*** Congratulations to Santiago based photographer Kyle Hepp  - winner of the Delfin Amazon Cruise Competition***

JANUARY PRIZE
Tren del Vino Santa Cruz Program for 2 People
Valued at USD $358.00

Prize Includes: Transfer from Santiago to San Fernando Station via bus, Train journey with wine tasting and snacks, Chilean welcome performance, Country style buffet lunch, Visit to Santa Cruz Vineyard, Ride in cable lift & visit to Indigenous village re-creation, return transfer to Santiago . 

To enter, answer the following question: 
What is the name of the 3 wood-paneled carriages on board the Tren del Vino?

Send entries to contest@uniquedestinations.cl
Subject heading must state "Tren del Vino Contest"
Entries close 31st January 2010

Unique Destinations' Review of Tren del Vino

Travel within Chile offers many different activities for the adventurous, from trekking in Patagonia to mountain biking in the desert. For those who prefer a more relaxed and cultural experience, a journey on the Colchagua Valley’s Wine Train, or Tren del Vino, is a fascinating way to explore the region in one day.  

Chile’s only operational steam train offers an opportunity to sample some of the finest premium and reserve wines while being introduced to local traditions. Built in 1913, the Tren del Vino consists of three wood-paneled passenger carriages aptly named “Cabernet Sauvignon”, “Carmenere” and “Merlot”. Each carriage features burgundy velvet seats and is adorned in vintage décor taking you back to the 20^th century era. 

Tren del Vino offers several different programs, all functioning on Saturdays. Each program commences in Santiago with a bus ride of just over an hour and a half towards the south. On arrival at the San Fernando Station, the Tren del Vino awaits to escort passengers on a 42km journey into the Santa Cruz Valley. 

As the locomotive’s whistle blows loudly, the coal-powered engine begins to chug and the scenic adventure of the “Viña Santa Cruz Program” commences. During the hour-long voyage a degustacion menu consisting of wines, cheeses, fruits and empanadas is served while a local entertains with folklore music. On arrival to the brightly colored Santa Cruz Station, a group performs a captivating “Ezquinazo”, a traditional Chilean dance called the cueca. Following the performance, the male and female dancer walk towards the crowd, scouting for an eager volunteer to join them. As most people cower behind the person next to them, a few brave faces (perhaps thanks to the previous hour’s wine consumption!) step forward and learn the cueca.

After all the excitement it is time for another round of food and drinks and the journey continues towards the Lolol Valley to a hacienda for an “asado” or traditional Chilean barbecue.  Following lunch the next stop of the journey is the Santa Cruz Vineyard. Founded in 2003, this 220-hectare landscape has brought wine tourism in Chile to a new level with a cable car and indigenous village featuring reproductions of Mapuche, Rapa Nui and Aymara tribal dwellings. Another wine tasting is included as well as a tour of the modern facilities.

As the day draws to a close, so does your experience with Tren del Vino. For those who decide to extend their journey, accommodation at Hotel Santa Cruz can be coupled with the program. But for the day-trippers, the journey will conclude with a drive back to Santiago. During the drive there is a hushed atmosphere on the bus as passengers reflect on their day, each one able to consider themselves an expert in Chilean wine and culture.

In addition to this program, Tren del Vino offers 4 other varying programs year-round:  Premium, Two Valleys, Wine & History and Rose. For more information or bookings, please contact Unique Destinations via email at: info@uniquedestinations.cl 
 

Unique Destinations’ Review of Delfin Amazon Cruises

A journey into the Amazon is an experience that many dream about. An opportunity to enter one of the world’s most biologically diverse areas and sight an abundance of exotic species of flora and fauna. In 2006, the Delfin Amazon Cruise company was launched to do just that. Provide guests with this opportunity of an authentic, yet indulent, Amazon experience.

The Delfin Amazon Cruise fleet consists of two river vessels. Created in 1978, then fully refurbished by Delfin in 2006, is the Delfin I.  With 6 wood-panelled, air-conditioned cabins for up to 12 guests, it was the pioneer upscale river cruise operator in the Amazon.

