The time of festivals has come

The time of festivals has come

The world reawakens to a symphony of colours and joy with the gentle rhythm of spring renewal. Every year, traditional cultures all over the world celebrate the rebirth of nature, capturing the essence of this enchanting season. From thousand-year-old ceremonies to modern celebrations, let us depart on a voyage through the vibrant customs and traditions that brighten up our world.
Be prepared to discover the cultural diversity that transpires from every celebration, like a unique gem in the world’s kaleidoscope.
 

A detour along the Route of Silk…

Nowruz is an ancestral celebration of the renewal of nature at the time of the spring equinox, the date of which varies according to the lunar calendar. Prohibited during the Soviet era, the word Nowruz means “new day”, or in other words, the first day of spring.
It is celebrated as the start of the new year in the Balkans, Central Asia and the Middle East. It is a time for strengthening the bonds between people, by putting the spotlight on Eastern and Western traditions based on the exchange of human values. The custom requires you to forgive even your worst enemies, not quarrel, help the weak and the needy. All of this is meant to bring good luck into your house!
During the celebrations, the streets are festooned with flowers, fairs are held and tables are decorated with seven popular dishes. It also provides an opportunity to watch sporting events such as buzkashi, an equestrian sport popular in the culture of Central Asia.

Nowruz was added to the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

 …and of  spices.
LThe Silk and Spices Festival is one of the most ancient celebrations in Uzbekistan. It is traditionally held in Bukhara at the end of May or beginning of June. The main goal is to preserve the cultural heritage of the Great Silk Road, and to draw attention to the rich traditions of local artisans. Specific and unique abilities expressed through arts and crafts are showcased, such as embroidery, wood carving, carpet weaving and silk weaving. Spice sellers from all over the country flock to Bukhara in large numbers, to exhibit their produce.
Travellers will find themselves in an Oriental fairy tale, starting with a joyful procession in traditional costumes, followed by performances by dancers and acrobats. Throughout the event, spectators can enjoy the beauty of the mosaics, minarets and historical monuments, enlivened by music heralding the arrival of spring.
The festivities end with a grand concert of Uzbek folk music.

A magical Festival of Lanterns

In South Korea, when winter slowly gives way to the warmer temperatures of spring, a floral ballet commences. Seoul comes alive with a plethora of performances during the “Yeon Deung Hoe”, the Lotus Lantern Festival, held in spring. This time of year is enlivened by the many magnificent lanterns that light up the streets, creating an enchanting, spiritual atmosphere. Parades take place in town, to show off the paper lanterns, which come in all shapes and sizes. Participants wear traditional costumes, known as hanboks, mingling with others dressed in modern clothing, symbolising the harmonious union of the past and present. There is dancing and singing to celebrate the life and teachings of the Buddha, whose birth is commemorated by the community. The parade symbolises the light of wisdom and its victory over darkness. Each lantern also represents wishes for peace and joy for the universe. Once night has fallen, thousands of lights twinkle along the riverside, creating a magical scene that reflects the star-studded sky.
This is the ideal time to witness the renewal of nature, as the city transforms into a lively tableau of bright colours and captivating fragrances.
The streets awaken to the promise of spring and the arrival of the cherry blossom. The parks and gardens become bucolic scenes where tulips, daffodils and azaleas bloom.
Climb to the top of one of the hills in Haneul Park and you will enjoy spectacular views of Seoul stretching out below, speckled with thousands of bright patches of colour, to embrace the renewal of spring from above.

Be prepared to discover the cultural diversity that transpires from every celebration, like a unique gem in the world’s kaleidoscope.

