![The Araucania region is named after the Araucaria trees, which are prominent features of southern Chile.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F01-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
The Araucania region is named after the Araucaria trees, which are prominent features of southern Chile.
![Countless colourful houses adorn the hills of Valparaiso and turn the city into a lively mosaic.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F02-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Countless colourful houses adorn the hills of Valparaiso and turn the city into a lively mosaic.
![Street scene in Valparaiso. The city is built on 42 hills, some of which rise up to 360 metres above sea level.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F03-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Street scene in Valparaiso. The city is built on 42 hills, some of which rise up to 360 metres above sea level.
![Chile, Valparaiso: Don Renato, 90 years old, has been running his corner shop, where he mainly sells alcoholic beverages, since 1953.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F04-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Chile, Valparaiso: Don Renato, 90 years old, has been running his corner shop, where he mainly sells alcoholic beverages, since 1953.
![The "Ascensor Reina Victoria", also known as the 'funicular railway', built in 1903 - seen from the colourful Avenida Elias.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F05-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
The "Ascensor Reina Victoria", also known as the 'funicular railway', built in 1903 - seen from the colourful Avenida Elias.
![Drummer and one-man band Sebastian collects donations from guests at the excursion restaurant 'Isla de la Fantasia'.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F06-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Drummer and one-man band Sebastian collects donations from guests at the excursion restaurant 'Isla de la Fantasia'.
![Art everywhere in the winding streets of Valparaiso's old town, which can only be explored on foot.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F07-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Art everywhere in the winding streets of Valparaiso's old town, which can only be explored on foot.
![The sea lions at Valparaiso's fish market, which appear here in groups of up to 20, also like to feed on fish scraps.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F08-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
The sea lions at Valparaiso's fish market, which appear here in groups of up to 20, also like to feed on fish scraps.
![Lunchtime near the harbour district of Valparaiso. In the background is the 'Cordillera' cog railway, which has been in operation since 1886.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F09-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Lunchtime near the harbour district of Valparaiso. In the background is the 'Cordillera' cog railway, which has been in operation since 1886.
![Valparaiso, Mercado Puerto: Rebecca Munoz knits red winter pants. It takes a day. One pair costs the equivalent of 3 euros.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F10-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Valparaiso, Mercado Puerto: Rebecca Munoz knits red winter pants. It takes a day. One pair costs the equivalent of 3 euros.
![The streets and alleyways of Valparaiso, Chile, resemble a never-ending street art gallery.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F11-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
The streets and alleyways of Valparaiso, Chile, resemble a never-ending street art gallery.
![Annette in front of the 3125 metre high Llaima volcano, one of the most active in Chile. During the 2008 eruption, 54 tourists were trapped by the lava before a rescue team evacuated them.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F12-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Annette in front of the 3125 metre high Llaima volcano, one of the most active in Chile. During the 2008 eruption, 54 tourists were trapped by the lava before a rescue team evacuated them.
![Conguillo Nationalpark: The butterfly Yramea Lathonioides from the Nymphalidae family which can easily be confused with the Silver-washed fritillary, which is also native to Germany.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F13-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Conguillo Nationalpark: The butterfly Yramea Lathonioides from the Nymphalidae family which can easily be confused with the Silver-washed fritillary, which is also native to Germany.
![Araucaria trees reach a great age, with some trees living to be 2,000 years old. Their bark, which is up to 14 centimetres thick, accounts for up to 25 % of the trunk volume and protects against fire and hot ash during volcanic eruptions.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F14-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Araucaria trees reach a great age, with some trees living to be 2,000 years old. Their bark, which is up to 14 centimetres thick, accounts for up to 25 % of the trunk volume and protects against fire and hot ash during volcanic eruptions.
![A jewel lizard (Liolaemus tenuis). These animals are only found in Chile and are therefore endemic.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F15-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
A jewel lizard (Liolaemus tenuis). These animals are only found in Chile and are therefore endemic.
![Chile: During our ascent to the Villarrica volcano, we are rewarded with fantastic views over the cloud-covered landscape and the Llaima volcano.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F16-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Chile: During our ascent to the Villarrica volcano, we are rewarded with fantastic views over the cloud-covered landscape and the Llaima volcano.
![Total peace and quiet, pure relaxation: Annette in a hut on Budi Lake.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F17-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Total peace and quiet, pure relaxation: Annette in a hut on Budi Lake.
![A somewhat dilapidated, traditional dwelling called Ruka.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F18-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
A somewhat dilapidated, traditional dwelling called Ruka.
![Selma Kanunir harvests potatoes that end up on our plates just an hour later.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F19-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Selma Kanunir harvests potatoes that end up on our plates just an hour later.
![A fire-eyed diucon (Pyrope pyrope)](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F20-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
A fire-eyed diucon (Pyrope pyrope)
![A Chimango caracara from the vulture falcon family.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F21-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
A Chimango caracara from the vulture falcon family.
![On Selma's farm at Rudi See: Annette in front of the well-preserved Ruka, where we spend the night.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F22-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
On Selma's farm at Rudi See: Annette in front of the well-preserved Ruka, where we spend the night.
![In this villa of the Viña Tarapaca winery, which is the emblem on every bottle, Annette and I taste some wines.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F23-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
In this villa of the Viña Tarapaca winery, which is the emblem on every bottle, Annette and I taste some wines.
![Wines and cheeses await tasting in the villa of the Viña Tarapaca winery.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F24-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Wines and cheeses await tasting in the villa of the Viña Tarapaca winery.
![Fantastic play of light from the setting sun on the foothills of the Andes in the background and the skyscrapers of Santiago de Chile.](https://www.malteclavin.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.malteclavin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F25-chile.jpg&h=230&q=90&f=.jpg)
Fantastic play of light from the setting sun on the foothills of the Andes in the background and the skyscrapers of Santiago de Chile.