Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral - the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, 1945 - was once moved to write this in their country's wonderful and varied landscape, "Do not trample the earth, not crush the fragrant fruit. To love it, bend down, smell it and give it your mouth. "These sentiments are still echoed today by visiting Chile from all over the world. They come to hunt through the salt flats and desert terrain, hike up the active Andean volcanoes, drink safe water by melting glaciers, and taste the wine maturation dripped from an oak barrell. Chile is a long, narrow stretch of land on the western edge of South America. It is surrounded by the imposing Andes mountains along the eastern border, brutally arid Atacama Desert in the north, Cape Horn and a stretch of islands in the south and 4000 km Pacific Ocean until recently west.Just Condé Nast Traveller Chile elevated to fifth place in the top 20 world travel destinations for 2009. Lonely Planet pointed to the southern island of Chiloé as the third most important destination in the world to know in 2009. The Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, together with the Chilean hot springs in Puyehue, 50 highlighted among the "wellness" destinations around the world by the prestigious National Geographic Traveler in 2009. In addition, Frommer's travel guide called the Chilean cities simmer, Pucon, Frutillar, Puerto Varas, and Tortel that some of the most charming small towns known worldwide. In addition to the praise above, Chile is also, without doubt one of the safest and most relaxing South American countries to travel in. It is completely developed and its buses are comfortable and run on time. And as mentioned by Conde Nast's polite people, "Chileans combine northern calm and measured with Latin American warmth and courtesy." With such a variety of natural landscapes, towns and remote tasks to perform, it is impossible to see everything Chile has to offer on a journey. But after careful reflection, I have chosen the top five places you must see when visiting this South American delight. These five "hot spots" are: 1) Santiago, 2) Torres del Paine National Park, 3) Valparaiso, 4) San Pedro de Atacama, and 5) the Colchagua Wine Route. 1st Santiago de Chile - We start with the capital, the first thing you encounter when you are flying in from abroad. This very modern South American city, in the heart of Chile's Central Valley, contains many secret gems, international travelers sometimes pass on the fast escape to the natural wonders of the south and north. The best way to get a bird's eye view of this distribution, urban metropolis nestled between the Andes and other mountain is to get to the top of Cerro San Cristobal. At the bottom of 860 meters Cerro, or the mountain you will see a platform to jump in the funicular, which takes you to the top along the slope. Halfway to the summit, the funicular stop at a small zoo for those who want to quickly check out some monkeys and zebras. Then, when you get out of the funicular at the "Terraza Bellavista," near the top of Cerro San Cristobal, you'll quickly remember why rock tracks are always fun. There, the Terraza, you can buy Chilean snacks and coffee and scope out the view. But for the best panoramic views across the city, you climb the steep walk to the 22 meter high statue of the Virgin Mary. Although she gives her powerful blessing as a spiritual guardian of Santiago, she can not always impressive smog that you are trying to perceive its surrounding snow-capped mountains. Cerro also includes a teleférico or cable, which gives a lift-style horror circulates around hill.When you returning to ground level, are you in the right place in a different charm "must-see" in the Santiago neighborhood of Barrio Bellavista. This is a long bohemian, artistic block that includes various theaters, wonderful restaurants and chic funkily painted home. You should also visit one of the old house in the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, La Chascona, while you are in Bella Vista and you can take a real entertaining ride in English or Spanish.For lunch, you head to the bustling central market place, suitable name Mercado Central. Here, suppliers and patrons both hold nothing back in hawking for whole fresh fish and shellfish that contain bright conger eels, salt-crusted oysters, clams, Reineta, octopus tentacles, and the Chilean staple, salmon. Even if you're shy away from seeing the lines hooked up in gray and pink fish hanging around, you will still have to sink your teeth into a filet at one of the many restaurants around. Then, after lunch, have a gander at the nearby Feria La