Page 69 - South America

Downtown
Providing Fascinating Travel Experiences
Why visit Chile
A natural paradise
Chile's natural beauty makes it a dream destination for nature lovers. The many national parks allow them to feel in their element. The main ones are Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia (a hiker's favorite), the penguin colonies around Punta Arenas, and Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. The latter is located in the lake district, home to the imposing Orsono volcano. Also, don't miss the conservation parks set up by the late Douglas Tompkins, the founder of North Face. One of the most spectacular is Pumalín, found in southern Chile.
The volcanoes
In addition to its spectacular mountain ranges, Chile is also home to 500 volcanoes of which 123 are still active. These offer a fascinating spectacle and dot the landscape with their snow-capped peaks. You will even have the leisure to climb to the top of some: that of the famous Villarrica volcano for example. If you go in winter, you will have the exceptional opportunity to ski the slopes of one of them!
The landscapes
With a length of 2,670 miles, Chile offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes. You can see it all: the ice fields, the towering Andes mountains, the snow-capped volcanoes, the green hills, the sparkling lagoons of the lake region, the hectares of vineyards, an endless coast- line and also the Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth. Due to its small width, it is very easy to move around Chile. Many domestic bus and plane routes are available at low prices. It is therefore possible to visit Chile f rom different angles in one trip.
The food
Chile is full of delicious gastronomic specialties. Its oldest are a mix of indigenous and Spanish traditions, with a touch of Peruvian influence. Chile's long coastline favors an abundance of fresh seafood wherever you go. Among the most popular dishes are choclo, empanadas, unbeatable hot dogs, chorrillana and manjar (Chilean version of dulce de leche). For a truly unique dining experience, head to Chiloé Island in the south. There you can taste Curanto. Prepared in a saucepan, this is a feast of seafood, meat and potatoes cooked on hot stones.
The wines
Chile produces incredible wines! The country's vineyards contain a lot of world-class wineries. These are accessible from Santiago and other popular towns like Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.
Easter Island
Visit the incredible and mystical Easter Island. This archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is one of the most remote places on Earth. It is best known for its large stone statues, or moai. Daily flights from Santiago connect it, and believe me, you won't be disappointed! Discover the moai heads on the mystical Easter Island
Why Chile?
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