Hiking Cerro Castillo in the Aysen Region is a wonderful alternative to the more famous camping and hiking routes in Chile. It offers spectacular views, interesting trails, varied scenery and it is a quiet trail with not many people. It sounded like the perfect way to celebrate our 20th anniversary! (If you want to check […]
Author Archives: mamashinetravel
Chilean Lake District
On a sunny day the Chilean Lake District is absolutely stunning. You drive around massive blue lakes reflecting quintessential conical snow-capped volcanoes along roads ringed with wood shingled and tin roof German farmhouses, popping into cafes serving slabs of “kuchen” or cake. On a typical day in September, though, you have to be prepared for […]
Northern Patagonia Camping trip
Parque Pumalin and Argentinian Camping Loop We really wanted to experience Patagonia with our children while we are in Chile and we wanted to see it from the vast expanse of inter-connected national parks Chile has created. We are really spoiled in Chile as there are 36 national parks! When our children were 9, 7 […]
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is the best of both worlds — other worldly deserts and canyons, expansive night skies, hot springs and high altitude lakes and the quaint outpost-type town of San Pedro. We went with our three children, a friend and her daughter and we had a wonderful time over the September 18 week […]
Pichilemu
Pichilemu — the town I hate to spell! I always want to add an e rather than i and y rather than u. But once you learn to spell it properly, you are well on your way! Pichilemu — a popular spot for surfers and wanderers — is also a nice place for an extra […]
Valle de Elqui
Valle de Elqui is a perfect very long weekend getaway from the hustle of Santiago and soak up the sun, stars and pisco sours — get on Highway 5 and head north along the coast to La Serena and then head due East through valleys and mountains and soon you will find small towns and […]
Ski 2 Sea
Santiago is one of the few places in the world where you can ski in the morning and surf in the late afternoon. We decided to put the theory to the test with friends of ours. We found a Thursday statutory holiday and made a sandwich long weekend. The only goals we had were to […]
Where to go, When?!
One of the most frequent questions new arrivals ask is “Where can I go for a long weekend?” or “What is a great day trip with children?” It is especially hard when you move to Chile and find that not only is the country even more skinny than you imagined (meaning driving anywhere takes longer […]
Easter Island
The opportunity to visit Easter Island is truly one of those moments when you pinch yourself. We have all seen photos of the big Moai heads (even if it’s just in a novelty Kleenex box!) all poking and jutting up out of the ground at odd angles. Easter Island is part of Chile but to […]
Come From Away
On the East Coast of Canada a “Come From Away”is a uniquely eastern expression for someone who has recently moved to the east coast, but it essentially means you are a visitor. It doesn’t matter if you have been there for a month or years — sometimes you are always a Come From Away. We […]
