CHILE

Long and skinny, this beautiful country captured my heart immediately. I have yet to explore the more famous regions like the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, and Santiago, but I loved visiting the lake region for the Adventure Travel World Summit. We flew into Puerto Montt, rented a car (easy!), and drove to Puerto Varas. There is still a large German influence here, thanks to thousands of German immigrants in the 1850's. You'll see signs for "kuchen" and "strudel" everywhere.

Stay: Hotel Cumbres

Eat: Dane's Cafe & Restaurant

La Gringa Bakery/Mercado 605 wine bar

Do: Petrohué Waterfalls

Osarno Volcano

Visit: Towns of Frutilla (Café CapPuccini in the Teatro del Lago) and Puerto Octay (Bar Porvenir)