The summer months don't exactly scream skiing and mountaineering, but if you head to the Andes Mountains in Chile that's exactly what the summer is all about. Just wait until you get back home and tell all you friends about the world-class ski trip you took over Labor Day Weekend.

ChileMontaņa offers a tour of Portillo, El Arpa, La Parva and Valle Nevado over a week. You'll start off in Santiago and you'll return there at the end of your summer/winter vacation. Each ski area offers something different--huge mountain peaks, steep and deep terrain and even a 3,000-foot decent at El Arpa.

The trip offers opportunities for both skiers and snowboarders alike. You'll spend your evenings in high-end accommodations, and cultural interaction and cuisine are also on the agenda. The tour will set you back $2,800 per person, but that price does cover pretty much everything including airport transfers, dinner and lift tickets. All you need to do is get your flight and pack a pair or two of skis.

Related Stories:
· ChileMontaņa [Official Site]
· Ski Resorts in Summer: Skiing Edition [Jaunted]
· Summer Vacations with an Edge coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ChileMontaņa]]]> kjb 2008-07-15T12:35:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/18/112558/894 We'll admit to having a bit of a graffiti obsession lately. After hearing about Berlin's scene and street art in New York, our latest find comes from Jaunted member thenotoriousmeg.

On a trip to South America, Meg dug deep into the scene:

I do love some good graffiti, and I've found South American cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago have some of the best.

Click through the slideshow for a look at some of the coolest tags Meg found in Chile, ranging from the political to the just plain cool.

Have your own graffiti photos to share? Drop 'em in our Flickr pool or send 'em over.

Related Stories:
· NYC's Graffiti Battles [Jaunted]
· Street Art coverage [Jaunted]

[All Photos: Notorious MEG]]]> pbb 2008-03-18T15:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/15/95636/4165

So you were smart enough not to spend all your money on jewelry this Valentine's Day. And after all that romance, you've got an itch to angle in some of South America's most secluded spots on the ultimate mancation? Andrés Ergas is your man.

The Chilean millionaire's company, Nomads of the Seas, will helicopter you to prime fly-fishing spots throughout Patagonia, treat you to gourmet picnics and keep your glass full as you unwind on a 150-foot boat.

Ergas' ship is the Atmosphere, which in addition to holding a crew of 32 that caters to just 28 passengers, also accommodates a Bell 407 helicopter and several custom Zodiac jet boats. To the dedicated angler the real hook is the chance to cast a line in virtually untouched spots--Nomads doesn't even issue maps to its guests and supposedly keeps the locations of fishing excursions tightly under wraps.

If fishing isn't your thing, wildlife packages are also available. You can try your hand at nature photography or scout out rare and endemic birds. Whichever options you choose, be prepared to pay pretty-penny for your week-long journey: packages start at about $12,000. Good thing you didn't get her those diamonds!

Related Stories:
· Adventure a la Carte [SMH]
· Nomads of the Seas [Official Site]
· Mancations coverage [Jaunted]]]> benh 2008-02-15T11:30:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/1/20/223437/069

Here in our neck of the woods "chilly" is the operative word. However, in the real Chile, it's prime time summer. We've been dreaming of heading to Viņa del Mar, Chile next month for the annual Festival de Viņa del Mar, the event of the summer. Starting February 20th, for six days locals and visitors alike get to experience great concerts from acts including Journey, Earth, Wind & Fire and Nelly Furtado.

Viņa del Mar, called just "Viņa" by most, was established in the 1870s as a getaway for Chile's more luxe crowds. It's still the summer home of the president of the country and boasts a municipal casino, stunning beaches, gardens and great restaurants and shopping. Check into the sleek and hip Del Mar Hotel, the city's latest and greatest, with great ocean views of the Pacific from most rooms and a rooftop pool.

Take a tour around town in a victoria (horse-drawn carriage) and don't miss the Flower Clock, above, which is always adorned with seasonal blooms. Getting there? Daily buses arrive from Santiago, just over an hour away.

Related Stories:
· It's Summer Somewhere coverage [Jaunted]
· It's Summer Somewhere Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: annais]]]> sedona 2008-01-21T11:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/1/2/172544/5479

The New Year's eruption of the Llaima volcano in Chile's Conguillío National Park has tourists fleeing for cooler pastures. The 10,250-foot-high mountain last erupted seven months ago.

About 150 tourists were hustled out of the area as the fireworks started. Early today, another 54 visitors and national park staff took off. Despite some impressive eruption images, though, things are dying down. Still, says one government official:

At this moment I would recommend against tourism in the area.

Related Stories:
· Chile Volcano Forces Evacuations [BBC]
· Volcano Erupts in Southern Chile [SMH]
· Tourists Rescued as Volcano Erupts [Sky News]
· "There is Some Flow of Lava" [AP, via AZ Republic]
· Dangerous Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Alvaro Jimenez]]]> pbb 2008-01-02T17:30:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/5/30/162241/582

Built within MallSport, a mall designed for sporting enthusiasts, Wave House is the first artificial wave in South America--a place where surfers and surf wannabes can try their hand at riding 10 foot swell.

The pool pumps water and forces it into the pool, via high powered nozzles, to simulate large waves. There is only one ride per session, which means expect the queue to be massive, but the pool should have a low grommet count.

Looking for a non-boring summer vacation spot? We aim to please:

Check out our Summer Vacations With An Edge Map.

Know a spot we should consider for this map? Tip the help.

Related Stories:
· Surf Travel [Jaunted]
· Summer Vacations With An Edge [Jaunted] ]]> markj 2007-05-30T16:24:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/5/1/415/24815

It wasn't too long ago that a village of Germans was up in arms over Google Earth's misnaming of Mount Hitler near Munich. Now there are much greater problems stirring, and this time Google Earth hasn't misnamed a village, but rather moved it into another country.

The government of Chile (along with many Chileans) are quite unhappy to see on Google Earth that the village of Villa O'Higgins is now shown as lying in Argentina. Villa O'Higgins might be small, but it's named after a Chilean independence hero and they definitely want it to remain in Chile. Google Earth says "we are working with our partners to get more precise data for the region," though surely a request from the Chilean government should already carry some weight?

Related Stories:
· Google Earth Moves a Village [Reuters]
· Google Earth Your Way to Mount Hitler [Jaunted] ]]> amandak 2007-05-01T09:21:32-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/