The newest addition to the fleet, the Delfin II, was launched in March 2009. Offering a new level of luxury, the vessel consists of 14 individual air-conditioned suites, including 4 master suites with 180 degree windows viewing the surrounding Amazon Jungle. The 3^rd level observation deck is open-air and provides a casual and comfortable place to relax and watch the river go by. The bar offers a range of beverages from the lethal pisco sours to specially created cocktails – just the treat you need while lounging in the hammocks and floating away.

Dining on board one of the Delfin Fleet is an experience in itself. With the Amazon providing a bountiful supply of fresh ingredients, the talented chefs are able to prepare gourmet cuisine to enhance your experience. While on board, you will try several different local fruits and vegetables, some you have never even heard of before.

Before every meal the staff decorate the dining room and tables with bright coloured creations made by the locals. The presentation is so spectacular that guests are photographing each meal to capture the creativity. During meal time the service is impeccable with white-gloved waiters greeting you by name and presenting each plate with an explanation of what it consists of.

The service provided by the staff on board is impeccable. The friendly barman is always waiting with a tray of ice cold drinks on every return from an excursion. Following dinner, if you’re lucky, the crew might pop into the dining room with guitar and maracas in hand for little performance. And at night, while you are dining your room is “turned-down” leaving your bed ready for slumber and a chocolate on your pillow for  “sweet dreams”.

To reach the cruise, you must fly into the Peruvian city of Iquitos where you will the nbe transferred to the Port of Nauta. From there, the Delfin Amazon Cruise will depart and continue its journey down the Amazon River towards the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, the worlds largest protected flooded forest. It is said that during the rainy season up to 85% of the forest is flooded and only accessible by boat.

In the Amazon there are two seasons, the flooded and the dry season. Choosing the best time to travel with Delfin Amazon Cruises can be difficult as both seasons offer amazing opportunities and rewards. The flooded season runs from December to April and is generally cooler and wetter, but still hot as the Amazon always is. During this time the rivers and streams are higher allowing navigation to waterways in-accessible during the dry season.  The dry season runs from June to November and is the warmer season. One of the key differences is that the jungle trails are accessible allowing you to explore deeper into the jungle.

During the cruise you will see many amazing sights along the shores of the Amazon River. However the real sight-seeing begins when you enter the skiffs (speed boats) and set-off for shore excursions accompanied by a naturalist guide. 

Binoculars are a necessity. While you will be sighting wildlife from all different angles, the binoculars will allow you to get up close and personal and watch the animals go about their daily business. The sights you will see are truly amazing. Inside the Amazon jungle there is so much life:  giant ants carrying leaves back to their nests, pygmy marmosets (the world’s smallest monkey) jumping delicately from branch to branch, sloths lazing about in the canopy of the trees, pre-historic iguanas baking in the sun and giant green lillypads floating atop a lagoon. 

All of these sights are awe-inspiring, and in addition to visualizing these fascinating displays there are several prominent experiences in which you can personally take part.

On one of your excursions you will enter one of the small rivers off the Amazon River to do none other than……piranha fishing! The technique of catching piranhas is similar to that of fly-fishing. However the bait is a juicy piece of raw meat! Within seconds of dipping your rod into the water there is swarm or piranhas all fighting to take hold of the bait. With a quick snap of the wrist and a flick of the rod you’ll be sure to catch one. They’re only tiny little creatures but you wouldn’t want to get in the way of their ferocious looking teeth!

If that experience wasn’t enough to get the adrenalin going….. Picture a scene from Australia’s “The Crocodile Hunter” tv series. Cruising up and down the Amazon River in the pitch black of night, floodlight shining towards the river bank. On the sighting of glowing red eyes the skiff edges closer ever so slowly. Then, bam! The guide dives his arms into the water pulls out a wriggling caiman for all to see.

