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Summer is in full swing in Chile, just in time for the most romantic day of the year. Grab your sweetie, pack your sweet tooth and head to one of these under-the-radar spots to celebrate.
Beach time in Tongoy: this lovely fishing village in the Coquimbo region has the white sand and the warm sun without the crowds and hustle-bustle of popular vacation spots further south. Easily accessible by public transportation or taxi from the nearby city of La Serena, north of Santiago, Tongoy is famous for its preservation of traditional fishing methods. Settle into a ocean-front cabin and enjoy the long summer days, fresh seafood, and the regional specialty: candied papaya.
Traditional charm in Pomaire: a quick day trip from Santiago, this town prides itself on preserving - and innovating - traditional Chilean arts like pottery and woodworking. The main avenue is crowded with artisans selling earthenware platters, bowls, piggybanks and the giant tinajas used traditionally to store wine. Enjoy classic Chilean cuisine prepared with the pick of the summer crop: tomato salads, fresh corn humitas steamed in corn husks, perfect avocados. Be sure to try a glass of sweet mote con huesillo - wheat berries served in juice with a peach.
White-water adrenaline on the Teno River: nothing says "I love you" quite like the blood-curdling cries of rafting or kayaking a white water rapid. On the Teno River, east of Curicó and just a few hours southeast of the capital, you'll bear down through the rugged foothills of the Andes, past native forest and through steep canyons, over several kilometers of Class III rapids. Make your arrangements in the humble mountain outpost of Los Queñes, and be sure to try the area's signature pastry, a torta curicana.
Vineyards and wine near Santa Cruz: the Colchagua Wine Valley is hardly a secret - it's already become a common name on the Wine Enthusiast magazine's list of premier wine destinations. But somehow, the mellow pace of daily life in the countryside around Santa Cruz makes it feel like you're discovering something new and untouched. Try lodging in one of the gorgeous haciendas that have been converted into boutique hotels, and sweeten the night with a bottle of a Chilean sparkling wine.
Sweet temptation in Puerto Varas: the setting of this clean-scrubbed German colonial town in southern Chile couldn't be prettier, with the lake at its feet and a volcano dominating the horizon. Consider renting a bike or a kayak and peddling or paddling your way towards the horizon, or take it easy and hire a sailboat on the picturesque Llanquihue Lake. The area is famous for its smoked salmon, jams, and, most deliciously of all, handmade gourmet chocolates, sold at various outlets in the town itself.