Vega, a vibrant market, full of bizarre vegetables, fruits and colors right on the river edge.If you have another day in town, or a bit more time on this day, you must check out the central Plaza de Santiago Armas; historical name for the commercial and municipal center of all the Spanish colonial city. Here are some of the first buildings ever built in Chile, began around the 18th and early 19th Figures. Of course after seeing this, you will agree "that they do not build them like they used to." The intricate colonial architecture, Catedral de Santiago, Chile central post office (Correo Central), and the National History Museum is now contrasted with the approach of hyper-modern 50-75 storey buildings downtown Santiago today, right in the background. While you are here, you will also be holding your back and rest on one of the most beautiful square pews and watched older people play chess and wonder at the beautiful painting of the street artists.With a few days' stay in Santiago, and a healthy budget that can afford a car, you'd do yourself a favor by excursioning to quiet and beautiful part Cajón Maipo, a canyon outside Santiago's largest river (Mapocho) derived from the Andes. There you can do some amazing hiking, horseback riding and rafting. Or you can go to Portillo for some quality skiing, or Pomaire to pick out some Chilean craft and see how they are made. 2nd Torres del Paine - After experiencing the exciting introduction to the country by a stay in the cities of Santiago, many travelers, especially during the summer, the launch of the serious nature of adventure travel in southern Chile. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in southern Patagonia, for example, is a lovely, 180 000 hectares of national park full of breathtaking scenic beauty in the deepest, most of the southern edge of the continent. In fact, some international travelers coming to Chile just to experience the glaciers, ice fields, fjords evasive action, huge rocks a lot, and dramatic Magellan forests in this region alone. You can ride any number of hiking trails, hiking through forests and Leng Patagonian tundra, walking along puma, guanaco (southern Chilean llamas), woodpeckers and rhea (American ostrich S.) with a condor flying overhead. Along with hiking and mountaineering, touring various companies located in Torres del Paine offer horseback riding, kayaking, and relaxing ferry ride where you can sit back and try to take all the breathtaking landscapes in.There is of course wonderful campsites. But even if you are not into roughing it, there are plenty of exclusive lodges and resorts to leaning luxuriously. Just remember, you need not only warm you up with the gear leggings, fleece jackets, polar tech socks and a waterproof coat, you must also keep the financial hot with a very padded, stuffed wallet. In addition to visiting this UNESCO "Biosphere Reserve" Torres del Paine is called, it is also recommended to visit the enchanting cities nearby Puerto Natales and Puerto Williams. It is also worth exploring the attractive, European-esque Punta Arenas, the small town of 120 000 inhabitants where you first arrive in the area by air from Santiago. Punta Arenas is the southernmost city on the planet (apart from science-dedicated posts in the Antarctic) and its attractions include a strange cemetery, a historic naval museums and day trips to penguin watching.3. Valparaiso - Back to the central region, we go as we visit the third most populated urban area in the country, is a Valparaiso-Viña del Mar. Valparaiso, a major port city 120 km West of Santiago, a unique gem here that really is unlike any other city in our North American continent. Funky, ancient houses, cottages and manor houses in all colors, shapes and quality drape over the 45 steep hills stared at the Pacific, seemingly clinging on for their dear lives structural. Yes, Chile is a lot of earthquakes and, no, this house just is not falling. I think that is where we can say the "magic" of Valpo (as it is locally called) begins. A Spanish captain named Juan de Saavedra first settled in the estuary 1536th In 1544 confirmed Pedro de Valdivia Valparaiso city name and defined it as the natural, most important port of Santiago. The town grew very slowly over a few centuries in colonial times. But in the 19th century, Valparaiso is a South American center of a lively economic activity. In fact, the city grew to become the most important port in all of Latin America - an obligatory stop for ships going around Cape Horn and then north. That is, until the Panama Canal was completed and opened 1914th It is said that in 1849, a year after gold was discovered in California, up to 800 vessels were counted any