Adventure Honeymoon: Tierra

Since high school, we’ve been through many transformative experiences together. Surviving our college years in different cities, beginning our careers and eventually leaving them to travel for more than a year, starting our own business and even buying a house. Throughout all of this time, friends and family would ask if we ever thought about getting married and we always deferred; it just wasn’t as important to us as traveling. Then something changed; maybe we had traveled just the right amount, or maybe it was our close friend’s wedding that inspired us, or we’re just getting old, but, after seventeen incredible years together, we decided to have a small wedding in September 2018 in our favorite place on earth, Block Island, RI.

Once the festivities came and went, spent with incredible friends and family, naturally, we started thinking about our honeymoon. We always like to keep our travel plans open, to a certain degree, leaving room for spontaneity – but also do our research. This trip was going to be special; we wanted a unique experience off the beaten path where we’d be just as excited to get out and explore as we would be to stay in. It didn’t take long to determine that Chile was the perfect place and, with the help of our friends at Kiwi Collection, we designed our ideal adventure honeymoon. For the first two weeks of April, we traveled from Chiloé to Patagonia to the Atacama Desert staying in some of the most awe-inspiring hotels and landscapes that we could have ever imagined.

From Santiago, we hopped on a quick flight to Puerto Montt, Chiloé’s main airport. Traveling by car, Chiloé Island is a quick ferry ride from the coast of southern Chile in the lush ecosystem of the Pacific. We drove straight to Tierra Chiloé where we were to stay for three days. Mimicking the traditional stilt architecture of the area, Tierra Chiloé Hotel & Spa sits perched on a lush green hilltop with the Pacific coastline at its heels. This wild landscape is just a small piece of heaven you’ll experience during your stay. The options for exploring the area are endless thanks to a full time tour guide on staff; Take an excursion on their private boat, Williche, through fjords and the islands of the Chiloé Archipelago, hop on horseback or bicycle and explore the 150 acres of rolling hills surrounding the property or keep it simple and simply enjoy the in house spa and heated outdoor pool. A perfect juxtaposition of modern and traditional design, the floor to ceiling windows will surely leave you speechless as you watch the sun set over the water while enjoying a locally sourced and home cooked meal.

Another short flight from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas (or Puerto Natales in peak season only) and a 5 hour drive, we arrived in Torres del Paine. Known for its incredibly vast landscapes, hikes and wildlife, the opportunities for adventure are endless. Blending effortlessly into the landscape, just a stones throw away from Torres del Paine National Park, Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa is a feast for all the senses. This sustainable and swanky retreat attracts the likes of designers, foodies, photographers, adventurers and more. Between the pristine property, exquisite cuisine and its proximity to endless outdoor excursions, we found ourselves wanting to stay forever. Designed by Chilean architect Cazú Zegers to minimize the ecological footprint, Tierra Patagonia is hardly even noticeable in its natural windswept habitat. We spent our days tromping through the massive landscape with Tierra’s own expert guides and rushing back to the spa for a soak in the indoor heated pool with views of Lake Sarmiento.

Situated in the heart of San Pedro de Atacama, Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa is an oasis in the arid desert. Sustainably designed to integrate into the surrounding area, the luxury eco lodge is the perfect retreat from the heat of the desert. Sit with one of the expert guides and make a plan from an array of exclusive Tierra excursions. Start with a healthy breakfast from their beautiful dining area, set out for one of their many treks on foot or horseback and return to the refreshing pool. You might even treat your sore muscles to a massage at Uma Spa. This place is nothing short of a dream.