Immersed in religious fervour

In Bhutan, religious festivals mark an important point in the local calendar. Paro Tshechu, meaning the “tenth day”, is one of the most famous festivals, and refers to a precise moment of a given month in the Bhutanese lunar almanac. Celebrations are held over five days in the heart of a monastery. More than a simple commemoration, each festival involves an exhilarating dance between the traditions and spirituality that characterise the kingdom.
The dazzling colours of the silks and shimmering embroideries, the exquisite masks with fanciful expressions and the spellbinding dances all come together poetically. Each gesture, each movement is carried out at the rhythm of drums and flutes, paying homage to Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to the country in the 8th century.
Sacred chants, intended to banish evil spirits, ring out throughout the majestic Himalayan mountains. Colourful, perfumed offerings scent the air with divine fragrances, creating a communion between the locals and their protector. An invitation to a spiritual and cultural voyage, a charming event a lucky few will witness between the end of February and middle of March. This fascinating festival is celebrated in the Paro Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, and across the whole valley, the beauty of which is spellbinding.

Prepare yourselves to uncover the cultural diversity that emanates from each celebration like a unique gem within the global kaleidoscope. 

Happy New Year 2024

Happy New Year 2024

To our dear travelers,

We want to thank you for your support and loyalty throughout these past months, filled with unique experiences.

How delightful it is to read your feedback upon your return and witness word of mouth spreading. This is truly one of the most rewarding aspects of our mission.

As January allows minds to settle down, we are already looking forward to the numerous journeys that 2024 draws on the planning.

Through these smiles – revealing the team’s complicity –

we wishe that your horizon is filled with discoveries and emotions.

The perfect gift for the end of the year

The perfect gift for the end of the year

Whether you will be celebrating it or not, whether you are looking forward to it or not… There are only 45 days left until Christmas!
Many of you want to jet off as soon as the Christmas pudding has been eaten and the presents have been shared. When holidaying, you and your family pride yourselves on following your passions. So as the end of the year approaches, you are looking forward to sharing an adventure that has been meticulously planned for you, a custom-made itinerary that has been put together thanks to the creativity and knowledge of our experts. Some of you may long for a cultural experience, to gain more in-depth historical knowledge; others may want to escape into nature, at the heart of an up-and-coming destination; the more curious among you may be looking for an immersive voyage, blending art and traditions. Let our advisors design a road map for you, filled with authentic experiences and memorable meetings in which you will be the main characters. The perfect gift to usher in the new year! Let Looking for Charly whisper a few evocative names in your ear

Friluftsliv in the Troms

Friluftsliv forms part of the national identity of Norway, and literally means “participating in outdoor activities”. More philosophically, it involves “de-stressing in nature and sharing a common culture”. This is what we can offer you, by travelling to the north of the country, when December unveils a festive atmosphere in this fairytale region in the Arctic Circle. February and March provide good opportunities to observe the Northern lights dancing above the Lyngenfjord, undimmed by light pollution. You will spend your time on boat safaris, spotting humpback whales, dolphins and sea eagles, or driving a team of sled dogs through the countryside enveloped in silence, experiencing an incredible sensation of freedom.

For sports lovers, hikes can be carried out on snowshoes, through a landscape of forests, lakes and mountains, as you look for families of elks. Ascend on ski skins, then enjoy the descent as you zigzag through the wide glacial valleys, on the most magical and isolated pistes in the world. The more intrepid among you can ride off on snowmobiles, a traditional activity in Nordic countries and the ideal way to combine thrills and spills with an escape through vast, pristine landscapes.

During your downtime, local instructors will initiate you to the practice of Vinyasa yoga, a slow form of yoga focusing on alignment, suitable for all fitness levels. Finish the day off in the outdoor jacuzzi or sauna with views over the fjord. Let go during a steam session in the dedicated barrel sauna, equipped with a wood-burning stove, to complete your Scandinavian dream…

Flights via Oslo. From there, SAS and Norwegian Air Shuttle.

Our choice:
Lyngen Lodge is a cozy hotel discreetly tucked away on the shore of the fjord of the same name, 3 hours from Tromso and with magnificent mountains as its backdrop. Built using traditional frames made of local wood, the building blends perfectly into its surroundings. The geothermal heating, complemented by a thick turf roof, ensures the temperature is perfect all year round. The 8 double rooms, small but elegant and comfortable, can accommodate up to 18 travellers. Delicious fusion cuisine is served at the table, prepared by passionate and creative chefs using some of the best fish and game available locally.