time at Valparaiso's shore.With the international services and mingle, he Chileans, along with Spaniards and other European immigrants, became the new residents in Valparaiso, creating a unique culture, shaping memories and develop an inimitable form and space that characterizes the city today. As a tour guide in the Square Valparaiso describe, "The city was never officially scheduled ... (But) spontaneusly built by its residents to walk up the slopes ... different architectural styles coexist, of course, without prejudice. "Along the way, Valpo has developed its identity and soul as an inspiring, romantic city. A nurturing home for poets and pain Thu, pirates and fishermen, sailors and bohemians. Charles Darwin visited Valparaiso after passing Cape Horn, Nicaraguan writer Ruben Diario worked as a clerk at Valparaiso customs regulations, Sir Francis Drake made landfall here, and the Spanish Civil War refugees in 1939, and Nobel prize winning poet Pablo Neruda lived in one of his house here, " La Sebastiana "(now a museum) overlooking bay.Among the" must-do's "here in Valpo takes one of the 15 outdoor elevators, or ascensores, which takes you right up to the top of the 15 litters, or Cerros, fantastic, wonderful views. The elevators will crank and grind like they were taken directly from Robinson Crusoe's Island ride at Disneyland, but yes, they are still functional and safe and actually provide daily, efficient public transport for residents. You would do yourself a favor by exploring the museums and hilly walks in Cerro Concepción, along with spectacular harbor views from Cerro Playa Ancha. I think my current favorite is Cerro Cerro Alegre with its various art exhibitions, lively bars and public curiosity intertwined with newly renovated and beautifully painted houses funded by the good people of Valparaiso foundation, El Sendero Bicentenial, and the Chilean government. Be sure to catch the red and purple hues of a sunset here from any number of expansive views of the city (or miradors) on top of hills. Then, for the night, the port lights. Valparaiso is known for its exciting nightlife and culture in pubs, restaurants, cafes and discos poetry. There is no shortage of places to drink away and get lost (metaphorically or literally) in the middle of the night. It can be a sailor's ball, but also try to make every effort to be safe. And if you happen to pass Valparaiso for the New Year, you will not be disappointed with music, dancing, fireworks and festivities. Just remember to eat lentils right at midnight to ensure a year's worth of economic prosperity! 4th San Pedro de Atacama - The fourth must-see destinations in Chile is located in the north, in the mesmerizing, big, bone-dry landscape of the Atacama Desert. Atacama, a 1000 km long covering large parts of northern Chile and parts of Bolivia, Argentina, is on record as the driest desert in the world in terms of least amount of rainfall per annum. In this desert of rising sand dunes, stark white salt plains, belching geysers, pink flamingos (it's true!) And pre-Columbian archeological artifacts, there is a small, surreal village - an international, cosmopolitan oasis type called San Pedro. Located 1575 km north of Santiago, San Pedro is a picturesque village which provides a center of tourism infrastructure and services to the growing number of international visitors initiates various breathtaking excursions in the area. The city has an official population of just 2500 Chilean locals, most direct descendants Atamaceño natives. Yet it is difficult to say who are working, who is staying, and who are in transit. You will probably hear more German spoken than Spanish on certain days, and the English you hear in bars and alleys are usually of the British varieties. And finally, because this city is such a starting point for tourists nearby, there are a variety of hostels, luxury hotels, tourist agencies, and plenty of Internet cafes (though I do not really understand how it can be connected the way out here). There are also stylish pubs and hip - even organic - restaurants. Even in town it is nice to meet some other travelers and locals alike, and check out the old adobe Spanish colonial church of San Pedro, which dates back to 1774, and Gustavo Lepa Museum of Archaeology. But the real fascinating natural spectacle is seen outside of town, either with a local tourist outift that takes small groups of people in the minibus, or as solo explorer ... granted, you will need an off-road vehicles to get to most of these sites. The major highlights of the surrounding Altiplano are: Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), El Tatio Geysers, and the trip to Toconao and Salar de