The most enthralling experience is the sighting of the mysterious pink dolphin.  Considered an endangered species, these playful and curious creatures can be spotted performing water ballet near the river basins and streams. There are all sorts of ancient myths and legends that surround this pick flushed creature. Some say they have supernatural powers and can change their appearance to that of a charming handsome young man…….either way an encounter with one with melt your heart.

So whatever experience it is that you are after, you will be sure to find it within an excursion on the Delfin Amazon Cruise.

By Jackie Rosser
Business Director of Unique Destinations

Unique Destinations’ Review of Patagonia Camp

In the heart of Chilean Patagonia there lies a region of extraordinary beauty – the Torres del Paine National Park. It is here, on the shores of Lake Toro that Chile’s first luxury camp, Patagonia Camp, was built providing guests with a gateway to explore the region in style.

Patagonia Camp introduces guests to the distinctive concept of “glamping”, glamorous camping. The “camp” is made up of 17 Yurts, each with their own private terrace, bathroom and fully equipped bedroom/living space with a king sized bed or two twin beds. Gone are the days of struggling to put up a synthetic tent and surviving for days on end with out the mod cons of every day life. The yurts are all permanent structures providing guests with comfy bedding, closets to hang your clothes, central heating, hair dryers, phones and bathroom amenities. 

Nestled into a forest of beech trees with amazing views to Lake Toro and the Paine Massif, Patagonia Camp is the ideal place to experience the ruggedness and adventure of Patagonia in combination with comfort and luxury. Inside the yurts you will encounter the sensations of the outdoors hearing the wind rustling the trees, the rain falling and nature calling. Through the yurt’s small roof top sky window you can gaze into the blue skies above or doze off viewing the sparkling stars at night. 

Stays at Patagonia Camp are packaged into a 3 or 4 Night All-Inclusive Program. Imagine arriving to your destination and having everything organized for you. That’s the way traveling should be, and at Patagonia Camp it is! Included in your package are: return transfers to and from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, luxury accommodation, daily meals including buffet breakfast, boxed lunch and dinner with Matetic Vineyard wines, a Patagonian BBQ, daily excursions to the Torres del Paine National Park, bilingual guides and park entrance fees. 

On your first night at Patagonia Camp you will meet with the guides to discuss the program and excursions offered for the following day. The guides have all been working in the area for many years and have a wealth of knowledge to share with guests and enhance their stay. Each day there is a choice of a full day excursion or two half day excursions. Excursions are taken via mini van in small groups. Group numbers will never exceed 10 people, ensuring that each guest receives a personal experience.

Throughout your stay you will be sure to see Torres del Paine’s most important view points and attractions including the Grey Lake, Torres del Paine Base, Pehoe Lake, Salto Grande Viewpoint, Laguna Verde and many more. The National Park also has an abundance of Chilean wildlife and you will be sure to see various species of native birds such as flamingos and condors plus packs of guanacos, relatives of the llama family. If you’re lucky you may even get to see one of the park’s elusive pumas! 

On return to the lodge after a long day of exploring you will have some time to relax and enjoy the facilities and surroundings of Patagonia Camp before dinner. On a cool spring evening you could take a warm bubble bath in your yurt followed by a soothing massage. Or on a warm summer evening, relax in the bar overlooking Lake Toro with a pisco sour or broaden your knowledge by reading a book or surfing the internet in the lounge. 

If the camp’s set-up and surroundings haven’t already enticed you to stay then wait until you hear about the meals. Each morning you will wake up to a buffet breakfast consisting of sliced fruits, ham, cheeses, breads and pastries plus freshly squeezed juices. During your excursions you certainly won’t be snacking on soggy sandwiches like other “campers”. Your guides will set-up a spectacular feast of a picnic with an amazing backdrop of one of the park’s features. Dinners are always 3 courses, delighting you with local produce such as lamb and southern hake with fresh fruits & vegetables. One of the highlights of the trip is dining on the famous Patagonian BBQ of Magellanic lamb, slow-roasted by the talented chef.

Patagonia Camp is truly a unique way to visit Torres del Paine and is certainly an experience not to be missed. 

