Autumn in the Colchagua Valley in Chile

One of the most attractive things about Chile is it's diversity in landscapes, climate, atmosphere and overall feeling. We went from chilly and wet Patagonia to dry and hot Atacama and now it's the Colchagua Valley near Santiago de Chile that is getting under our skin. Why? Surely the place, the Clos Apalta vineyard and it's guesthouse or rather villa style hotel, which is the main reason why we like this area so much. The views over the vineyards with all the autumn colors are specaculair. The wine and the food here are great. The services comes with a big S. The owners are the Grand Marnier family and they brought European expertise to the rich and fertile vineyards of Chile. A great place for tasting and experiencing how Chile made it's way from a winecountry which was not that specaculair to a deserved spot on the A-list of good wine. When you visit Clos Apalta, make sure to have a chat with the Chilean winemaker Andrea Leon. She will explain about the fact that the vineyards are bio-dynamic and organic and how this contributes to the very good Clos Apalta wines.

Today my weekly travel pages moved from De Morgen Magazine, the weekend extra, to the newspaper De Morgen itself. The new travel section is called Vamos (very curious what the readers will think of it). It's a bit like ending a relationship, or saying goodbye to a good, old friend. I've been writing almost every week about travel for De Morgen Magazine since two years. I liked it. I still like it of course. Also the people who work for it are cool. They are dedicated and are honnest to their contributors as well to the readers. I will miss writing every week for DMM.

Just wrote an article about Slow Travel for De Morgen newspaper. I got inspired by the new book from Alastair Sawday about the same subject. What a great concept..Slowwwww. This is the way to travel. Not always easy as a travel journalist. Running from one place to another, sometimes not able to enjoy a place. Taking time to do nothing, enjoying the small things of life. Slowwww is the way to go.

Atacama desert style

Sizzling hot during the day, freezing cold at night. Not to forget one of the dryest places on earth. Handy for people like me who are used to the rain almost 8 months a year. A new wave of hotels opened their doors here near or in San Pedro de Atacama. The old institude Explora is pretending the new ones are not there and continues their "this is not a hotel but an experience" philosophy. Let's see how long they can hold on to it. Good options are Awasi for romance and privacy, Alto Atacama for unlimted views on the mountains and absolute silence at night and Tierra Atacama for good design, comfort and lot's of space. And of course there's still the desert waiting to be discovered... but at your own speed and only when you want it... don't let them treat you like you are on bootcamp! Atacama is also about relaxing and enjoying the space and silence...