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The Times' paywall
A few weeks ago The Times newspapers (including the Sunday Times) started charging for access to all but their home pages. While other publications such as the FT and Wall Street Journal have had some areas of paid access this is the first time a quality broadsheet has tried it out.
It will be fascinating to see how the model progresses.
I can see a few potential problems however.
I am a Times reader, although not a regular subscriber (since in our part of rural Buckinghamshire delivery is not an option). So despite paying for maybe 95% of the paper issues I would have to pay again (currently up to £104 per year) to view online content, should I wish to re-visit past issues that have been recycled. Maybe the printed paper could publish a daily access code.
Journalists, both staff and freelance, are I gather hopeful that the increased income may finally mean they are paid a decent wage. But one also wonder whether they now have to pay to check their copy (or see what the sub editors have done to it).
Advertisers have no doubt been told that even if the number of online customers has diminished, their quality will have risen. It will be interesting to see whether this is correct, and at least online advertising is measurable - which has always be a problem with print.
Travel companies such as Last Frontiers also find themselves in a tricky position. It is no secret that much travel editorial is funded by tour operators in exchange for a mention (with a few exceptions such as Condé Nast Traveller). A few years ago this would have not been a worry, with most of the response coming from people reading the paper, on paper. These days things are very different - we rarely have many calls immediately after an article is published, but instead get a steady trickle of emails from people whom the search engines have sent to our site.
Google et al., like the rest of us, will not be able to get behind the 'paywall', so will not index the Times' content. This, to me, is the deal-breaker.
I attended a very interesting press evening arranged by LATA (the Latin American Travel Association) last week, with a panel including Michael Kerr (Telegraph), Andy Pietrasik (Guardian Unlimited) and Amanda Statham (Cosmo, You and your Wedding). We asked them all whether they were considering anything similar. All said no, quite emphatically. But if the Times model is seen as a financial success I suspect opinions may change.
Recipes from Latin America
#1 Charlie's Ceviche
A lovely fresh ceviche recipe from one of Panama's top Chefs, Charlie Collins.
You will need fresh sea bass, ideally kept beforehand in iced water. Cut the fish into chunks with a very sharp nice and add lime juice, chopped celery and a generous helping of coriander. Soak the fish for 3 hours then keep in airtight ceramic or glass container (not plastic!). Serve on a bed of avocado, lettuce and tomato. Yummy!
Iguassu Falls update
Orient Express have refurbished the historic Hotel Das Cataratas at Iguassu Falls so it is now a luxury 5-star hotel that befits its stunning location. A new hotel in the area is Loi Suites Iguassu, a stylish hotel close to the Argentine/Brazil border, in rainforest on the edge of the Iguassu river. Slightly further from the falls is Posada Puerto Bemberg, a small property, decorated with real attention to detail, set on the Bemberg family's estate of 400 hectares of Atlantic rainforest. It is a great base for relaxing, walking, watching the sunset over the Parana river and taking a day trip to Iguassu falls.
Ride against the gauchos at Estancia Huechahue!
Saddle up cowboy and compete with the gauchos, Argentine style! From the 9th-16th September, the province of Neuquén celebrates the Aparte Campero, a week long riding extravaganza when traditionally dressed gauchos (Argentine cowboys) flock to Estancia Huechahue from all over the province to compete in a number of traditional riding events. Estancia Huechahue offers guests the chance to hone their lassooing technique and test their horsemanship skills against the gauchos in separating cattle against the clock. The event culminates in a huge traditional "Asado" (barbecue), a fitting way to end such a time-honoured spectacle. Last Frontiers can offer an 8 day trip to Argentina including 7 nights at the Estancia Huechahue to take part in the Aparte Campero from £3383 per person. Prices are based on two people sharing a room and include international flights with Iberia, internal flights with Lan Airlines, one night bed & breakfast in Buenos Aires at a 4* hotel, all airport transfers and 7 nights full board at Estancia Huechahue including all riding and activities. Please contact us for more information.
