Punta del Este Food & Wine

José Ignacio, Uruguay.


Since last year, Punta del Este is part of the world’s circuit of haute cuisine: next month, a weekend with 5 unique events will take place, where chefs from the United States, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay will present their best dishes with the finest Wines of Uruguay.

Based on the success of the first edition, for the 2011 edition, the Festival will be in November again, the perfect excuse to visit Punta del Este in this exceptional time of year.

Opening day: November 11, 2011 Their message: “Escape to the best flavors of the world”

Ok, I’m there. I just booked my flight :-)

Have a nice weekend!!

air, earth, water

Random photos from Curiocity Villas - collection of beautiful vacation rentals in Punta del Este, Uruguay.  You deserve.

JIG, Uruguay

VIK - Curiocity's newest addition to their private villas collection, is a one-of-a kind beach paradise with the best location in José Ignacio. Everything about the property is thought-enhancing. From the outside, one cannot help to look at it and then look at it a little more. It just does that to you.

But it's not only the "bizzare" architecture - with the Japaneese -looking grass roofs that has locals raising an eyebrow, it's the interior design, the art, the breathtaking views, the details. The courage to do something that has nothing to do with the rest of José Ignacio. Planet VIK.

There are six villas with two and three en suite bedrooms each.
Three of the villas house two master suites with their own private gardens or terraces, a third bedroom en suite with a living room, two have two master suites with private gardens and living room and one villa has two master suites each with its own private garden. Every villa features a fireplace, art-filled interiors and has a unique design scheme, including Ebony Macassar ceilings, hand painted floors and a remarkable mud adobe fireplace.

Most spaces, a 40-foot long wine cellar or Cava, game room, gym, spa and BBQ dining room feature large glass windows overlooking the beach, the garden, BBQ terrace and fire pit. With its traditional barbeque, the Parrillero terrace also looks out to the beach. The epitome of Uruguayan casual dining on the generous 14-foot cinnamon-wood table, the barbeque area can accommodate from two to sixty guests.

A Brasero, a traditional fire pit, offers comfortable seating of four sides for casual time relaxing in the evenings under the indescribable stars of the Sauthern Hemisphere.

This place is different from every other property in José Ignacio, it's like a spaceship that landed here, unique, daring, and that's a good reason for me to love it, and welcome it and recommend it. You can book VIK through Curiocity Villas for your next luxury villa vacation in Punta del Este. Sit back and enjoy the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen. If I'm wrong, I'll buy you dinner. Seriously. 

Green Scene. Punta del Este, Uruguay

Calmness and pure bliss. Just minutes away from the chaotic city of Buenos Aires, a short flight from the local airport gets us to this beautiful villa in Punta del Este. Set on the quiet countryside, just a short walk from the beach.
The exterior beauty blends in with the refined interiors decorated with a love for simplicity and functionality. Hand-picked furnishings, unique details - such as a vintage, hair parlour bathroom chair, and warm colors combine magically to provide a peaceful setting with gorgeous views of the vast, green lands where the property sits.
The large swimming pool looks across the green fields and is a mirror to whispering trees.

For when you decide to take a well-deserved break. 

California!!

First of all... can I just say, I LOVE CALIFORNIA.

Notes

- If you're going to do a road trip, get yourself a nice convertible, put some sunscreen on, good music, sunglasses, and enjoy the landscapes and beauty on your way to each place. Lift your hands up in the air (like a child on a roller coaster) when you're feeling really happy, which will be most of the time.

- Don't waste your time shopping if you're in the US at the end of August. At least not if you're from Argentina (or any South American country) All you'll see is winter clothes and there's so much to do and see. 

- Be receptive and embrace the California kindness. I cannot tell you how many amazing people we met during our adventure. I'm so thankful to them.

- Do at least one tour. You'll appreciate getting some local insight. It's a great thing to learn when you travel. If you're curious and love connection with a place, do more than one tour. It's a rewarding experience.

- Early morning wine tastings, driving, flying, going out a lot, the sun... you could get a headache or two, body pain, etc. So go to a nice spa.

- Stay at good hotels or apartments- even if you spend little time in them, it makes all the difference in the world to arrive at a nice and comfy place. That doesn't mean expensive. To travel should be a pleasure, not a torture. A good view and nice pool are a +.

- Surfing: leave that for the Southern California part of your trip, or take the next flight to Hawaii. Conditions in Northern California are not the best.

- Missing your love? soon you'll be together again and it will be magical.

Pretty Space

A friend recently posted a photo of her parents commenting that they've been married for something like 35 years. I asked her to ask her parents: "what's the secret"? she got back to me a few days later and said: "they told me separate bathrooms" .  

Photographed: El Colibrí, La Teta y La Luna, Mio, Casa Calma

Into the Jungle

Remember that the average life is about 600.000 hours. Are you able to escape from your duties to enjoy some of these hours, like you deserve? Here's a beautiful place to consider. Loi Suites Iguazú. The new, luxury hotel located inside 600 virgin hectares of the Iryapú jungle in Misiones provides the perfect base for exploring both the Argentinean and the Brasilian side of the Iguazú falls.

Large suites connected by bridges and floor-to-ceiling, glass windows provide an intimate connection with the natural surroundings. A Namasthé spa built around ancient rocks, is the ideal place for some serious pampering after a day of explorations and activities in the area. The hotel has a pier in the Iguazú river, perfect for those who (like me!), enjoy kayaking.

The design is austere and beautiful, using materials from the area, warm, earthy colors, and exquisite furniture brought from Indonesia.

There is a pool side restaurant surrounded by whispering trees, great for dining al fresco and afternoon cocktails.

Last and most importantly, the service is great, one of those places where people greet you by your name, and go to great lengths to make sure you feel at home.
A magical place for adventure and relaxation.

Details:
Loi Suites is located 15 minutes away from the falls, 20 minutes away from the airport and just 5 minutes away from Puerto iguazú. Thanks Loi Suites! for everything.

Greetings from Salta & Jujuy!

I just got back from the northern Argentinian provinces of Salta and Jujuy. Aside from the strikingly beautiful sceneries, dramatic change of landscapes within minutes - try driving from Salta to Jujuy via the camino de la cornisa. You'll pass from being in the desert with giant cacti, to being in the middle of the jungle on a one-lane, curvy road where cars come and go from both sides! yes, it's a bit stressing, and a little dangerous, but it's so worth it!! and you can always get a driver who knows the road well. If not, just honk your horn in every curve. But don't forget to, cause there is no room for two cars for most of the way. And those cliffs are intimidating. But, where was I? oh, the sceneries, the food, the colonial architecture, beautiful churches, wine, it's all magical... the gorgeous towns surrounded by the Andes mountains... not to mention the Quebrada de Humahuaca - a World Heritage site where there are still indigenous towns that have been a major trade route for over 10,000 years! once again, it was incredible to be there... to meet people from these towns. I say go North! It's like being in another world. If you would like to visit remote, Andean towns that regular tourists do not have access to, inquire about new ranges of excursions to enjoy more authentic experiences, stay in one of our villas or recommended boutique hotels, or if you would like to help the local host communities, contact one of our dedicated travel experts. There are plenty of rewarding ways to make a difference between wine tastings, trekking and horse riding in the mountains, and a soothing spa treatment.