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Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle de Bournet's story straddles two continents: Europe and South America. Alexandra is part of the sixth generation to devote themselves to the famous Grand Marnier liqueur, which was created by her great-grandfather in 1880. She went on a long trip to the "New World" in the early 90s with her husband Cyril de Bournet, with the idea of finding new land and producing great wines. Of all the territories they visited, one place particularly fascinated them: Apalta in the Colchagua Valley, Chile...
Twenty-five years after discovering this continent, Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle de Bournet gives us her Route du Bonheur, offering the opportunity to discover both sides of the Andes Mountain Range. Such a different mountainous and desert world between Argentina and Chile. As Alexandra points out, on the Argentine side, the Andes descend in a very gentle way, with pink and clear colours. You can admire some of beautiful sunset views over the mountain sides. They create more of a steep relief on the Chilean side. The colours are darker, but the rivers flow towards the Pacific Ocean. A
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur: suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
*Total price provided for information only, based on accommodation for two people in a double room for the number of nights per property as indicated on this page, exclusive of recommended activities, properties that cannot be reserved online and restaurants.
Hotel and restaurant in a park. At the foot of the Andes, in the spellbinding town of Salta (meaning “beauty” in the Quechua language), the elegant House of Jasmines cultivates the art of hospitality. On 100 hectares of grounds, guests can listen to nature quietly breathing under the centuries-old trees and smell flowering jasmine in a landscape imbued with the magic of the ancient Quechua civilization. In the new restaurant, La Table de House of Jasmines, you can admire the large open fireplace, watch meat being cooked in the old earthen oven and enjoy breathtaking views of the Andes. The simple, tasty cuisine showcases fresh produce from the garden.
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Salta means "beauty" in Quechua, the ancient language of the Andean Indians. Its name sums up this beautiful city that nestles at the foot of the Andes Mountain Range. The city, which is also the capital of Noroeste, is nearly 1,200 m above sea level. Under the pink facade of the baroque cathedral, many houses and palaces are reminiscent of the city's colonial past - with their stunning covered balconies. Some very beautiful museums allow visitors to discover some of the unknown aspects of the region's history: the astonishing High Mountain Archaeological Museumd exhibits the the mummies of three Inca children which date back to the 15th century…
Gaucho gathering, Salta
On 17 June each year, Salta celebrates the memory of its greatest hero: General Martin Miguel Güemes. Originally from the city, the great man fought with all his might in the War of Independence (1810-1825). Thousands of gauchos are proud of this resistance and continue to gather here to mark the occasion of the anniversary of his death. Horse parades and traditional songs and dances followed by a large mass are on the agenda.
Calchaquí Valleys
At approximately 3,000 m above sea level, these valleys are one of Argentina's most beautiful natural sites. From Salta to Cafayate via Cachi, you can follow Route 40, the legendary road that follows the Rio Calchaquí. The road rises through the red mountains and shapes carved into the rock. Exceptional archaeological sites hide behind the arid landscapes, majestic cacti and roaming llamas. We wouldn't dream of setting off on this journey without first trying some Cafayate wine and Tafí cheeses…
Hotel and restaurant in a village. Awasi, in the north of Chile, is a stunning spot, majestic in its beauty and hidden away in the immense Atacama Desert, the most arid place on earth. This tiny hotel, a cosy and secluded haven in a historic setting, has been designed to fit harmoniously into the local culture and environment. It offers its guests unique ‘bespoke’ experiences and a choice of customised packages and 4x4 excursions with their own guide (a guide is assigned to each guest room). Its ‘all-inclusive’ programme gives the traveller total peace of mind to enjoy a wonderful experience.
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We start exploring the vastness of the desert to the west of San Pedro de Atacama. The Valley of the Moon is a landscape straight out of a science fiction film. It gets its name from the absence of any apparent sign of life - with the exception of a species of lizard. Shaped by water and wind erosion , it offers a truly remarkable range of shapes and colours.
