This video, by gnarly bay productions, has all the basics in place: fantastic travel footage – filmed during a voyage through Chile and Patagonia – with a great musical accompaniment by Balmorhea and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. But what really sets this short film apart is the outstanding narrative that has also been included.

The voiceover – provided by Cástulo Guerra – lends a fairytale quality to the piece. It makes us think of journeys that we’ve undertaken in the past with fondness, but it also inspires the familiar feeling of wanderlust. The thrill of adventure and imagining having our own narrator to catalogue our travels are both appealing prospects.

This video excels because the story it tells is both believable and fantastic. It takes a voyage through South America to another level and provides a unique perspective.

We love the originality and passion that went into making it.

The Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) are the most famous peaks of the Paine massif in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, a park that covers 181,414 hectares (448,284 acres) of unique landscapes and is a UNESCO-recognised Biosphere Reserve. Photo © Hernán Torres

The park is one of the nature tourism meccas in Chile. Located in the Chilean Patagonia, it covers a total of 181,414 hectares (448,284 acres) and is among the preferred worldwide destinations for trekking, particularly for its famous five-day ‘W’ circuit (named for the shape of the route). In 1978, Torres del Paine National Park was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, because it is one of the world’s most representative regions of different ecosystem and also provides opportunities to measure human impacts on the environment.

The stark granite rock formations known as the Towers of Paine, the Grey and Dickson glaciers, the numerous waterfalls and lakes, and an abundance of wildlife that includes endangered species such as the condor, the puma and the Huemul deer, are some of the main attractions of this protected area.

Irresponsible Tourists

Unfortunately, the most recent recent conflagration is not the first time that a fire has started as a result of a tourist’s irresponsible conduct. In recent years, three forest fires have affected the park, all of them caused by visitors.

The first one occurred in February 2005, when an inferno that lasted 10 days destroyed more than 13,000 hectares (32,000 acres), or approximately 7 percent of the park. It was sparked by a gas stove used by a Czech tourist in a grassland area where camping was not authorised. The disaster was such that the Czech Republic quickly offered help to restore the damaged sectors and sent Czech experts. The forest cooperation project “Assistance to renew Torres del Paine National Park ecosystems damaged by the fire” ended in December 2010. It ran for five years and included reforestation with 180,000 Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio)plants.

In February 2011, a new fire was again cause for grief. An Israeli tourist who lit a bonfire in an unauthorised area initiated it, although it did not have the same catastrophic consequences because rain helped control the flames. The tourist was expelled from the national park and declared an unwelcome visitor because of his irresponsibility.

Most recently, on December 29, 2011, another Israeli citizen caused the second fire in one year when he tried to burn some toilet paper. The devastation, in this case, was far worse. So much so that volunteers from all over the world came to offer help, including Australian firefighters. Until last week, CONAF– the government agency in charge of managing protected areas in Chile – still had staff putting out blazes in different sectors of the park.

The endangered Huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) lives in the Chilean and Argentine Patagonia and can sometimes be seen in Torres del Paine National Park. Photo © Hernán Torres

Impacts of the Fire

The native forest that was destroyed comprised trees that grow very slowly and reach maturity only after approximately 200 years. They also need to be protected from the cold and wind during the winter and the dryness during the summer.

Revitalising the scorched areas is therefore not just a matter of replanting small trees, but also of providing them with the required growing conditions. In addition, it’s important to consider that a large part of the fire went underground and affected the area’s soil. Wildlife living in the park will probably return to the damaged sectors only to find them completely barren and will have to move elsewhere in search of food and shelter.

The forced closure of the park also affected the local economy, which depends on income generated by thousands of foreign tourists who visit the area during the high season, between November and February.

It is estimated that tourism business owners lost US$2 million dollars, although this is a preliminary figure that may need to be revised upward. Many local businesses have made great efforts to avoid layoffs because their employees rely on the salaries they obtain during these months.

More than 140,000 tourists travel to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile each year, many to admire the Large Paine Waterfall. Photo © Hernán Torres

Data provided by park authorities shows that, despite the park’s partial reopening, visits dropped 50 percent in January. Thankfully, the Chilean government has allocated resources to support micro and small tourism enterprises in the area and has launched an aggressive international promotion campaign to maintain the flow of visitors to the park in 2012 and 2013.

Who’s to Blame?

This third fire in Torres del Paine caused a flurry of angry comments in social networks and the media, with Chileans demanding that the government change the rules for visitors to national parks, such as forbidding camping, and also allocate more resources to protection. Many people also complained about what was considered to be a slow reaction by the Israeli government to offer help, certainly in comparison to that of the Czech Republic in 2005.

The biggest issue is that Torres del Paineis mainly a destination for foreign tourists. Chilean visitors usually just go for a day trip, since the cost of staying overnight is too expensive for them. Many foreign tourists who also can’t afford to travel to the park with a tour operator and stay at one of the several accommodations available there choose to rent a car to go on their own and to camp.

The Cuernos del Paine (Horns of Paine) are one of the most astounding features of the Paine massif in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. Photo © Hernán Torres

Those are the riskier visitors, because many of them stay outside of authorised areas. In such cases – faced with inadequate infrastructure – they do whatever they can to be comfortable. Although they generally mean no harm, their limited knowledge of the park’s environmental conditions and their disregard for warnings by park rangers leads them to make wrong decisions.

The Israeli tourist who started this last fire has been forced to stay in the area until the legal investigation is over. He has claimed that there were no warning signs in the national park and that nobody gave him any guidelines. That may be true. National parks in Chile – as in many other countries – suffer from decades of insufficient funding to hire necessary personnel and implement adequate surveillance and prevention measures. Things will probably improve after this devastating fire, but until then it is up to us to act responsibly to ensure that beautiful places such as Torres del Paine National Park are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

For incredible vacation packages in Chile, including a five-day discovery tour of Southern Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park, visit Gunyah.com, the WHL Group’s marketplace for authentic and responsible local travel experiences.

Co-management of protected areas by both the state and local communities is one of the best ways to guarantee that tourism will provide economic and social benefits to many people who would otherwise be marginalized, at the same time that it ensures protection for the environment on which these communities rely for their income. An excellent example is the Soncor Sector of Los Flamencos National Reserve, in the Atacama Desert of the Antofagasta Region, in northern Chile.