Saudi Pavilion @Alefa Press

Ao som do fado

As the novelist Mary McCarthy once wrote, “Any Portuguese town looks like a bride’s finery – something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” … Porto is the perfect illustration of this, an ideal destination for a city break even in winter, because it offers multiple opportunities for indoor and outdoor entertainment. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the medieval neighbourhood of Ribeira, its historical centre, proves to be captivating, thanks to its colourful old houses. Remarkable monuments and landmarks jostle for space here, such as the Sé de Porto Cathedral, the São Bento railway station and the Clérigos Tower. And then there’s the night life: at dusk, crowds fill the streets lined with traditional eateries, known as tascas, and trattorias. It feels good to wander and lose yourself in the maze of steep, narrow streets, which for centuries have been decorated with ornate blue tiles called azulejos.

Take the Dom Luís bridge, the emblematic metal structure inspired by Gustave Eiffel’s creations, and cross the river Douro to reach the town of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you can enjoy a tour of the wine cellars serving the typical Porto wine. The landscape gently unfolds around this coastal city, creating the terraces that have shaped the region for millennia. From growing on vines to ageing in barrels after the grapes have been trampled barefoot, the wine-making process ends with the produce descending downriver on board traditional sailing ships. You will better understand the process and the major role played by the city through history in exporting this unique beverage. Return by cable car and enjoy a different perspective of the old city, gleaming below you.
The city is dynamic, famous for its Baroque architecture and rich in architectural wonders. We suggest getting to know a more informal side of Porto, in picturesque neighbourhoods off the beaten track, to discover the true soul of the Portuguese people.

Finally, no voyage of discovery through the Iberian Peninsula would be complete without experiencing Fado music, classed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. We can point you in the direction of iconic venues where this mournful song is played, the cradle of a beautiful, deep and emotionally raw ritual.

Our choice:
Porta Nobre Exclusive Living Hotel – Go back in time in the historic Miragaia district, the old Jewish quarter, located between the shores of the river Douro and the hills of Vila Nova de Gaia. The hotel’s 300-year-old building, which has been carefully renovated, features the restored original materials. You will be just a few minutes’ walk from all of the city’s main attractions, and the riverside nearby will be the perfect place for moonlit walks. With just 19 apartments, each unit is fully equipped and decorated in a different style. The hosts’ unique way of welcoming their guests and taking care of them is what makes staying here so special. Add in the restaurant, and you have a unique combination of qualities that make this elegant, urban retreat the perfect choice. The panoramic rooftop terrace, for example, is universally adored and fosters a friendly vibe around the swimming pool.

Portugal is brimming with splendours, and curious travellers who wish to visit the inland will find Porto to be the ideal starting point to explore a different part of the country.

Ideal in all seasons but less busy in winter – 2-hour flight from Paris.

@OUALALOU&CHOI&Metrochrome

 Romkocsma* in Magyarország

This is what the Hungarians call their home country.
Budapest is in fact the merging of two cities, Buda and Pest. Separated by the Danube, reunited in 1873, Buda is known for its hills and historical sites, whereas Pest is famous for its lively streets. The so-called ‘ruin’ bars characteristic of Hungary are a testament to this: artists’ squats housed in dilapidated buildings have been converted into pubs or concert halls, to provide the perfect venue for nights of pure hedonism. In this same working-class neighbourhood, the walls are decorated with colourful street artwork, to be discovered in the surrounding streets.
There is lots to do during the day as well. The city remains one of the jewels of Europe, thanks to its stunning gothic buildings and Art Nouveau architecture. The Fisherman’s Bastion monument is an unmissable spot from where you can admire the city at sunset.
Several private rooftop bars offer spectacular views over the Pearl of the Danube, but the Fisherman’s Bastion in the Castle district is a must as the sun sets. Sail down the meandering river and the capital’s greatest treasures will file past you. As you cruise down the Danube, you will admire the city’s heritage of a turbulent history and hear stories of the many cultures that have co-existed here.
And then there are the baths, an ancestral form of living that is anchored into the inhabitants’ daily lives: locals can choose among more than one hundred thermal springs that bubble up all over Budapest. Follow their lead and benefit from the curative and preventive effects of the waters, enjoy a massage, relax or simply splash about…here, the locals go to the spa as often as we would go to the cinema or a coffeeshop! Thermes Rudas are the most old-fashioned baths, but the very large Széchenyi thermal baths, featuring outside pools, should not be missed and are very popular with tourists and locals alike.

