For those energetic souls waking up early after an overnight flight to Santiago, the view from the Boeing 767's window reveals the brown-red Andes, slashed by deep green valleys. It is from muscatel grapes vines grown in one of those defiles, the Elqui Valley, that Chile’s national cocktail, the pisco sour, flows. Pisco’s derives its uniqueness from the valley’s special climate and geography. Accessible from Santiago by air, bus or private car, it is a popular resort destination for Chileans.

Turning east, the highway is soon lined with papaya plantations and vineyards. This region is blessed with some of the clearest air in the world, making it a wonderful place for an astronomical observatory. A small sign marks the turn-off to Tololo, an accessible and interesting collection of stellar and planetary telescopes operated by an international consortium. Visitors are welcome and the view is breathtaking.

A little further up the valley is Vicuña, the birthplace of Gabriela Mistral. This Nobel Prize winning poet is beloved by Chileans, and honored by an intimate and friendly museum. Vicuña is a typical “Norte Chico” village, with narrow streets, colorful houses and a central plaza. The deep green of village trees contrasts with brown mountains spiraling above the village.