Because Chile is the longest country in the world, it’s not much of a stretch to say that you’ve “seen it all” once you’ve explored the many landscapes along its 4,000-mile coastline. The north contains the driest desert in the world while the south is home to remarkable glaciers and fjords, and in between lies a quintessential South American adventure experience.
The modern capital city of Santiago is completely surrounded by the Andes Mountains, but it basks in a Mediterranean climate and a very European sensibility with large boulevards, sidewalk cafes and an impressive jazz scene. If you want to stretch your legs a little, take a tour of a vineyard in the winegrowing valleys that surround Santiago, or take on the Andes directly with unforgettable hiking and climbing.
Punta Arenas, the world’s southernmost major city, lies in Tierra del Fuego – a series of islands and straits in Chile’s southern tip. Much of the city is opulent with historic mansions, the result of past gold rushes, but penguin and whale colonies also make it their home. The nearby Magellan Forest Reserve promises good hiking and biking, plus great views of the Strait of Magellan, where the Atlantic meets the Pacific
