Resting in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range, Chile’s vibrant, cosmopolitan, the capital city of Santiago is famous for its beautiful parks, a wealth of historical attractions, and exciting arts and music scenes. The Cerro San Cristobal Park, the largest green space in the city, lies on a hill and is reached by a funicular ride. It offers visitors stunning sweeping views of the city, as well as a picturesque botanical garden and two huge swimming pools. The colonial Plaza de Armas, in the old town centre, is a delight to explore with its numerous Neoclassical buildings and museums, most notably the home-turned-museum of renowned poet Pablo Neruda. Visitors can also look forward to wonderful live shows, concerts and exhibitions.
Idyllically sandwiched between the massive Lake Villarrica and the active Villarrica Volcano in Chile’s scenic Lake District, the little town of Pucon is a popular destination for travellers looking for an authentic Chilean adventure. Pucon is a mecca for adventure sports enthusiasts and boasts the best small-town tourism setup south of Costa Rica, offering visitors well-organised excursions and activities, comfortable accommodations, a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and bars. Popular activities include: water sports such as kayaking on the beautiful lake, hiking through the spectacular Villarrica National Park, whitewater rafting down the Trancura River, as well as snowboarding and skiing on the magnificent slopes of the snow-capped Villarica Volcano.
Set on the shores of the vast Llanquihue Lake in Chile, the picturesque Puerto Varas is known for its stunning natural scenery, traditional German-style architecture and excellent range of accommodation. The town offers incredible views of the snow-capped but active Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes and magnificent waterfalls of the lake. The Alerce Andino National Park, in the Andes Mountains to the south, provides another world to explore nearby, featuring lush green forests perfect for hiking and turquoise blue waters ideal for canoeing. Many German families settled in this southern Chilean town at the end of the 19th century and their influences are still evident in the local architecture, cuisine and traditions today. Puerto Varas features an excellent range of guesthouses, hotels, and restaurants serving traditional German food.
