Photo: View from our hotel room in Patagonia

When not hiking across the rugged landscape of Patagonia, the cozy rooms of the Hotel Explora in Torres del Paine National Park afforded spectacular views. Only the pounding wind against the window reminded us it was not a painting. A day's hike could take you from Guanaco (Chilean llamas) filled valleys to glacier footed peaks and through four different seasons. Returning to the outdoor hot tubs of Explora and included gourmet meals paired with free flowing Chilean wines would always recharge us for the next day's adventures…and of course the view from the room always beckoned…