Wine barrels at Vik Winery in Chile.

A Stay at Vik Chile

Located 100 miles southwest of the capital city of Santiago, you’ll find the gem of a retreat known as Vik Chile. Founded by Alex and Carrie Vik in 2006, Chile’s Millahue Valley is the backdrop for this scenic winery and retreat. The valley, named the “Golden Place” by the native Mapuche people, boasts over 10,000 Read more…

Sunrise over a mountain, deck with pool, Chile

Three Accommodation Options in Chile’s Torres del Paine

There is no shortage of wonderful accommodations to choose from when you want to explore southern Patagonia from the Chilean side. On two separate trips, I have been fortunate enough to spend a few days at three of Torres del Paine’s most stunning properties– Awasi Patagonia, Estancia Cerro Guido, and Tierra Patagonia. While none are Read more…

Active Patagonia: Epic Hikes for the Adventurous Traveler

For as long as I can remember, I’ve never sat still very well. When my friends would dream of beach holidays, I’d fantasize about ascending big peaks, mountain biking away from civilization, or rock-climbing in the most remote corners of the world. So naturally, when the opportunity arose to return to Patagonia with Travel Beyond, Read more…

Chile’s Atacama Desert: The Driest Place on Earth

Desertscapes have always captivated me in ways that other biomes haven’t. The vastness offers one clarity and spending time immersed in these landscapes is often likened to a spiritual experience- a place where one can really connect to earth. The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is no exception! Famed for being the world’s driest desert, Read more…

Protecting the Pumas: Cerro Guido Conservation Fund

On a recent trip to Chile, my husband John and I spent more than a week exploring Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park. One stop was at Estancia Cerro Guido, a property surrounded by stunning landscapes and home to unique wildlife. While here, we enjoyed incredible food and set off on beautiful hikes. We Read more…

Highlights of Patagonia: Chile & Argentina

It’s hard to describe Patagonia. The first few things that come to mind when thinking of this area are: mountains, fields of ice, the ever-present guanaco (similar to a llama), and the elusive puma. What’s often missing, and hard to fully comprehend, is the vastness of the region. It’s said to encompass more than 300,000 Read more…

Chile’s Lake District

What comes to mind when you think of Chile? Mountains, glaciers, probably the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, and Easter Island. However, there exists another equally as interesting region, one that not as many travelers have considered visiting —  the Lake District. Just south of Santiago, it is not only fascinating to visit, but also centrally located Read more…

¡Salud! The Wine (and food) of Chile

There is a Chilean expression ‘Buena Onda,’ which means good vibe in English. It is used to convey a mood, style, or attitude that one feels while out experiencing the world. I knew when setting off with Kayla to the country this past June, I was in for a good time. But it was during Read more…

Patagonia Seasonality

Patagonia has become one of the most popular South American destinations to visit. Spanning nearly 410,000 square miles and across both Chile and Argentina, it is a region of impressive landscapes, incredible wildlife, and endless activities. From its glacial ice to its pristine lakes, its rugged mountain peaks to its vast plains, Patagonia promises visitors Read more…