Our thoughts and prayers go out to all impacted by the recent earthquake in central Chile, which has left hundreds dead or injured and displaced many more. I encourage you to look beyond this devastation and help support the country by planning to visit in the near future.

About.com's Guide to Nonprofits has outlined a number of other ways you can aid in the recovery effort, including how you can make easy $10 donations to the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and other charities simply by sending a quick text message.

- Brian Spencer, Travel Editor

What NOT to Do in Chile (matadortrips.com): "Matador's destination expert on Chile lays out the country's avoidable attractions...and what you should do instead."

Listing the most attractive and crowded destinations during the summer season, the author suggests alternate locations that are often uncrowded and very scenic.

In addition, the author suggests "shoulder season" activities and alternate activities for food, shopping, transportation and language tips.

Do you agree? Or have additional tips for the visitor to Chile? Add your comments below.

View of Cerro Aconcagua, viewed from Santiago area, is displayed with the kind permission of Brian Pearson of Santiago Adventures, Ltda.

New Blackout Hits Rio's Popular Tourist Spot (foxnews.com): "Rio de Janeiro's posh beach neighborhoods lost power for hours in sweltering summer weather Tuesday, prompting restaurants to toss out spoiled food and business owners to send their employees home.

The outage came two weeks after a massive blackout left more than 60 million people in the dark and raised questions about the nation's ability to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio."

In addition to these power outtages and the inconvenience they cause, tourism now and between the Olympic Games might be impacted in various locations in Brazil.

This view of Copacabana by night thanks to ClipArt.com.

Adding more trouble and trauma, Violent storms, tornado kill 16 in South America (www.usatoday.com):"A violent storm that spawned a tornado and mudslides killed at least 16 people across northern Argentina and southern Brazil, authorities said Tuesday. Dozens were injured in the winds and hail as their homes were destroyed.
At least 10 died in Argentina, said Ricardo Veselka, civil defense director for the town of San Pedro, where the twister hit."

Tourism agreement to be signed between Israel and Argentina (www.jpost.com):"Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov and his Argentinean counterpart Carlos Enrique Meyer will sign a tourism agreement in the near future, after Misezhnikov, who was accompanying President Shimon Peres on his South American tour, said on Tuesday that "Israel considers Argentina to be a country with great tourism potential."

This adds to the services when "In May 2009, El Al began to operate a direct flight route between Tel Aviv and Sao Paolo," Brazil's economic center.

Meyer said he aspires to promote code-sharing agreements on the Brazil-Israel route and encourage the inception of direct flights between Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv." Lots of potential tourism options!
However, Argentina authorizes industrywide air fare hike (Reuters)
which might affect travel plans.

View of Buenos Aires's iconic Obelisk and Avenida 9 de Julio is displayed with the kind permision of Roberto Ingledew.

View of a busy street in São Paulo is displayed with the kind permission of Ron Miller - author of Escape from the Happy Cannibal.