Who We Are
We are Juan, Flor, Benjamín, and Felicitas, a traveling family with Argentine roots.
For more than 10 years, we’ve been sharing our travel experiences with the goal of inspiring and helping others plan their own trips.
After traveling through dozens of countries, we’ve chosen to go back to our roots and focus on Argentina. It’s a destination that surprises us every time we return and reminds us how much there is still left to discover.
With Ruta del Mate, we want to show you the country through our own perspective: scenic routes, natural landscapes, small towns with character, and practical tips to travel freely and at your own pace — the way we like to travel ourselves.
The Authors
Juan Actis
Travel Writer – Articles for Ruta del Mate
When we travel, I’m in charge of planning everything: itineraries, timing, budgets, and even checking what kind of weather we’re likely to get.
At Ruta del Mate, I write many of the articles, handle translations, and plan the content. I also keep an eye on website statistics and performance, which is something I genuinely enjoy.
On a personal level, like any Argentine, I’m a football fan, but I also enjoy sports in general. I’m interested in finance and invest in Forex, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. I usually stay up to date with economic and political news, especially from Argentina.
Flor Vallejo
Travel Writer – Author / Portfolio / Linkedin
When we travel, I’m the co-pilot. The one who gets obsessed with a destination and usually ends up convincing Juan to go.
At Ruta del Mate, I used to write more articles, but now I focus mainly on the creative and strategic side: design, SEO, collaborations with fellow travel bloggers, social media, and special content. I left my career as an accountant to write about travel and now also collaborate with digital magazines.
On a personal level, I’ve always loved traveling. Since I was a kid, all my savings went straight into that goal (and they still do). I also enjoy spending time at home — which is now our motorhome. I love painting with watercolors, going for walks with Benja and Feli, and cooking from time to time. I’m a big fan of The Beatles and Bon Jovi.
On board
Benja and Feli
Travelers
Benja left his obsession with cars behind and now enjoys playing with Lego, building worlds with blocks, drawing, and getting lost in Roblox or Minecraft. He loves assembling things, creating, and exploring. He’s always up for a walk if there’s a beach or a lake nearby, and little by little, he’s turning into a gamer YouTuber.
Feli was born at the end of summer and has been a calm, cheerful child ever since. Her name couldn’t suit her better — she’s pure happiness. As a true Virgo, she’s already showing a love for order. She enjoys playing with Benja and is especially attached to her dolls and stuffed animals. Little by little, she’s becoming a princess.
What Are We Up To Now?
Since May 2023, we’ve been living and traveling around Europe in a motorhome. We don’t know how long this chapter will last or where the next stop will be. Sometimes we move on quickly; other times, we stay longer than planned in the same place.
We travel without a fixed route, learning along the way, working online, and educating our kids in a non-traditional way while moving through small towns, cities, beaches, and mountains.
Even though Ruta del Mate is now 100% focused on Argentina, we still share our day-to-day life on our social media and across our other blogs. Writing about what we love is still part of the journey.
Our Team of Mate-Loving Travelers
Although most of the articles are written by us, we also collaborate with people we know and trust, who contribute content based on their own travel experiences.
We believe in real, experience-based content written with care and clear criteria. That’s why we truly value the contribution of everyone who adds their own perspective to the blog.
Marina Tischler
Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism
She has been traveling from a young age and has been collaborating with Ruta del Mate for several years. She has published articles about Argentina as well as other destinations, always with clear, detailed, and useful information.
Eloisa Machado
Travel Writer
She travels the world at a slow pace, taking the time to get to know each place beyond the tourist highlights. She walks through cities, tries local flavors, and writes from firsthand experience, sharing practical advice and personal perspectives.
The Blog
Why Are We Called Ruta del Mate?
Because mate has always been part of our lives. We take it with us on every trip, every stop, every conversation. The blog was born while we were traveling through northern Argentina with our backpacks, and the name felt just right. Today, more than a name, it represents a way of traveling.
Ruta del Mate reflects who we are and how we like to move through the world:
Culture:
Because mate is part of our identity.
Conversation:
Because it creates moments and conversations.
Connection:
Because it’s always shared.
Companionship:
Because it’s always there, even when we travel alone.