Connecting with nature can be a big part of our international trip, and as the world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon offers an unparalleled setting of adventure and biodiversity. Covering much of Brazil and extending into nine countries across South America, Amazonia draws visitors from all over the world seeking unique experiences of its cultures and ecosystems. New wildlife continues to be discovered, adding to the over 40,000 plant species, 427 mammals, close to 800 reptiles and amphibians, and many more.

It was with a heavy heart that we at Global Basecamps, along with countless fans around the world, learned of the passing of Anthony (“Tony”) Bourdain. Not only was he an award-winning chef, TV personality and food writer, but his courage and creativity as a globetrotting culinary explorer helped those of us who travel - or dream of traveling - do so with a greater sense of connection and community with those we might otherwise see as “other”.

Brooklyn-based Korean-American journalist Amy S. Choi’s article “What Americans can learn from other food cultures” describes food’s many symbolic roles in our lives, contributing more than we realize to our identity, as well as our survival, status, pleasure, community and humanity. The rise over the last handful of years of region-specific cuisine thanks to the local and “Slow Food” movements, as well as the voices of many food-based celebrities alongside Bourdain, are reminders that how we interact with our food systems - from farm or dock to table - is a major factor in our relationships with each other and where we live and travel to. The countries and their dishes, as well as their chefs and fellow diners, that Tony brought to us were as varied as they were delicious. Check out this clip of Tony digging into some amazing ceviche, the national dish of Peru:

There's no better place for adventure and ecotourism than Costa Rica.  The country is hard to beat for its winning combination of innate beauty, tropical climate, developed infrastructure, political support for natural and cultural resources, and Pura Vida attitude.  Costa Rican adventure tours are tried and true, but even the most experienced guides are consistently impressed by the unexpected novelties offered by the jungle, ocean and mountains on a daily basis.  Below are a few top picks for travelers who seek original first-time experiences and/or new approaches to familiar territory.