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.

Shoulder Seasoning South-American Style
(away.com): "When it comes to countries, we don't play favorites. So consider the information parsed in the stories below to be light fare for your larger South American banquet--a glimpse into the continent's largest country, and an exploration of one of its most mystic, mythical, and physically taxing locales.

Take a look at our off-season guides to Peru and Brazil, where tropic climes and sporadic rains reduce prices and crowds, and then explore the rest of our coverage on the entirety of South America. Then all that's left is to plan your trip and curse the fact that vacations can last for only so long..."

Check out the overview of off-season travel, and zero in on the topics and destinations that most appeal to you in Brazil and Peru.

View of Itacare Beach in Bahia is displayed with the kind permission of
Luis Veiga / Getty Images.

View of the Anascocha Trail through the Peruvian Andes is displayed with the kind permission of Ariana Svenson - Apus Peru. You can learn more about this isolated area by reading Christmas Hiking In Peru.

Tourism professionals say Guyana is a rare opportunity for travellers (caribbeannetnews): "Guyana played host to an esteemed group of tourism professionals - tour operators, researchers, journalists, and conservationists - on a product familiarization trip spotlighting the South American country's nature and cultural tourism activities. The participants were all seasoned world travelers and their feedback places Guyana on par with other top nature destinations.

The trip featured birding, wildlife watching and cultural activities in Georgetown, Kaieteur Falls, Karanambu Lodge, Caiman House at Yupukari Village, Rock View Lodge, Aranaputa Village, Surama Village and Eco-Lodge, Fair View Village, Iwokrama River Lodge, Atta Rainforest Lodge and Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, and Baganara Island Resort."

Explore Guyana with a view to your own familiarization tour.

View of Kaieteur Falls, a favorite destination in Guyana, is displayed with the kind permission of Bill Curtsinger / Getty Images.

There's more to this feature about biking in Peru than just the Lake Titicaca: The Bike Tour (livinginperu.com).

There are blogs about rides in and around Cumbe Mayo in Abancay, Traveling the Milky Way in Cajamarca, Cuzco, El Refugio de Francesca in Ancash, Chasing the Sun from Lima to sunnier spots, Lambayeque, Back Road from Cajamarca to Chachapoyas, Ballestas islands and an overall view of biking in Peru.

View of Santa Apolonia Church in Cajamarca is displayed with the kind permission of Paul Kennedy / Getty Images.

Adventure holidays: hot tips for 2010 (guardian.co.uk) "We asked the experts to reveal the trips they are most excited about - from Papua New Guinea's jungles to Greenland's ice floes."

Two of South America's locations made the list: Off the beaten track in Northern Peru and Island-hopping in The Falkland Islands.

View of the adobe pyramid of Huaca del Sol is displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main.

The author describes an entertaining evening at a wrestling match in the Los Altos section of La Paz in which women, called cholitas tackle each other and male contestants in free-for-all matches: Slammin' ma'ams win over the fans (brisbanetimes.com)

Included are some recommendations for reasonable accommodations.

With descriptions of meals, photos and some suggestions, the author asks: Can a Vegetarian Survive in Argentina? (concierge.com)

And the answer is Yes! Take a look at more traditional Recipes from Argentina for ideas and you can always ask to have a vegetarian dish prepared for you.

Brazil blackouts hit up to 60M, spur Olympic fears (AP): "Brazil emerged Wednesday from a widespread power outage that plunged as many as 60 million people into darkness for hours, prompting security fears and concern from residents about another black eye for a country hosting the 2016 Olympic Games."

Paraguay, who shares the power from the Itaipu dam, the world's second biggest hydroelectric producer, also lost country-wide power, but for a much shorter time.

View of the Itapu dam thanks to ArtToday.com. For more views, browse through Sampling of Paraguay.