A local Lickan Antay guide explains the importance of conservation to a group of school children. Photo by Marcela Torres

Los Flamencos National Reserve is located within the Atacama La Grande Indigenous Development Area, which was established in 1997 to promote sustainable development of the ancient territories of the Lickan Antay peoples. Since then, the Lickan Antay communities have strengthened their ancient rights to use of the resources, in many cases following traditional methods, and in others applying modern natural resource management techniques.

When the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) began charging entrance fees to visit the Reserve, at the begining of the 2000 decade, the Lickan Antay Community of Toconao cut off the access road to Laguna Chaxa, in the Soncor Sector, to demand that tourism, carried out in their ancient territories, also benefit the descendants of this ethnic group that live in the nearby town. Their action brought about a revision of the plan and CONAF and the Lickan Antay communities signed co-management agreements for four of the seven sectors of the Reserve: Soncor, Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, Moon Valley and Tambillo.

Los Flamencos National Reserve harbors the three flamingo species found in Chile: the Andean Flamingo, the Chilean Flamingo, and James’ Flamingo. Photo by Hernán Torres

Income generated from the entrance fees to these sites, which attract national and foreign visitors, has allowed the communities to strengthen programs to aid elderly and disabled people in their communities. At the same time, a significant amount of this income is invested in the management of each sector and staff salaries. The inclusion of local community personnel in the management of these sectors has allowed CONAF to redirect its staff to sectors and activities that were previously left largely unattended due to the lack of personnel and resources that affect the institution.

First Sustainable Visitor Center

Because of the increasing interest shown by tourists arriving from the nearby town of San Pedro de Atacama, the community decided to improve the site’s infrastructure and visitor information. To that end, in 2006, it partnered with CONAF and the SQM mining company, which exploits lithium in the Atacama Salt Flat, to develop the first sustainable visitor center in a protected area in Chile.

The project included the architectural design and construction of the visitor center, incorporating techniques such as reuse of grey water and electricity generation through solar panels and windmills. The roads were also repaired and the parking lot expanded.

This was the first sustainable visitor center built in a protected area in Chile, using renewable wind and solar energy. Photo by Hernán Torres

At the same time, a group of local guides from the Lickan Antay Community of Toconao was trained in interpretation techniques to convey effectively to visitors the natural and cultural values of the area. To support this, five bilingual signs were developed for the interpretive trail and 18 for the inner hall of the center. A documentary video was also produced, in Spanish with English subtitles, to complement information provided to visitors.

The results could not have been better. Visitors to Laguna Chaxa comment that it is a pleasure to pay an entrance fee because you can see that the revenues are invested in the people and in improving the place, where you no longer find garbage lying around and there is good infrastructure. In addition, tourism has provided local people with a new source of income and each day more and more Lickan Antay Community members seek training to be part of the benefits of responsible tourism.

Yes, on all counts!

Janice (the author) enjoys a moment of pause while hiking in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile, with the Grey Glacier in the background. Photo courtesy of Janice Waugh

Solo travel is an amazing opportunity for adventure. It’s a chance to discover yourself as you discover the world. It is safe. It is fun. You’ll also meet more people – locals and travellers – than you would travelling with a companion. You’ll have amazing experiences you will never forget.

Janice (the author) shares a smile of relaxation at the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort on the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Photo courtesy of Janice Waugh

These are reasons for everyone, men and women, to travel alone. But there are additional reasons specifically for women to head out solo, especially those who are, or plan to be, partners and mothers.

So here they are, the top five reasons for women to travel solo:

In this self portrait, the author takes a bite of a hot bagel from the Fairmont Bakery in Montreal, Canada. Photo courtesy of Janice Waugh

1) Learn how capable you are before you get tied down to a partner and children; go out into the world by yourself. Make your own decisions and organise your own time. At home you have backup. Travelling, you are truly on your own and you’ll discover how resourceful you really are.

2) Have a last hurrah before you have children. Children are a very long-term responsibility that is often particularly demanding of moms. Before focusing your care on children, take a bit of time to take care of yourself.

3) Take a break from endless daily responsibilities and come back refreshed. While we’ve come a long way, women still juggle many of life’s details. I think of a woman’s life like a four-burner stove preparing a holiday family dinner: there’s rarely a burner free. Walk away from the stove, by yourself, relax and return refreshed.

4) Build confidence after a divorce or loss. This reason is particularly close to my heart. After losing my husband in 2006, I started travelling solo again. I know how much it builds confidence. It was part of my comeback to life.

5) Eat dessert first. On the road, you can do anything you want to do, when you want to do it, and without being judged.

Solo travel is an enriching, enjoyable way to travel.

My initial hitchhiking experience was with a good guy friend from Virginia. We tooled around the Island of Chiloé on all sorts of conveyances, from the flat beds of pickups and a back seat with an entire family to the luxury SUV of a school teacher. Instead of dreading the stuffy conditions of broken-down buses or apathetically listening to our iPods to pass the time, we always began our adventures the instant we set off walking in the direction we wanted to go. There was nothing better than the thrill of a ride slowing to meet us and our run with our heavy packs to ask where the driver was headed.

With gumboots and rain gear ready, Maureen set off for a Thanksgiving weekend adventure to the Isla de Chiloé in the north of Patagonia, Chile. Photo courtesy of Maureen Valentine

Most of my other trips were with female friends. Throughout my time in Chile, I covered most of the country’s mainland thanks in large part to the kindness of strangers. It is true that a blue-eyed, light-haired gringa in Chile tends to attract her fair share of attention, markedly more so than I was personally accustomed to in the great state of North Carolina. But there was no denying that this attention had its perks while hitchhiking: namely, the first car usually stopped.

On one occasion, an Argentine lady travelling partner and I journeyed from La Serena to Iquique – a 1,400-kilometre journey – in no more time than chartering a bus would have taken. In addition, we met a myriad of interesting characters who were nice to enough give us fruit from their big rigs, maps for our travels and even treat us to coffee!

Mirages really do materialise on the horizon in the Atacama Desert. It's no joke. Maureen luckily did not have to sit in the heat for long before a truck carried her to the small town of Tocopilla, Chile. Photo courtesy of Maureen Valentine

At one point our ride dropped us off at the fork to Maria Elena, which is smack in the middle of the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. As we blistered in the sun, my companion and I realised that between us we had about one bottle of water and no food. Luckily, the first car northbound on Route 5 stopped for us. This ride was followed by one with some gentlemen who picked us up in Tocopilla and even stopped along the northern beaches so that we could snap some coastal photos.

