Jaunted - ve

Test Your Llanero Skills In Venezuela

egw — 2009-01-15T12:30:48-05:00

See the Andes under someone else's steam (mostly) this South American summer. While some parts of the Venezuelan Andes may not be traversable on horseback, at least your beast of burden can carry the packs.

The northern Andean llaneros (called gauchos at points further south) patrolled the western grasslands they were named for. There are still 12 million cattle in western Venezuela and Colombia, but that's a task for a more advanced rider.

A passel of outfitters offer horseback riding trips in Venezuela, from luxe resort landings to tent-and-campfire outings. Arassari Trek leads from out of a traditional farm called Finca Yegua Blanca outside of M�rida, and Lost World Adventures will take you to one of the world's highest cable car systems or to glacier lakes. But hey, if your Spanish is good, try going with a local operator once you get there.

Related Stories:
· Fall Adventure Travel: Hiking Angel Falls [Jaunted]
· Summer Vacation with an Edge: Skiing the Andes [Jaunted]
· It's Summer Somewhere coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: miguelmatus]

Diplomatic Spats Travel: Chavez Really Angry about the "Unsafe Planes" Thing

pbb — 2008-09-12T14:00:27-05:00

Leave it to the bombastic "president" of Venezuela, Hugo Ch�vez, to make an outrageous speech soon after his government declared that US airlines would have to cut back on flights to the country. If you didn't already know, "Shithead Yankees, go to hell!" is not the kind of talk you usually hear in diplomatic circles--at least publicly!

Ch�vez has demanded that US ambassador Patrick Duddy (who is not Patrick Duffy) leave the country in the next 72 hours. (Neighborhood buddy Evo Morales expelled the US ambassador to Bolivia Thursday.) Ch�vez says he's just acting in solidarity with Morales; the US has already asked its Venezuelan ambassador to leave in retaliation.

We're getting ever-more worried that travel restrictions are gonna be the result of all the fighting, whether that means increased suspicion at customs when returning to the US from South America or new visa requirements. As travelers who like to cross borders freely, �por qu� no te callas, Ch�vez?

Related Stories:
· Behind Chavez's Anti-US Rant [TIME]
· US Tells Venezuelan Ambassador to Leave [AFP, via Google]
· Venezuela Fires Back at US over Flights [Jaunted]

Venezuela Fires Back at US over Flights

pbb — 2008-09-11T12:15:25-05:00

After the US government announced earlier this week that it can't vouch for the safety of flights leaving the country, Venezuela has ordered American carriers to cut back on service starting September 28. American Airlines, Delta and Continental operate about 70 of the close to 90 weekly flights between the two countries, and how many flights they'll have to trim still isn't known.

Venezuelan aviation chief Jos� Mart�nez Bravo told the newspaper El Universal that the cuts are a result of an "imbalance in favor of American companies." But a letter to the three affected carriers mentions that:

The TSA insists on and maintains a policy of discrediting [Venezuela].

And so we wait for the (probably inevitable) next play in the governmental pissing match: Stepped-up border crossing regulations.

Related Stories:
· INAC Reducing Flights by US Airlines [El Universal, in Spanish]
· Flights from Venezuela May Not Be Safe [AP, via Google]
· UK Stepping Up Its Immigration Game [Jaunted]

[Photo of CCS in Caracas: inti]

Fall Adventure Travel: Hiking Angel Falls

jnaw — 2007-09-25T11:00:02-05:00

Fall travel usually brings to mind images of those crazy leaf peepers, apple picking, pumpkin patches and foliage. But here's a little something different: backpacking in Angel Falls. This Venezuelan destination is among the tallest waterfalls in the world and stands more than 3,000 feet high. It's even considered one of the eight natural wonders of the world.

And the best way that we've found? The AngelEco hiking tours. The eight-day, seven-night adventure puts rugged outdoor enthusiasts face-to-face with mother nature. Guests will trek through jungles, grasslands and canyons in Canaima National Park, interact with members of the Pemon tribe, and even catch a glimpse of rare birds and wildlife.

Sure fall foliage is nice. But if you're looking for unmatched beauty and a bit of adventure this Fall, you're best bet may be Venezuela's Angel Falls.

Related Stories:
· AngelEco [Official Site]
· Adventure Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Venezuela Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Rich Childs]

Television Travel: Dr. Lookgood Goes to Venezuela

markj — 2006-11-02T12:00:27-05:00

Travelers go to Venezuela for the bustle of Caracas, the Amazonian villages, Angel Falls, and the relatively tourist free beaches.

But forget all that, if Dr. Robert Rey has taught us anything on Dr. 90210 he has taught us that everything is all about aesthetic beauty and Venezuela exports beauty.

In a recent Dr. 90210 episode the good doctor travels to Venezuela to try and figure out why Venezuelan woman are so beautiful. Apparently these women have been dominating the Miss Universe pageant for years so plastic surgeon Rey just has to get to the bottom of what makes these woman gorgeous, quite literally.

After he returns to his Beverly Hills manse, his patient and incredibly understanding wife endures photo after photo of Dr. Rey with a bevy of hot Venezuelan women. By the way, we have heard Venezuelan ladies are aggressively flirtatious with American men. If you decide to try your luck with Venezuelan beauty you can find out more on Salon's blog, or just cut to the chase and snag a Venezuelan bride.

Oh, and if you are actually heading to Venezuela for the geographic beauty, the bigger beaches are Margarita, Coche, Los Roques, La Blanquilla where you can find plenty of hotels and low priced "posadas". Venezeulatuya.com isn't a bad place to start.

[Photo: E! Television & raineri]

Related Stories:
· Venezuelan Tourism [Venezuelatuya.com]

Getting a Leg and a Heel up on the Competition

AVB — 2006-09-15T09:40:23-05:00

Before Hugo Chavez was a crazy guy on Pat Robertson's hit list, Venezuela needed a bit more of an introduction, including their national airline, VIASA. We're not sure if it's still extant, but we can take two things away from their 1987 ad. One, they sure do know how to write jingle-dig those Latin rhythms! And two, if their flight attendants really had to wear heels like the ones they do in the ad, they must all be unable to walk by now without the help of crutches.