Blog Layout

North America Vs South America: Which one’s for you?

Two huge continents with an eclectic mix of picturesque scenery, clashing cultures and renowned cuisines – how could you ever choose between the two?  

Well, we’re not asking you to. But, we’re going to home in on two of our favourite destinations – one from each continent, and which both offer an incredible holiday experience. What’s more, they couldn’t be more different if they tried!

LAS VEGAS

First up, Las Vegas. Everyone knows it for its mishmash of adult entertainment, fine restaurants and the iconic strip – full of the world’s best casinos! Once you arrive, you’ll soon learn there’s not enough hours in the day to soak up everything this unique destination has to offer.

But how can we persuade you to go ahead and book a trip to the destination that never sleeps? Well, take a look at our favourite things to do in Sin City and we reckon it’ll get you excited!

Las Vegas Sign
Las Vegas Sign

Place a bet in a world-class casino

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to casinos in Las Vegas. Caesars Palace is a particular favourite and must-visit though – with a mix of past and present, this old-school casino is the epitome of the destination…and nothing like the casinos you’ll find at home. The atmosphere, the choice and the sheer amount of people (any time of the day) is what makes any Las Vegas casino stand out from the crowd.

Don’t stick to one casino though – make sure you try a few (even if you’re just putting on a small bet) and experience as much as you can. It’s a once-in-a-life-time experience after all!

If you’re not a regular casino goer, don’t fret – why not take a stroll to the Gamblers General Store in Downtown Vegas? There are plenty of ‘how to’ gaming books to get your knowledge up to scratch. Or of course, doing your research at home before you travel, will do just the trick too.

Watch a resident musician or band

The Strip is well known for its resident A-list musicians and bands – and it’ll be guaranteed that whenever you visit, somebody will be putting on a show. It could even be worth checking the calendar before you book to prevent disappointment – and you could soon be in the crowd waiting to see the likes of Celine Dion, Elton John, Cher, Lady Gaga, Backstreet Boys or J. Lo perform!

Indulge in the finest restaurants and bars

Ever heard of kobe beef? You may have, but it’s unlikely you’ll have tasted it, as only a select number of restaurants in the U.S sell it – and three of them are in Vegas. Seeing as it’s so exclusive, we reckon you should give it a try. Head to SWS Steakhouse at the Wynn, Jean Georges Steakhouse at Aria or Jose Andres’ Bazaar at SLS. Trust us when we say, it’ll be one of the best steaks you’ve ever tried.

We’re sure you already know, that a tipple or two won’t be hard to find in Vegas – but if you’re looking for something a little extra special, give The Rio Wine Cellar and Tasting Room a try. It’s home to an impressive $10 million worth of wine! But don’t worry, there are plenty of different vinos to try, for all budgets and tastes.

Take a trip to the Grand Canyon

If you’re unlikely to make the trip twice, then we highly recommend you take a day trip to the mighty Grand Canyon. Consisting of 277 miles of the Colorado River and an impressive landscape, it’s no wonder it hosts a mighty five million visitors each year.

Luckily, it’s not difficult to get to from Las Vegas – and there are plenty of options too; from buses and helicopter rides, to motorcycles and small planes, or you could even rent a car for yourself. Of course, the prices will vary depending on which type of transport you choose. 

To find out more about the packages we have available to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon, contact us today by paying us a visit, calling us on 01706 250006 or sending us an email to [email protected] and we’ll help you plan your trip.

CHILE

A long country, filled with differing climates and settings, Chile has an array of sights and cultures to get your teeth into. So take a look at what you can do while in Chile – and you’ll see why we’ve chosen it as our must-see South American destination.

Explore Santiago

What’s great about Santiago, is it’s mix of old and new traditions. Nestled within the Andes Mountains, the city’s influence of European cultures and South American charm is the perfect combination, making it a gem of a city.

Right in the centre of the city, you’ll find Plaza de Armas – the perfect pit-stop for people watching and appreciating the city. It’s also a great place to start your day and grab a coffee.

Make sure you enjoy some of the outstanding views on offer whilst here too. The beautiful Cerro Santa Lucia park is the perfect location to soak it all up. It may be a small park, but the views are anything but!  

Try the finest wines in a Valparaiso vineyard

For wine enthusiasts, you’ve come to the right place. Valparaiso hosts many vineyards, where you can try some of the country’s finest wines. Join an educational tour and you’ll gain an insight into the work that goes into making some of the finest Chilean wines – where an expert will share their expert knowledge with you. Of course, you’ll get to enjoy a number of locally produced wines, and the beautiful vineyard scenery around you too.

Visit even more of South America with Latin Routes

If you’re travelling all that way, why not see as much of South America as you possibly can? Peru, Brazil, Argentina all offer unique experiences and cultures that will add to your adventure!

Latin Routes, our favourite South America supplier, offer a range of fully inclusive tours to South America.

To find out more about Chile and all the other South America tours that Latin Routes offer, contact us and we’ll help you plan your adventure.

