Sunday, December 22, 2013

Exploring Chile...Santiago, Atacama Desert and The Patagonia

For your enhancement of the photo slideshows please turn on your audio, 
as well as to hear the interview segments.

This trip was a first time experience for me discovering the many wonders of Chile (and truly wonderful it is), on a small and private travel educational tour hosted by the great LAN Airlines, Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa, The Singular Hotels and Sportstour of Chile.   The contrasts of Chile are amazing ... for this long and narrow country which is just about the size of California, our experience in the Atacama desert to the north and the majestic Patagonia region at the very southern tip, was nothing short of exhilerating.  The piece de resistance of course was the stay at two amazing hotels – Alto Atacama and The Singular Patagonia, which must be experienced to faithfully understand the uphoric state of being they induce.  I hope the photos capture some of this for my readers and to understand how these destinations, as vastly differently as they are, are life-enhancing travel experiences.   


FLYING WITH LAN AIRLINES
 
 Flying home on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Business Class was like being on a spaceship.  
Modern, high-tech, uber-comfortable and a wow in every sense of the word.




SANTIAGO


ALTO ATACAMA DESERT LODGE & SPA



SPECTACULAR ATACAMA DESERT


THE SINGULAR HOTEL, PATAGONIA




PATAGONIA REGION WITH TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Going to the Patagonia region? MUST PACK layers!