Poet and TV presenter Charlie Ottley explores one of South America’s most beautiful and fascinating countries, enjoying delightfully delicious food and drink as he goes.
Ottley roams the driest desert in the world, climbs snow–capped volcanoes, plys pristine fjords, experiences classic “gaucho” culture, tries llama stew, and savours some of Chile’s newest award winning wineries, exclusive hotels and restaurants in this four-part series.
Episode 1: The Desert North
In this episode Charlie visits the Atacama, the driest desert in the world, tries llama stew, visits an avocado farm, follows in the footsteps of the poet Neruda in Valparaiso and stays at one of Chile’s newest award winning wineries, Matetic, which has an exclusive guest house and restaurant.
Episode 2: The Central Valley
This episode begins with Charlie paragliding over Chile's stunning coastline, before he heads inland to Hacienda Los Lingues, a Spanish colonial farm converted into a luxury hotel.
Other highlights include lunch with Don Manuel Ariztia, the ‘Godfather of Chicken’ and a visit to Vina La Rosa, one of world's most unusual and beautiful vineyards.
Episode 3: Wine Country and Lake District
In this episode Charlie travels through Chilean wine country on a steam train. Then it’s off to a historic ranch where we get a unique insight into Chilean cowboy culture and Charlie tries the local speciality – bulls’ balls!
Heading further south, Charlie discovers the Chilean Lake District, climbs a volcano, samples the natural hot springs and feasts on locally prepared wild boar.
Episode 4: Chilean Patagonia
Here Charlie explores the southern Lake district, which has a strong German influence, before travelling along the 'Salmon Route', surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes and pristine fjords.
Other highlights include a visit to the beautiful scenery of Chilean Patagonia and a tour of one of the most luxurious geothermal spa hotels in the world.