Tierra Patagonia which is the very manifestation of “organic elegance”.
A typical spring day at Tierra Patagonia starts with an early sunrise lighting up the
Towers. With over 16 hours of sunshine, days are already long. Breakfast is served
buffet style starting at 7:30 AM until 10:00 AM. Eggs are made to order starting at
8:00 AM. Then it is time to get out a see what can be seen. For those that prefer to
relax and be pampered, the indoor pool and Uma Spa can be found just beyond
the last rooms sharing that famous view.
Back at the dining room, lunch is served from noon until 2:00 PM. As with dinner,
which starts at 8:00 PM, the menu changes each day. You will always have a choice
from 3 different starters, entrees and deserts. One of those options is always
vegetarian. The choices are customizable to accommodate preferences and
allergies. The hotel’s commitment to a sustainable presence extends beyond asking
if guests would mind reusing their towels. The kitchen prepares locally caught
seafood, meats from nearby ranches and fresh produce from surrounding farms.
Late afternoon finds most everyone sitting in the common area downloading and
sharing photos, swapping stories, checking emails and toasting the day around
the circular fireplace. Time spent here is all the more enjoyable thanks to the
excellent selection of wonderful Chilean wines and the ever changing view of
the weather over the Towers. Start your exploration of Chilean wines with the
Carmeneres, a grape similar to Merlot that is now extinct in France but thrives here.
Cocktails, including the Pisco Sour, Chile’s national drink and artisan beers from local
breweries are also served. Because of the long days in Spring and Summer, the
setting sun provides the floor show during a late evening meal.
While the architecture of Tierra Patagonia is as much of a feature as the landscape
it inhabits, the level of service and attention to detail completes the luxury
experience. You will be delighted when you arrive and happy for the time spent
here when it is time to leave.
The wind is always a factor here, so the key to packing for Patagonia is layers. The
weather can change quickly throughout the day and it is important to be prepared
while in the field. Start with a good base layer of silk or polyester. Add a middle
layer for warmth and an outer layer that is rain and wind proof. Proper socks and
gloves are important and a balaclava is nice to have when the wind is howling. The
ozone layer is thin over Antarctica so bring sunglasses and an adequate sunblock.
Our guide observed, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Come prepared for the extremes and you will be comfortably rewarded with time
spent exploring some of the most stunning landscape on Earth.
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FEBRUARY 2013 • LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE