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Searching for new adventures and new places to explore and enjoy?
Join our month-long programs in...
Mendoza Argentina; Bariloche, Argentina; Cafayate, Argentina; Sucre, Bolivia; Viña del Mar, Chile; Southern Chile and Patagonia; Cartagena, Colombia; Cuenca, Ecuador; Tallinn, Estonia; Bolzano, Italy; Venice, Italy; Arequipa, Peru; Porto/Madeira, Portugal; Bilbao, Spain; Mijas, Spain...
We had a wonderful time in our programs this winter...January in Pucón, Chile; February all over Patagonia; and March in the wine valleys of Northwestern Argentina from Mendoza to Cafayate...then on our last day in Cafayate the world changed, wow did it change! We are in the midst of building a new series of programs for the 2021 year, as always due to high demand we will be announcing them to our past travelers by email in just a few weeks. If you would like to be to our email list please contact us below.
Here you will find information on our past programs to give you an idea of what we do...nearly a thousand people have traveled with us over the past 13 years with rave reviews, we are working hard to continue our out of the ordinary and fun educational programs...just a little more challenging this year...
All the best
Kent and Christine
Our Spring 2020...
It only takes about a week to realize that having the sun go down at 4:30 in the afternoon is just not healthy. Cold and snow can be fun, but days that are so short they don't really qualify as days are not what the doctor ordered for happier living!
Put yourself back into the sun, warmth, and light months ahead of Mother Nature's schedule! Here are two exciting, enjoyable options that will quickly deliver big smiles to your face, lots of healthy outdoor activity for your body and plenty of exciting experiences to engage your mind!
Argentina's "Ruta 40" Aconcagua to Salta: March 2 - 22, 2020
The "Ruta 40" adventure of elegant living, summer sparkle, and dazzling scenery!
March is the grape harvest season in the valleys of Argentina, a wonderful time to experience this beautiful and friendly country, including elegant and delicious meals "al fresco" in the Argentine summer's evening warmth
We will be hopscotching by car and plane up the scenic northern half of Ruta 40, from the base of South America's tallest mountain "Aconcagua" to Salta
A captivating land of magic, at the absolute best time of year to experience it!
Native sons, Martín and Luis Mantegini, will be taking us on a fascinating, hands-on, educational journey through their wondrous countryside. They will be opening doors for us at homes, vineyards, historical sights, artisans, and restaurants as only they can. You will quickly find yourself sporting a tan, a smile and an appreciation for all that makes Argentines such a proud, wonderful blend of Italian, Indigenous, Spanish and Gaucho. Besides all the laughter, fun and education we will be enjoying a series of some of the most elegant and delicious meals of our lives, and a month highlighted with brilliant music and dance.
The initial few days will be in the beautiful "Valle de Uco" at the foot of the spectacular Andes. From there we head up to South America's wine capital Mendoza during it's annual "Vendimia" celebration ranked by National Geographic Magazine as the world's greatest wine harvest celebration. After Mendoza, we head north following the Andes, this is Argentina's most impressive countryside with colorful valleys and white-capped peaks highlighted by hundred-year-old vineyards. We'll explore Cachi, Molinos, Colomé and a host of other remote villages found along Ruta 40. Our destination in this "wild west of the southern hemisphere" is Cafayate, with its perfect temperatures, blue skies, colorful canyons, white bodegas, and vine-filled valleys. We'll cap off the month in "Salta la Linda" (the beautiful one) one of Argentina's most fabled cities.
Spain's Semana Santa and Spring Celebrations: April 1- April 30, 2020
Your own gated hacienda in the magic of Spain's springtime and the unforgettable pageantry of Easter
Mijas, Spain
Escape the drudgery of late winter this year at your own gated Spanish hacienda in the rolling hillsides and sunshine of the Mediterranean coast. You'll be able to enjoy yoga, massage, cooking, wine courses, walks, swimming, tennis, language lessons, dance, history, all brought to you amongst scenic hills and aromatic orchards of the Costa del Sol.
Gentle early summer weather, combined with a delectable journey through the history and culture of this beautiful area will be our daily curriculum...relaxation will be our goal. This adventure along the Mediterranean coast of Spain is a wellness-seekers paradise. We will be taking over the grounds of "Las Brisas", a private estate, as we settle in for a month in this beautiful "Finca" on the hills of the Andalucian countryside below the picturesque white-washed village of Mijas. Peaceful views are the norm, we overlook the Costa del Sol and can see the continent of Africa drift visibly in the distance across the blue Mediterranean. Enjoy being surrounded by orchards of lemons, grapefruits, oranges, avocados, almonds, kumquats, limes, figs, pomegranates...and entertained by the antics of a bevy of royal peacocks.