Our choice:

a UNESCO World Heritage Site transformed into a luxury hotel, Matild Palace takes pride of place in a historic building on the Pest side, east of the Danube and just a stone’s throw from the Elisabeth Bridge, one of the main bridges across the river. The modest façade of the former residence of Archduchess Marie Adelaide Clotilde hides splendid interiors, with vaulted ceilings and decorative mouldings blended with a contemporary design. The rooms and suites on the top floor are decorated differently as a homage to the artists who once stayed there. A hidden gem among the city’s rooftops, the bar is a veritable liquor library, stocked with the very best beverages from around the world and offering a different view over the Budapest skyline.

Full of glacial charm at the time of the Christmas markets. Delightful but very busy in spring and summer.

2-hour direct flight from Nice. 2h 10minutes from Paris.

Exceptional experiences…at the end of the world!

Exceptional experiences…at the end of the world!

As the summer draws to a close, we are setting course for the world’s end. Let us journey to distant lands, to discover the landscapes of immense proportions shared between Chili and Argentina. Chili and Argentina. A sure way to experience the thrill we all need at the end of a stifling summer. From glacial volcanoes, to lush virgin forests, to hostile lands of dramatic beauty, a region of unspoilt nature awaits you at the tip of the South American continent. Discover iconic destinations during an adventure that requires preparation but will leave you with unforgettable memories…

Terrae incognitae

Here you are, literally on the edge of the world in Patagonia, the destination of choice for any traveller seeking the most beautiful landscapes in the world. To discover the wild nature of this region, venture to the end of its fjords, albeit cocooned in comfort, sailing on one of the Australis cruise vessels for 4 nights, which will take you from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia and then back again.
On board, you will enjoy optimal comfort, all the little luxuries and assistance during the sometimes rough journey to reach the stormy Cape Horn.
The guides and experts that will accompany you will hold daily conferences on the native fauna and flora, on glaciology and history, so you can become better acquainted with these uninhabited regions, home to some of the most pristine landscapes on the planet.
Well, almost uninhabited, because the Magellanic penguins are not really the only inhabitants of these legendary places. If weather conditions allow you to land on the southern-most point of Latin America, you will be able to meet the lighthouse keeper, who lives here with his family all year round.
According to the itineraries, there are plenty of daily excursions and you will be able to observe the seemingly unending spaces, millenary glaciers and Patagonian channels from Zodiac boats, the only way to reach these locations.
The highlights of the cruise will include an expedition to the Terra del Fuego National Park, cruising around the many islets in the Beagle Channel, seeing forests of indigenous plants, the fjords with their spectacular waterfalls, and Magdalena Island, with its famous Magellanic penguins.
October to early April is the ideal time to follow in the footsteps of the great explorers by visiting the last, wind-swept lands before Antarctica.

Saudi Pavilion @Alefa Press

Closer to the stars

For travellers who prefer to remain on land, Chili boasts several environmentally-friendly hotels. We chose the Tierra group, which owns luxury lodges in some of the country’s most beautiful spots. The aim of their project, involving architects, landscape gardeners and interior designers, was to make significant environmental improvements to their buildings, in order to minimise their impact on the natural environment.

