Chile a la Carte: Win a 9-Day Epic Culinary Experience
I always talk about Chile and how it’s probably one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Not only because I was born and raised and lived most of my life in Santiago, but after traveling to almost every continent, I know it really is!
And now you can visit too! LAN Airlines is giving away a 9-day trip to Chile for two!
Chile is a country with a wide variety of landscapes, from cities located in the highlands of the Andes to the driest desert in the world. As the longest country in South America, your experience will vary according to your location and distance from the Equator line as this influences the weather and ecosystem as you make your way through the country
Chile’s diverse and culinary offerings
From north to south, Chile offers a subtle variation in its culture, people, and of course, in what captures most of my attention while I travel: food.
Last year, Santiago was named by foodies of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants as one of the best cities to be visited in 2016.
Within the country, you’ll find that food includes three main ingredients: meat, seafood and vegetables. Chilean food has Incan and Mapuchen influences and beef, lamb and potatoes are an important part of daily diet.
Chile’s particular geographic location with the Pacific coast also offers a wide variety of seafood and fish. Don’t be surprised if your waitress asks you to choose from four fish options. My favorites are reineta, salmon and lenguado. They all have great flavor and are easy to eat!
Traditional Chilean food and drinks not to miss
Chilean cuisine’s biggest value is creating unique flavors with simple ingredients. My all-time favorites are
• Pastel de Choclo (A pie topped with mashed corn and filled with ground beef, onions, olives, and a boiled egg)
• Ceviche ( Raw fish and seafood marinated in citrus juice)
• Caldillo Marino (A seafood and fish combo soup)
• Curanto (A mixture including seafood, fish, beef and potatoes
Lately, Chilean restaurants have been experimenting with new dishes and adding traditional ingredients to their menu selection.
Chile exhibits a world-class wine industry and you should consider a visit to the vineyards as part of your Chilean adventure. It is a perfect opportunity for wine lovers to taste unique strains such as the Carmenère ( a strain that was lost in France but reappeared in Chile) paired with beautiful landscapes.
In addition to wine production in Chile, you will also find another product made with grapes I’m sure you’ll love called Pisco –a clear grapes brandy and used as bade liquor in one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in South America called the Pisco sour.
Gastronomic Routes
Chile is a destination where gastronomy and tourism play well and travelers can experience local culture, traditions and celebrations alongside locals.
Each region in Chile produces local products that are specific and found only in their regions resulting in unique gastronomical routes. You can find
• cheese in Aconcagua Valley
• olives in Atacama
• sweets and cakes in Frutillar and Valdivia
• seafood in Valparaíso and Chiloé
• traditional barbeque in Patagonia and
• wine in Santiago and surroundings as Maipo Valley.
Indulge your senses with taste and beauty by eating your way through the country while discovering impressive landscapes
Are you ready to visit Chile? You can enter HERE to win a 9-Day culinary trip for two to Chile!
If you are the lucky one, you and companion will get:
• Round-trip economy class flights for two people from anywhere in the continental United States, via LAN Airlines
• Two days at an eco-lodge on Chiloé Island; Activities include kayaking, visiting the Dalcahue market and horseback riding
• A private cooking class with Carolina Bazán, master chef at Ambrosia in Santiago; dinner that night at Ambrosia as Chef Bazán’s guest.
• Two nights at Casa Real, the former landowner’s estate at the Santa Rita winery, located in the Maipo Valley. Includes ultra premium tasting tour at Santa Rita
• Two days at UNESCO port town of Valparaíso
• Three outfits per person (total of six) from Toad&Co
• A mixed case of Santa Rita wine
• A $250 gift certificate from Wine.com
• Travel gear for two from Eagle Creek
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