Travel Review: Luxury Chile Vacation, Santiago, Atacama Desert, Patagonia, Moon Valley, Grey's Glacier Trek, Wildlife

I was working on the suggestion of my son that we should consider a trip to Chile! What an awkward place to visit, I thought! It turned out to be the trip of a lifetime. In our planning the trip, I stumbled upon Zicasso  and with the help of our agent created an itinerary that we thought would suit our needs. Our agent had to persuade us a bit to spend some extra time in the desert in lieu of some days in the capital. That turned out to be the best advice ever. San Pedro de Atacama is a fascinating destination. Magnificent landscapes, towering mountains, salt lakes, varied wildlife and outdoor activities e.g sand boarding for those willing to skate down a 100metre sand slope in the Death Valley! The visit to the Moon Valley at sunset was a highlight,especially when our guides surprised us with a fantastic bottle of Carmenere complimented by superb cheeses and ham. After 3 days in the desert it was time to head south to Patagonia. Excellent care was taken of our travel arrangements, although the airline temporarily lost one of our 4 suitcases( 4 travellers). Our travel company was sure to keep a tab on that minor inconvenience and all worked out well after 2 days when the recovery was made. In the meantime, the hotel was a splendid choice for a base to explore Patagonia. Nothing was left to chance by the hotel staff and their guides to ensure our comfort. The south was equally impressive as the desert although poles apart in climate and scenery. The final leg in Santiago was short but sweet. The hotel there went far far beyond our expectations. What a splendid little boutique hotel: elegant,friendly and warm! I am grateful for the assistance that our travel company provided us in planning and executing this trip.