Image created via Canva

Traveling Through South America

Must-See Destinations Across the Diverse Region

With summer in the Nothern Hemisphere coming to a close in the next few weeks and fall beginning to settle in, you might be wondering where to take what will likely be your final trip for the year. There are the always charming Christmas markets throughout Europe, NYC's holiday parades and Rockefeller Center, and the breathtaking Alps for skiing. But what about places where you might not have to don so many layers and the winter air doesn't pierce your skin quite as harshly?

This week, we've decided to share some top travel destinations throughout South America where—as fall hits the northern portions of the globe—spring is just beginning to creep in. 

South American Destinations to Consider

• Atacama Desert, Chile: Along the northwestern portion of Chile lies this expansive and stunning desert that stretches some 600 miles. Try booking a room at one of the region's resorts, using it as a home base to explore the vast desert. 
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:  The Reveillon party begins on New Year's Eve and features an elaborate fireworks show that is launched from rafts just off the beach. You could go just for the fireworks show or spend the day on Copacabana Beach to secure the best viewing spot possible. 
• Cartagena, Colombia: This is one of the most famous destinations in the country, and for good reason. Historic churches and the cobblestone streets of the Old City, Caribbean cuisine, and hundreds of years of history make this city both a cultural and historical marvel.  

If you're looking for advice from HubPages' writers, check out WanderWisdom articles like Janda Raker's How to See Rio on a Tight Budget (Food, Activities, and More), Andrew Spacey's  How to Book Your Amazon Rainforest Tour, and Andrea Burton's 5 Unbelievable Things You Can Do in Bolivia. 

And remember, whenever and wherever you're traveling, take notes and photos to be able to document your own journey on WanderWisdom. 

Image created via Canva

Effectively Using Map Capsules

Map capsules are one of the elements you can add to articles that provide readers with highly specific context and perspective about what and where you're writing about. Though it might seem like you should provide readers with locations and context before you get into the written details, that's not always the case.

There are a few techniques to take into consideration so your map capsules are used as effectively as possible. 

Here are some tips from the editing team: 

• Zoom: Sometimes, you'll label a point, say a trailhead or waterfall, and the capsule will automatically zoom in very close to it. That might be fine in certain cases, but in many, this might just look like a blob of green. Try zooming out a bit and thus give the reader some more context about where this spot is versus the city/town they're beginning the journey in. 
• Add a description: No matter how brief, and even if you just described the location in the text above, give a slight explanation as to what the point is. You pin locations based on the address (which doesn't mean much when you're not actively looking for the spot), so a description is an easy and quick way to keep your readers engaged with what you're discussing. 
• Less is more: This is the case most of the time; don't add a map capsule for every point you discuss. By adding multiple points of interest within one capsule, it will reduce the time it takes for the map to load and will show readers where one point is in relation to another. If you're writing an article about a walking tour of a city, readers will want to see how far one spot is from another. Seeing a map every time something new is discussed can become confusing. 
• Text first, then the map: If you give readers a detailed map capsule before you explain what you're talking about, they might not have the context to know what is really being said and find themselves looking for another article on the topic. Remember, the opening of an article is always the part that's read the most, so don't add ancillary elements quite yet!

Image created via Canva

Featured Articles of the Week

A poem about life in the clouds and a critical piece about the growing interest in universal basic income programs are just two of the fascinating articles we wanted to share with you this week. 

• LetterPile:  A Sea of White by  Dean Traylor
• LetterPile:  It Happened in the Waiting Room by  Gary Newsom
• Soapboxie: 7 Reasons Why Universal Basic Income Is Gaining Momentum by  Greg De La Cruz 
• The CrimeWire: The Seven Bridges of Edgecombe County Killer by  Michelle Short