Previously Unknown Inca Road Discovered in Peru (Artdaily.org) "Peruvian archaeologists and Spanish technicians have discovered an Inca road unknown until now.

The Inca road is made of stone masonry approximately 1 meter (3 1/4 feet) wide, with sustaining walls along the way rising some 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) high, according to a communique from the Project Ukhupacha.

Several stretches of the road have collapsed that began at what is now the Wuarqtambo archaeological premises, went up Machu Picchu mountain and then came down from the citadel.

The director of the Machu Picchu National Historical Sanctuary, Fernando Astete Victoria, said there had been evidence of an Inca road to the citadel different from the one that was known, and so its discovery became one of the Ukhupacha Project's goals. "

Explore the Inca Empire

Peru: A history lost in the ruins (telegraph.co,uk) "Nine years ago, a discovery was made about a place called Caral in northern Peru that transformed the understanding of human history in the Americas.

During the 20th century Caral remained unexplored, just one among many ancient sites dotting the coastal strip between Lima and Peru's border with Ecuador in the north. From the pyramids of the Moche people to Chan Chan, the vast adobe city of the Chimu empire, which immediately predated the Incas, succeeding city states had evolved and dissolved. All were fascinating but none was regarded as pre-eminent.

In 2000, carbon dating of a bag woven from plant fibres proved that the 163-acre site had been built between 3000 and 2100BC, making it the oldest civilisation on the continent of the Americas and contemporaneous with the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. "

Read about the History of Peru and Archaeology and Archaeological Sites of South America.

July 9th is Argentina's Independence Day holiday.

In March of 1816, folllowing Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, representatives of the various provinces met in Tucumán to discuss the future of their country. On July 9 the delegates met in the Bazán family home, now the Casa Histórica de la Independencia museum, to proclaim their independence from Spanish rule and the formation of the United Provinces of South America later the Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata.

Photo of a copy of the Declaration of Independence is displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main. For more views, Visit Argentina's House of Independence in Tucuman.

The Galapagos continue to be a prime destination for tourists, game show winners, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.

New touring adventures offer enticing attractions and with some of the more expensive cruises, a combination of sailing comfort and up close wildlife viewing. For and example, see Small(er)-Is-Beautiful New Galapagos Tour: Best Guest/Guide Ratio on Eco-Friendly Natural Habitat Adventures Classic Galapagos Trip (earthtimes.org) "Natural Habitat Adventures' new 11-day Classic Galapagos Aboard the Nina trip offers year-round 2010 departures starting from $5,595 per person double occupancy, with guest accommodations in 10 spacious deluxe cabins with en suite bathrooms. In addition to comfy, small-scale cruising, the intimate one-of-a-kind adventure includes an exclusive chance to spend the night in a tree house and tented camp amid giant tortoise habitat – as well as World Wildlife Fund-approved conservation education focused on the real-world issues that put the once pristine islands on UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger list. For details on the 2010 Nina “anti-cruise” – and all of Natural Habitat Adventures’ Galapagos itineraries, visit www.nathab.com/galapagos."

Related to the growing tourist base and the increasing population in the islands, this article/opinion piece from the Harvard Crimson addresses the issue, saying, "future human occupation of the islands must be regulated as closely as the tours that allow for its presence. All tour guides are also trained park rangers. It is time that the people of the islands take on a second identity as well, as more active conservators of their adopted home."

Discover the Galapagos and post your comments with the link below.

Photo of a giant tortoise thanks to ArtToday.com.

Win an adventure to the Galapagos Islands (examiner.com): "Enter for your chance to win a 7-day adventure through the Galapagos Islands in the Discovery Channel's Shark Week Bites Back Sweepstakes to explore turtles, rays and of course, sharks.

The grand prize is a Voyage Galapagos trip from Discovery Adventures for the winner and one guest, including round-trip coach air travel for two people to Quito, Ecuador, from the major commercial airport closest to winner’s residence; double-occupancy cruise accommodations aboard the Adventurer IV for 6 nights; daily snorkeling excursions and guided tours.

Sweepstakes ends at 11:59 PM ET on August 7, 2009."

Check out the rules to enter and browse the resources for the Galapagos Archipelago.

Photo of a turtle swimming thanks to ClipArt.com.

What's your favorite part of the Galapagos? Use the Comments link below to share your experiences.

Take a moment and sate your appetite and travel concerns with these Vegetarian Travel Tips for South America (IBTimes.com).

The author covers specific pre-travel tips as well as a discussion of various foods and the wildly varied understanding of what vegetarian means.

Add a country by country list of recommended vegetarian foods and specialties, and you're set to go -- and enjoy!

For more about South American food options, browse Latin American Cuisine, Food and Drink.

Check out the availabiltiy, ships and pricing for these Galapagos Cruises from Adventure Life.

The amazing discounts should get your travel plans to work.

View of Bartholome Island and Pinnacle Rock is displayed with the kind permission of Stuart Gregory / Getty Images.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces Full Year Program for 2010 (PRWeb): "Making its product even more enticing than ever before, RSSC now offers 2-for-1 fares, free roundtrip airfare and free unlimited shore excursions on all 2010 departures. By adding these valuable amenities to a product that already includes all soft drinks, fine wines, premium spirits, onboard gratuities and governmental fees and taxes, Regent now offers the most inclusive cruise product ever offered by a luxury line.

Seven Seas Mariner will operate a 65-night Circle South America cruise roundtrip Fort Lauderdale, departing January 10. The Grand Voyage can be purchased as a 2-month odyssey or in three shorter segments from 14 to 30 nights. The voyage starts with a two-week Caribbean and Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Lima, Peru, followed by a month-long cruise through the Chilean fjords and around Cape Horn (with a special first-time visit to Antarctica by an all-suite Regent ship) to the Falkland Islands, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro; ending with a three-week cruise home via the Amazon River (up to Manaus) and North through the Caribbean to Fort Lauderdale."

Sustainable tourism projected for Chile's Easter Island :"The impact of heavy tourist traffic on Easter Island - 3,500 kilometers from the Chilean coastline - prompted the EuroChile Business Foundation to introduce a new sustainability program aimed at alleviating the growing pressure on the island’s fragile ecosystem, while at the same time benefiting the local community and businesses.

Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, depends largely on the hoards of tourists who flock to visit its archaeological sites and monumental Polynesian statues each year. Figures from Chile’s National Tourism Service (Sernatur) show that tourism has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. In 1990, 4,961 tourists visited the island, while today the island receives an average of 60,000 visitors per year."

Photo of the Moais Ahu Nau Nau on Easter Island is displayed with the kind permission of Jeremy Woodhouse / Getty Images.

Gol to Add Caribbean Flights, Expand Across Brazil (Bloomberg.com): "Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, Brazil’s second-largest airline, is adding routes to the Caribbean and smaller domestic cities while scaling back flights in the rest of South America as demand slows.

Gol, which already dropped flights to Europe and North America, suspended its flights to Lima, the capital of Peru, and reduced the frequency of its flights to Santiago, Chile."

Consult Airlines and Airports for additional airline information.