Chile unfurls like a ribbon along South America’s western edge, more than 3,500 miles of Pacific coastline where mountains meet the sea.

Santiago sits snug in a valley hugged by the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range, a lively gateway that sends you north to the otherworldly Atacama Desert and south to the dramatic peaks of Torres del Paine and the mossy charm of Chiloé Island.

The country is a wonder of contrasts: soaring glaciers and flaming deserts, bustling cities and quiet fishing villages, a culinary scene that’s as celebrated as its landscapes.

Chile tempts with exceptional wine, frothy craft beer and pungent pisco, paired with fresh, seasonal seafood and regional specialties.

And even if I haven’t been there myself, places like Easter Island with its stoic Moai and the splashy, bohemian streets of Valparaíso promise unforgettable character.