Mountains on mountains on mountains. What you’ve heard is true: the Andes are breathtaking. Take advantage of Chile’s long, narrow shape and varied climes to explore everything from the Andes to the Pacific: desert, beaches, lakes, rivers, volcanoes, and snowy peaks. Ski at world-class resorts. Hike the foothills until your feet fall off. Test your athleticism by trekking the altiplano, clocking in at 4000m. Camp under the perfect skies of the north—an astronomer’s paradise. Sandboard the desert dunes in the summer months (December to March) by daylight or starlight. Surf, kayak, scuba dive, and fish on the coast to your heart’s content. The permutations of ways to intake oxygen outdoors and increase your happiness quotient are as long as the spine of the Andes themselves. If you know a thing or two about grapes you’ll realize that Chile’s foothills and temperate climate make fertile ground for wineries. Treat yourself to a tour of the central wine routes in Aconcagua, Casablanca, or Elqui. And what better pairing to wash down your grape juice than with a bit of fresh fish? Your main concern will be the choice between eel, corvine, grouper, reineta, and salmon; with Chile’s seemingly endless coastline, freshness is never a problem. Bring back a bottle or two of vino and a tub of organic honey to share with your sure-to-be-jealous roommates. If your time and budget allow, hop across the Pacific to bask in the mysterious stone sculptures of Easter Island (Isla de Pascua or Rapa Nui). Brush up on your Polynesian history and see the iconic maoi stone heads up-close. Then take time to hike the lip of the Rano Raraku volcanic crater, a quarry for the maoi in centuries past. Bodysurf on the white sand beaches—even the 1-inch waves barrel—in the company of gods.