Nils Lindhorst
Senior Travel Designer
I am Nils Lindhorst and Latin America is my home at Take Memories – as a team member, I am the point of contact for the entire region. My journey there began with a semester abroad in Medellín, which turned into years in the end: with local travel planning on site, with my wife, whom I met there, and with a career that has never let me go from this continent since.
Latin America is a continent where once you start traveling – you don't want to stop at all.
On my bucket list
Guyana & Suriname
At the very top of my own list are Guyana and Suriname, two of the least touristically developed countries in South America. I am fascinated by the diverse indigenous communities, the Amazon jungle, and the great waterfalls off the beaten path – for me, this is the epitome of true, undiscovered South America.
My next trip
Chile: Atacama, Patagonia & Chiloé
In October, I am going back to Chile, to the Atacama Desert and to Torres del Paine in southern Patagonia. I have already had the chance to experience both places once, and I am very much looking forward to seeing them with new eyes again – every trip there feels different. New destinations like Chiloé and the Lake District are also on my list, where often you take the train to a particularly sustainable lodge.
About Nils – How Latin America conquered my heart
It all started with a tourism study in Bremen and a semester abroad at the University of Medellín. I had already learned Spanish before, but nothing had prepared me for what awaited me in Colombia. I fell in love with the country so much that I quickly extended my stay, did an internship in tourism – and eventually met my wife.
After my bachelor's thesis in Germany, I was immediately drawn back to Colombia, where I worked for years as a product manager and travel planner for a local destination management company. Later, I planned individual trips for all of Latin America for a special tour operator before coming to Take Memories – since then, I have not only been creating trips for our clients here but am also involved in product development for Latin Memories.
What still excites me about this continent is primarily the joy of life of the people – especially Colombians, but equally in other countries in the region. In addition, this incredible diversity: colonial cities next to rainforests, Caribbean coast next to the Pacific, colorful culture, colonial history, wildlife, and adventure, often all within a few flight hours. It is exactly this variety that has kept me captivated over the years.
Places that particularly inspire me:
Medellín, Colombia
For me, Medellín is much more than just a stop on my journey – the city has become a second home over the years. Surrounded by evergreen mountains and with a climate that has earned it the name 'City of Eternal Spring', it is primarily the people who make this place unforgettable for me: open, warm-hearted, and with a zest for life that immediately captivates.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
During a snorkeling tour in the open Pacific, a hammerhead shark suddenly appeared right in front of me – a moment I will never forget. On another snorkeling trip, we swam together with sea turtles, playful sea lions, and penguins in the water, so close that you felt right in the middle of their world instead of just visiting.
Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon has gifted me several moments that have shaped me. During a night hike, we discovered a large, colorful python just half a meter from the trail. Another time, we sat in complete silence in the boat for a whole hour, while pink river dolphins kept surfacing. However, what remains most in my memory is an evening with an indigenous family in a remote community: during a meal together, we talked about life and realized how different yet similar our lives are.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is, for me, a spiritual place, no matter whether you believe in it or not. Walking through the ruins and then sitting a bit higher up, with the entire city before you, unexpectedly triggered a moment of calm within me – we took a short time to just sit and let this special energy affect us.
Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
The Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador is incredibly vibrant, and one moment at the market perfectly captured that for me: I was just trying Acarajé, the culinary landmark of the city, when a Bloco-Afro group with their percussion passed right by us. The energy of the drums, the joy of life of the people around me, and this traditional snack – this combination was simply unforgettable.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
For me, Rio is this incomparable mix of beach, sea, and green-covered mountains, combined with the relaxed attitude to life and joy of the people. After visiting the Christ statue, I continued to Santa Teresa, the bohemian artist neighborhood of the city. There, we experienced a Capoeira live performance and even briefly became part of it, with a small choreographed routine. Afterwards, one of the best bartenders in the city showed us how to mix a classic Caipirinha – and also a variant with passion fruit. This combination of real local experiences and the opportunity to connect directly with the people and their culture was one of the special moments for me in Rio.
Iguazú Falls, Argentina/Brazil
The Iguazú Falls are already a natural wonder by themselves, but they become truly impressive only when you visit both sides: the Argentine side, where you walk right along the falls and look down from above, and the Brazilian side, which provides a great panoramic view of the entire extent. However, what remains most in my memory is the boat tour that goes right up to the falls. You get wet, feel the adrenaline, and the power of the water much more intensely than if you were just walking along the paths.
See where I've traveled
Colombia
Since my first visit in 2009, Colombia has not let me go – I have spent over six years here, met my wife, and have been living in Medellín again this year, which has become my second home. What is special are the people, combined with an incredibly diverse culture and nature – and despite all the years, there are still places on my bucket list, as the country is so diverse.
Brazil
In Rio I danced Capoeira and learned to mix Caipirinha, in Salvador da Bahia I tried Acarajé at a Bloco-Afro performance. This mix of music, culinary delights, and real zest for life is for me the heart of Brazil – a continent in one country, with colonial cities, rainforests, dream beaches, waterfalls, and other natural wonders.
Galapagos Islands
On the Galapagos Islands, I encountered a hammerhead shark in the middle of the open Pacific and swam with sea lions, sea turtles, and penguins in the same waters. This closeness to wildlife can only be found on the islands – but even on the Ecuadorian mainland, colonial cities and adventure meet a variety of ecosystems and biodiversity, intertwined with vibrant indigenous culture.
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