
El Chaltén is a paradise for adventurers. Nestled deep in Argentine Patagonia, this small town is the gateway to the dramatic landscape of Los Glaciares National Park. El Chaltén is a three-hour bus ride from the larger, busier town of El Calafate – making it the ideal place to disconnect and get back to nature. […]