Welcoming Committee: Be prepared to be greeted by wildlife in Patagonia wherever you go WITH only one inhabitant per square kilometre, Patagonia is one of South America's most sought-after destinations for travellers looking to get off the beaten path. Situated at the southern tip of the continent and stretching across Argentina and Chile, Patagonia boasts an unrivalled sense of remoteness and is packed with scenic and biological diversity. There's no single tourist trail, wh

Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia. Photo: Shutterstock One thing you're bound to find when travelling in Patagonia is Bruce Chatwin. Not the man himself (he died in 1989 and is buried in France) but someone clutching a dog-eared copy of his best-selling 1977 book, In Patagonia. Visitors have either read it or are reading it. It is also de rigueur when writing about Patagonia to bring it up at the very mention of this wild and woolly region at the end of the wo

Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa, Atacama Desert, Chile This boutique property at the base of the Salt Mountains in Chile’s Atacama Desert is the perfect base from which to explore this region, an otherworldly landscape of red and burnt-orange sand and unusual rock formations that could make you think you’ve landed on Mars. Though there’s plenty to keep guests at Alto Atacama Desert Lodge all day – including spa and six pools – the hotel can organise more than 30 adventurous

Few countries on the planet are as varied as Chile. We travel from one end to the other for two completely different experiences. At its widest point, Chile measures just 350 km across, yet stretches 4300 km length ways. It’s wedged between mountains and oceans,and book ended by deserts and fjords. Much of it sits beneath – and amongst – volcanoes and glaciers that have shaped and sculpted an astoundingly varied landscape over countless years. It’s the land of fire and ice. M

Join Jocelyn Pride as she journeys through the magic of Patagonia, traversing its incredible landscapes and partaking of its local delicacies fresh from the plains and the vines. Patagonia. No matter how it’s spoken, the very word conjures up intrigue. The end of the earth, where gauchos gallop across windswept plains studded with turquoise glacial lakes and sculptured mountain peaks jut straight into the clouds. Bruce Chatwin country. Lonely. Adventurous. Mysterious. Patagon

From glamorous yurts to stunning hotels in Patagonia, Easter Island and the Atacama Desert, Chilean hotels are known for their style. THE SINGULAR PATAGONIA Where: Puerto Bories Patagonia Highlights: This magnificent resort was once a cold storage plant built in 1915 that took 10 years to renovate and restore. It was resurrected by fourth generation relatives of the plant’s founders and is a celebration of its heritage. The 57 rooms and suites feature custom-made, hand-crafte

The allure of Chile goes way beyond its stunning scenery, dramatic volcanoes and pristine natural wonders; there’s cheese too! Getting away from it all: it’s hard to do in this world. And out of this world, come to think of it: people are planning the colonisation of Mars, after all. Even that last great bastion of the charm of travel – the long-lashed, olive-skinned men of Europe – now seem to all speak English with disappointing flawlessness.​​ Yet there still remain pocket

"It's not just a hotel, but a home away from home.". Glistening fjords. Tawny vineyards. A pristine lake at the foot of snow-capped mountains. If any of those settings appeals to you, you’re in good company. Natural beauty is a big reason travelers visit South America — they want to experience the cloud-shrouded Andes, the enormous skies above Patagonia, the idyllic vineyards. And the best resorts in the region help visitors do just that. Every year for our World’s Best Award

For an intimate, exclusive experience, nothing beats these winners in the small-ship category. Travelers often choose a small cruise ship because of, well, size. Small ships don’t just feel more intimate; they can reach harder-to-access ports, such as Gustavia, St. Bart's glamorous capital, orSicily's Porto Empedocle, gateway to the impressive classical ruins of Agrigento. Some small cruise ships are even outfitted to be expedition vessels, capable of visiting icy waters of p

Cape crusader Family-owned Patagonian cruise line Australis, which offers expedition cruises to Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego, is building a new ship tailor-made for its voyages. The as-yet unnamed ship will launch in late 2017 and carry 200 passengers, replacing the current smaller vessel Via Australis. The company's other ship Stella Australis will continue to offer expedition voyages in southern Chile. Australis runs three- to seven-night cruises between September and Apr