Laura Capitani
I was getting a lot of requests from clients for Patagonia, so I decided to experience it for myself. Patagonia is a world apart with very diverse landscapes and a great place to be active in nature. While it used to be a remote destination with few creature comforts, it now has a handful of true five-star boutique hotels. Despite the long drives to reach them, many welcome visitors with spas, great food and every luxury you could want.
Our first home base, The Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories Hotel is a National Heritage Site with an onsite museum dedicated to the sheep farming industry of the pioneering settlers. Historic artifacts also are incorporated into the décor. The best part is the immense window-walls that look out at the sea and high mountain peaks. I loved relaxing in the spa and looking out at the stunning scenery.
While there, we went hiking through remote areas and took a boat trip, but my favorite excursion was a horseback ride at a working ranch, called an estancia. It was nothing like a trail ride; you are riding across the plains with the rancher. Then, after the ride, we saw how they sheer sheep and enjoyed a barbeque lunch.
Our next stop was Glacieres National Park in Argentina, where the glacial formations were amazing. We stayed at Eolo, a Relais & Chateau hotel. Built in the style of local estancias, it stands alone amid rolling hills of golden fields, ruddy mesas, and in the distance, ice-capped peaks. Here, huge windows open onto the stunning scenery and a central garden lets you enjoy the outdoors while sheltered from the sometimes strong winds.
The hotel offers guided hikes up Cerro Frijas for great views of the surroundings and horseback treks and mountain bike rides into the Anita Valley. There are also special outings for bird-watching. I went ice-trekking at the Perito Moreno Glacier and walked along boardwalks to witness glaciers calving.
One of my favorite outings was a Jeep safari. We used the same kind of Jeeps that locals do and it felt very adventurous. Each vehicle had a special radio and GPS and we went with a driver-guide.
Our last stop was back in Chile. Based at Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, we visited Torres del Paine National Park, where we could choose from activities from glacier kayaking, fly fishing and trekking to horseback riding or touring by catamaran or Jeep.
In addition to its intense, raw beauty, what most impressed me about Patagonia were the vast stretches of open terrain and the huge distances we traveled. Having been there, I can plan your trip with confidence, knowing that I have first-hand knowledge and personal contacts on the ground to ensure my clients have the best Patagonia experience possible.