Patagonia is a territory shared by the countries of Chile and Argentina. The region of Patagonia encompasses the southern section of the Andes mountain range to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean (Chilean side) and from the east of the Andes to the valleys it follows south through Rio Colorado towards the Atlantic Ocean (Argentinean side). The magnificent region stretches around 260,000 square miles. The whole Patagonia has a population of about 2 million people. The Patagonian city of Ushuaia (Argentina) is the southernmost city in the world, and is a popular departure point for cruises and departures to Antarctica. Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina are the two most visited parks in Patagonia. The gargantuan Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park contains the third largest reserve of fresh water in the world,

Colorful Patagonia

Las Torres

Tierra del Fuego

Perito Moreno Glaciar

Perito Moreno

Emerald Lake

Andes

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park

The colors of Patagonia

River & Bridge

Rock del Paine

Teal River

Lodge inside Torres del Paine

Glacier Perito Moreno

Glacier Perito Moreno

El Calafate

Lago Argentino

Lago Argentino

Flower from Patagonia

A bird

credit: Douglas Scortegagna

Space tourism travel took another leap forward when Virgin Galactic made its voyage in the skies. The Virgin Galactic’s WK2/SS2 will offer a suborbital flights. A suborbital flight has a parabolic flight path. The spacecraft won’t fly fast enough to go into low Earth orbit as the space shuttle does.

Flight: 88 / GF18
Date: 29 Jun 12

WK2 Flight Time: 1.1 hr.
SS2 Flight Time: 13 minutes

WK2 Pilot: Siebold
WK2 CoPilot: Nichols
WK2 FTE: Glaser

SS2 Pilot: Stucky
SS2 CoPilot: Mackay
GS Crew: Tighe, Bassett, Knupp, Bourgeois, Jaster, Bozarth, Cassebeer, M. Fuchs, Verderame

credit: Jeff Foust

The magnificent structure that was designed as a home for George Washington Vanderbilt, his loving and capable wife Edith, and their young daughter Cornelia. Gilded Age architect Richard Morris Hunt designed the Biltmore Estate at the end of 19th century. Constructed in the style of a French Renaissance chateau, the Biltmore has 255 rooms, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, bowling alley at 175,000 square feet (16,300 square meters). You can discover large home, magnificent gardens, award-winning winery, great shopping and delicious dining.

credit: Chor Ip