Located in the north of the country, Tierra Atacama rises majestically under crystal-clear skies. The absence of light pollution makes this one of the best locations in the world for star gazing. Consisting of traditional mudbrick walls that blend into the scenery, this lodge is located in one of the most arid regions on Earth.
Surrounded by high-altitude lagoons and lunar landscapes, this boutique hotel was built entirely using local materials and decorated with objects made by Chilean artisans, inspired by nature. The compacted earth absorbs the heat of the sun during the day, keeping the interiors cool and thereby reducing the need for air conditioning, then releases it back at night to heat the buildings.
Single-use plastic has been banned, and a huge field of solar panels supplies power to the resort. This has reduced its carbon footprint considerably, and what is more, 100% of the water comes from the hotel’s well. It is subsequently treated by a reverse osmosis plant, which allows the hotel to meet its own water consumption needs. Grey water is used for irrigation, transforming these dry lands into gardens brimming with indigenous plants.
The lodge is also part of the dual education system of Likan Antai and has welcomed more than 50 young apprentices from the local communities, under the direction of experts from the fields of tourism, electricity and agriculture.
As soon as you arrive, expert guides will recommend to you a wide range of excursions, depending on your areas of interest and your physical fitness. Depart on foot, on horseback, by bicycle or by car. Let yourself float in the Cejar Lagoon, whose waters are as salty as those of the Dead Sea! Wonder among the Tatio Geysers, which spew explosive streams of water and gas into the icy air. Go to Salar de Aguas Calientes to enjoy a breath-taking sunset, featuring an extraordinary palette of colours that are almost surreal, or to watch the first rays of the sun emerging from behind the Licancabur volcano. Visiting the Moon Valley, a designated nature sanctuary located in a depression of the Cordillera de la Sal mountain range, is like going to Mars, with its wind-chiselled dunes and eerie rocky formations.
What’s more, the all-inclusive formula includes airport transfers, full board, daily excursions with a French-speaking guide, and access to the spa. Tierra Atacama is open all year round. From June to September, it is winter in the southern hemisphere, however the temperatures are mild and it is sunny. Consider combining a stay here with a trip to Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia or to northern Argentina!

@OUALALOU&CHOI&Metrochrome

Reawaken all your senses

A little farther south, on the shores of Sarmiento Lake, the legendary Tierra Patagonia invites you to explore end-of-the-world landscapes within the Torres del Paine National Park.
Within this cosy, cradle-like building, built entirely from environmentally-friendly materials, wood is king, encircling the structure completely. A bold architecture of glass and wood blends into the landscape, over a length of 800 metres. All of the minimalist rooms, fitted with light-coloured decor elements, enjoy views of the spectacular scenery, featuring crevices, emerald lakes, snow-capped mountains and majestic granite rocks on the horizon. Graceful guanacos or even a powerful puma may be roaming the enchanting grounds surrounding the property.
In collaboration with the tourism office and a forestry association, the lodge has set itself the ambitious goal of reforesting the national parks of Chilean Patagonia. During construction of the lodge, its landscapers and architects took the trouble to grow temporarily in a glasshouse vegetation samples taken from the site, before later replanting them, to reduce the buildings’ impact on the environment.
You can sail all the way to the scenic Perito Moreno glacier, hike up Mount Fitz Roy, set off for an adventure across the pampa and rivers of the national park, or horse ride with the gauchos through virgin forests, where enormous multicoloured lichens blend into one another, always with the assistance of local, passionate guides.
Spring is the best time to visit Patagonia; the region is in full bloom in October, November and at the start of December.

@calatrava.com
Slow tourism among the Mapuche people

At Tierra Chiloé, the focus is on culture, gastronomy and the well-being that the lodge seeks to foster here. Chiloé is one of the largest and most mysterious islands in Chile, just south of the Chilean Lake District and Puerto Montt. In a picturesque setting, abounding with pastures, this ecolodge made of exposed concrete and covered by light-coloured shingles offers modern amenities and opportunities for relaxation, in the form of a hotel on stilts – reminiscent of the “palafitos”, the island’s traditional fishermen’s houses on stilts that appear to float at high tide.
Several churches classed as UNESCO World Heritage form part of the island’s unique topography. Treasures await you in the national park, such as native bird species and extremely rare mammals; from December to April, the enigmatic blue whales converge on the gulf. Explore enchanting forests on foot, gallop across deserted beaches, or enjoy a traditional Mapuche massage, then relax around the fire sipping a Pisco Sour.
The interiors celebrate the traditions and colours of the region’s arts and crafts, whereas all of the spaces boast spectacular sea views. Following a recent renovation, the lodge now features 24 rooms and can offer more activities on site. There are no televisions here… Instead, you can relax and connect with the surrounding nature.
The ideal time to visit is from the end of October to the end of March. Tierra Chiloé is open from September to April.

