One of the driest places in the world, the Atacama should be a desolate plane.

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Shapes emerge, carved from the wind, dust and salt, colors stretch out over kilometres. Mineral deposits paint the landscape in vivid blue and yellow tones. The air is dry, very dry. The Atacama receives 15 mm of rainfall per year. As dusk falls the sky becomes first violet, then plum. Stars emerge, quietly at first then commandeer the sky. Thousands appear, stars glittering so close, one needs only to reach out to touch them. A river runs through the valley, creating a cool oasis of leafy trees and palms. Fig trees grow here, as well as pomegranates and bright yellow "Inca" berries. 

This landscape has been home to generations, who saw the rise and fall of empires, and saw the Inca occupation for approximately 90 years, then the Spanish came.

 

The villages here are a mixture of mining towns, Spanish colonial churches and clay coloured homes, heavily insulated for protection from the hot sun. Local trees, colourful rocks and cacti are used in decor and on building facades and gives the appearance of the homes having grown from the desert themselves. 

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Further west, in the Capital city of Santiago, we have a different story. Here, elegant neoclassical buildings share a skyline with modern apartment buildings and offices. Tucked between the Andes and the sea, and brimming with music, culture and fantastic food, this city is beautifully positioned and a wonderful place to visit for nature and culture lovers alike.