chile & argentina
FEATURE 47
“Chile and Argentina are arguably the most practical destinations in Latin America, with a high standard of accommodation, and good, reliable transport”
DAVID NICHOLS, PRODUCT MANAGER, JOURNEY LATIN AMERICA
vineyards, the pretty Lake District and the fjords and glaciers of Patagonia over the course of some 2,500 miles. Journey Latin America product manager, David Nichols, picks out Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park as one of his highlights. It lies over the border from Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, where the Perito Moreno glacier and the jagged Mount Fitz Roy massif are among the big draws. Elsewhere in Argentina, he names the Iguazu
Falls, Mendoza and its vineyards, and sultry Buenos Aires as his top spots. When it comes to client types, Explore’s Linda Harris says that Chile and Argentina attract typically mature, well-travelled visitors with good levels of disposable income, while Journey Latin America’s David Nichols adds honeymooners, couples, families and anyone from their mid-30s and upwards into the mix. The region’s wide appeal is apparent, but with
many visitors falling into the higher income bracket, it’s worth recommending some of the top-end accommodation options in the region. In Buenos Aires this might include the likes of the
Alvear Palace, Park Hyatt’s Palacio Duhau or boutique options such as Legado Mitico, and in Santiago the W Hotel, Ritz-Carlton or 1920s mansion house, The Aubrey. Beyond the capital cities, however, lie a host of
excellent estancias, vineyard-based hotels and ‘experiential’ lodges offering a choice of daily excursions and activities in the local environment. The excellent Awasi, Tierra and Explora groups each have a property apiece in Chile’s Atacama desert and in Patagonia, while Explora has a third hotel on remote Easter Island. Other hotels
commonly sold by UK-based tour operators include the Alto Atacama Desert lodge and Hotel de Larache in the north, and in Patagonia the Singular Hotel, Remota, Cliffs Preserve and EcoCamp.
What’s new Hotels: One of the most eagerly awaited hotel openings in the region last year was that of Awasi Patagonia (
awasi.com), sister hotel to the well- established and popular Awasi Atacama. The new addition comprises 12 luxury villas inspired by old Patagonian shelters and ranching outposts – but with the bonus of private hot tubs and luxurious furnishings. There are spectacular views of Torres del Paine National Park to be enjoyed, a restaurant and choice of daily excursions. Operators: Darwin’s Trails (
darwinstrails.com) has launched a 14-day, 700-mile-long, multi-activity Patagonian Road Trip across both Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. The journey includes trekking, lake crossings by boat and opportunities for rafting and kayaking. It begins in Coyhaique and ends in Puerto Natales. Rainbow Tours (
rainbowtours.co.uk) has added several
hotels in north west Argentina to its 2014 brochure, including Legado Mitico, an 11-room historic property in Salta; Vinas de Cafayate, spectacularly located overlooking the vineyards outside Cafayate; and Le Merced del Alto, a boutique property in Cachi, between Salta and Cafayate. In Chile, the operator now includes the Matetic Winery Guesthouse near Santiago, and Palacio Astoreca, a restored mansion in Valparaiso.
Pictured far left: horse-riding at Chile’s Singular Hotel; Left: jeep excursion in Salta, Argentina; Above: Remota Hotel, Patagonia; Right: ice-trekking in Aysen, Chile; Next page: Patios de Cafayate Hotel, Argentina
Tourism Talk “The Dakar Rally is one of the best platforms we have for promoting tourism in Chile and its destinations thanks to the profi le this international event has in the media. The Rally is one of the most important sports events for Chile. Around 190 countries from around the world see pictures from this competition and, therefore, it is a great instance to highlight the attractions of the area it visits.” Felix de Vicente, Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism, Chile “Diverse and year-round tourism possibilities are one of Argentina’s distinguishing features, resulting from a singular geography that ranges from the subtropical forest in the northern border to icy Antarctica in the farthest south. There is also the excellence of our hotel and gourmet industry, and effi cient, modern airports and air/land communications systems.” Enrique Meyer, Minister of Tourism, Argentina
Where to book it TRAVEL 2 – 0800 0224 182
The operator’s 12-day Delights of Chile and Argentina is priced from £3,259pp for travel in
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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