I encountered all kinds of crazy Chileans with whom I never would have had the opportunity to converse and practice my Castellano. While hitchhiking with a girl from Spain, I spoke to a man who was a high military official during the Pinochet dictatorship, we met a 17-year-old boy that actually gave us the shirt off his back because we didn’t have any patriotic Chilean clothing for the independence day, and truck drivers who stopped to buy us pastries.

One nice man delivered Maureen (the author) and her friend from La Serena to Antofagasta in Chile. He drove a Pepsi truck and regularly pulled over to catch up with passing family members that were plying Route 5 on other truck routes. Photo courtesy of Maureen Valentine

Of course, I also became very close with my fellow travellers. No one but us knows what it was like to wait on the side of that hot road for hours on that particular day, or what it felt like when that big rig finally stopped.

Hitchhiking certainly isn’t the safest way for women to travel – and I hope if I ever have a daughter that she never does it – but I must say that I have had nothing but positive experiences. Some of my most rewarding travel moments were when I was vulnerable and looking for a little help from a soon-to-be-friend. I am enormously grateful to the many people I have shared the road with and been fortunate to meet. These experiences we shared I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Like the monolithic 'el Fraile' (the Monk) in the Kalasaya Temple in Tiwanaku, some of the statues at Tiwanaku, Bolivia, have withstood the test of time. Other stones used to build the main structures have been looted over the years, but the impressive site is still of great spiritual, historical and cultural significance. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Fulsen

Tiwanaku, Bolivia

The city of Tiwanaku (alternative spelling Tiahuanaco) is located at 4,000 metres above sea level in the mountains near the southern shore of Bolivia’s famous Lake Titicaca.The area was home to a pre-Incan society that survived from 1600 BC to 1200 AD; it is considered the cradle of Andean civilisation. The Incas that later colonised the region apparently believed that the ancient Tiwanaku was built by the god Viracocha, who rose from the depths of the lake and created the first humans. Hailed as the Stonehenge of the Americas, the monumental remains of this great culture have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and include several temples, a pyramid, symbolic gates, monoliths and mysterious face carvings.

On June 21st each year, around 5000 people congregate in Tiwanaku to celebrate the summer solstice at the Aymara Indians’ New Year, called Machaj Mara. Popular with followers of New Age religions from around the world, the highlight of the festival is sunrise, when the rays of the sun shine through the temple entrance on the eastern side of the complex. Then it’s time to party. Locals in colourful ceremonial clothing and visitors celebrate together by drinking singani (Bolivian grape brandy similar to pisco), chewing coca leaves, sacrificing llamas and dancing until dawn.

The stunning natural setting of Ulpotha is one of its great attractions. The eight-acre site by a small lake at the base of the Galgiriwiya mountains is considered sacred land, associated with Lord Kataragama, an incarnation of the son of Shiva. The area's seven hills feature in ancient spiritual lore.

Ulpotha, Sri Lanka

The traditional working eco-village of Ulpotha is hidden in an exquisite, secluded, wooded dell at the foot of the Galgiriyawa mountains, about a two-hour drive northwest of Kandy in Sri Lanka. The village has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years and is now a yoga, spa and Ayurveda retreat open to guests for part of the year.

Ulpotha has been nominated for numerous awards over the years and regularly makes it onto lists of the world’s best spas compiled by glossy magazines, television shows and travel websites. Guests can avail themselves of Ayurveda therapies and yoga classes led by practiced experts, although taking part in these activities is by no means compulsory; anyone preferring to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and delectable vegan cuisine can do just that.

The retreat is run as a non-profit and all proceeds from paying guests go to support the locals who manage the attached self-sustaining organic farm and staff the facility when it is open. Other on-site ventures include a biodiverse organic farm, reforestation of village and surrounding land and a free Ayurvedic clinic open year round to villagers (it treats over 100 patients a week).

The statue of Mary, erected in 2001 in Medjugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina, to mark the 20th anniversary the vision of the Virgin Mary, is located on Apparition Hill, where the event was first witnessed by six Croation children on June 24, 1981. Thousands of pilgrims climb the hill every year, chanting the rosary as they go. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Beemwej

Medjugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Launched onto the spiritual travel map in the summer of 1981 when six children saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary, the small town of Medjugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina, nestled in the hills close to Mostar and the border with Croatia, has become a premier pilgrimage site for Catholics. Once a community of only 400 inhabitants, mostly farmers, the village now caters to visitors from around the world.

Millions have visited the hallowed spot on the mountainside, now called Apparition Hill, keen to worship at the site of the vision. The local church, St James’s, offers Mass in more than 10 languages, including Croatian, Italian, Spanish and English, in addition to a daily prayer service in the evening and there are plenty of tours and accommodation for the faithful.

Medjugorje literally translates as ‘area between two mountains,’ and the location is simply stunning, so even for the non-religious, there is plenty of distraction. The surrounding area is densely forested and boasts picturesque waterfalls, vineyards (the local wine is not to be missed) and plenty of sleepy villages. One word of advice: accommodation often books up quickly, so it is advisable to check ahead with the whl.travel local connection to avoid disappointment.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan, also known as the Mosque of Uqba, was built by the Arab general Uqba ibn Nafi from 670 AD. It covers an area of 9,000 square metres and is considered the oldest place of worship in the western Islamic world, as well as a model for all later mosques in the Maghreb. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Patrick Giraud

Kairouan, Tunisia

Situated in northern Tunisia, the thousand-year-old city of Kairouan is often regarded as the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. As the oldest Muslim place of worship in Africa, the Great Mosque of Kairouan (first built in 670 AD) has been an important place of pilgrimage for centuries for Muslims, especially those not able to make the long Hajj; it is said that seven trips to Kairouan are equal to one trip to Mecca.

The name Kairouan actually means ‘caravan,’ which is a reference to the city’s beginnings as a stopping place for the desert-trade caravans on the lucrative trans-Sahara trade route. It was turned into an Islamic religious centre in 694 and only Muslims were allowed to enter its walls until relatively recently. As a result it was seen as an outpost of Islam and seat of Muslim scholarship, protecting the faith against the surrounding Jewish and Christian communities.

Although non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosque, the doors are kept open to allow visitors to see inside and tours to the holy city can be arranged through the whl.travel local connection in Hammamet, an hour’s drive away.