Your home in Spain has two swimming pools, three tennis courts, a squash court, gardens everywhere...and only the sounds of cicadas and beautiful Mediterranean birds breaking the wonderful silence. The Mediterranean early summer/late spring weather means temperatures will be in the low to mid 70's (20's C)
Just out of Las Brisas' main gate and 2,500 steps up the lane is the gorgeous little hilltop town of Mijas...a quaint Spanish village full of cafes, cervecerías, restaurants, charming shops, and some very entertaining burros. Also included in your 30-day stay, are trips to Cadiz, Ronda, Marbella, Grenada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Tarifa and Gibraltar and obviously the world-famous celebrations of Semana Santa
Our Winter 2020 programs....
Spanish in the Lake District: January 6 - 31, 2020 Program Full
The first adventure is focused on Spanish and immersing ourselves in the cultures of South America (and avoiding January in the northern hemisphere). Like Arequipa, Medellin, Cartagena, and Sucre, our January adventure needed to be in a beautiful place with absolutely spectacular weather. After seriously considering new cities in Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia (Cochabamba was high on our list until we learned it's cloudy 95% of the time in January), we moved west and found a perfect spot basking in the blue skies and warmth of summer, in what many consider to be one of the prettiest places on earth...the Chilean Lake District.
"Afoot" in Patagonia: February 3 - February 23, 2020 Program Full
Three full weeks of traipsing, roaming, roving, hiking, strolling and just plain walking in what is considered one of the most stunning and remote areas on earth, including Ushuaia the city at the bottom of the earth...never having to carry a heavy backpack and always coming back to hot showers, delicious meals and fascinating presentations.
February is the equivalent of August in the southern hemisphere. While everyone up north will be sitting inside, we are going to be following the sun south for a bonus summer of fun outdoor activity. After five years of exploring what this wonderful corner of the world has to offer, this year join Christine and me as we head out on a much more active experience in our favorite spots on both the Chilean and Argentine sides of Patagonia. We will not have to walk everywhere, but we will be reveling in what the outdoors has to offer in the summertime of this incredible corner of the planet. We'll also be exploring Ushuaia, the southernmost tip of South America and the official "city at the end of the world".
To be added to our travel club list please let us know...you can email us directly at [email protected] to make sure you receive the offerings upon release.
•We strive to take you into the heart of new places and new cultures in a way that that makes you feel a part of them for the rest of your life.
•All of the programs focus on learning in fun, challenging ways...while making sure you are comfortable and thriving in your new environment.
•Our adventures are for those of you who love meeting the people of other cultures...as much as possible in their own language.
•Yes, you will have homework, sometimes your head will hurt because it is so full of new information, sometimes you will not believe what you are seeing (both for better and for worse) but you will never forget the experiences and they will enrich your life.
•Our daily one-on-one contact with locals provides you with a very unique and individual experience.
•We try hard to avoid buses, guides with umbrellas, name tags and moving more than once...we embrace walking, month-long adventures, one-on-one interaction and the concept of "sobremesa"...time spent after a meal, sitting around and talking to others who shared the meal with you. The art of lingering, friendship, curiosity...living life to its fullest.
Each year we explore new destinations to share first-hand with great groups of fellow adventurers who keep joining time after time!
Join our month-long programs in...
Mendoza Argentina; Bariloche, Argentina; Cafayate, Argentina; Sucre, Bolivia; Viña del Mar, Chile; Southern Chile and Patagonia; Cartagena, Colombia; Cuenca, Ecuador; Tallinn, Estonia; Bolzano, Italy; Venice, Italy; Arequipa, Peru; Porto/Madeira, Portugal; Bilbao, Spain; Mijas, Spain...
We had a wonderful time in our programs this winter...January in Pucón, Chile; February all over Patagonia; and March in the wine valleys of Northwestern Argentina from Mendoza to Cafayate...then on our last day in Cafayate the world changed, wow did it change! We are in the midst of building a new series of programs for the 2021 year, as always due to high demand we will be announcing them to our past travelers by email in just a few weeks. If you would like to be to our email list please contact us below.
Here you will find information on our past programs to give you an idea of what we do...nearly a thousand people have traveled with us over the past 13 years with rave reviews, we are working hard to continue our out of the ordinary and fun educational programs...just a little more challenging this year...
