Our 2013 Nomadic Journey: Epic Travels Across South America, the US, and Europe in Stunning Photos
I still vividly recall heading to the London airport. Dani eyed my oversized, quirky backpack, while I glanced at hers—and the extra bag stuffed with magazines she insisted on finishing before leaving the U.S.—as we boarded the bus. We buzzed with the thrill of true freedom, much like high school seniors on the last day of class.
Our adventures began in 2010 across Europe, the U.S., Mexico, and Central America. 2011 took us through Central America, Europe, Canada, the U.S., and Thailand. In 2012, we explored Southeast Asia, India, and South America. Now, for the fourth year running, we're recapping 2013—a year blending urban explorations with remote natural wonders. Traveling mostly overland by four wheels at a leisurely pace, we visited just seven countries but spanned vast distances in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, the U.S., Germany, Bolivia, and Peru.
Join us as we reflect on nearly four years of nomadic life. Click the links for detailed stories from each destination.
The year kicked off in Santiago, Chile, where we housesat for two months, caring for two adorable Scottie dogs we still miss.
By early February, we tore ourselves away to roam Chile, starting in vibrant Valparaíso on the Pacific coast, where we instantly fell in love.
Next, the Lake District and Chiloé Island, then across the Andes to Argentina's Bariloche and Nahuel Huapi National Park with its iconic black glacier. Patagonia awaited.
After a grueling 27-hour bus ride, we reached El Chaltén for Dani's solo hikes, then El Calafate to marvel at Perito Moreno Glacier.
Crossing back to Chile, Torres del Paine National Park stole our hearts on a full-day tour—one of Patagonia's highlights.
From Puerto Natales, we headed south via Punta Arenas to Tierra del Fuego, hitchhiking into Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city.
A quick flight landed us in Uruguay: Montevideo (narrowly avoiding a robbery) and charming Colonia del Sacramento.
We couldn't skip Uruguay's famed beaches!
Late March brought us north to Argentina's Rosario for a relaxing week, then a rewarding 48-hour bus detour to Iguazú Falls.
Onward through northern Argentina to Salta (less enchanting than expected), but Cafayate's wine region won us over.
Looping north to Jujuy, we rented a car for a two-day road trip through Quebrada de Humahuaca, stopping at our first salt flats.
A bus to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile's Atacama Desert followed. We adored this town and its landscapes, eager for our return later.
Pausing our South American trek, we flew to New York City for a two-month housesit, living our dream near the Brooklyn Bridge with two cats—just in time for our third nomad anniversary.
In June, Berlin, Germany, for five weeks—a perfect summer. We were featured in Süddeutsche Zeitung and interviewed on national radio about our housesitting book.
A summer jet-set weekend in NYC chased the best pizza, hidden gems, and Citi Bike rides through Manhattan.
Tucson followed for our third housesit with beloved dog Miss Millie, poolside in the desert.
September's highlight: a New Mexico road trip to Chicago via Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa—Gila Cliff Dwellings, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell, Las Vegas (NM), Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Bandelier, Pueblos, and Taos with llama trekking in Rio Grande Gorge.
Chicago meant family, friends, sights, and food—plus Dani's first epic U.S. Halloween.
Another NYC weekend before returning to Santiago for spring vibes.
En route to San Pedro, new stops: La Serena and Elqui Valley (Chile favorites), then Iquique's beaches.
San Pedro highlights: El Tatio geysers at sunrise.
A three-day jeep tour to Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni delivered surreal landscapes, volcanoes, flamingos, lagoons, and the world's largest salt flats.
Bolivia: Potosí (world's highest city at 13,500 ft), Sucre (despite illness), La Paz (world's most dangerous road bike descent), and Lake Titicaca (Copacabana, Isla del Sol, then Peru's Puno for New Year's Eve).
2013 milestones for The GlobetrotterGirls: Updated The Ultimate Guide to Housesitting, launched Break Free podcast (subscribe on iTunes), Escape Route travel planning, and GlobetrotterGirls Getaways (SF to Seattle bus trip—early-bird ends Dec 31).
Thanks for joining our 2013 journey. Stay tuned for 2014: Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, U.S., Europe, and beyond!
