Travel Review: South America Vacation, Argentina, Chile, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Mendoza, Bariloche, Valparaiso, Osorno Volcano

I could not have been more pleased with our travel company.  This was our first time using Zicasso as well.  We were put in touch with three travel firms, but the communication from this company was the best by far.  We have typically booked our own travel in the past, so were hesitant about how this would work out for us.  It was the best decision we made!  The agents we spoke with were both exceptionally well-informed, fully on top of details and made it easy to do business with them.  They were very fair in pricing and giving us flexibility to book our own international airfare (we had frequent points we were able to use).  All accommodated with no problem.  We loved our primary contact--no detail was too small and she provided her cell phone # for any concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. She even answered on a Sunday night when we accidentally pocket-pressed.  All you could ask for and more.  They also informed us of a change in policy where travelers get a refund of the 21% hotel tax which became effective January 1st of this year--without us asking.  Our contact did all the leg work to get that refunded for us--which was not insignificant and very much appreciated.  This is an agency truly looking out for you--great customer service!!

We had a lot of concerns about our first trip to South America, having heard about Zika outbreaks and crime issues and eliminated Brazil for those reasons.  Our concerns were addressed openly and honestly and our itinerary was developed to help minimize our concerns. We eliminated some things from our wish list (i.e. Salta) that I would not now eliminate having been to Argentina--but that leaves us things to see the next time we go.  

Let me state that we both felt very comfortable with all of our plans and would visit both Argentina and Chile again.  Of course, you do have to use common sense.  We chose not to wear any jewelry or carry designer handbags/luggage.  We also stayed alert while walking around and had no problems.  Do not wear expensive watches--or even fake Rolex watches as one tourist did in our hotel.  (He was robbed, but not hurt.)  This is now true all over Europe as well as here though--we have a friend that wore a Rolex watch in Barcelona and was knocked over when robbed--dislocating his shoulder. (Six-foot four and 27 years old!)  You can still look sharp, but don't flaunt wealth--again, just common sense.

With respect to the trip itself, we had a bit of bias toward Argentina as the city of Buenos Aires was much more what we liked vs. Santiago (which was also a good experience).  But BA has more architectural beauty, sophistication and seemed cleaner in general to us.  The drive to Santiago from the airport shows hovels and shanty towns a good part of the way in--hitting you with the extreme poverty that exists there.  Stray and abandoned dogs were also everywhere--including the most popular tourist areas and homeless people were also found much more frequently.  That said, the people in both countries were exceptionally warm and welcoming and the histories of great interest.  We spent four nights in Santiago and it was the right decision so we did not have to move around constantly--but we were glad to take the full day trip to Valparaiso and a  wine tour with our guide after a day touring the city.  We also spent one day on our own and that was enough to see most important aspects of Santiago.

Let me say one more thing if you are the type of traveler who typically books for yourself:  THINK AGAIN and USE THIS TRAVEL COMPANY!  There are frequent strikes in South America (much like Europe) and unless you want to spend a fair amount of your time trying to re-map your itinerary and are able to speak fluent Spanish--use this company and rest easy.