Family sabbatical exploring Indigenous tourism in South America

In 2022, Mirjam Peternek-McCartney and her husband Mark decided to take an eight-month sabbatical with their two sons, Lukas and David, after a holiday in Italy. This decision was influenced by the Covid pandemic, which highlighted the importance of family time and travel. They structured their journey around educational activities, dedicating weekdays to schoolwork and weekends to exploration, while staying in accommodations with enough space for work and leisure. Their travels took them through Chile, Argentina, and Peru, focusing on Indigenous tourism and its positive impact on local communities. The family experienced the stunning landscapes of the Carretera Austral in Chile and engaged in various educational activities, such as helping researchers with moth traps. This hands-on learning experience allowed the boys to develop new interests, including photography and conservation. The family utilized affordable bus travel in Peru and hired a car for parts of their journey in Chile and Argentina, only taking one flight due to unrest in Ecuador. They found that spending time with other families and children was beneficial during their travels, helping to alleviate any tensions that arose. The sabbatical provided a unique opportunity for personal growth and family bonding, enriching their lives in ways they will cherish forever. Reflecting on their experience, Mirjam emphasized the value of prioritizing experiences over luxury accommodations. They learned to appreciate the depth of travel, advocating for longer stays in fewer locations to gain a more profound understanding of the cultures they encountered.