'Region de los Lagos' - the southern Germany of Chile

In addition to a beautiful, pristine nature consisting largely of ancient Araucaria forests, the 'Los Lagos' and 'Los Rios' regions of Chile have a number of characteristics known to Germans. For example, even the smallest supermarket sells Rittersport chocolate and speculoos cookies, the cafes have 'cake' on the menu, and you are greeted with a warm 'welcome'.

Above all, the architecture is reminiscent of a Bavarian mountain village, with the German Shepherd being the classic pet here. There are 'dollhouses', 'hand weaving shops' and even Mettbrötchen (albeit under a Spanish name).

However, there is one significant difference in the landscape: whether it's Pucon, Puerto Varas or Frutillar, every town is overshadowed by one or more, sometimes still or recently active volcanoes.

It takes a little getting used to seeing the continuous rising smoke from the crater of the 'Villarrica' in Pucon, images of the 'Calbuco' eruption in Puerto Varas in 2015, or the evacuation notices in all these towns and imagining that a few kilometers from these cozy places, the boiling magma is simmering under a thin layer of rock...