All the best
Kent and Christine
Our Spring 2020...
It only takes about a week to realize that having the sun go down at 4:30 in the afternoon is just not healthy. Cold and snow can be fun, but days that are so short they don't really qualify as days are not what the doctor ordered for happier living!
Put yourself back into the sun, warmth, and light months ahead of Mother Nature's schedule! Here are two exciting, enjoyable options that will quickly deliver big smiles to your face, lots of healthy outdoor activity for your body and plenty of exciting experiences to engage your mind!
Argentina's "Ruta 40" Aconcagua to Salta: March 2 - 22, 2020
The "Ruta 40" adventure of elegant living, summer sparkle, and dazzling scenery!
March is the grape harvest season in the valleys of Argentina, a wonderful time to experience this beautiful and friendly country, including elegant and delicious meals "al fresco" in the Argentine summer's evening warmth
We will be hopscotching by car and plane up the scenic northern half of Ruta 40, from the base of South America's tallest mountain "Aconcagua" to Salta
A captivating land of magic, at the absolute best time of year to experience it!
Native sons, Martín and Luis Mantegini, will be taking us on a fascinating, hands-on, educational journey through their wondrous countryside. They will be opening doors for us at homes, vineyards, historical sights, artisans, and restaurants as only they can. You will quickly find yourself sporting a tan, a smile and an appreciation for all that makes Argentines such a proud, wonderful blend of Italian, Indigenous, Spanish and Gaucho. Besides all the laughter, fun and education we will be enjoying a series of some of the most elegant and delicious meals of our lives, and a month highlighted with brilliant music and dance.
The initial few days will be in the beautiful "Valle de Uco" at the foot of the spectacular Andes. From there we head up to South America's wine capital Mendoza during it's annual "Vendimia" celebration ranked by National Geographic Magazine as the world's greatest wine harvest celebration. After Mendoza, we head north following the Andes, this is Argentina's most impressive countryside with colorful valleys and white-capped peaks highlighted by hundred-year-old vineyards. We'll explore Cachi, Molinos, Colomé and a host of other remote villages found along Ruta 40. Our destination in this "wild west of the southern hemisphere" is Cafayate, with its perfect temperatures, blue skies, colorful canyons, white bodegas, and vine-filled valleys. We'll cap off the month in "Salta la Linda" (the beautiful one) one of Argentina's most fabled cities.
Spain's Semana Santa and Spring Celebrations: April 1- April 30, 2020
Your own gated hacienda in the magic of Spain's springtime and the unforgettable pageantry of Easter
Mijas, Spain
Escape the drudgery of late winter this year at your own gated Spanish hacienda in the rolling hillsides and sunshine of the Mediterranean coast. You'll be able to enjoy yoga, massage, cooking, wine courses, walks, swimming, tennis, language lessons, dance, history, all brought to you amongst scenic hills and aromatic orchards of the Costa del Sol.
Gentle early summer weather, combined with a delectable journey through the history and culture of this beautiful area will be our daily curriculum...relaxation will be our goal. This adventure along the Mediterranean coast of Spain is a wellness-seekers paradise. We will be taking over the grounds of "Las Brisas", a private estate, as we settle in for a month in this beautiful "Finca" on the hills of the Andalucian countryside below the picturesque white-washed village of Mijas. Peaceful views are the norm, we overlook the Costa del Sol and can see the continent of Africa drift visibly in the distance across the blue Mediterranean. Enjoy being surrounded by orchards of lemons, grapefruits, oranges, avocados, almonds, kumquats, limes, figs, pomegranates...and entertained by the antics of a bevy of royal peacocks.
Your home in Spain has two swimming pools, three tennis courts, a squash court, gardens everywhere...and only the sounds of cicadas and beautiful Mediterranean birds breaking the wonderful silence. The Mediterranean early summer/late spring weather means temperatures will be in the low to mid 70's (20's C)
Just out of Las Brisas' main gate and 2,500 steps up the lane is the gorgeous little hilltop town of Mijas...a quaint Spanish village full of cafes, cervecerías, restaurants, charming shops, and some very entertaining burros. Also included in your 30-day stay, are trips to Cadiz, Ronda, Marbella, Grenada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Tarifa and Gibraltar and obviously the world-famous celebrations of Semana Santa
Our Winter 2020 programs....
