South America’s Switzerland: Five Reasons You Shouldn’t Miss Uruguay

When we told our friends and family we were shipping off to Uruguay for 4 months, "Huh? Where's Uruguay?" was the typical response. Let's face it. At least for now, Uruguay probably isn't on most people’s hot list of places to go. In our own case, we didn't know a single other person who'd traveled to this second smallest South American country with heavy European influences. But after our visit, we know it won’t stay a secret for long…

What made us choose Uruguay? My partner Stuart and I like a good adventure, and we jumped at the chance to venture there after reading several intriguing articles about the country. Mention of wine, gauchos, beaches, and good food were all big reasons for our decision to go. And we weren’t disappointed. Here are five reasons we give Uruguay the travel thumbs ups:

1. Low under the radar

Uruguay is usually not on the A list of places to visit… yet. At the time of my writing, even Lonely Planet didn’t offer a separate guidebook on Uruguay. Instead, a section on Uruguay is included in the book about Argentina. Destinations off the beaten tourist path always have great appeal to us, and we loved this country of Spanish and Portuguese flavors.

Thinking of driving? Here’s a note to drivers: except for the main roads crossing the country, most roads here are not surfaced. If you like off-road driving, however, Uruguay is the perfect place. Just don't expect many of the roads to show up on local maps. If a low-key culture full of surprises is your kind of vacation, then Uruguay’s for you. Experience gaucho culture in an authentic setting which is still unspoiled. Then there's mile after mile of beautiful countryside with hardly a house in sight. Relax on beaches where it's just you, the sea, and the sand.

2. The hospitable people

The Uruguayan people are up there with the best. They're warm, kind, friendly, and proud of their land. They'll do their best to help you in any way. Develop a relationship with Uruguayans. Just ask them about their centuries’ old culture and colorful history. As a matter of fact, strike up a conversation with Uruguayans, and they’ll probably tell you their country is home to superior healthcare and high quality wines. They’ll tip you off about the delicious Uruguayan beef, not to mention the country’s top-notch beaches. You’ll learn that Uruguay’s government is said to be the most honest in all of South America.

3. Personal safety usually not an issue

Uruguay has been called one of the world’s safest, most stable countries. As in any large city worldwide, Montevideo has its petty street crime areas, largely pickpockets. Generally, however, you're far safer in Uruguay than you would be just about anywhere. Of course, use common sense as you would at home. Don't do anything to make yourself conspicuous as a visitor.

4. Quality wines at great prices

A visit to a bodega (vineyard) in Uruguay is a fantastic way not only to taste superb wines, but also to see the winemaking process behind them. The vineyards are mostly small compared to operations in larger countries, and we think this is part of the draw. Chat with the owner and learn the history of the vineyard you’re visiting. Enjoy the local wine, especially that made from the Tannat grape for which Uruguay is deservedly famous. Want to take a bottle or two home with you? You can buy tasty reservas for around US$22 per bottle.

5. Galloping gaucho culture

The gaucho “cowboy” culture is what makes Uruguay even more attractive for travelers. What better way to take it in than on a traditional ranch? Go for an all-out luxury experience or roll up your sleeves and work side-by-side with the gauchos. You'll to learn to ride gaucho style, herd cows, or brand calves. For the more adventurous, you might even help with (errr…) worming sheep.

As a welcome bonus, unlike countries such as Argentina, where you’re hit with a US $140 visitors' tax on arrival, Uruguay has no visitors' tax. If you have a U.S., U.K., Canada, or New Zealand passport, that's all you need as a visitor to Uruguay for tourist stays up to 90 days. Almost every place you go in the country, the nature beauty will seduce you, and the friendly people will welcome you. Don’t miss this South American gem. Visit Uruguay! Feliz viaje!

~A guest post by Honor Dargan

Honor Dargan is a UK travel writer who fell in love with Tokyo and relocated there in 2001. Discover great travel destinations with Honor. Follow her on Twitter: @tokyotopia


If You Go:
http://www.tryuruguay.com
http://www.visit-uruguay.com/home.aspx

Travel Dreams Will Come True! It Could Happen to You...

If you're the lucky winner of the Sony® Reader™ $10K Getaway Giveaway! What's top on your bucket list? Dreaming of Antarctica, Thailand, Peru, or Switzerland? Dying to experience Tanzania, Brazil, the Galapagos, Italy, Australia, Costa Rica or...? You could soon find yourself whisked away to a place great travel memories are made. We're partnering with Sony® to give you a chance to score a whopping $10,000 for your own dream vacation.

Just write us an online postcard imagining you're already visiting that once-in-a-lifetime getaway, and yes! Then you could be on your way to vacation magic. So don't delay! You know that vacation is long overdue. What better way to plan your escape than with a $10K travel expense budget, thanks to the generosity of the good folks at Sony®. You'll also snag a Reader Pocket Edition™ for you and a friend, plus a $100 Reader™ Store Gift Card. In addition, we’ll pick one person submitting an online postcard through The Trip Chicks® blog to win a Reader Pocket Edition and a $25 Reader Store card.