@HubBrussels
Viña Vik or Chilean eccentricity
 

Travelling north again, two hours south of Santiago, in the bucolic Millahue valley, lies a surrealist winery and hotel that looks more like a contemporary art museum. Millahue means “golden place” in the Mapuche language, which is reflected in the building’s twisted metal roof that glitters in the sun. Perched on a hilltop, Viña Vik greets you with a surprising mix of glass and steel, characteristic of an industrial-chic design. Alexander Vik, a 60-year-old Norwegian-Uruguayan billionaire, and his American wife Carrie will welcome you with a glass of one of the best wines in South America. The 22 rooms and suites, which are all different, are themed and were decorated by renowned artists. In 2019, Puro Vik completed the hotel by adding a further 7 glass-walled suites positioned on the hillside. Enjoy complete comfort and relaxation in these new suites, which include a room celebrating Chilean street art, an Italian-style boudoir, a Japanese-inspired guest room, a suite with clean Norwegian lines and another decorated in warm South American tones. Huge glass windows everywhere allow guests to enjoy spectacular views over the property.
The restaurant serves authentic South American culinary delights, accompanied by wines from the estate. The majority of the vegetables, fruits and aromatic herbs come from the organic kitchen garden cultivated by the chef and his team. You can choose to eat indoors, on the terrace or outside, surrounded by vegetables, flowers and fruits.
You can explore the property on horseback or by bicycle; the vineyard, which is planted grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, enjoys its own special microclimate. A hike in the surrounding areas will lead you through diverse valleys surrounded by forests, a lake and a lagoon, where numerous wild species live. Unless you prefer going for a refreshing swim in the elegant infinity pool, or relaxing in the holistic spa and being pampered with one of the wine-based treatments.
Lower down, the underground yet light-filled wine cellar is a work of art with its clean curves, a homage to modern wine making. Only the silver roof is visible, an undulating sheet of metal, made of titanium to reflect the valleys and mountains that surround the estate. On the other side, the water plaza, of Japanese inspiration, is scattered with stones and rocks as if extending to infinity the line of the horizon, dominating the surrounding expanse of vines and the spectacular snow-capped Andes mountains in the distance.

@vik_wine.

Going there

Best time:

High summer (December to February) draws the greatest number of visitors to Patagonia, thanks to longer days, easy access to remote regions and the best weather – although it is always possible to experience all four seasons in one day. There are far fewer people there in autumn (March-April).

Whose (crazy) idea was this?

Whose (crazy) idea was this?

Charly’s Team can help you plan expeditions that may seem impossible. Discover a hidden world that is only very rarely mentioned, which will intrigue and captivate you. Allow us to take you on a journey off the beaten track, to dust off old travel plans that may seem impossible to realise; we will help you rediscover forgotten dreams and rekindle old passions. 

In the Queen of Sheba’s country.

Within one of the very first Christian nations, in the heart of Ethiopia, in a mountainous region 2600 metres above sea level lies the famous site of Lalibela. Classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the town is famous because of its eleven cave churches. The complex of churches has become a holy site for Christians, a place of pilgrimage and devotion. Each of the monolithic structures is carved majestically into the rock at the top of cliffs, dug 40 to 50 metres into the earth and sculpted with openings in the form of crosses, which flood the buildings with sunlight.
They were constructed by order of King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, who wanted Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia to have their very own Jerusalem.
Some of the churches are easy to access, whereas for others, a short walk is required, or a short climb along the cliffs, which adds to the pleasure of visiting these mythical places.

In terms of unusual encounters, you will be able to visit a utopian socialist community that lives in the heart of the only African country that has never been colonised. In the Amhara region, the 400 or so members of the Awra Amba community who reside here reject gender inequality, child abuse and enforced religion; their core humanist values are upheld through their way of life.

But there is so much more to Ethiopia: the desert of Dallol, the mountains of Gheralta, the monkeys in the Simien Mountains, the Blue Nile Falls waterfall… a journey here is full of surprises and adventures, through the unexpectedly diverse landscapes of the Horn of Africa.

