How to get around in Argentina: be ready for some epic journeys

Jun 29, 2024 • 8 min read

Jun 28, 2024 • 7 min read

Jun 26, 2024 • 10 min read

Vitruvian Partners has purchased a further ownership stake in Civitatis, the leading curated online marketplace for guided tours and activities for Spanish and Portuguese speaking consumers, investing an additional USD 50m. Civitatis continues to be led by the founder and CEO Alberto Gutiérrez, who established the company in 2008. Civitatis is a rare example of a company that has been cashflow positive from day one, built by its founder without any external capital. The Company remains on track to be a future Spanish unicorn, as a curated marketplace for the large and growing tours and activities category, underpinned by a rapid digitalization tailwind.  Founder and CEO Alberto Gutiérrez said, “Our growth and profitability have been fuelled by a combination of highly effective sales channels, well-invested technology platform, and a customer-centric approach, providing the activities and tours in our customers’ own preferred language. Our customers appreciate our expertly curated catalogues of activities across the world, as well as the easy booking and, of course, the outstanding experience that they have with us. With the support of Vitruvian, we are continuing to expand our offerings and meet the demands of our rapidly growing customer base.”

Jun 25, 2024 • 13 min read

Vitruvian Partners, an international investment firm, made an additional $50 million venture investment in Civitatis, a curated marketplace for tours and activities mainly serving travelers from Spain and Latin America.

Jun 24, 2024 • 11 min read

People who visit Airbnb’s website and app in the U.S. first view the nightly rate and they can toggle to view the total price with all fees before taxes.

Jun 17, 2024 • 6 min read

By age 17, Lucas Rubiño was a professional surfer. He is a five-time champion in the tandem category and a longboard champion. Aside from his surfing achievements, Lucas told SCENES that founding the Escuela Mardel Surf School is arguably his most fulfilling undertaking. It allows him to ride the waves with an exceptional group of people. 

Unlike coffee plantations, wine cultivation isn’t restricted by elevation or latitude, and in South America, you’re sure to stumble across vintages being made in well-known destinations such as Mendoza’s Uco Valley or Chile’s Maipó Valley. But there are a host of unexpected, up-and-coming regions across the continent, where you can sample vintages often paired with epic scenery, away from the crowds, yet surrounded by warm hospitality. Take Argentina’s extremely elevated La Quebrada de Humahuaca canyon, where light red Criolla and herbal, blackcurrant Malbec are produced at 8,200 feet above sea level. Peru’s Ica Valley, meanwhile, is usually known for Pisco production but now is the time to try the eight aromatic grape varieties as wine, rather than a spirit. As for Uruguay's glitzy Punta del Este beach resort town, a cluster of wineries are making crunchy ocean-influenced whites that pair perfectly with local catches of the day. Given the vast size of South America, explore this unsung terroir by car—it'll allow you to move slowly, and get even further off the well-trod path (good news: many of the area's wineries have stylish stays right on site).

Jun 12, 2024 • 6 min read