Now close your eyes and dream about an eye-popping destination long on your wish list. You may enter as often as you wish, but remember: each entry must be unique. Hurry! The contest ends on April 19, 2011, and a lucky winner'll be announced by May 1, 2011. Here's what else you need to know:

How to Enter

Entry Period: April 5 – April 19, 2011

Imagine you’re enjoying your dream vacation. It could be any place on the planet. Write us a creative postcard from that special destination. Tell us where you are and what you brought along with you to read. Share what cool things you’re up to there, what you're plan to do and see, and who's your lucky travel companion. Paint us a vivid picture. If you make us envious, you will have done your job!

Winner Selection

Voting period: April 20 – April 26, 2011

Visitors to www.readergetawaygiveaway.com will vote for their favorite entries one time per entry per day during the voting period

The person whose postcard receives the most public votes by April 26th on www.readergetawaygiveaway.com will be awarded the grand prize including:

•$10,000 travel stipend
•two Reader™ Pocket Editions
•$100 in Reader™ Store gift cards

Good luck! We hope you win one for The Trip Chicks®. Happy travels!

~Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell

An Incurable Bug

Last May over lunch in a busy Atlanta diner, the couple next to us made a startling confession. It'd been eight years since Rev. Brown and his wife had vacationed more than a long weekend. "The economy's in a slump, and we're really busy at the church," he sighed. In our country of chronic workaholics, the Browns certainly weren't alone. "One day...."

Can't remember the last time you enjoyed a real vacation? When did you sneak away for more than a couple days, without even calling into work or checking your emails? Maybe you've seen the figures. A recent study by Expedia.com found that almost 33% of Americans routinely forfeit part of their hard-earned vacation time. As a matter of fact, the U.S. has the highest lost vacation rate of any industrialized western nation.

Some of our fellow citizens are forgoing vacations altogether. Sobering too is proof that European medieval peasants took off more time than today's average working American! Sadly, the U.S.A. has not joined the list of countries mandating vacation time for the nation's work force. We need to fess up. America's national vacation deprivation syndrome is out of control. Our top mission in the new year? To encourage our overworked compatriots to catch a serious case of the travel bug.

No more excuses. Go away in 2011! A vacation is actually good for your health. Eye-popping travel deals abound and are yours to snag. Do it! Mark your calendar right away. Remind yourself you really deserve an escape. From now on, make your vacation a priority every year. While you're at it, plan to stay away at least one week. Really unplug. You'll come home a changed, rejuvenated person.

On his first getaway since 2003, Jack the attorney did. As we cycled along Dutch tulip fields at their glorious peak, he stopped to savor the rainbow of colors. Then he choked up. That afternoon he vowed never to lose vacation days again. When Jack returned to his practice, he emailed us that he had never felt more focused and productive in his life.

Still not convinced? A vacation is the sure cure for burnout; it's therapy for your heart, mind, and soul. There's plenty of scientific proof. Just ask Mel Borins M.D., author of Go Away Just for the Health of It. He says the lack of regular vacations is likely a contributing factor to America's rate of heart disease. Listen to Dr. Susan Biali, a physician who cites studies showing frequent vacationers often live longer than those who don't break away from life's routine. People who took "multiple vacations, up to five a year, had a 32% lower death rate from all causes," says Dr. Biali.

Back to the Browns and our chance meeting at the diner. Jotting down the name and phone number of the Swiss cousins she'd never met, the pastor's wife made us promise to call her relatives next time we were in Switzerland. We not only phoned family Knecht, but were invited to stay with them for three days. As we picnicked in a flower-studded alpine meadow, we raised our glasses to toast the Browns. We felt sure a Swiss dream holiday was soon in the works for them.

After returning to Atlanta, we made plans to meet the pastor and his wife in July. "We've gotten our passports and are ready to make our first trip across the big pond," gushed Mrs. Brown. "We're so excited, and we can't wait to hear all about Switzerland!" On July 11th we headed to the diner early to set up our laptop slide show. "Where's Mrs. Brown today?" Wendy asked, seeing that Rev. Brown was alone. There was a long pause. Then tears trickled down his flushed face. "My dear wife passed away in her sleep two weeks ago," he sobbed.

It was a wake up call that hit hard. There are way "too many places, yet too little time." The benefits of vacationing seem even more precious the older we become. Travel is by far the world's best medicine and greatest education. Each stamp in a passport symbolizes keen insights and new friends on the planet we share. Jump back into life revitalized and grateful. Give yourself the ultimate gift: put your vacations on life's front burner. Catch the travel bug!

~Ann Lombardi & Wendy Swartzell

The Trip Chicks®