IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE QUEEN, IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR US Waking up to grey clouds and cold temperatures was a bit of a shock to the system, but the sight of huge lakes and lush green forests rushing past the bus window was something else after so long in the dry north. The small of town of Pucon on the banks of Lago Villarica, and dangerously close to the volcano of the same name, was the location of the next of the hotels we were reviewing. Although the weathe...

AN AVOCADO AND ESCUDO FARRAGO IN SANTIAGO After having seen nothing but desert, sand and the odd cactus for what seemed like weeks, we headed further south along to the coast of Chile to where it rains from time to time and things like trees and plants actually grow without the need for elaborate irrigation systems. We took a bus from La Serena to Santiago, the capital of Chile, and continued our habit of making avocado, tomato, ham and cheese sandwiches in publ...

NO PLACE LIKE DOME Although Peru and Chile are neighbouring countries, there is quite a contrast between them. Chile has a more Western outlook (compared with Peru which seems to be much more in touch with, and have more dependence on, its past) and this is demonstrated in the modern shops, clothes and infrastructure evident throughout the country - and La Serena was no exception. After arriving from San Pedro de Atacama overnight, we found a hostel and quickly m...

IT'S NOT ALWAYS CHILLY IN CHILE We arrived into San Pedro de Atacama somewhat tired and bedraggled after a night on the overnight bus from Arica and, rather than go to a scabby hostel, this time we had work to do. But work of an enjoyable nature as we started the first of a series of reviews we're doing of swanky hotels in Chile over the course of the next few weeks. Rather than slumming it we could see how the other half live in a place that had hot running wate...