From Skiing and Sunbathing to Hiking and Multinational Cuisine, Juan Lopez, N.A. Market Manager for Chilean Tourism, Shares Ways Travelers Can Enjoy Their Favorite Season… in the Off Season

(TRAVPR.COM) USA - September 16th, 2015 - For those who aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to summer, Chile just might be the perfect destination to extend their fun in the sun for a few more weeks.  On the other hand, those who aren’t quite ready to store the skis and snowboards for the summer might also find Chile an attractive getaway location.  Since Chile has opposite seasons than North America, travelers can either extend or get a head start on their favorite seasons and activities.  Whether it’s skiing in the Andes Mountains, hiking and exploring in Patagonia and Easter Island, or dining in the beautiful, multicultural city of Santiago, Chile offers a variety of activities to suit all interests.

ExpertFlyer.com recently went One-on-One with Juan Lopez, North American Market Manager for the Chile Tourism Board, to discuss some of the special locations and activities travelers can expect to find in Chile, and the best times of the year to enjoy them.  For example, Lopez explains that September through May is the best time of year to visit Patagonia in southern Chile because of the warmer temperatures but for those who love to ski and snowboard, they will need to leave the beaches in North America because peak ski season is June through September. Yet, he insisted that northern Chile is a year round destination. In addition, September is a big month for festivals and celebrations, including Chile’s Independence Day which, Lopez admits, could last an entire week.

“Chile offers such diversity in climate, activities, and culture that it has become an international destination for travelers looking for a variety of activities and adventures,” explains Mr. Lopez.  “From the culture of Santiago and Valparaiso to skiing in the Andes, hiking in Patagonia, or exploring Atacama, the driest desert in the world, visitors can be certain to find activities and climates to suit their individual needs.”

During the interview, Lopez shared his top five favorite spots in Chile, but not before reminding us that The Economist had rated it as one of the safest countries in South America.  So safe, in fact, that Chileans due to the Visa Waiver Program no longer need apply for Visas prior to arrival in the U.S.  “We are very proud of this distinction and it’s important for our international guests to know that they can come and enjoy our country without concern.”

“Chile is a diverse country that essentially offers something for everyone,” said Chris Lopinto, president and co-founder of Expertflyer.com.  “From great skiing and hiking to international cuisine and world class wine, along with its top notch safety record, Chile should definitely be on the short list of places to visit.”

Among the favorite locations on Lopez’s list to visit include the Atacama Desert where visitors can find penguins, geysers, and lagoons; Santiago, a modern and multicultural city with an eclectic mix of international foods and a great mix of old and modern architecture; Easter Island, a unique and mystical place where the Rapa Nui culture still preserve their traditions, language, and food; Patagonia, with Torres del Paine National Park, the fiords, and glaciers, a great place to get lost in nature and leave the rest of the world behind; and the Lake & Volcanoes region for amazing hiking, biking, and relaxing in one of a dozen hot spring pools.

To read the entire interview with Juan Lopez, please visit ExpertFlyer's blog.

Chile Tourism Board

The Chile Tourism Board is a private non-profit entity whose mission is to promote the Chilean travel industry internationally. The institution combines public and private efforts to finance promotion of the destination around the world. For more information about Chile, visit chile.travel.

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Each month, ExpertFlyer's One-on-One blog goes face-to-face with the travel industry's leading decision makers to discuss and address topics relevant to many of today's business and frequent travelers.

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