Chile

It just doesn't cut it to call Chile a land of contrasts - this is a land of extremes. It's a preposterously skinny tendril of a country creeping 4300km around the foot of South America.

Chile's intoxicating wilderness is complemented by its sophisticated cities, developed infrastructure, a gripping history and a fast-evolving culture. All of which combines to make travel here reassuringly easy, always inspiring, often surprising and never, ever disappointing.

Not to be confused with the stunning (and relatively far-off) Volcán Osorno, Osorno 'the city' is a bustling place and the commercial engine for the surrounding agricultural zone. It is hard to find anyone with anything particularly positive to say about Osorno, other than it is a good place to work. It is also an important transportation hub on the route between Puerto Montt and Santiago. To give it a bit more credit, Osorno seems to turn out some friendly folks who are a bit more worldly than their small-town brethren.

Valparaiso

Undoubtedly the most unique city in Chile, and one of the most unusual in all Latin America, Valparaíso has long been one of the continent's best-kept secrets. Ignored by many Chileans, who prefer the more mundane charms of Viña del Mar next door, people are now beginning to catch on - especially since the city was named a Unesco World Heritage site in 2003. From the flat city center ascensores (funicular elevators) creak at an improbable angle up to a very different city above.