Page 159 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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The Chilean Lakes WONDERS
NATURAL

vs the Italian Lakes

Italy’s magnificent lakes are synonymous with moneyed elegance, yet when it comes to
natural splendor, they are no match for Chile’s spectacular volcanic wonders

beautiful land of fire and sapphire water has been
NEED TO KNOW
a source of legend for millennia.
LOCATION The Chilean 4BOUJBHP Journey through Chile’s Lake District, anchored
lakes are in the south of the
"3(&/5*/"
country, 421 miles (677 km) $)*-& in its north by Temuco and in its south by Puerto
from the capital, Santiago Montt, and you’ll encounter rare primordial beauty.
-",&
NUMBER OF %*453*$5 The region takes its name from the magical lakes
LAKES 20
1BDJmD "UMBOUJD that spread across its entirety, their expansive,
DAYTIME 0DFBO 0DFBO
TEMPERATURES deep-blue waters lying serenely at the feet of
Jan: 63°F (17°C); Apr: 55°F soaring volcanoes. Picturesque towns, dotted with
(13°C); Jul: 46°F (8°C); 1VOUB "SFOBT
Oct: 54°F (12°C) 6TIVBJB plazas and the spires of churches built by the German ABOVE Monkey-puzzle trees on a hillside in the Chilean Lake District
communities that settled here in the 19th century,
overlook the lakeshores and make for romantic where you can laze in hot springs that bubble up
Beautiful though the lakes of northern Italy stopovers. Trails run from these towns to lakeside from beneath the earth’s crust. Horse-rides on these
are, ringed by tall mountains and overlooked by beaches of black volcanic and fine white sand, slopes reveal virgin forest with hidden waterfalls,
luxurious villas and medieval castles, their allure skirting around lush forest along the way. A barefoot gushing streams, and ancient woods of monkey-
pales when compared to the dramatic lakes of walk across the sand, beneath green forest and puzzle trees. Hiking trails lead to the summits of
southern Chile. Travel to the world’s end and dramatic smoking peaks, inspires a childlike delight; the great Villarrica and Osorno volcanoes, sacred to
you’ll discover a fairy-tale region of shimmering a sensation of closeness to nature that intensifies the Mapuche, the proud native people of the Lake
blue water, emerald forest, Andean peaks, and on sinking into the warm, mineral-rich lake water. District. Peering into their bubbling craters at
steaming hot springs that bubble beneath This sense of being in an untamed, elemental spitting gases and glowing magma, the sensation
smoldering volcanoes. Italy’s lakes may have place is accentuated on the volcanic slopes that is one of gazing into the very heart of the earth.
inspired the Romantic poets, but Chile’s overlook the lakes. Roads lead to mountain spas,
PRACTICAL INFORMATION

FORGET THE ITALIAN LAKES? Getting There and Around In Pucón, La Maga (tel. +56 45
444 277) serves some of the
International flights land at Chile’s
capital city, Santiago, from where region’s best cuisine.
THE BUILD-UP Loved by everyone from Roman emperors and
flights depart daily for Temuco. Where to Stay
the Romantic poets to Hollywood actor George Clooney, who
Maquehue Airport is a 4-mile Overlooking Lake Villarrica in
owns a villa on Lake Como, Italy’s lakes have seduced visitors for (7-km) taxi ride from Temuco’s city Pucón, Hotel Antumalal (www.
centuries. Classical villas and turreted castles dot the perimeters center. Buses are a good way of antumalal.com), built in the
of the lakes here and picture-perfect towns spill down to their traveling around the region, but Bauhaus style, boasts a luxury
shorelines. Close to Milan and Verona, they are easily accessed. a car is essential if you want to spa and suites with stunning
explore more freely. Bikes are great lake views.
THE LETDOWN The region’s easy access means that it swarms for exploring towns and lakeshores When to Go
with tourists come high season, when restaurant prices soar and horse-riding through forests Visit between December
higher than the surrounding peaks, driving tours of the lakes can be breathtaking. and February, the southern
turn into grueling ordeals, and cafés have standing room only. Where to Eat hemisphere’s summer, when
Wordsworth described Italy’s lakes as “a treasure the earth keeps Delicious regional specialties days are long and warm and
to itself.” Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. include freshwater trout and the lakes look magnificent.
ABOVE The sandy shore of Lake Garda heaving with salmon, game and, in coastal Budget per Day for Two
GOING ANYWAY? The best time to visit the lakes is outside the sun-worshipers, Italy cities, seafood. Have a quality US$330 per day, to cover luxury
high season, which runs from early June to September. If you’re booking a stay at one of the bigger lakes, choose Chilean wine or a local bock beer hotel and spa accommodations,
a small town with authentic Italian appeal rather than a resort – Maclesine on Lake Garda or Varenna on Lake with your meal, followed by a food, car rental, and excursions.
Como are recommended. Consider too a smaller lake destination, such as picturesque Lake Iseo. German dessert and a glass of Website
Pisco Sour, Chile’s national drink. www.sernatur.cl

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