From its incredible night skies and Mapuche Indian heritage to its vibrant arts scene and vertiginous vineyards, this is a country that caters for travellers of all hues. The Chileans themselves, meanwhile, tend to be open and warm, so absorbing what the country has to offer is generally a joy.
The mountains cut the country off from Argentina and Bolivia to the east, while the expansive Atacama Desert separates it from Peru to the north. And to the south, beyond the country's infamous Cape Horn headland, lies nothing but ocean and Antarctica.
Whether you're seeking solitude as a leisurely backpacker or taking on the big sights in unbridled luxury, consider yourself warned-- once you've experienced the myriad attractions Chile has to offer, you may find other destinations fall somewhat short.
The country hasn't always had it easy, of course, and the tribulations of the Pinochet era can be explored in the dynamic capital, Santiago. The city's buzzing boulevards and arty neighbourhoods feel a million miles away from Chile's more famous attractions, and this in itself tells you how broad the country's offering is-- this is a land that not only includes vast swathes of Patagonian wilderness and the glacier-threaded waterways of Tierra del Fuego, but also incorporates the remote, statue-studded landmass of Easter Island.