Call 01706 250006 or email us at [email protected]

NORTH AMERICA OR SOUTH AMERICA?

With such unique sights and attractions, how can you choose between the two? In our opinion, you can’t possibly! They’re both worthy winners and should be on everyone’s travel list.

By Lisa Mousley January 8, 2025
After first going back to Vietnam for a few nights, this time to the busy bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to see our son, we then flew to Phuket and enjoyed a relaxing few days on the beach in Khao Lak. Staying at the lovely beachfront property of Ramada Resort by Wyndham. Bed & breakfast is fine to do here as there are so many lovely restaurants within walking distance to try a different one every night. The food in Thailand is amazing and there is something for everybody, even the fussiest of eaters. From here there is the opportunity to do a boat trip across to the Similan Islands, an established National Park with impressive limestone scenery both above and below the water. From Khao Lak, we were then picked up by minibus and transported a couple of hours to Khao Sok National Park, where we were staying at The Elephant Camp at Elephant Hills. Staying in tented accommodation (but with flushing toilets and showers!) we had the chance to get up close, stroke and feed the elephants at the camp that have been rescued from various places throughout Thailand. Surrounded by stunning scenery, this was an amazing experience. Our second night at Elephant Hills was 3 hours journey away from the Elephant Camp, by road and boat. Staying at The Lake Camp on Cheow Larn Lake, once again in tented accommodation but over the water. Here we had a couple of relaxing days spent kayaking, swimming, wildlife and bird spotting and paddle boarding amongst more amazing scenery. After Elephant Hills we then had a private transfer down to Krabi where we spent a few nights on the bustling Ao Nang Beach. This resort is very different to the quieter Khao Lak with lots of tourist shops, bars, hotels, hostels etc. It was a great place to experience the tourist side of Thailand. There are many boat excursions from here across to the Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay (where ‘The Beach’ was filmed), Hong Lagoon etc where more limestone pinnacles and islands can be seen.
A sign that says time out market lisboa on it
By Alison Butterworth December 19, 2024
Day 1 We arrived in Lisbon after a short flight from Manchester to Lisbon with Ryanair. After just a 30 minute private transfer we arrived at the lovely hotel – Browns Boutique Hotel in the Baixa area in the heart of Lisbon. Breakfast was included but this was taken at its sister hotel – Browns Central Hotel over the road. There was a great selection at breakfast and all the staff were very pleasant. They gave us a map of the city and lots of tips on getting a Lisbon Travel card to use on all public transports- bus/trams etc. Our first stop was at the Time out Market. Selling all different types of food and drinks to suit everyone’s taste, it had a great bustling atmosphere. En-route we strolled down Pink Street, which is a vibrant street and famous for its colourful hanging umbrellas. It is a trendy spot with lots of bars and restaurants and the odd local busker.
Freddie Mercury Statue in Montreux
By Lisa Mousley December 18, 2024
A Short Break With a Difference
By Nicola Heaton December 6, 2023
Poiano Resort, Lake Garda Nicola and her family enjoyed their summer holiday at Poiano Resort, Lake Garda this August   The resort has amazing views of the lake and offers great facilities including an Olympic-sized swimming pool.   The hotel read full story The post Lake Garda & Venice appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.
By Lisa Mousley December 6, 2023
Having got married in March, we decided to take a Mediterranean Cruise on board P&O’s Arvia as our honeymoon, later in the year. Cruise Ports The ports we visited included La Coruna, Barcelona, Alicante, Marseille and Cadiz.   I loved read full story The post Emma’s Mediterranean Cruise on P&O Arvia appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.
By Lisa Mousley November 2, 2023
TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN MADEIRA Madeira is a beautiful Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, known for its stunning natural landscapes, mild climate, and a wide range of outdoor activities. Here are the top 10 things to do read full story The post Top Ten Things to do in Madeira appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.
By Lisa Mousley August 17, 2023
50th Birthday Bali Holiday! We had planned to take a holiday to Bali in 2020 for my husband’s 50th birthday, but, due to Covid, we had to cancel. Three years later, and for another big birthday, we finally got there, read full story The post Alison’s Brilliant Bali Holiday appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.
By Lisa Mousley March 29, 2023
Lisa recently enjoyed an amazing holiday to Vietnam. She was there to visit her son, who currently lives there, but before doing that her and her husband, John, and daughter, Charlotte, spent a fantastic 10 days travelling around Vietnam, discovering read full story The post LISA’S AMAZING VIETNAM EXPERIENCE appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.
By Lisa Mousley November 30, 2022
Sensational scenery and charming details We caught up with Inghams’ own Julie Franklin, Head of Agency Sales who recently returned from a wonderful week in Austria, wisely having done a twin-centre holiday visiting both Saalbach and Zell am See. In read full story The post Touring Austria with Inghams: appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.
By Lisa Mousley March 30, 2022
Venice Short Break Venice really is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. There really is something extremely charming and romantic about the city.   Getting to Venice After arriving at Marco Polo Airport, we walked a read full story The post My Time in Venice by Emma appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.
More Posts
Share by: