The Nao Victoria was built using real blueprints. For this reason you can get a complete idea of what it was like to sail around the world

Imagine stepping on a big boat without heating, water, beds, kitchen, dramomine, doctor, private room, toilet or even a hot meal. Now, imagine yourself with 40 other people in the middle of a storm somewhere in an unknown ocean. And finally, imagine yourself set sailing without a map an a clear destination. You might agree that this sounds like a recipe for an insane voyage. And yet, this is a ludic description of the renowed expedition of the NAO VICTORIA 500 years ago. Ferdinand Magellan wanted to circumnavigate the planet with 5 ships and only 1 made it back home. If you are planning to visit Punta Arenas, don’t miss this unique opportunity to have a hands on experience with a voyage that not only discovered the Strait of Magellan, but also changed the view we have about our world. Step back in history and visit the replica of the first vessel that went around the world.

If you do not have a private bus, you can take public transportation.

The bus stop to the Nao Victoria is on the corner of Chiloe and Ignacio Carrera Pinto. Make sure you take the one that says:  RIO SECO.

There is one bus every 30 minutes from Monday to Friday. It costs 400 Chilean Pesos (about U$ 1) The drivers only take Chilean Money

Nao Victoria Open every day from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm

Entrance Fee: 3.000 Chilean Pesos or U$ 6

Address: Km 7 north www.naovictoria.cl phone: 96400772

To make your visit a complete experience, make sure you touch the water of the "Estrecho de Magallanes"

This article is a contribution of Josselyn Vega.

In the very centre of the city, Hotel Cabo de Hornos  stands out for it classic design and whose interior is innovative and  warmly decorated.  Just when you think you have come to the end of the earth, a magnificent  city appears before your eyes. It is Punta Arenas (Sandy Point), whose  colorful houses and roofs happily liven up the winter snow and the  intense blue of this southern sea.

Looking  upon the Strait of Magellan is our Hotel, an icon of the Patagonian  capital. Hotel Cabo de Hornos is a place to enjoy, rest and recover  energies and for the unforgettable adventure of getting to know this  marvelous region ensconced at the bottom tip of the planet. Our Hotel  provides a friendly resting spot in the midst of the Patagonian expanses.

Hotel Cabo de Hornos is a  building with its own style, characterized for its vanguard: interior  decorations and its undisputable elegance, and boasting modern  facilities and services that meet the highest international standards to  receive you and make your life an unforgettable experience. We are sure  that we will share an important place of your memories of this  marvelous journey to the end of the world.

See more in http://www.hotelcabodehornos.com

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I was teaching last week, when one of the top students in the class told me about this hotel. Thanks Josselyn Vega for the information in this article

Looking at the Ultima Esperanza fjord,  Hotel Costaustralis  is a classic piece of architecture. Its distinguished interior is innovative in design, and warmly decorated.

They have created the environment for each of their guests to  feel comfortable, even better than at home. They work every day in order to exceed the expectations of their guests and make life a pleasant and memorable experience.

To achieve this they have 110 comfortable rooms designed to provide total relaxation. These have been decorated in a sober and elegant, with great presence of the most beautiful woods in the region.

All rooms have wireless internet access, direct domestic and international telephone dialling, voicemail, cable TV, heating, electronic locks, an in room strongbox with electromagnetic key, fire safety systems, and complete private bath.

Everything you need for rest and replenishment wake up with energy to continue with the wonderful adventure in Patagonia.

See more http://www.hotelcostaustralis.com

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Carnaval de Invierno en Punta Arenas

Girls dancing in the Winter Carnival

There are many places in the World where people gather to welcome the spring, to celebrate after a long awaited harvest or just to eat a lot. Whatever the reason the basic elements for the festivitiy should be lots of food and nice warm climate.

Here in Patagonia we sure have one: lots and lots of food.

It was the year 1997 when the Town Hall invited the comunity to go outside for two days in the middle of winter and eat, sing and watch the carnival floats. This soon became the most important event not only in Punta Arenas but also for the near by town. 13 years later, Chileans and Argentinians get together and participate of this unique festivity that deepens the close bond we Patagonians have with our brother ans sisters from the other side of the fence.

Just imagine hundreds of people dancing on the streets with temperatures that are usually below freezing point. Do we feel cold? Of course, but nothing that a steamy hot chocolate can’t fix. The other solution is to flock like penguins.

By the ends of the second day, the festivity ends with fireworks over the Strait of Magellan.

We flock like penguins

This winter carnival takes place the second weekend of July. Just make sure that you bring layers and willingness to discover Patagonian winter in the souther most Carnival in the world

Ilaia

Ilaia

There are places to sleep and go

There are places to stay

There are places to recharge your soul

There are places that include all of the above

This cosy hotel in Punta Arenas merges nature and yoga inside  warm wooden walls. There is something about this places that makes you want to stay. I don’t know what it is. Perhaps the home made jam or the natural juice. Or maybe the room that overlooks the city lights  at night. I just can’t figure it out. What I do know is that Ilaia has an undeniable force that acts like a  powerful magnet. This is the right place to be during those cold gloomy days that Patagonia usually displays during the high season.

13 people can stay in this hotel which allows a one to one service. Other things that Ilaia has to offer are yoga, wi-fi,  2 laptops and a TV free environment. In order to meet safety standars, the rooms have smoke detectors.

My mother used to say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Ilaia sure lives up to that motto. This is not only because of the home made products but also because the decoration and the many details that catch your eyes.

I just want to wish the best of luck to Victor and Matulic with this new project. (Old high school classmates)

Hotel Ilaia

cosy room

Nature and Yoga

Ignacio Carrera Pinto 351

Punta Arenas

Chile

www.ilaia.cl

reservaslaia.cl

Phone: 00056-61-223592

Café Inmigrantes

Cafe Inmigrantes

There is a place in Punta Arenas where history and sweets go hand in hand.

One of the most important groups of inmigrants is the Croatian who came after the rumor of gold and a better life in Southern Patagonia spread in Europe during the late 1800’s. Soon after their arrival they found themselves facing severe winters, isolation, endless and punishing wind. Through hard work these brave families rooted here at the end of the world until their kids called Punta Arenas home.

In 2006 Dinka and Ivan came up with the idea of going back to their roots and share that part of history by creating a place where the family can go and share. I have to admit that the cookies, cakes and sandwishes are excelent, but Cafe Inmigrantes is more than just a place to eat. That is why you often see families, friends and couples having some quality time or just catching up. Another reason to come here is because Patagonians love sweets, or because we need to warm up the bones. Well, the bottom line is that any excuse is perfect to justify an “once” (AKA Tea time)

I love taking my wife here for “once”, but before I do I have to call and book a table. And what I suggest you to have is the “Once Inmigrante”, “Once Nonos” or one of the Mechados

Cafe Inmigrante

Once at Cafe Inmigrantes

Punta Arenas

Chile

Phone Number: (061) 222205

Address: Quillota 599

Mail: info@inmigrante.cl