Spanish in the Lake District: January 6 - 31, 2020 Program Full
The first adventure is focused on Spanish and immersing ourselves in the cultures of South America (and avoiding January in the northern hemisphere). Like Arequipa, Medellin, Cartagena, and Sucre, our January adventure needed to be in a beautiful place with absolutely spectacular weather. After seriously considering new cities in Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia (Cochabamba was high on our list until we learned it's cloudy 95% of the time in January), we moved west and found a perfect spot basking in the blue skies and warmth of summer, in what many consider to be one of the prettiest places on earth...the Chilean Lake District.
"Afoot" in Patagonia: February 3 - February 23, 2020 Program Full
Three full weeks of traipsing, roaming, roving, hiking, strolling and just plain walking in what is considered one of the most stunning and remote areas on earth, including Ushuaia the city at the bottom of the earth...never having to carry a heavy backpack and always coming back to hot showers, delicious meals and fascinating presentations.
February is the equivalent of August in the southern hemisphere. While everyone up north will be sitting inside, we are going to be following the sun south for a bonus summer of fun outdoor activity. After five years of exploring what this wonderful corner of the world has to offer, this year join Christine and me as we head out on a much more active experience in our favorite spots on both the Chilean and Argentine sides of Patagonia. We will not have to walk everywhere, but we will be reveling in what the outdoors has to offer in the summertime of this incredible corner of the planet. We'll also be exploring Ushuaia, the southernmost tip of South America and the official "city at the end of the world".
To be added to our travel club list please let us know...you can email us directly at [email protected] to make sure you receive the offerings upon release.
•We strive to take you into the heart of new places and new cultures in a way that that makes you feel a part of them for the rest of your life.
•All of the programs focus on learning in fun, challenging ways...while making sure you are comfortable and thriving in your new environment.
•Our adventures are for those of you who love meeting the people of other cultures...as much as possible in their own language.
•Yes, you will have homework, sometimes your head will hurt because it is so full of new information, sometimes you will not believe what you are seeing (both for better and for worse) but you will never forget the experiences and they will enrich your life.
•Our daily one-on-one contact with locals provides you with a very unique and individual experience.
•We try hard to avoid buses, guides with umbrellas, name tags and moving more than once...we embrace walking, month-long adventures, one-on-one interaction and the concept of "sobremesa"...time spent after a meal, sitting around and talking to others who shared the meal with you. The art of lingering, friendship, curiosity...living life to its fullest.
Each year we explore new destinations to share first-hand with great groups of fellow adventurers who keep joining time after time!
Cartagena, Colombia...the food and dining in Cartagena are beyond compare. It is a perfect place to master the concept of "sobremesa" the art of lingering...with good friends, good conversation, and good food.
Mendoza, Argentina...the "Acto Central" show during Mendoza's Vendimia Wine Harvest Festival is one of the most elaborate and unforgettable extravaganzas you will ever see in your life! But take a nap early in the evening, as like all Argentine activities it doesn't get started until 10:30 pm and ends about 1:30 in the morning. Another day and another adventure in one of our unforgettable Argentine programs...
Tarabuco, Bolivia...life in another land, learning the language from native speakers, one-on-one, face-to-face. Living an exciting life in the sunshine, warmth and hospitality of South America!
Ten years ago at 49 years old, Kent and Christine Zimmerman took leave from their great careers and headed out to learn Spanish and experience the world like "mature" exchange students...dirt roads and soft beds were their goals...less drama, a little more comfort, a lot more fun.
In early 2010, after traveling around the world for nearly three years, they created a month-long Spanish and cultural educational "soft-immersion" program in Cuenca, Ecuador for retired adults. The program was marketed to university alumni associations across U.S. and Canada, it was a huge success with nearly 800 people participating during the first two years.
Both now speak Spanish, English, German and are working on Italian...of course Kent's definition of "fluency" is a little different than Christine's...pero así es!
They still call Boulder and Crested Butte, Colorado home with history and family in both places...after ten years of adventures in three different continents, they continue to love living abroad, in an ever expanding list of wonderful places that you might not have heard of yet...but will soon!
SouthAmericanLife.com month-long educational programs with Kent and Christine are designed for individuals who are looking for something more in their travels and experiences.
Kent and Christine
In early 2010, after traveling around the world for nearly three years, they created a month-long Spanish and cultural educational "soft-immersion" program in Cuenca, Ecuador for retired adults. The program was marketed to university alumni associations across U.S. and Canada, it was a huge success with nearly 800 people participating during the first two years.
Both now speak Spanish, English, German and are working on Italian...of course Kent's definition of "fluency" is a little different than Christine's...pero así es!
