It’s long, it’s lithe and it offers a whole list of things to see and do, Chile is the perfect holiday destination for those who appreciate ever-changing landscapes, secluded retreats and fine Chilean wines.

An awe-inspiring example of nature’s great splendour and power, Chile sits comfortably between the Andean mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, and while it may be the slimmest country in the world, it stretches a whopping 4300km long, and has all the deserts, glaciers, volcanoes, lakes, beaches, wine regions, and national parks that you could possibly wish for.

With a vast collection of national parks such as Torres del Paine in Patagonia and Rapa Nui on Easter Island, Chile appeals to nature lovers and provides the perfect backdrop for those looking for an adventure holiday.  Trekking tours, bike rides, sailing trips and fishing holidays are all available in Chile, so it really does cater for everyone.

We approached Chile from Mendoza in Argentina, and headed down to Viña del Mar for a few days before heading north to the Atacama Desert.  Fine wines, fresh steaks and my all-time favourite food Palta (avocados) come as standard here, making it a fantastic holiday destination for foodies and wine aficionados.

Chilean food isn’t particularly spicy, but one salsa we couldn’t get enough of was Pebre, a mouth-watering condiment found in just about every restaurant in Chile.  Made from a delicious blend of tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro (coriander), olive oil, lemon juice and chilli, this all-purpose salsa goes with just about everything – and if you ask for extra Chilli, it can be very spicy indeed.

Fortunately, in Chile, a cool cerveza is never far away, and if you can drag yourself away from the vineyards and the delectable wine offerings, you will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of different beers on offer.

Due to the sheer length of the country, the climate in Chile varies greatly and generalisations are difficult!  Pack for all seasons, especially if you are going to be touring throughout the country, and if it starts to get chilly, ask for some extra chilli in your Pebre in Chile!