Buenos Aires and Pampas
Stay for 3 nights in Mansion Vitraux, the newest boutique posada in San Telmo, the tango centre of Buenos Aires. Then be driven out of the city to the Pampas and stay at Estancia Villa Maria for 3 nights. A lovely Tudor style estancia with immaculate gardens and horses. Ideal for relaxing in the countryside and enjoying the good food.
World Cup facts and funnies!
"Football, bloody, sodding, hateful, glorious football." Sir Alex Ferguson
What you didn't know about the Latin American qualifiers:
Argentina - if Argentina win the World Cup, expect the hand of God, Che Guevara-tattooed Diego Armando Maradona to run naked through the streets of Buenos Aires. That is if he ever makes it out of the super deluxe toilet that he has ordered for himself in South Africa, an "E-Bidet that features a heated seat, a warm air blow-dryer and front and rear bidet wands".
Brazil - Born with one leg bent inwards, one outwards and six centimetres shorter than the other, Garrincha was one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time and hero of the 1958 and 1962 World Cups. Rumour also has it that he lost his virginity to a goat before going on to sire 14 kids (of the human kind!!).
Chile - Chile v Italy in the 1962 World Cup dubbed the "Battle of Santiago". David Coleman introduced BBC highlights with the words: "Good evening. The game you are about to see is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game."
Honduras - A play-off game for the 1970 World Cup against their longtime neighbours and rivals El Salvador led to a full scale conflict between the 2 countries dubbed the Football War.
Paraguay - Paraguayan Cayetano Re was the very first coach to be sent off at the 1986 World Cup. There were no punches thrown, no drugs, no abuse - he was standing too close to the pitch.
Uruguay - the winning goal in the 1930 World Cup final was scored by the one-armed Uruguayan striker Hector Castro, dubbed El Manco after he had accidentally cut off his right arm with an electric saw when he was 13.
Mexico - USA 1994, scene of one of the worst crimes against fashion ever to grace our TVs. Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos modelled his latest self-designed football shirt, a Technicolour Dreamcoat of blindingly bright, multicoloured proportions. Thank goodness there was no High Definition or 3D TV in those days - John Wyndham's meteor shower in his "Day of the Triffids" would have had nothing on this!
If you would like a less bizarre South American football experience, we can arrange anything from tickets to football games, visits to stadiums such as the Maracaná in Brazil or la Bombonera or even kickarounds with the local guides in the Amazon rainforest. Please do contact us for more information!
Cross Continent Adventure Ride
12th March - 2nd April 2011
An exhilarating endurance ride starting on the Pacific coast of southern Chile, near to Puerto Montt. Ride across the Andes, Patagonian steppe, through wild and remote areas and finish on the Atlantic coast in Argentina, near the Valdes peninsula. Twelve nights camping and the other nights in the best accommodation in each area (although this may be simple!). All meals and full camping back-up are included. With a maximum of 12 guests spaces will fill fast for this truly unique ride.
Star gazing in the Elqui Valley
Start your trip in Santiago and then then enjoy four days exploring the Elqui Valley and surroundings, famous for its clear skies, Pisco vineyards and Nobel prize-winning poet Gabriela Mistral.
Start your trip with a an overnight flight with Lan airlines to Santiago where you spend three nights, taking a walking tour of the city and a day trip to the coastal towns of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. Fly north to La Serena where you will have a short tour before setting out for the Elqui Valley. Overnight in Vicuña and evening visit to the Mamalluca Observatory. The following day visit Chile’s oldest Pisco distillery before continuing to the Elqui Domos ‘Astro Hotel’. The hotel has dome-shaped rooms with detachable ceilings and private telescope and you will have a guide instruct you on the use of the telescope and map the skies. You have the following day at leisure and an evening horse ride to enjoy the clear skies with your local guide. The following day return to La Serena to overnight before taking a flight back to Santiago to connect with the international flight.
The cost of the trip is from £2,021 per person and includes all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner. All flights are with Lan Airlines, internationally via Madrid. Price valid for departures from 01 Oct 2010.