The Republic of Chile holds boundless fascination from a tourism standpoint. Incredibly diverse, from the geography to the people, the long, finger-like, narrow country in South America is a major curiosity.

A snug fit between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, with Peru and Bolivia to the north and the icy Drake Passage to the south, gives Chile one of the most spectacular and eclectic physical landscapes on Earth. Think about it. The country not only supports a world class wine industry in a Mediterranean zone (and is fifth in global wine exports at last check), it also contains Alpine fjords and glaciers in the south. In fact, Chile is a dream place for meteorology buffs, with no less than seven distinct climactic types. All this within the same country borders.

Natives refer to Chile as a “country of poets”. The moniker makes absolute sense if you study the treasure trove of cultural contributions from the nation of only 16.8 million people. While other nations from every corner of the globe – with populations vastly more prodigious – would be content to count one Nobel Prize for Literature laureate among their citizens, incredibly, Chile can claim to have two.

The first, Gabriela Mistral, won her Nobel Prize in 1945. The poet diplomat was the first from Latin America to win the notable honor. As a teacher in decades when Chile was in dire need of education reform, Mistral was a pioneer and vital leader for change. Later, as a consul in myriad posts around the globe, she became the most famous ambassador for Chile and fought hard to secure a place on the world stage for her beloved birthplace. In the end however, it was via the delicate art of poetry that Gabriela Mistral made her most indelible and substantive mark.

The second and more famous Nobel recipient from Chile in the domain of literature was the poet Pablo Neruda. One of the most influential writers of the 20th century, Neruda read for audiences as large as 100,000 people. His mark was felt far beyond the world of arts and letters, as he was intensely active in the sphere of politics at home in Chile and within South and Latin America. Although the country’s foremost native son has been gone since 1973, people still flock to the three places in Chile most emblematic of his life. Indeed, Santiago and Valpara?so, in addition to the proximate village of Isla Negra, have become de facto pilgrimmage sites for Neruda lovers.

A deep and rich cultural scene and a vast, broad geographical face are often reliable harbingers of one tasty aspect of a country’s tourist allure: cuisine. Indeed, Chile is no exception to this loose and unscientific rule. The country has a culinary tradition that locals covet with tremendous fervor and passion. In the end, those are the most sustainable ingredients. Of course, in Chile it all begins with the coastline. The long coastline. People have a symbiotic relationship with the Pacific Ocean in Chile and as a result, a copious bounty of seafood holds a special place at a typical family supper table. From sea bass to abalone, clams to prawns, Chile serves up a sumptuous feast from the sea. Other traditions like empanadas and a variety of Spanish-style fusion treats makes the country a drool-worthy destination. Of course, there is all that delicious Chilean wine to sample as well.

Throw in a rich Inca and European socio-cultural heritage and a present-day era of prosperity that shows no traces of regression and you have a travel target fit for exhaustive exploration. How beneficial to the rest of the world that after nearly two decades of a brutal military dictatorship, Chile has finally come to the fore.

Check out some superb hotel deals in exquisite Chile.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5