This month, Patagonia Camp are offering our readers the chance to win a 3 Night All-Inclusive Package for Two People valued at
USD$2,820

To enter the competition, fill in the missing word from the sentence below and email your answer to info@uniquedestinations.cl before 30 November 2009. The winner will be drawn in the first week of December. 

“One of the highlights of the trip is dining on the famous Patagonian BBQ of _______________ lamb, slow-roasted by the talented chef.”

Unique Destinations’ Review of Ski Portillo

Perched high up in the Andes and not far from the Argentina frontier lies South America’s oldest, and one of Chile’s most popular ski resorts, Portillo. Frequented by visitors from all around the world, Portillo is also one of the preferred ski resorts for summer training by the United States and many European national Olympic ski teams.

With a history dating back to last century; when the Chilean government ordered the construction of a railroad to transport goods and passengers between Chile’s Central Valley and Argentina’s Mendoza; Portillo has since grown into a world class facility offering skiing for beginners through to experts.

Arriving to Portillo is quite simple. It is located 2 hours drive northeast of Santiago towards the Chile / Argentina border crossing. With no other towns nearby, Portillo’s exclusive location allows guests the ultimate skiing experience without the crowds. 

During an average season, Portillo receives bountiful amounts snow with an average of 24.7 feet. On the rare occasion where there might be low snowfall, Portillo has snowmaking equipment on hand to assist. The slopes are groomed on a nightly basis leaving them in perfect condition for skiers the next morning.

With the help of the onsite Ski School, beginners can learn to ski or snowboard with one of 35 skiing and snowboarding professionals from 10 different countries around the world. For children aged 4 – 6 there is a Ski School Kids Camp which is designed to introduce youngsters to the world of alpine skiing or snowboarding.

Portillo’s slopes also features both intermediate and advanced trails, and are renowned for their expert runs. The expert runs include the Roca Jack and Condor which are so steep that a special one-of-its-kind lift is required. To challenge your expertise even further you could try the famous Kilometro Lanzado run, home to three speed skiing trial records and where, for the first time, the 200km speed barrier was broken!

Surely this should be enough to entice the avid skier to make a visit to Portillo! The resort offers packages based on a week-long, Saturday to Saturday basis only (with some exceptions during low seasons). Each 7 Night Package includes lodging, four meals per day, lift tickets and free access to all the fitness and entertainment facilities.

Hotel Portillo is the primary choice of accommodation for most guests – offering 123 cozy and warm guest rooms each with a view to the snow covered valleys or to the Inca Lake. There is however, accommodation to suit all needs. In addition to the hotel, and just a few steps away are the Octagon Lodges – a more economical alternative of lodging. Each contains 4 bunk beds and a private bathroom. For the backpacker, there is the Inca Lodge, also just a few steps away from the hotel where small rooms and communal bathrooms are offered.

As there are no other towns or villages nearby, the resort is totally self-contained and provides all the modern amenities that guests might require during their stay. The features of Hotel Portillo are extensive ranging from a cinema operating movies every afternoon to Tio Bob’s slopeside restaurant offering barbecued meats and fish while guests can enjoy the stunning views surrounding.

After a long day out on the slopes most people will be wondering what to do for “Apres ski”. For some this begins in the bar for a cocktail or drink before dinner then partying on in the resort’s disco until the early hours. For others it might be relaxing with a quiet board game amongst friends in the library or receiving a massage and beauty treatments in the onsite spa.

Another experience not to miss is bathing in the outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi on a snowy afternoon. Kicking back and encompassing the backdrop of the Andes blanketed in snow is a truly unforgettable affair. So don’t forget to pack your bathing suit!

To keep the kids entertained there is a games room featuring pool, ping-pong, foosball and even rock climbing. Each afternoon the entertainment team organizes fun activities for kids such as treasure hunts, sports competitions, bread-baking classes and more. At Portillo there is never an opportunity for kids, let alone adults to say “I’m bored”!

