Puerto Varas, Volcan Orsorno and Frutillar

 

White capped Volcan Orsorno towers over the pretty Chilean village of Frutillar on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. Frutillar which mean strawberry in Spanish was settled by Germans in the 19th century. You can have your “Onces” Chilean for elevenses with Kafe and Kuchen as well as the more normal Chilean delicacies. Teatro del Lago is considered to be the largest theatre and have the best acoustics in all of Chile. Its January music festival is legendary and the wonderful music note sculptures are testament to the importance of music in this small town. Bajo Frutillar is the lower part of town surrounding the Lake with beautiful old wooden German style houses and churches whereas Alto Frutilla is the higher commercial part of town.

Volcan Orsorno is a ski resort but in the summer a walkers paradise with glorious views of the surrounding countryside.

The City of the Roses or Puerto Varas, its official name, is a beautiful port with a lovely bay.  The wood shingled houses are overlooked by the wonderful Gothic German church. At night the waterfront offers a wonderful moonlit walk with the twinkling lights of the many restaurants that surrounded the bay.