Atacama. First, you should scope out a trip to Valle de la Luna, possibly with either Cunza Ecoturismo Cara Cole, Domingo Atienza Cactus or other reputable travel agents. (You would not make the same mistake my wife and I did by going to the high altitude El Tatio Geysers on your first day in town before we leave the body a one or two days of adaptation to the local level.) The valley resembles unusual lunar landscape - as those who have crossed the moon, I suppose - with wind-beaten hills enclose a layered valley floor. There is also a huge dune sweeps over the valley, you can have a huge appreciation for everything around, especially after climbing with your traveling companions to the meeting location at the top. The sunset is thus second-wordly, or perhaps a shade essence of what this world really is when we have time, place and space for reflection. Cyclists also have an opportunity with a rental bike for a serious hike all the way, 14 km to the valley from the center of San Pedro and do it before sunset. On your second or third day in town, you can visit El Tatio Geyser, and this is one experience you will never forget! Usually one pays about $ 20 per person with one of the local tours for a full day excursion to Geyser Tatio. El Tatio Geyser is a very active geothermal area located near the top of the Andes, which at sunrise, exhibit impressive steam deficiencies, or fumaroles, "burst from the ground due to the high underground water temperatures craters. First pick a minivan from you at your hotel (or hostel) at about 4 am. It can get quite cold at this time in the high desert, so be sure to dress warm. Although the reasons explained later, take a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, bottled water, and lemons.After pick you up and a few others, begins minivan since 3-hour trip, climbing 4200 feet above sea level. Remember to chew on lemons that you have brought or offered to you, as they work to alleviate the altitude sickness (or "la Puna") which you may suffer. In addition, nurses in the van the offer mate tea, which works just as well. You then arrive on top of that place, the highest geothermal field in the world, just as the sun gathers. Here you will be amazed at the wonderful blow holes of rippling water spraying up and down. But be careful, the crust is very thin in some parts, and people have fallen. Finally, take a dip in the natural hot springs swimming pool nearby. It is refreshing, therapeutic, and by this hour, it will be a nice warm treat in brilliant son the third major trip to do while in San Pedro de Atacama is 38 km journey south to Toconao inspiring and Salar de Atacama. Thick layers of bright white ancient sea salt cover vast stretches of terrain that you are in the presence of geological history. Go ahead, break off a piece and take a lick. It tastes like the sea salt that is currently hundreds of miles away. Along the way, you have wonderful sights in two imposing volcanoes, and Licancabur Laschet, along with sweet and upclose encounters with llamas and alpacas. You can get out of the van and trying to pet them unless they first run away shyly. (They can be a bit shy because of the centuries, made the local atacameños llamas and alpacas, making good use of their meat and wool.) Enjoy your time in San Pedro and the surrounding environs. Just be conscientious in your imprint on the various nature reserves and stunning landscapes because, with increased international tourist traffic, has some of the locals had to make extra efforts for rehabilitation and the like. 5th Ruta del Vino Colchagua, Santa Cruz, if you have not lived under a rock the last 5-7 years, it learned that Chile produces some of the finest wines around. Therefore, what better way to enjoy the fruits of native Chile ago by visiting some of the local wineries? (There is also a perfect talking point - to tell others about your travels in the heart of wine Chile next time someone opens a bottle of Santa Rita and Concha y Toro on your friends' company.) So, let us return to the central region of Chile, again closer to Santiago, where you will most likely fly from Chile to return home.Although international prominence as a wine producing nation has emerged only recently has wine is actually grown here since the 1540s. That's when the first Catholic missionaries planted so that they could participate in the beverage during the fair, the Spanish colonists continued small-scale production of wine until 1851, when the first actual winery was founded. The first vineyard was developed by Silvestre Ochagavía, but shortly thereafter Friend aristocratic Spanish-Chilean families in his footsteps, setting up beautiful mansions and parks next to his