El Tatio Geysers
El Tatio Geysers sit at 4,320 meters above sea level, 90 kilometres from the market town of San Pedro de Atacama. This geothermal field is best seen at sunrise as the steam which seeps from cracks in the ground is most impressive in the dark. Like a firework display, steam and water splutter and bubble out of the earth and you can walk around the 80 active geysers which form the largest geyser field in the Southern Hemisphere.
The museums of Santiago
At just an hour and a half drive from Valparaíso, Chile's capital is certainly worth visiting for its heritage and museums. The Museum of Precolombian Art exhibits anthropomorphic objects, shamanic instruments and some of the finest fabrics in the Andes, while the Museum of Fine Arts houses major works created by Chilean artists since independence behind its neoclassical facade.
Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, great-granddaughter of the creator of Grand Marnier, is the force behind Viña Lapostolle, with a winery and hotel nestled in the hills overlooking Chile’s spectacular Apalta Vineyards in the Colchagua Valley. This unique setting, combining a respect for nature with cutting-edge design, invites you to experience Lapostolle. A team of chefs prepares a special menu for each wine, using organic vegetables from the garden and top-quality seasonal products. Biking through the vineyards and trekking the trails of the native forests are a good complement to the activities linked to wine, beginning with a tour and private tasting in the winery.
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Composed of intimate and prestigious vineyards, this valley is certainly one of the most beautiful wine routes (red) in Chile. From one land to another, these grape varieties that were imported from France in the 19th century each express their individuality here. The best way to explore Colchagua is definitely on horseback. A walk in the vineyards that allows you to be in contact with nature, vines and animals at the same time. And a great way to reconnect with Chilean traditions…
Punta de Lobos beach
Punta de Lobos can be found around 100 km west of Santa Cruz on the Pacific coast. A gorgeous beach dominated by an imposing cliff, the place is renowned for its sunsets. If you're lucky you might even catch a glimpse of the famous "Lobos" (Sea lions) lounging on the nearby rocks. The site is very popular with surfers who see it as one of the best spots in South America (with the best "lefts" on the continent).
Hotel and restaurant on a river. Hacienda and hotel – all in one, the andbeyond Vira Vira offers its guests the “Elegance of Adventure” in the heart of the Cordillera of the Andes. In this region of volcanoes and mystic forests, our guides explore with you the surrounding nature parks: kayaking, horseback riding … The ascension to the volcano Villarrica is rewarded by a bath in a thermal spring in the heart of nature! Back to the hotel, the soft murmuring of the river provides tranquillity whilst your hosts are seeing to all the details. The hacienda supplies the fresh and organic products that the Chef prepares with sophistication, finding his inspiration in traditional Mapuche recipes.
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Peaking at an altitude of 2, 847m, the Villarrica volcano gave the national park forming a tight circle around it its name. The volcano is one of Chileans’ preferred nature destinations. Its last "major" eruption dates back to 1971, but it has as recently as in March 2015 been once more active. Trained and accompanied hikers need a day for the ascent. The smoking crater on the summit is an astonishing sight!
Hotel and restaurant in the mountains. To be alone, or virtually alone, facing the infinite land of Patagonia: Awasi Patagonia offers an experience unlike any other. A collection of independent villas, in a private reserve, offers total seclusion and stunning views of the forest, Sarmiento Lake and Torres del Paine National Park. Each villa is allocated its own guide and vehicle, allowing guests to explore the magnificent countryside at their own pace and see condors, guanacos and perhaps a puma. At the end of the day, they will return to a warm and cozy main lodge, restaurant and villas inspired by Patagonian shelters.
Guests who visit our Lodge in Patagonia might also be interested in our property in Atacama. If you are traveling through Chile, we recommend visiting the two most famous destinations of Chile (the Atacama Desert and Torres del Paine) with a “Tailor-Made” quality of service that only Awasi provides.
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This is both an end of the world landscape and an absolutely spectacular site. This national park is home to virtually eternal glaciers, mountains with changing colours, forests, valleys, lakes and lagoons. Founded in 1959, it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. There are many ways to explore the park: by boat on the Lagoon at the foot of Grey Glacier; trekking up to the famous Towers at the craggy summit; during a visit to a ranch in the footsteps of the European immigrants who came in the 19th century...
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