Ahu Tongariki is the largest ahu (stone platform) on Easter Island. Its moai were toppled during the island's civil wars and in the 20th century the ahu was swept inland by a tsunami. It has since been restored with 15 moai, including an 86-tonne monolith that was the heaviest ever erected on the island. All the moai here face sunset during the summer solstice. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Rivi

Easter Island, Chile

Considered to be the world’s most remote inhabited island, Easter Island (otherwise known as Rapa Nui) in the southeast Pacific may have become a part of Chile in the late 1800s, but it is very much Polynesian at heart. This World Heritage Site is famed for the hundreds of towering volcanic stone statues, known as moai, dotted around the island and positioned on massive stone platforms called ahu.

Easter Island is also one of the most mystical places on earth, as so much of its history is shrouded in mystery: why and how were the moai built (they can weigh up to 75 tonnes and measure up to 10 metres in length) and what decimated the civilisation that built them? Locals believe the monoliths represent deceased ancestors. Because of this visitors can look, but, out of respect, mustn’t touch. Some experts suggest that Easter Island is an important point on a grid of sacred sites spanning the globe and it may have originally been settled purely because of the significance of its location. As with everything else concerning the island’s origins, though, nothing has yet been proven!

This tasty snack comes in a variety of different flavours and it seems as if each neighbourhood has its signature man'oushe. It can be baked in a brick oven for a slightly plumper bread or rolled out thin and cooked on top of a domed griddle called a saj. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Nsaum75

The All-Day Breakfast

For a country overflowing with street food outlets from the humble pushcart to the more upmarket corner shop, it’s a tough call to crown one particular delicacy king of the cheap eats in Lebanon. If there must be one clear winner, however, it has to be the humble man’oushe, a freshly baked unleavened bread spread liberally with za’atar (an aromatic mix of thyme, sumac spice, sesame seeds and olive oil), which could almost be thought of as a tasty Lebanese take on pizza. It’s served folded, which means it’s perfect for eating on the hoof and makes an ideal breakfast treat on the way to work. The nation’s favourite snack has a number of variations, including a cheese topping using jibneh arabieh (similar to feta) or a ground beef topping called lahmeh. Throw in a few chopped tomatoes and olives and you’ve got yourself one heck of a tasty snack!

The quintessential Maltese snack, pastizzi are pastries baked with either a ricotta-cheese or mushy-pea filling. Found throughout the islands, they are one of the cheapest bites you can get. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Chattacha

Baked Goodness

The small archipelago of Malta, situated slap-bang in the middle of the Mediterranean, is famed for its delicious pastizzi. These delectable diamond-shaped puff-pastries are filled with ricotta cheese or mashed peas, and can be bought from small fast-food shops called pastizzeriji, which open especially early on Sunday mornings to serve late-night revellers headed home from a night out. The two varieties can easily be told apart as the more popular pastizzi tal-irkotta (ricotta pastry) has a hole in it to show off the delicious filling, while the pastizzi tal-pizelli (pea pastry) does not. Lovers of vernacular may be interested to note that the word pastizzi (singular pastizz) is also a derogatory term for female genitalia in colloquial Maltese, probably due to the pastry’s suggestive shape. Despite the connotation, the pastries are a source of national pride. No visit to Malta is complete without a cheap and tasty pastizz or two.

Vegetarians Beware

The Southern African nation of Namibia is well known as a land of meat lovers for whom not just any meat will do. Only artery-clogging red meat satisfies this nation’s carnivorous tendencies. Beef is big business here and barbecues, much like the braai in neighbouring South Africa, can be found in every town.

The Namibian version is known as kapana and consists of strips of beef and fat grilled to perfection on open stoves, generously seasoned with chilli, salt or peri-peri and served wrapped in newspaper. These tasty morsels can also be sandwiched in fried doughnut-type buns, fittingly called ‘fat cakes.’ The barbecuing is traditionally men’s work, but women are often on hand to help serve up the fat cakes. The perfectly prepared kapana has a strong, smoky barbecue flavour, with the meat succulent and juicy and the fat crisp on the outside. The bustling markets of Katutura township in the capital city of Windhoek are the best places to find this tasty soul food.

A Little Something for the Health Conscious

If you think the promise of a calorie-induced heart attack is a prerequisite to qualify as authentic street food, think again. The hot and sticky Indonesian climate means the refreshing street eat known as rujak (Malay for “mixture”) is a popular choice for snackers. It’s a simple concoction consisting of a cup of mixed fresh fruit or vegetables topped with rujak sauce and peanuts. The sweet and sour rujak sauce is similar to Chinese hoisin and is made from water, gula jawa (palm sugar), asem jawa (tamarind), ground peanuts, terasi (shrimp paste), salt and chilli.

Found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (where it is known as rojak), rujak consists of sliced fruit or vegetables that are then covered in a sweet, sour and spicy dressing and topped off with chopped peanuts. There are innumerable variations of the ingredients and sauces, so no two rujaks need ever be the same! Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Gunkarta Gunawan Kartapranata

Popular ingredients in a typical fruit rujak include jambu air (water apple), pineapple, mango, jicama (turnip), cucumber, kedondong (hog plum) and raw ubi jalar (sweet potato). The tartness of the fruit is nicely offset by the sweetness of the sauce, but those preferring a saltier flavour can ask for some sambal garam powder (salt and ground red chilli) on the side. The mix of sweet, sour and spicy flavours is said to be particularly popular among pregnant women, which may explain why a special fruit rujak is served during traditional baby shower ceremonies called Tujuh bulanan (meaning “seventh month”) on the island of Java. Locals believe if the rujak tastes sweeter the baby will be a girl and if spicier it signifies a boy.

Doughy, greasy and stodgy, Chilean sopaipillas are the ultimate comfort food for those cold, rainy days. The steaming bowl of sopaipilla pasada shown here in the background is the sweet version, served in a delicious syrup called chancaca. There are plenty of savoury alternatives too if you don't have a sweet tooth. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Warko2006

And for the Not So Health Conscious

The popular fast food known as sopaipilla can be found all over Latin America, but the version in Chile packs a little extra something. Here, the fried circles of dough are made with cooked squash (a Chilean staple) and this versatile comfort food can be either sweet or savoury. A variation of the snack is found on the island of Chiloé, where potatoes (sweet or plain) are used instead of squash. Sopaipilla pasada is served in chancaca, a warm cane sugar syrup flavoured with orange peel and cinnamon. It’s a perfect winter warmer that is also traditionally eaten on rainy afternoons with a cup of tea as a carb-laden pick-me-up. The savoury alternatives substitute chancaca for pebre, a sauce made from tomatoes, chopped onion, oil, salt, and chopped coriander or parsley. Jalepeño sauces are also popular for a bit of kick. Sopaipilla vendors can be found throughout the country plying the streets with their pushcarts and this simple dish is also often served in restaurants to whet the appetite.