Best time to visit: from September to April.

Pura Vida by night

Costa Rica is considered by visitors to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world, thanks to its cloud forests, volcanoes, rivers and beaches. Home to 6% of the world’s biodiversity, this country, which is subdivided into protected areas, features wetlands along its Caribbean coastline and very lush nature reserves on its Pacific side. All of this provides countless opportunities for well-being, relaxation, but also adventure and even adrenaline. The experience becomes even more magical at sunset, especially in the west, because most of the fauna is active at this time of day, with some animals coming to life only at night.
The jungle will unveil its mysteries to you through certain species that are not easy to spot during the daytime! Alongside expert guides, equipped with a special UV torch, you will explore this stunning ecosystem.
The atmosphere becomes phantasmagorical, with colours ranging from bright green to deep black, the air filled with the sounds of millions of animals, including insects, birds, amphibians and reptiles! No, that strange sound in the darkness is not a figment of your imagination, but came from a nocturnal creature… Don’t miss the red-eyed tree frogs – the stars of the show – transparent yet quite shiny, the miniature red and blue ones, or the black and yellow ones.
Another curiosity to experience – depending on the season – can be witnessed on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, in the north-east of the country. In the darkness, you will follow the traces of the olive-green turtles that come here to lay their eggs on the shore, close to the surging waves of the sea.
Have you heard of bioluminescence, a fascinating phenomenon, when the ocean is lit up at night? This is a defence mechanism used by living organisms such as fireflies, deep-sea fish or plankton, that are reacting to their predators by producing light when they feel threatened. An inimitable spectacle, to watch ideally from a kayak on the waters off the Nicoya Peninsula, so as to produce your own movements in the water and trigger this phenomenon.

Costa Rica is also home to the slow-moving two-toed or three-toed sloth; quetzal birds, with their emerald-green backs that contrast with their ruby-red bodies; the great potoo bird, a master at camouflaging with its environment; and of course, the keel-billed toucan. Bigger specimens may be spotted, such as large American crocodiles, which have made themselves at home along the Rio Tarcoles River; the Baird’s tapir, an endangered species; and with luck, rare big cats such as jaguars or pumas.

Best time to visit: the country is accessible all year round, but note that March and April are the hottest and busiest months. For expeditions into the tropical forest, choose the months from April to November, the rainy season, avoiding September.

Perseverance, somewhere in the Furious Fifties

Photo ©NICOLAS GAGNON-LUXIGON

I

An indefatigable explorer and the first man to have reached the North Pole on a solo expedition, Jean-Louis Etienne has been hosting unusual cruises since the spring of 2023, giving travellers the unique opportunity to travel on board a vessel meant for adventure and science.
The master of the vessel sums it up perfectly in his own words: “these are ecotourism cruises aboard a mythical sailboat that will be used for the greatest and most daring oceanic expedition of modern times”.
The crew, made up of 8 people, is able to look after up to 12 passengers in the cabins, located in the ship’s hull, which is made of reinforced aluminium to navigate in the polar waters. Those lucky enough to join the cruise will discover Greenland and Spitsbergen. Some passengers have already been able to sail around Vietnam. The famous explorer will join the vessel on certain legs of the journey.

Whilst navigating, you will discover the secrets of the sailor’s trade, as well as those of the explorer and scientist. Each contributor will introduce you to his world, will help you understand the purpose of this mission and the importance of the boat’s maps and manoeuvres.

This autonomous ship – 42 m long and 11 m wide – is capable of sailing and carrying out measurements in the tumultuous seas of the Antarctic, and will subsequently become the logistics and supply base for Polar POD. The latter is a very long-term project, involving a “vertical vessel” designed to drift off the coast of Antarctica for at least three years, starting from 2024. Polar Pod will take samples from the sub-Antarctic current, and the data collected in real time will be shared with the international scientific community.

Perseverance is currently (May 2023) on route between Brest and Trömso (May 2023).

All aboard!

Contact us for more information or for available slots.