They still call Boulder and Crested Butte, Colorado home with history and family in both places...after ten years of adventures in three different continents, they continue to love living abroad, in an ever expanding list of wonderful places that you might not have heard of yet...but will soon!
SouthAmericanLife.com month-long educational programs with Kent and Christine are designed for individuals who are looking for something more in their travels and experiences.
Kent and Christine
Sucre, Bolivia...Christine studying her Spanish and enjoying the sunshine and view from the balcony of our apartment in Sucre
A life abroad living in a new cultures is full of surprising treats and new impressions, throughout Argentina and Bolivia you will find a true celebration of the "Gaucho" the South American cowboy, here in Salta in northern Argentina along the backbone of the beautiful Andes they celebrate the dress and dance of the Gaucho, obviously it was dark but try and watch the footwork of the Gaucho, like Russian dancers it takes years of practice to get this fast and when you see it (or try it) in person you will not believe the strength and coordination it requires.
Spanish...one-on-one, with a cup of espresso, entertaining instructors, in the middle of gorgeous places...that is the way to learn a language fast
When it's summertime in South America
You could not ask for a prettier day anywhere as we enter our last day here in Bolivia. The sky is deep, deep blue against the whitewashed buildings and the red tile roofs of this colonial city. We hope you too are experiencing some of the most beautiful days of the year as the flowers and trees up north hit their springtime peak, and the warm days and long evenings offer promise for the summer to come. It's been a great summer down here south of the equator, still we can't wait to get back to Colorado to enjoy springtime and then this summer in Italy with many of you.
It is always hard to imagine when it is so pretty outside, that the cold, gray and dark of winter will return...here are four wonderful South American "summer" adventures for you to choose from including a return to everyone's favorite, Cuenca, at the very best time of year to be there!
Our "graduate" programs in Sucre and Arequipa are for the serious Spanish learner who's ready to make a big leap and advance to the next level; it is a real challenge with days packed with Spanish.
We continue to search out and explore a world of places and people that many others haven't heard of yet. Do you like the idea of summer weather twice each year? Are you ready for another adventure? Our efforts focus on providing you fascinating places to live, learn and thrive. Fun programs full of new experiences, amazing individuals and the chance to immerse yourselves in a "soft way" into cultures, languages and ways of living that add zest, challenge, vitality and vibrancy to your winters.
As you have probably seen in the mail that comes to you each day, the cost of programs that follow our original idea of extended stays in new cultures has gone up dramatically, with many now in the $8,000 to $10,000 per person/double occupancy range, we have worked hard to keep our costs significantly below that. We strive each day here in "America del Sur" to continue to bring you truly unique destinations, wonderful accommodations, great teachers, interesting speakers and authentic experiences. We are pleased to say that 90% of the participants that join us are repeat travelers and the new ones who join us each year come recommended by you, for that we want to simply say...thank you!
Discovering new places, new cultures, new ways of living and sharing them with you!
Imagine a culture where Friday nights at 11:30 the neighbors head out to the local "pocket park" and start dancing...and continue to dance until 1:30 am. That's Argentina!
All of our international "soft-immersion" programs are designed for those who enjoy learning, challenging themselves and living in foreign countries. Bolivia especially, is for the more adventurous traveler who is comfortable in developing countries, enjoys walking, and likes to be on the cutting edge of discovering new destinations.
For more information, pictures and the itinerary on any of these programs email us at [email protected]
For more information, pictures and the itinerary on any of these programs email us at [email protected]
The salt flats of Uyuni, Bolivia...the world's largest!
SouthAmericanLife.com month-long educational programs with Kent and Christine are designed for individuals who are looking for something more in their travels and experiences. We strive to take you into the heart of new places and new cultures in a way that that makes you feel a part of them for the rest of your life. All of the programs focus on learning in fun, challenging ways...while making sure you are comfortable and thriving in your new environment. Our adventures are for those of you who love meeting the people of other cultures...as much as possible in their own language. Yes, you will have homework, sometimes your head will hurt because it is so full of new information, sometimes you will not believe what you are seeing (both for better and for worse) but you will never forget the experiences and they will enrich your life. Our daily one-on-one contact with locals provides you with a very unique and individual experience. We try hard to avoid buses, groups, guides with umbrellas and name tags...while embracing walking, one-on-one interaction and the Argentine concept of "sobremesa", the time spent, after a meal, sitting around and talking to others who shared the meal with you. It is the art of lingering, friendship, curiosity...and living fully.
Best wishes, and we hope to see you somewhere in this wonderful world soon!
Kent y Christine
