Recommend May 2012 - (Page 22)

la Luna or Moon Valley, an eerie terrain of rock-salt columns, mines, caves, surrounding volcanoes—the best view follows a 45-minute hike to a low mountain ridge; walk the crusty paths around Salar de Atacama, a mostly evaporated salt lake about the size of Rhode Island where several species of flamingos congregate in a protected reserve. At daybreak, experience the spectacle of the steaming geysers of El Tatio, a geothermal field of volcanic origin, where water and steam spring up violently from deep inside the earth; take a thermal bath in the Puritama River; and explore Valle de Muerte by horseback or mountain bike. Located one hour from the Calama airport, nowadays the quaint but lively adobe town of San Pedro de Atacama swings out with a lively central market, dozens of crafts shops and boutiques, and a nice choice of cozy cafes and restaurants along its packed-dirt streets. The leading attraction is the hundreds of mummies—some 1,000 years old and so perfectly preserved by the dry desert air that skin, nails, eyelids and lashes are all intact—along with mastodon bones and pre-Columbian artifacts all on view in the archaeological -focused Museum Padre Gustavo le Paige. Additionally, there is the charming 17th century Iglesia de San Pedro, a church fashioned in adobe and cactus-wood, bound together by leather ties instead of nails. In the vicinity of San Pedro, one visits the pre-Inca fortress of Pukara de Quitor, the stone craftsmen of Toconao village and the native ayllus (settlements) with their timeless traditions. What enhances the appeal of this once for-backpackers-only destination is its new oases of serious luxury comforts. In addition to Explora lodge—an Atacama pioneer and the only deluxe offering for nearly a decade—several hotels have launched in the last five years, including the tiny boutique Awasi, with eight rooms the smallest and most exclusive option in San Pedro, and the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa, built in the style of a traditional adobe settlement with 32 beautiful suites. All are ideal for those who like a spa treatment or a good glass of wine at the end of a day’s adventure. Alto Atacama Desert Lodge offers a 3-night all-inclusive package from $1,474 pp dbl. Awasi offers a 3-night all-inclusive package from $2,115 pp dbl. Solar Tours makes full use of these deluxe all-inclusive properties, offering 10 options in San Pedro, as well as a choice of seven, threeto five-star hotels in Santiago, on its 6-night Santiago and Atacama program that spends three nights each at the two destinations. Clients, for example, can combine a stay at the four-star Aubrey in Santiago with a stay at the four-star Tierra Atacama in San Pedro. Priced at $2,939.95 pp dbl, the program includes all airport transfers from arrival to departure in Santiago and deluxe accommodations, all airport transfers in Calama and hotel stay with all meals and excursions. ■ Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Luxury in the Wilderness, by Best of Patagonia (October 2011) contact information Adventure Life: (800) 344-6118; adventure-life.com Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa: altoatacama.com Anglatin: anglatin.com Austral Adventures: austral-adventures.com Awasi: (888) 880-3219; awasi.cl Hosteria Ancud: panamericanahotels.cl Latin American Escapes: (800) 510-5999; latinamericanescapes.com Palafitos 1326: palafitos1326.cl Solar Tours: (800) 388-7652; solartours.com 22 may 2012 Valparaiso Beckons “ We reached out to Chile- and Oregon-based tour operator Anglatin to ask about the one place not to miss while in Chile. Here’s what they had to say: A weekend in Valparaiso is much more than a visit, it is an unforgettable experience in sights and sounds. Valparaiso’s 24 beaches, 22 colorful funiculars, 28 hillside neighborhoods, brightly painted Victorian and colonial architecture, bustling seaport, two fishing ports, museums, concerts, shows, exhibitions and spontaneous street music, will all leave a permanent imprint on your heart and soul. The historical center of Valparaiso was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 2003. This ‘Jewel of the Pacific,’ as it is popularly known, is now universally recognized for its architectural, historical, anthropological and cultural character. La Sebastiana, the much-visited home of Chile’s much-loved poet Pablo Neruda, gives the visitor a profound feeling for Neruda’s life, and the pulse of the city which he loved. Spectacular views of the city-center squeezed between the sea and the hills, the busy bay, and the sparkling blue south Pacific Ocean are on view from La Sebastiana, and dozens of other viewpoints. The sea is fertile and imparts a very special flavor to the abundant seafood captured by local fishermen. Locally grown vegetables add more unique flavors to the offerings of the many restaurants in Valparaiso. Dining is part of the culture, often supplemented by Chile’s world-class wines, live music, lively conversation and the subtle smell of the sea.” Anglatin is offering a FAM to Chile for Recommend readers that includes breakfast; accommodations; one cooking class demonstration; one dinner at a seafood restaurant; city tours of Santiago and Valparaiso; wine tasting at the Casablanca Valley wineries; and a visit to the Museum of Pablo Neruda La Sebastiana in Valparaiso. FAM rate is $450 pp, minimum four persons; dates are Nov. 15-18, 2012 and March 13-16, 2013. For more information, e-mail Consuelo Miranda at anglatin@anglatin.com. recommend.com http://www.recommend.com http://www.adventure-life.com http://www.altoatacama.com http://www.anglatin.com http://www.austral-adventures.com http://www.awasi.cl http://www.panamericanahotels.cl http://www.latinamericanescapes.com http://www.palafitos1326.cl http://www.solartours.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May 2012

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Worldwide Traveler
Viking Longships Invade European Waters
In Chile: Going to Extremes
India Travel Planner 2012
Devon & Cornwall: England's Peerless Destinations
Israel & Jordan: The Wellspring of Spirituality
Top Golf Resorts: North America
Top Golf Resorts: Caribbean & Bermuda
Top Golf Resorts: Mexico

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