At last, 50

Venue

Where the celebration will be?

Hotel y Cabañas Punta Larga – Caja Los Andes.

The location offers a stunning view of the Chilean Lake District. In addition, it was chosen to make it easy for guests in their ‘golden/platinum age’.

Frutillar/ Punta Larga are located on the shores of Llanquihue Lake, the second-largest lake in Chile with a surface area of 860 km² and 172 km of shoreline.

Exact address is at Kilometro 13 camino a Punta Larga, Bahía Domeyko, Frutillar, Chile.

Dress code

The celebration is scheduled for high noon. Leave the sparkle and stilettos or fancy tux in the closet. Opt for something snazzy and cozy, but let’s draw the line at pajamas, folks!

Children and little ones are welcome just the way they are, but teens might want to leave their caps and sweatpants at home if they want to join us at the grown-up table!

In the evening, prepare to shine like a disco ball because there will be music and drinks to light up the night!

Mega-event’s program

Friday, 4 Oct.

12:00 Those interested, we could have a relaxed lunch at “Los Colonos del Lago”. (“going Dutch”)

13:30 Stretching your legs by walking along the Llanquihue shores or under the rain. The weather will tell…

15:00 Arrival and check in to Hotel & Cabañas Punta Larga (in the eventual case you booked with them)

Saturday, 5 Oct

’til 10:00 Breakfast

10:00  Free time. Fancy a dip in the swimming pool?

11:30 Getting ready? (last chance to fix those jetlagged eyes, hide your beer belly, have your beauty sleep, get last minute Botox injections or opt for a hip replacement)

During the event, share your best wishes and thoughts in the Memories book

13:00 Guests arrival. Do NOT forget your invitation card otherwise, bouncers won’t let you in. 

13:30 Cocktail

14:30 Welcome speech. Don’t panic! Max 10min due to ES and EN versions

14:45 Entrée (first course)

15:15 Main course

16:00 Desert & coffee

16:20 Official photos with you. My walk posing for all the tables.

17:00 Open bar starts

18:00 Frutillar’s Got Talent! …and other silly things

18:45 Opening of the dance floor

20:00 Tune for the Happy Birthday signing. Cake + Snacks

20:45 More dancing…    

22:00 End of Open Bar

23:30 Everything good always reach an ending, That’s all, folks!

When leaving , Do not forget your little “your little souvenir trinket” before you go

Undisclosed time Feel free if you would like to continue the party in private … but the World don’t need to know the details 

Sunday, 6 Oct.

09:00 – 11:00 Breakfast at the main house or the cabins

12:00 Check out time

Getting to Chile

Do you need a VISA?

Passport holders from the European Union and affiliated states, including Switzerland, can enter without a visa for up to three months.

Likewise, holders of US passports do not require a visa.

How to arrive?

“There are tons of wacky ways to make your way to Chile. You could thumb a ride, hop on a bike, or even go for a long hike with a side of swimming if you’re trekking from Europe. But if you’re all about saving time (and not your carbon footprint), then buckle up and take a flight – yes, you’d be pumping up that carbon footprint, but hey, at least you’ll be airborne in style!”

-The hostess

To Chile

Whoever said getting to Santiago de Chile is a piece of cake clearly hasn’t flown there! Brace yourself for the ultimate plane-hopping adventure because most flights involve a layover. But hey, who doesn’t love a good airport sprint, right? So, here’s the deal: there are several creative ways to make your way to the land of poets and mountains. Get ready for a journey as eventful as a telenovela!

From Europe

• AirFrance, British Airways, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LATAM Airlines and Lufthansa

From North America

• American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, LATAM Airlines, United Airlines

Once in Chile

You’ve got two options for your grand entrance: Puerto Montt (PMC) or Osorno (ZOS). It’s just a short 50-minute drive from Frutillar, so buckle up and take your pick of wheels.

Internal flights companies

• To Puerto Montt (PMC): JetSmart (1 flight/day), LATAM Airlines (2-3 flights/day), Sky Airlines (3 flights/day)
• To Osorno (ZOS): LATAM Airlines (daily), Sky Airlines (daily)

Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can embark on a wild road trip from Santiago (SCL).

Just a heads-up, according to the all-knowing Google Maps, it’s approximately 1’000 to 1’200 kilometers (which roughly translates to 100 to 115 EUR in petrol, aka lots of snacks money). This joyride could last anywhere between 10 and 16 hours, so prepare your killer road trip playlist and stock up on snacks! Be ready to make pit stops because, let’s face it, road works are as inevitable as a catchy tune getting stuck in your head.

Oh, and don’t forget to bring some good ol’ cash because you’ll encounter about 12 tolls that are like time travelers from the past – they don’t accept debit or credit cards. The average toll is about CHF 3.3, so make sure you dig into those couch cushions for loose change. Happy trails.

Accommodation

The venue sits right across the street from the “Hotel y Cabañas Punta Larga – Caja Los Andes” – in fact, it’s part of the same package deal. If you decide to crash at the hotel, you can snuggle up in a double bed room, or go all out and rally the whole crew for a cabin that accommodates up to five people. That’s right, it’s like a slumber party, but with bunk beds for extra shenanigans!

Forgot to give you the reservation options? No worries, I’ve got you covered. You can book your stay directly at the place (it’s a Spanish affair), or if you prefer a more international experience, hop over to Booking. And of course, for the discerning traveler, there’s always TripAdvisor to check out what the folks have to say. Happy booking!

