Ski, Sand And Sun, The Ultimate Summer Vacation

PRLog (Press Release) – Apr 24, 2008 – For the first time this summer, travellers can enjoy the ultimate two-seasons vacation with snow sports at the Chilean resort of Ski Portillo followed by sun and sand at the newly opened, all-inclusive luxury TierraAtacama Adventure Spa in the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile. The ski season runs from 21st June until 4th October and for bookings of a week’s stay at Ski Portillo, the owners of both the resort and spa are offering a complimentary connecting flight* from Santiago to Calama, the closest airport to San Pedro de Atacama, where the new Tierra Atacama hotel has been built, amid extreme surroundings of deserts, salt flats and active volcanoes.

Ski Portillo is the oldest and most exclusive ski resort in South America, hosting only 450 visitors at a time, for an exclusive, hassle and queue free ski holiday. Just 2 hours away by regular flight, Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa is built with empathy for its rugged, dessert surroundings and for the history of the area, which was once a crossing point for cattle drivers traveling between the Andes and Argentina. The hotel incorporates ancient walls and a cattle and the spa uses desert herbs, salt from the lithium rich salt flats and volcanic mud from the mountains in its treatments. Locally grown vegetables and herbs are sourced for the restaurant and hand-made throws, blankets and cushions, made by local craftspeople, are used throughout the hotel.

Accommodation at Tierra Atacama is on an all-inclusive basis from US $348 per person, per day,  including three meals, an open bar, two half day or one full day excursion per day, such as tours in comfortable vans, walking and hiking, biking, volcano climbing, rock climbing and cultural and wildlife expeditions. Sublime creature comforts are offered by the Uma spa, in the the hotel’s 32 luxury bedrooms and suites and the gourmet restaurant.

Temperatures in the southern hemisphere winter in Atacama range from  4°C/39°F at night to an extremely pleasant 25°C/ 80% F during the day. The days are bright and sunny. Ski Portillo enjoys an average of 2 m of  snow during the season and daytime temperatures can reach 55°F/10°C.

A week’s stay in Ski Portillo, at the Hotel Portillo, costs from US$1450, with four meals per day and including a lift pass. Visit www.skiportillo.com or e-mail reservas@skiportillo.com

Accommodation at the Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa costs from $US 348  per night, per person, with three meals, an open bar, two half day or one full day excursion daily and use of the spa facilities. Call +56 2 563 0606, visit www.tierraatacama.com or e-mail reservas@tierraatacama.com

*For a minimum purchase of a ski week in Portillo and 3 nights all inclusive programme at Tierra Atacama, guests receive a discount of USD 200.00, equivalent to the cost of the return flight Santiago – Calama – Santiago.
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UK press contact Mary Stuart-Miller, 01403 738844, e-mail m.stuart-miller@virgin.net