The Café Literario Balmaceda in the Providencia district of Santiago, Chile, is one of the most popular literary cafés in the city. It has an excellent selection of coffees and, even more importantly, a collection of more than 30,000 books.

A Fine South American Literary Vintage

One part of South America’s Pacific flank, Chile has produced some prodigious literary talent, earning it the nickname the Land of Poets. This talent even includes two Nobel laureates, Gabriela Mistral (who was the first Latin American to receive this accolade back in 1945) and the world-renowned poet Pablo Neruda (nom de plume of Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto, who took the name in honour of the Czech writer, Jan Neruda).

The country’s best-known novelist, however, is probably Isabel Allende (who was born in Lima, Peru, and is first cousin once removed of the former Chilean president Salvador Allende), who penned the bestseller La casa de los espíritus (House of the Spirits). Her style of magical realism has drawn comparisons with another South American heavyweight, writer and Nobel Prize-winner Gabriel García Márquez, who hails from Colombia.

Chileans are understandably proud of their literary heritage and of their status as one of South America’s biggest producers of books. The Chilean capital, Santiago, is brimming with literary cafés buzzing with locals putting the world to rights or just looking to get away from it all and enjoy a coffee in peace and bookish solitude. Some cafés house a dizzying array of literature, including the autographed works of famous authors.

The African Queen of Sleuthing

Up until quite recently, the landlocked southern African nation of Botswana would have been noted more for its diamonds and desert; however, the vastly popular novels by Alexander McCall Smith detailing the exploits of Mma Precious Ramotswe, Africa’s very own Miss Marple, and her No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, have put the country firmly on the literary map.

These baobab trees in the Kalahari Desert have long been great symbols of Botswana. The publication of Alexander McCall Smith's series of books featuring the super sleuth, Mma Precious Ramotswe, has provided yet another as a great boon for the local tourist industry.

Born in Zimbabwe, but having lived for several years in Botswana, McCall Smith used his novels to paint an accurate and affectionate portrait of the country and of African life, a refreshing and welcome counterpoint to the many negative depictions of the continent. In fact, such has been the books’ appeal that they have been published in over 40 countries and even found their way onto the small screen as a series directed by the late Oscar-winner Anthony Minghella.

This has of course meant great things for the Botswanan tourist industry. Plenty of visitors now flock to the capital city of Gabarone to enjoy a cup of red bush tea, the favoured beverage of McCall Smith’s portly heroine, who is now also the subject of tours.

Hellenic Histories

The ancient nation of Greece packs a serious literary punch. From Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey to the famed works of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, the three great tragedians of classical Athens, Greece’s influence as the birthplace of Western culture is undisputed. The Greek islands too, with their stunning natural landscapes, have proved an effective muse for many a writer.

Lying just off the southern coast of Albania, the Ionian island of Corfu was also nicknamed Durrell’s Island in recognition of its most famous literary residents, the cosmopolitan novelist Lawrence Durrell and his brother, Gerald, a naturalist and writer. The Emerald Isle, as it’s also known, features heavily in both of their works although Gerald’s novels My Family and Other Animals and Birds, Beasts and Relatives are a decidedly more irreverent and light-hearted look at their time on an island known for its commitment to nature and tradition.

Myrtos Beach on the Greek island of Kefalonia is famed for its crystal-clear turquoise water and has been voted Greece's best beach 12 times. It was one of the locations used during the filming of the 2001 movie 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' – aficionados may remember the bomb scene was filmed here!

The volcanic isle of Santorini is lauded as one of the most beautiful spots in the Aegean and is believed by many to be the lost island of Atlantis. It is dominated by a huge caldera, whose beauty has spurred many a poet and novelist into fits of creativity and unbridled exaltation, including an homage by the Nobel winner Odysseas Elytis. The French existentialist philosopher and writer, Jean-Paul Sartre, even set his play Les Mouches (The Flies) in the village of Emporio, having visited the area with his partner and fellow intellectual, Simone de Beauvoir.

Forever immortalised in the Louis de Bernières bestseller and subsequent Hollywood blockbuster movie, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, the Ionian island of Kefalonia has done well out of its 15 minutes of fame, offering a number of tours that take in locations used during the making of the movie. Luckily Kefalonia is still far from becoming a Captain Corelli theme park and with its exquisite beaches, lush interior and secret finds, it is not hard to see what is still its real allure.

The third largest of the Greek islands, Lesvos is often referred to as the Island of Poets. Largely unspoiled, Lesvos is famed as the birthplace of the ancient lyric poetess, Sappho, who hailed from the small village of Eresos, now a major tourist hotspot.

A Polynesian Treasure Island

When Robert Louis Stevenson, of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Kidnapped fame, first visited the South Pacific island kingdom of Samoa, he was so taken with the archipelago that he made it his home, settling on the island of Upolu. By far the most famous palagi (white man) to ever make it to these shores, he was quickly taken in by the Samoans and became a valued member of the community, even adopting the native name Tusitala, meaning ‘Storyteller’ in Samoan.

The second largest Samoan island, Upolu, is famed not only for its natural beauty and romantic charm, but for its most renowned resident, the 19th century Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson's former home on the island has been turned into a museum in his honour and his tomb lies next to his wife’s on the summit of nearby Mount Vaea.

Stevenson’s sudden death in 1894 shook the locals greatly. He was buried atop Mount Vaea, where his tomb remains, engraved with an epitaph he penned himself, and which was translated into a Samoan song of grief:

Under the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie:
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be:
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.

For inspiration, we turned to the Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI), a ranking system designed to spotlight and encourage adventure travel markets that are sensitive to the needs of communities and the environment. The admirable result of the combined efforts of our friends at the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Xola Consulting, as well as The George Washington University’s International Institute of Tourism Studies, the ATDI emphasises what most mainstream ranking systems overlook; it awards high marks for community and environmental development as much as hard infrastructure, all in keeping with 10 pillars of adventure tourism market competitiveness based on principles of sustainable adventure tourism.

