The air might be getting chilly, but don't let that put you off. If you do, you could be missing out on one of travel's best-kept secrets: winter in Chile!
Patagonia becomes a winter wonderland, a haven for those seeking solitude and disconnection from the modern world. Animals re-name the trails their own and take to the Park in bigger numbers, losing any shyness from the high-season. Adventures take on an otherworldly glow beneath the stark gaze of the icy mountains; although your nose might be cold, it is well worth it. Options include sea kayaking along the San Isidro Cape, sailing to the majestic Calafate glacier, or wildlife spotting along the French Valley.
Closer to the capital, the wineries are losing their green foliage and turning into a sea of fiery amber and warm red. Vendimia, or the grape harvest, took place in March and April, and winemaking is well underway in the Casablanca and Maipo Valleys. At around an hour's drive from Santiago, both these fog-drenched valleys produce excellent varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah and crisp Chardonnay. A day spent cruising the wineries for tours and tastings makes a wonderful way to forget about the breeze.
Powder. Chile packs a huge snowy punch with slopes to satisfy a variety of tastes, suiting families through to adventurous snowboarders. Close to Santiago, you can find Valle Nevado and Portillo, and Cascada has a variety of packages of varying lengths, each one including excellent accommodation, food and additional activities (including to the nearby wineries). Further afield is the mountain resort, Corralco, a haven beside Araucarian forest and Lonquimay Volcano.
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) loses its summer crowds and returns to the locals, making it a wonderfully calm spot to visit in winter. All the same activities are an option during the milder months, which sees the island never lose its subtropical glow, so you can continue onwards with the volcano-climbing and archaeological artifact hunting.
The Atacama Desert continues to draw visitors due to its reputation as the world's driest desert, and Cascada has two tour options bound to excite visitors. The first is a luxurious escape where you use the stunning Awasi Hotel as your base, venturing out to the surrounding salt flats and dunes with your private driver. The second is an intense 7-day hike that is not for the faint-hearted; in this trip you go right off the beaten track into the desert, visiting secluded villages and ancient ruins.
