Chile - Destination Chile

So where should you go? You will probably arrive in Chile's wonderful capital Santiago; full of great restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping, art galleries, museums, theatres, parks and distinct neighborhoods. And it's close enough to ski resorts, beach resorts and other excursions through Chile to make it the perfect base.

Visit one of the numerous world-renowned wineries on the outskirts of Santiago or travel through the vineyards and orchards of the Curacavi and Casablanca valleys, known for their award winning wines, to Viña del Mar, a popular seaside resort. The town is noted for its assorted architectural styles and sandy beaches. Further south is Valparaiso, an intriguing town built on a narrow crescent of hills in a maze of winding streets, stairs and funiculars.

Keep heading south (now about 800km from Santiago) to the mecca of outdoor activity: Pucon. You can raft, bike, fish and hike in this area or ski in the winter. If that sounds too active you can drive around to local waterfalls or admire the views from the lake. A popular hike is the ascent to the active crater Vulcan Villarica.

Chile's southern end is one of mother natures' grand finales. Chilean Patagonia is a dramatic landscape of islands, glaciers, icebergs and mountains. Puerto Varas is a bit of a gateway to exploring this region. The beautiful small town on Lake Llanquihue, one of the biggest lakes in South America, has a perfect view of the volcanoes Osorno, Calbuco & Puntiagudo. Then head right down to the tip of the country (and continent!) to visit the Penguin Colony on Seno Otway. Come between October and March and you can watch them lay eggs and raise their young aka March of the Penguins.

Still need ideas and inspiration? We haven't mentioned Easter Island yet. This is the most isolated inhabited island in the world 3200 km from Chile and Tahiti. It has unusual statues or moai carved from the volcanic rock that stand about five metres tall and weigh many tons. And we haven't told you about the Atacama desert or the herds of llama and alpaca in Lauca either... As you can see there's plenty to explore in Chile.
SKI THE CHILEAN ANDES

Adventure travelers will love Ski Arpa, Chile’s newest ski area only two hours drive from Santiago. Ski Arpa lies near Mount Aconcagua (22,841 feet). In San Esteban a 4x4 vehicle takes skiers up to 8,825 feet to the Ski Arpa base camp, Rancho Avalanchas, a picturesque stone refugio and café. From here, skiers ride Snowcats to the upper peaks of the resort, reaching altitudes as high as 12,500 feet. There's up to 3,500 vertical feet of intermediate to expert terrain that is entirely above tree line.



600 BARRELS OF LOOT FOUND ON CRUSOE ISLAND

It's slightly old news now but in 2005 loot totaling about US $10bn was found on the island that was named after Robinson Crusoe.

It has prompted speculation about the contents of what is considered to be one of the great lost treasures from the Spanish looting of South America.

The hoard is supposedly buried 15 metres deep on Robinson Crusoe island (Juan Fernández island), home to Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, the adventurer immortalised by Daniel Defoe as Robinson Crusoe. Selkirk was left here and lived alone for four years before being rescued.

For centuries treasure hunters have scoured the island in search of booty reportedly buried in 1715 by Spanish sailor Juan Esteban Ubilla y Echeverria.