From the popular resort town of Nida, Lithuania, hikers can access some of Europe's tallest moving sand dunes – some reaching up to 60 metres in height – on the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO-ranked Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Lee Fenner

Given the WHL Group’s commitment to working in off-the-beaten-path destinations, we were most interested in the 10 developing countries ranked highest for adventure travel competitiveness. The ATDI recommendations may surprise you, but we believe you should keep the winners on your radar.

#10 – Lithuania

Numerous conservation areas and abundant hiking trails make Lithuania an excellent choice for nature lovers. One particularly unique site is the Curonian Spit, a long thin peninsula stretching south from Klaipeda in western Lithuania to Russia and separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Curonian Spit is renowned for its white-sand beaches, picturesque dunes and secluded pine forests. Near the Russian border, the quaint settlement of Nida has attracted artists and creative types for centuries. With onshore and offshore sports opportunities made possible by The Beautiful Land of Nevermind, the whl.travel local connection, the area makes a great retreat from hectic city life.

#9 – Botswana

The vast sands of the Kalahari cover roughly 85 percent of Botswana, and the country’s wildlife reserves are some of the world’s premier safari destinations. To the north, at the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve is best toured during dry season, with game watching at its peak from July through October. Nearby Chobe National Park has superb birding in the Savuti Marsh. In the east, the Tuli Game Reserve promises abundant wildlife, plus ruins of ancient Rhodesian settlements. Cube Safaris, a local tourism service based in Botswana, offers a range of tours to wilderness areas, including mokoro boat rides through the flood plains of the Okavango, elephant-back safaris and more.

The white storks of Latvia are also known as Svetelis, which signifies the thought of stork as the saints. Locals believe that farmsteads or meadows frequented by storks are blessed.

#8 – Latvia

Dynamic Latvia is rich in natural wonders, with forests covering more than 40 percent of the country. Just north of the capital, Riga, hikers can explore the caves, rivers and dense woodlands within Gauja National Park. Elsewhere, the sprawling Kemeri National Park contains 427 square kilometres of preserved forests, bogs and lakes, in addition to a well-maintained network of nature trails. The whl.travel local connection in Riga, Blueberry Travel, offers guided excursions to historic towns and medieval castles and other longer trips exploring the scenic beauty of the countryside, the local culture and many other extraordinary architectural gems and palaces.

#7 – Bulgaria

Beyond the stunning landmarks and red army monuments of Sofia, the wide open terrain of mountainous Bulgaria will give even the most avid hikers a serious run for their money. In the heart of the country, Central Balkan National Park has excellent hiking trails and native residents that include bears, wild goats, wolves and over 200 species of birds. The popular ski area of Bankso makes a great base for outdoor pursuits in summer as well for hiking, cycling, horseback riding and even fishing in Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At night, head out to the local mehanas (traditional taverns) for live folk music and good local wine.

Located in southern Chilean Patagonia, the spectacular 181,000-hectare Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO-rated Biosphere Reserve and an unequalled destination for nature lovers, backpackers and mountaineers. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/ground.zero

#6 – Chile

Chile has long been regarded as a must-see destination for adventure travellers. It’s no wonder why. From pristine Patagonia to the unearthly Valley of the Moon and harsh environment of the Atacama, this 4,300-kilometre-long country covers an extraordinary variety of climates and ecosystems. Torres del Paine is a solid choice for hikers and trekkers, while Pucón in the scenic Lakes District has both great winter skiing on Volcán Villarrica and an endless range of warm-weather activities like hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing and white-water rafting. Meanwhile, Chiloé Island is renowned for its birding, paddling and wildlife like Magellanic penguins, Chilote fox and rare pudú miniature deer.

#5 – Slovenia

From lush vineyards to remote forests and alpine peaks, the landscape of Slovenia is tailor-made for nature lovers and outdoor entusiasts of all abilities. For a serious trek, the 30-day Slovenian Mountain Trail is the oldest traverse in the country, crossing directly over the Julian Alps and ascending Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak (2,864 metres). You can also catch a glimpse of the traditional herdsman’s life on a two-day countryside trek to the Alpine dairy settlement of Velika Planina or tour the Pokljuka plateau. After a long hike, unwind while sampling local vintages on a wine-tasting tour in cosmopolitan Ljubljana.

In Estonia's Soomaa National Park, when there are no raised paths, special bogshoes aid with trekking through a watery fairytale landscapes. Here, travellers study plant species.

#4 – Estonia

It’s easy to escape the crowds in Estonia, with just 1.3 million people one of the least populous countries in the European Union. Natural wetlands cover more than one fifth of the country – and the parks are prime territory for canoeing, kayaking and bog-shoeing. For glorious outdoor indulgence, head to Soomaa National Park – its name translates literally to “land of the bogs.” From a base nearby, on the banks of the River Navesti, at Ritsu Talu Farm (cosy camping huts, saunas and rental canoes), explore the park on your own or venture off on a nighttime beaver safari for close encounters with the area’s infamous flat-tailed inhabitants.

#3 – Czech Republic

The culture-filled capital of Prague is reason alone to travel to the Czech Republic, but we strongly suggest veering off into the wilds of Bohemia’s natural forests, historic villages and scenic national parks. From the medieval town of Český Krumlov opportunities abound for kayaking along the Vltava – the upper reaches of the river near the Lipno Dam are best suited to white-water rafting. For heart-pounding downhill winter action, head to the snowcapped peaks of Rokytnice nad Jizerou, an ancient mining town in the western part of the Krkonoše – also known as the “Giant Mountains.” In summer, gorgeous waterfalls, caves, and forests make the area heaven for hikers.

Dominated by a castle built during the 13th Century, the medieval town of Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic has maintained its historic character and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Midweekpost

#2 – Israel

Despite its small size, Israel boasts a spectacularly varied landscape that includes arid desert, towering cliffs and stunning coastline – terrain perfect for all sorts of outdoor pursuits. Underwater enthusiasts should head straight to Eilat on the Red Sea, where dives feature shallow coral gardens, wrecks and abundant fish life. By the Dead Sea, the 2,500-hectare Ein Gedi Nature Reserve has posted hiking trails and animals like ibex, hyrax and Egyptian vultures. Further north, Metzoke Dragot makes a great base for rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking. The village has guides for desert excursions – canyon hikes, abseiling courses, camel rides and more – just one hour’s drive east of Jerusalem.

