Fiestas Patrias Chile

Chile is the runway model among South American countries: tall and slender, it elegantly hugs the west coast of this multifaceted continent, seemingly selflessly uniting the influences of its neighbors Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina.

The country gained independence from Spanish conquerors in 1810. This event is celebrated every September with Fiestas Patrias, the national holidays for Chile's Independence. I am very glad to witness this celebration as an observer, and also, like how often is one here? - to admire the wonderful landscapes, mountains, valleys, and lakes of Chile.

Enjoy my travel report, packed with tips for Santiago and Pucón!

As the capital of the country, this 8-million metropolis is usually quite bustling: countless cars and people fill the streets, bars and cafés line the pathways, as does the ever-present sight of street art murals; a colorful, loud, busy city that seems to stand still upon my arrival. The holidays have swept people off the streets into the numerous Fondas.

Read here all about the sights in Santiago de Chile with many tips.

Just like village festivals in the big city, here people eat, play, drink, and dance. One of the most famous Fondas is located in the beautiful Parque O'Higgins, where the smell of grilled meat, roasting aromas, and Pisco Sour, the alcoholic national drink, fills the air.

Not as traditional, but nonetheless full of spirit, I treat myself to some Terremotos, or earthquakes: a mix of white wine, hard liquor (Cognac, Pisco, or Fernet Branca), and a generous portion of pineapple ice. The result is a dangerous cocktail that barely tastes like alcohol, and you only realize its intensity when you try to move upright. Like an earthquake - something Chileans are well acquainted with as one of the most seismically active countries on the planet - I start to sway. Dangerous, slightly trashy, but delicious. A few empanadas, which are baked or fried pastry pockets filled with meat or cheese, bring the earth back to a standstill.

I learn that Fondas can be found all over the country, and we visit a variety of them: from small and intimate, almost family-like settings, to huge, crowded, and commercial venues. Yet young and old alike dance Cueca, an ancient courtship dance where man and woman try to charm each other, sometimes loudly and intensely, other times innocently and reservedly. A dance lesson impressively shows me through my own, awkward body that it's not so easy to follow the sequences and rules of this seemingly improvised dance. But I was never much of a dancer.

The holiday-induced emptiness of the city does bring some positives: we can move through the usually crowded streets more or less undisturbed. With our bicycles, a charming guide from La Bicicleta Verde takes us through the wonderfully creative and colorful Bella Vista neighborhood, shows us the busiest market in the city, Mercado Central, and indicates that one can spend an entire day here if one wishes.

Among all the wandering, talkative people, entertainment is not the only thing happening here, as you will never suffer from hunger; the selection of fruits, vegetables, and meats is immense and is significantly influenced by neighboring countries, enriching the country with Peruvian, Bolivian, and Argentine products.

In addition to copper, the biggest export product of the country is probably Chilean wine, which I have encountered more often during my restaurant visits, especially in the fine dining sector. Rough and playful, it is particularly the red wine blends that enjoy high prestige, and it is reason enough to visit Haras de Pirque, one of the most renowned winemakers in the country.

The vineyards and the entire estate are magnificent, merging modernity and tradition in an impressive way. A tour with tasting is highly recommended!

Visitor information:

The location of the vineyards in Pirque at the foot of the Andes is ideal. You can conveniently reach Pirque, about 40 minutes south of Chile, by car or taxi.

While Santiago has so much more to offer - just the density of great restaurants like "Boragó" is impressive - nature calls and thus the main travel destination for many tourists. We fly to the Araucanía region, specifically to Pucón.

This city, which feels as if it has been enhanced for tourists (at least that's how it seems), may lack some charm, but it compensates with its incredible surroundings: natural hot springs, volcanoes, snow, sun, indigenous peoples, picturesque landscapes - I could go on forever. It may only be early spring, but already the first buds are sprouting, and the sun bathes the snowy mountain landscapes in picturesque light.

We visit the Mapuche, an indigenous people primarily found in Argentinan and Chile. They have preserved their independence and live as self-sufficient individuals, seemingly untouched by modernization. The enjoyment of ancient traditions, deeply rooted in belief, is always impressive and very far from what we are used to in our industrialized world.

We are treated to an extravagant meal, including Cazuela, a hearty stew with chicken and potatoes, delicious and extremely invigorating in this rainy, chilly weather.

An absolute highlight is the hot springs around Pucón. For several hours, we are allowed to swim in warm, mineral-laden outdoor baths while admiring the beautiful mountain ranges in Quimey-co. This family-friendly Chile has brought many locals to this wellness oasis during the holidays, yet it is never hectic or overcrowded - on the contrary.

We return relaxed, rejuvenated, and warmed to our driver Ricardo, who subsequently delivers a true culinary surprise: at the Amankay Café, the friendly giant of the owner (his name unfortunately escaped me) cooks incredibly fresh, regional, and seasonal dishes bursting with contemporary South American flair deep in the woods.

Even the homemade pastries and fruit juices are a real revelation compared to the otherwise hearty Chilean cuisine. I don't want to give too much away: just make sure to go!

After all the relaxation and many calories, the next day we head to the snowy volcanic mountain ranges, of which countless can be found in this area. Dressed in snowshoes and bundled up like waterproof marshmallows, we stomp through the meter-deep snow in splendid weather, right in the woods, with a constant view of the famous Villarrica Volcano.

If we had a little more time, one could summit this volcano on a 2-day trip. Very fit individuals can accomplish it in just 24 hours. I have only seen photos, but the view over the land from up there, at nearly 3,000 meters, is incredible.

Our hike lasts nearly two hours, during which we remain silent, breathe, and find peace, without mobile service and lost in thought. In a loud, busy world, such moments are rare - I only realize this when I take off my snowshoes and make my way to the airport.

I had the chance to get to know Chile, its complexity, its warm people, and vibrant history in just a few days, but I felt warmly welcomed at all times. It's a good sign when the list of things you want to do upon returning is longer than the one at arrival.

In a week, it is certainly possible to play "city-country-river," but considering the long journey, it would be a hectic overview of this country that deserves more attention. Three weeks, preferably as part of a South America tour, is more appropriate. Check out Katrin's travel report for Chile - Argentina.

Chileans speak limited English, but those who have a bit of knowledge of the Spanish language or can handle a travel dictionary can navigate just fine - if necessary, with gestures. Check out all the detailed travel tips for Chile here.

There are various options available. However, considering that the distances in this long country are generally quite vast, budget flights are recommended; check out Flightconnections.com for better flight deals. We always search for flights on Skyscanner. The train network is poorly developed, and buses generally take a long time.

Chile is well-prepared for tourists, with everything from small to large hotels, B&Bs, and hostels. Here's a small selection:

Chile is well-prepared for tourists, with everything from small to large hotels, B&Bs, and hostels. Here's a small selection:

Have fun planning your trip to this beautiful country! If you have any questions, just write to us.

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Note: I was invited by the Chilean Tourism Board to the Fiestas Patrias. Thank you for the wonderful collaboration. My opinion remains my own.