Easter Island is an expensive side trip from Santiago, but well worth it. Just before we met in Ushuaia last year, I spent 4 days there and had a wonderful time. Everyone was friendly and helpful (locals AND tourists). With a little bit of basic Spanish & French, I was able to get around without any problems (several people I met were fluent in English, and most others knew basic English that was far better than my basic Spanish). The weather varied between hot & sunny and warm tropical rain showers (during the weeek before Christmas). The natural sights were beautiful, big surf just off Hanga Roa, and fresh tuna every day.

You can go to Region II, a different but interesting place, and visit Atacama Desert(dryer than Sahara) and go to San Pedro de Atacama, a small but very touristic village 2800 mabsl.Near this place there are some geisers with hot water and steam flowing from the earth 7.00 AM I think, every day. There is a place called Moon Valley too where pathfinder vehicle was tested.
You can visit Chuquicamata the greatest open minesite in the world.Near that place is the frontier with Bolivia and Argentina.
After that You can go to Arica (Region I) and take a bus to La Paz, Bolivia. You could se Chungara Lake 3500 mabsl.
If You go to the south of Chile maybe You don

Why rent a car when you meet the local people on the buses?

From Chile, enter Bolivia near the salt desert Uyuni, nick named ‘the white ocean’. Go on to Potosi, take a trip down to Sucre, continue to Ororu (best carnival time), then La Paz and Titicaca before Peru.

I was in Chile in February, but I stayed fairly close to Santiago. I definitely recommend Valparaiso, which I think is known as the San Francisco of South America. Actually, I often think about moving there.

For food in Chile, I recommend fruits and steaks. Both are extremely high quality and inexpensive.

Jorge: Please also email me with your contact info! philg@mit.edu; the software hides your email address from everyone.

I must agree with the south, Villarrica, Pucon, Valdivia are great places to visit. I don’t remember where you went in Argentina, I’m talking about places like Bariloche, with different charm.

La Serena is Ok, you can visit Vicu

David: I will go to Africa but much of Africa is also hot and wet this time of year. I think April, for example, is an ideal month to visit Namibia.

Ben: Your email address is kept hidden even from me. So please write me at philg@mit.edu with some more advice.

I spent two years in southern Chile, so I’m biased, but I say, go south! Southern Chile (really, anything south of Valdivia) is absolutely phenominal. Waterfalls, volcanoes, the huge Lake Llanquihue, picturesque little towns on lakes all over the place, Pucon, the Vegas of South America (next to one of the aforementioned active volcanoes), and the completely amazing Torres del Paine (Paine Towers). Believe me, you are really missing the boat if you avoid the south. If you’re interested, contact me and I’ll chat with you some more about all this.

Say Phil, whatever happened to your Africa trip? I thought the small-plane idea was a good one!