vines. Today there are over 250 total wineries in Chile, which produces different wines for both domestic consumption and export. The principal grapes grown in the fertile Central Valley are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Carmenére. Many of the established vineyards in the lush vineyards around Santiago offer tours and tastings. In total there are 11 known Rutas the Vino, or Wine routes, across the country. Here we focus on one of the nicest travel through a world of wine Vino Colchagua Square through the city of Santa Cruz, which is located about two hours south of Santiago. As Pablo Neruda wrote once, "Wine opens doors with surprise, and the protection of months, it is all over the body of damp red wings." The doors to the Colchagua Valley can be accessed and opened either by a car by a van tour; or, for a more pastoral ride, through the early 20th century locomotive. The train will pick you up in Santiago, serves homemade cheese and nuts, and includes Chilean folk singers on board when you stop and taste the different wineries.Once you reach the lush valley of Colchagua, have you reached, what some call, Chilean wine paradise. There are a total of 18 wineries in the valley that boasts attractions that includes constant residing in coastal areas, mountains, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the vineyards of Viña viu Manent, and the chance to harvest the grapes and create your own wine in Wine, a Montgras. Cabernet, Carménère, and Syrah are varieties that thrive here because of their attraction to the local hot summers. Therefore, you should try these types of wines at Viña Montes, a pioneer of Chilean wine expo retirement 15 years ago, and on the award-winning, premier vintner, Casa Lapostolle and its rich Clos Apalta winery.There are several places to rest overnight in the charming, rural town of Santa Cruz if you have downed too much wine to even think about returning to Santiago on the same day. When you return to the capital, you will understand why everyone, while raising his wine glass in joy, shouting, "They copas al sur del Mundo" or "Cheers, from our glass to the south of the world." So, where have your top five destinations for the increasingly popular South American refuge in Chile. Even if we "North" Americans would consider Chile a smaller, perhaps a medium-sized countries, there is so much to see that it can not be done in just one trip. With only a few urban areas and an extremely diversified, open geography ranging from rolling Pacific waves to the introduction of jagged mountains, from good fertile agricultural land to steep glaciers, from the Salt Flats and the hot springs at Emerald lakes and forests, Araucaria, there are so many natural habitants to explore and sophisticated tourism infrastructure to accommodate. In our review of the five most important in this long, narrow sliver of land known as Chile, we have not even to cover the growing fly fishing and Antarctica-visit activities far south, nor the small Miami-style "garden" beach town of Viña del Mar, or running up the central coast along Reñaca, Zapallar all the way to La Serena. We did not visit the mystical, if not beautifully haunted island of Chiloé and its scores of wooden churches rising above each village. Plus, it is an experience to watch the region around Temuco and learn from the native Mapuche people. Or, conversation, the bee is highly recommended to explore the charming German-influenced town of Puerto Varas and fishing in the middle of Puerto Montt. If you happen to catch you in one of the top five places of Chile discussed here, or in any of the other cities and areas listed above, chances are that you see and do something very extraordinary and have yourself an incredible time. References mentoned above: 1. Poet seer "Gabriela Mistral Biography." Http://www.poetseers.org/nobel_prize_for_literature/gab/2. Condé Nast Traveler, "Top 20 Trips for 2009." Http://www.cntraveller.com/Special_Features/Top_20_Destinations_For_2009/Chile/3. Lonely Planet, "Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2009." Http://www.lonelyplanet.com/press-centre/press-release.cfm?press_release_id=3884. Husnes Haq, '50 Top Wellness Destinations: South and Central America. "National Geographic Traveler. http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/wellness-directory/south-and-central-america-text5. Frommer's, "the most charming small towns." Http://travel.nytimes.com/frommers/travel/guides/central-and-south-america/chile/frm_chile_2319026232.html6. Box Valparaiso, "Valparaiso". http://www.rutavalparaiso.cl/web/win2_en.htm7. Pablo Neruda, "Estatuto del Vino '. http://www.neruda.uchile.cl/obra/obraresidencia2g.html