During the onset of the winter months there is often a buzz about Santiago as ski enthusiasts eagerly await the official opening date of the resort and many dates sell-out within the first week. Unique Destinations and Portillo would like to advise readers of a special opening in availability between 4 and 11 July 2009. The resort will offer two special 4 Night Packages for stays during this period. Rooms are expected to sell very quickly as the resort doesn’t normally deviate from the standard 7 Night Package so be sure to contact Jackie Rosser at Unique Destinations as soon as possible to make your booking (jrosser@uniquedestinations.cl). More special offers can be viewed on our website at www.uniquedestinations.cl

In addition to these special offers, Portillo will be giving away 4 Day Ski Tickets to one lucky reader! To go in the draw to win, please send your answers to the following question to info@uniquedestinations.cl Entries close 31 July 2009.

Question: Name the 3 types of accommodation offered at Portillo Ski Resort

Unique Destinations’ Review of La Cason at Matetic Vineyards
June 2009 Destination of the Month 

Amongst the scents of the countryside and the sea, and embraced by beautiful rolling mountains, lies Chile’s San Antonio Valley. Over a century ago, it was here that a colonial style guesthouse was constructed, paving the way for the Chilean based Matetic Family to create the empire that is today, the Matetic Vineyards.

In the year of 1999 the Matetic Family diversified their business ventures and started the Matetic Vineyards in the Rosario Valley, a sub-division of the San Antonio Valley. Several years later, with the aid of architect and designer Max Cummins, the guesthouse, “La Casona” was remodeled and decorated bringing the property to life with an ambience of sophistication.

Within an hour’s drive from the metropolitan city of Santiago you will be transported to La Casona’s grandiose homestead. This pioneer style property will be your “home away from home”. 

After a more recent expansion, La Casona now offers seven large suite rooms – each fitted with the most comfortable king size (or two single) beds you have ever experienced. Beneath the soft sheets on each bed lies a “featherbed” - a wonderful innovation encased with goose feathers, designed to give you the feeling of sleeping on clouds. All the rooms have their own individual style and are decorated with elegant charm reminiscent of a typical countryside abode. Each features central heating, a large screen tv, private bathroom and private terrace. 

When you’re not relaxing in your suite, you can unwind in La Casona’s living room where there is a library, pool table, board games, chimney and a bar. Come dinner time, and guests are invited to dine in the Matetic Winery’s restaurant Equilibrio, specializing in Chilean cuisine. Nestled next to a lake, home to fluffy white geese, Equilibrio offers guests the freshest fishes and seafood, and the finest preparations of lamb and duck. For those interested in a gastronomical experience, look no further. Each meal is prepared with such delicacy, right down to the intricate wispy strands of caramel drizzled over the crème caramel dessert. Paired with each course is a selection of the Matetic Winery’s finest wines. 

Following your evening of exquisite dining, guests are invited to take breakfast the following morning in La Casona’s regal dining room. Here, the resplendent deep red wall paper accentuates the dark wood dining table and furniture. Bestowing the feeling that you are dining in royal quarters! From the nearby kitchen, your waiter will fill the table with a traditional country style breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, toast, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruits, berries, yoghurts, jam and biscuits. Enough to prepare you for a day full of activity.

La Casona has a myriad of activities that guests can take part in. If you staying for a relaxed weekend away from a fast paced life then you can laze beside the swimming pool or take a bicycle ride through the vineyards and the property. For those with a keen interest in wine, your hosts can organize a wine tour through the Matetic Vineyards modern and environmentally friendly winery. 

Portraying state-of-the-art facilities, the winery will introduce visitors to the phases of wine production. One of the most interesting parts of the tour is the visit to the laboratory. Dressed in white lab coats the winemakers isolate and analyze each component to be blended into wine, ensuring that the wine making process is sanitary and certified. At the end of your wine tour you will be guided through a wine tasting with a professional sommelier. You will also have the opportunity to purchase wines directly from the winery so you can savor your experience when you return home. 

La Casona is open to receive guests all year round with occupancy peaking during the wine season, from around November to April. During the winter months La Casona can be the perfect romantic, country style getaway!