Guess what I won last week . . . and where would you go?

[thepiranha]

I entered a LAN Airlines contest on Facebook and found out on Wednesday that I didn't win the first prize of two round trip airfares anywhere in South America that LAN flies, but I did win second prize, which is one round trip airfare, good through June 2013. It just goes to show that real people win these contests and you can't win if you don't enter!

My son has a month off from college from mid-December to mid-January. I've been to Chile (Santiago, Valparaiso and San Pedro de Atacama) and Mendoza, but my son hasn't been south of Mexico before. He's fluent in Spanish due to our great language immersion schools, so traveling will be easy.

My question is where would you go if you had a month to travel in South America at that time of year? I want to see and photograph a lot of wildlife and my son doesn't like it when the weather is too hot. I'm leaning away from Brazil because they speak Portuguese.

[LL_Travelfan]

Hi the piranha,
Lucky you! Just goes to show you can't win if you don't enter. Congratulations. We are off today to Ischia, Italy with 2 LL packages.

[bonniejoy03]

WOW...Congratulations!!!! What a prize. Consider Southern Chile or Southern Argentina. That is a great time of year to travel there. You could see wildlife, experience cooler temperatures, and begin the trip before the major tourism season begins. WOW!!

[[email protected]]

The Pantanal section of Brazil if you really want to see some wild life - it is supposed to be one of thebest places to see critters of all kinds - it is on my "must see" list. The rest of Brazil does not do much for me but the Pantanal is supposed to be one of the places to see before you die ;-)
I would image that the language barrier would not be too difficult - many words are pretty similar since they are both Romance languages. Or you can always go to the very southern part of Argentina or Chile - also another amazing place - Tierra del Fuego, Straights of magellan area

[kyshel]

So many Brasileiros speak English. Spanish will work well, too. Visas are PITA, tho.

Argentina might your best bet. Take a look at the PM I'm sending.
I'd consider doing your air to the furthest point if you can get IF you can do layover in EZE.

Brasil is HUGE, so you can explore Pantanal or central Amazon (Rio Negro/Amazonas Rivers) Take a look at "meeting of the waters"--amazing sight!

The there's Rio...and Iguacu--my nephew it there (well, Paraguay today, Iguacu tomorrow)
Iguacu and Itaipu Dam are more amazing places!

Congrats!! (you'd better not win my trip to Bora Bora!! I entered 175 times.)

[danielboldea]

LLTravel fan
Please post some feedback regarding the Ischia LL properties when you return. Buona vacanza!

[thepiranha]

Thanks for all the good info. I found out about the free ticket just last week and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with it.

Kyshel, how long does it take to get a Brazilian visa?

If you don't mind, I would greatly appreciate it if everyone could vote for two of my photos in another contest. Just log onto Facebook, click on the links below, and then click VOTE FOR IT for each. Real easy, no registering, no apps, one time only. Thanks very much!!!

https://apps.facebook.com/qatarrefle...wentry/1065133

https://apps.facebook.com/qatarrefle...wentry/1059683

[kyshel]

We did expedited and I went to the consulate in DC. I understand it takes weeks. Also, keep in mind, it's limited--usually 90 days. A couple of people I know have gotten 5 yr ones but that's because they have family in the country or with the airlines.

[thepiranha]

My son has been talking up the Galapagos Islands, so that's where we might be headed.

[jmbklj]

My son has been talking up the Galapagos Islands, so that's where we might be headed.

At the very TOP of my bucket list is an extended combo Galapagos Islands trip and Machu Picchu. I haven't been to either.

Maybe 2014......