#1 – Slovak Republic

Long viewed as a junior partner to the Czech Republic, Slovakia has emerged as a leading destination for adventure travellers, complete with plenty of well-marked mountain trails, challenging cycling routes, and numerous glacial lakes and rivers well suited to canoeing, rafting and fishing. Although prices have gone up slightly since the euro was adopted, the Tatras Mountains along the border with Poland still boast plenty of affordable hotels and quaint mountain huts. One popular trek is the Tatranska Magistrala, a red-blazed trail crossing the Tatras from east to west between Velke Biele pleso to the town of Podbanske. The hike takes about 16 hours, although trailside huts are available for multi-day undertakings.

Houses all over Santiago suffered damage after the earthquake. Now residents are starting to pick up the pieces and try to put their homes and lives back together.

Everyone jumped up and started running toward the door, screaming as the walls continued to move for an excruciating 90 seconds. The entire neighbourhood flooded into the street for fear of their houses collapsing.

Throughout the early morning of the 27th and the rest of the day, we continued to feel aftershocks. There were so much that sometimes we couldn’t tell if it was our imagination or the ground was actually moving. Nevertheless, by midday, our electricity and internet access had been restored, which gave me the opportunity to find out exactly what had happened and if it was something my family back in North Carolina would see in the international news. I quickly discovered that the earthquake had measured 8.8 on the Richter scale and a top news story worldwide.

Chilean State of Emergency

Chile is no stranger to quakes, since it sits on one of several active fault lines that make up the Pacific Ring of Fire. But this earthquake is said to be the fifth strongest one in 100 years. While the epicentre was out in the ocean, 325km southwest of Santiago and 115km northeast of Concepción, an estimated 2 million people have been affected or displaced and 1.5 million homes have been damaged. At present, the death toll lingers above 700, although once we discover the whereabouts of the missing, it is expected to rise.

The Church of the Divine Providence in Avenue Providencia of Santiago, Chile, suffered structural damage from the tremors. This photo was taken a few hours after the earthquake. (Photo by Santiago Vanegas)

The worst damage was done in the Chilean region of Bio Bio in the middle of Chile. Now, with the dust settling, residents are trying to piece their lives back together. Where the quake hit the hardest is now a near wasteland and major roads, bridges and countless buildings are in ruin. The search for survivors is still in full force, as the rubble of apartment high-rises and other destroyed buildings is being cleared. One 15-story building in Concepción was demolished and several areas of the main road, Ruta 5, were lifted.

Closest to the centre of the quake, many people remain without electricity or potable water. Rampant looting has broken out in the more affected areas, such as Concepción; as some people may be desperate for basic supplies, others are taking advantage of the lack of security. President Bachalet has called in the army to police problem areas and help with control issues. They have had to resort to tear gas at times to keep the chaos at bay.

On the positive side, Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez Airport is expected to begin receiving some international incoming flights on Sunday after it was closed due to runway damage. Some parts of the capital’s metro system were also reopened Monday, while others are being inspected for possible repairs to the tracks. At present, many of city’s traffic lights are still not functioning.

How You Can Help

I was very lucky to make it through such a strong earthquake with only a broken mirror and a crack through my bedroom ceiling. Others in the country were not so fortunate and now lack the basic necessities. In general, Chile has serious problems.

If you would like to offer some aid to those in need, several non-profits have come forward to organise aid efforts. Take a look at these links to find out more:

• Americares
• Chilean Red Cross
• Habitat for Humanity
• International Medical Corps
• Save the Children
• UNICEF
• World Vision International

Maureen Valentine is the Regional Editor for whl.travel in Central and South America.

The Chilotes of Chiloé, an archipelago located off the coast of southern Chile, are renowned for their elaborate folk tales and mystical stories inspired by the epic forests and ocean tides that surround them. Over the years this long-established mythology has blended with Catholic traditions to produce an unusual cultural fusion. A trip to Chiloé provides a friendly glimpse of the resultant unique customs against a backdrop of pure natural beauty.

After a rainy afternoon, the vivid colours in the sky blend to create a lovely sunset conclusion to a typical day in Chiloé, Chile

Until fairly recently a destination reserved primarily for Chileans, the islands’ distinct cultures flourished in their relative isolation, all a breath of fresh air for mainlanders looking to escape routine. Increasingly, however, the archipelago has welcomed international visitors keen to learn more about the region and to participate in its successful ecotourism programs.

At first landfall – usually by boat – travellers can’t miss the characteristic colourful palafitos (houses built on stilts) that line the coast and are symbolic of the islanders’ close connection to the sea. Further inspection then reveals hundreds of little, wooden, Jesuit churches, the legacy of missionaries that first arrived in the 16th century and their attempts to impose Christianity as part of Spanish conquest. Several of these buildings have been elevated to UNESCO World Heritage Site status, evidence of their significant cultural value; they can be easily toured in a single day or as just one part of a more general exploration.

As respite from investigating the wide variety of things to see and do, there are plenty of Chiloé hotels – from backpackers’ hostels to the Cabañas Palafitos los Pescadores, long-term rentals in private coastal cabins.

Chiloé tours and activities are the best way to learn more about the interesting culture, geography, flora and fauna of the archipelago. Apropos of fauna, the island’s wildlife is particularly vibrant and has been inspiring visitors for a long time. The dedicated Puñihuil Penguin tours, for example, take travellers up close and personal with these beautiful creatures, but no matter where you wander – admiring the islands’ spectacular forests, skirting the shores of the tranquil lakes or spotting Pacific ocean life from the bow of a boat – you’ll follow in the footsteps of the great naturalist Charles Darwin, who visited the area in the mid 19th century as part of his grand tour.

whl.travel’s local connection in Chiloé, Pehuen Tourism, has been in the business for 20 years and always worked for more sustainable styles of tourism. With regards to joining the network, Santiago Vejar said: “We are very excited to participate in this project and become a window to Chiloé for the world. We have been developing sustainable tourism for many years, and it pleases us to know that there are forums such as whl.travel where people from around the world can gather and exchange ideas and comments to improve their destinations.”

The launch of www.chiloe-palena-hotels.travel is whl.travel’s first foray into the country of Chile.

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EN ESPAÑOL / IN SPANISH:

Relajándose en Chiloé, Primer Destino de whl.travel en Chile

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Los chilotes de Chiloé, un archipiélago en las costas del sur de Chile, son famosos por sus elaboradas leyendas locales e historias mitológicas inspiradas en los épicos bosques y las mareas del océano que les rodea. Al pasar los años, ésta ya establecida mitología se ha mezclado con las tradiciones católicas para producir una fusión cultural única. Un viaje a Chiloé provee una grata visión de éstas tradiciones tan especiales, superpuestas en un escenario de hermosa naturaleza.

A local Chilote labours at her wooden loom to create wool clothing. These techniques have been passed from mother to daughter over the generations. The type of wool clothing created is found in the markets all over Chiloé, Chile.

Hasta hace poco, un destino reservado principalmente para chilenos, la distintiva cultura de las islas floreció en su relativo aislamiento, toda una bocanada de aire fresco para las personas del continente quienes buscaban escapar de la rutina. Poco a poco, sin embargo, el archipiélago ha recibido visitantes internacionales ávidos de buscar información sobre el lugar y de participar en programas eco-turísticos.

Al llegar -principalmente por barco- los visitantes no pueden obviar los pintorescos palafitos (casas construidas sobre pilotes), que se alinean por la costa y que son un símbolo de los isleños y su conexión con el mar. Una inspección más profunda revelará luego cientos de pequeñas iglesias jesuitas de madera, el legado de misioneros que empezaron a arribar en el siglo XVI y que evangelizaron como parte de la conquista española. Varias de estas construcciones han sido elevadas como Patrimonio de la Humanidad por UNESCO, evidencia de su valor cultural; pueden ser una visitada durante un día o como parte de una exploración más general.

Como descanso de la investigación a la gran variedad de cosas que ver y hacer, hay una variedad de alojamientos en Chiloé – desde hoteles para backpackers hasta las Cabañas Palafitos los Pescadores, cabañas para turistas en la costa.

Los tours y actividades de Chiloé, son la mejor forma de aprender más sobre ésta interesante cultura, geografía, flora y fauna del archipiélago. Una propuesta de fauna, la vibrante y particular vida salvaje del archipiélago ha inspirado a visitantes por mucho tiempo. Los tours dedicados a las pingüineras de Puñihuil, por ejemplo, llevan a los visitantes de forma cercana y personal con estas hermosas criaturas, pero no importa donde vayas – admirando los espectaculares bosques de la isla, recorrer las orillas de los lagos o mirando la vida del Océano Pacífico desde la cubierta de una barco – estarás siguiendo los pasos del gran naturalista Charles Darwin, quien visitará el área en el siglo 19 como parte de su gran viaje.

La conexión local de whl.travel en Chiloé, Turismo Pehuén, ha estado en el negocio del turismo por 20 años y siempre ha trabajado por formas más sostenibles de turismo. Con respecto a unirse a la red, Santiago Véjar dijo: “Estamos muy interesados en participar de este proyecto y volvernos una ventana de Chiloé en el mundo. Hemos estado desarrollando turismo sostenible durante muchos años, y nos agrada encontrar que hay foros como whl.travel donde la gente de todo el mundo se puede encontrar e intercambiar ideas y comentarios sobre cómo mejorar los destinos”.

El lanzamiento de www.chiloe-palena-hotels.travel es la primera incursión de whl.travel en Chile.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

O nativos de Chiloé, um arquipélago situado ao largo sul da costa do Chile, são famosos pelos seus contos e histórias místicas elaboradas e inspiradas pelas florestas épicas e marés do oceano que os cercam. Ao longo dos anos essa mitologia tem se misturado com tradições católicas para produzir uma fusão cultural incomum. A viagem para Chiloé fornece uma visão do belo resultado de costumes locais em um cenário de rara beleza natural.

Annual boat races in Chiloé, Chile, bring out the crowds between November and March. This tradition began as jovial competitions between residents of Chiloé and Puerto Montt, but nowadays people from all over the country, as well as a few foreigners, flock to compete.

Até muito recentemente era um destino reservado principalmente para os chilenos, e as distintas culturas das ilhas floresceram no seu relativo isolamento, todos em busca de um sopro de ar fresco para escapar de rotina. Cada vez mais, no entanto, o arquipélago tem recebido visitantes internacionais interessados em aprender mais sobre a região e participar de seus bem-sucedido programas de ecoturismo.

Na primeira vista ao chegar – geralmente por barco – os viajantes não pode perder a vsistados coloridos palafitos que se alinham a costa e simbolizam a estreita conexão entre a população e o mar. Em seguida, uma nova inspecção revela centenas de pequenas igrejas jesuíticas de madeira, o legado dos missionários que chegaram pela primeira vez no século 16 e suas tentativas de impor o cristianismo como parte da conquista espanhola. Vários desses prédios foram elevados ao estatus de Património Mundial da UNESCO, provas do seu valor cultural significativo. Elas podem ser facilmente vistas em um único dia ou apenas como uma parte de uma exploração mais geral.

Nas pausas das idas e vindas no arquipélogo, devido a variedade de coisas para ver e fazer, escolha a sua melhor opção de hotéis em Chiloé – de pousadas para backpackers a cabanas palafitos, a aluguéis de longa duração em privadas cabines costeiras.

Reservas um tour em Chiloé é a melhor maneira de aprender mais sobre a interessante cultura, geografia, fauna e flora do arquipélago. A propósito da fauna, a vida selvagem da ilha é particularmente vibrante e tem sido inspiradora para os viajantes desde muito tempo. O tour dedicado ao Penguin Puñihuil, por exemplo, leva os viajantes bem perto dessas estas belas criaturas, mas não importa por onde você andar – admirando as florestas das ilhas espetaculares , contornando as margens dos lagos tranquilos ou admirando a vida do oceano Pacífico da proa de um barco – você estará seguindo os passos do grande naturalista Charles Darwin, que visitou a área em meados do século 19, como parte de sua grandiosa turnê.

A conexão local da whl.travel em Chiloé, a Turismo Pehuen, atua em Chiloé há 20 anos e sempre trabalhou com práticas mais sustentáveis no turismo. No que diz respeito a adesão a rede, Santiago Vejar comenta: “Estamos muito animados por participar desse projeto e tornar Chiloé uma janela para para o mundo. Temos trabalhado de forma sustentável por muitos anos, e nos agrada saber que existem empresas como a whl.travel onde pessoas de todo o mundo podem se reunir e trocar idéias para melhorar os seus destinos.”

O lançamento de www.chiloe-palena-hotels.travel é o primeiro portal da whl.travel no Chile.