Please note that reservations can only be made at the venue up to 6 months in advance.

“I can’t list every single place to stay in Frutillar and its surroundings. But if you stumble upon something awesome and need a second opinion, hit me up and I’ll drop some wisdom on you.”

-The hostess

You’re in luck! I’ve got the inside scoop on some cozy spots for shut-eye right over here. And if that’s not enough, there are more options than grains of sand on a beach waiting for you on those classic booking platforms. Happy snoozing!

Please be aware that Chile doesn’t joke around when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol. If you’re planning to take it easy and stay in town, give me a shout and I’ll line up a taxi or shuttle for you. Just give me the heads up ahead of time!

How is the weather?

Frutillar and the South of Chile, in general, might not be your go-to for a sizzling tropical vacation, but hey, who needs the sweltering heat when you’ve got the cool allure of this unique region? Embrace the chill and let the beauty of the South sweep you off your flip-flops!

Frutillar sits at the same latitude as Bari in Italy, Tarragona in Spain, or Istanbul in Turkey. But unlike its warmer cousins, it doesn’t have the luxury of the Gulf Stream to keep things toasty. Nope, it’s got the Humboldt Stream, straight from Antarctica, because why would Frutillar settle for anything less than cool? 🌬️

In October, Frutillar puts on its cozy sweater and starts brewing some extra cloudy days with a chance of showers. The thermometer usually hits around 14°C (58°F) at its peak, while dipping down to a brisk 6°C (42°F) at night. Keep an eye on the wacky weather with your trusty forecast app!

What to pack?

For your adventurous expedition, make sure to pack a top-notch rain jacket, cozy trousers, funky jumpers, and some seriously waterproof shoes. You don’t want to end up doing the rain dance in all the wrong places!

As spring approaches, be sure to pack your T-shirts and a swimming suit, because you’ll be in hot water! Literally. The area is bubbling with natural hot springs, courtesy of some fiery volcanoes. You could even take a plunge into a river with both hot and cold springs – talk about a natural Jacuzzi!

“Ain’t no sunshine when you’re without sunscreen! Aim for nothing less than SPF 50, ’cause we’re not kidding about that ginormous ozone hole chilling with us“

-The hostess

Spoken languages

Chile, the land of geographical isolation and questionable language skills! Despite these challenges, fear not, for the Chileans are eager to lend a helping hand, albeit maybe a bit linguistically challenged. In the southern regions, you might even stumble upon some Gothic German speakers – quite the unexpected linguistic twist!

“English should be a breeze at those massive hotel chains and Santiago airport. Everywhere else? Well, good luck! But hey, no need to stress, you’ve got this. Just remember, ‘where there is a will, there is a way‘”

-The hostess

What else to do around?

There’s no shortage of activities near Frutillar to dive into, but hey, don’t expect Swiss-style distances here! On a leisurely driving day, you could easily clock in at least 300 km – that’s like going to the corner store for cigarettes around here.

“Let me in on your whims, and I’ll orchestrate the particulars. You’ve got options aplenty: you could enlist the services of a tour guide who’s positively thrilled to show you around, or you could venture forth solo, or better yet, accompany yours truly on this grand adventure!”

-The hostess

• A jaunty jaunt to Chiloé island awaits, just a hop, skip, and a ferry ride away! Venture 100 Km South and prepare to set sail to this magical isle. It’s a journey of whimsy and wonder, so pack your bags and get ready for an adventure like no other! (2 days)

• Day trip to the awe-inspiring Todos los Santos lake and the majestic Petrohué waterfalls is an absolute must! If you’re ready to witness nature’s incredible power and beauty, this adventure is the ultimate ticket. Pack your sense of wonder and get ready for a day filled with jaw-dropping sights and unforgettable moments!

• Looking to give your old bones a well-deserved break? Look no further than Termas de Puyehue, where you can choose between snoozing in a cozy dome by the river with a hot tub or settling into a cabin with enough space for a small army. Just a heads-up: if you’re planning on chilling outside, you might have to bring your own towels. But hey, who needs towels when you’ve got stunning hikes in the National Park to look forward to, right? Time to give those bones a treat!

• Are you ready to journey into the depths of a volcano? If you’re up for the challenge, you’ve got two options to choose from. It’s a half-day escapade that wraps up right at midday. And hey, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not pair it with a trip to Ensenada (Todos los Santos Lake)? It’s double the fun, double the excitement!

Communications

Chile, where even your pet llama has better connectivity than you do! With G4 and G5 mobile phone signals and internet at your accommodation, there’s no excuse for not sharing those stunning mountain selfies. Although be aware that the signal may play hide and seek on the road or in National Parks – after all, you’re getting up close and personal with nature, not civilization. But if you’re set on staying connected, grab a prepaid SIM card and bid farewell to those pesky roaming charges. Don’t let your phone bill reach Aconcagua (6,962 m) levels!

Providers are like contestants in a popularity contest! You’ve got Entel, Movistar (the reigning champ with wider coverage), Claro, and WOM (the cool kid who hangs out in city hotspots). You can snag a SIM card at the airport or at kiosks around town. Now, go find your new BFF (Best SIM Forever)!

Emilia’s law

If you haven’t caught wind of it yet, turns out some folks thought it’d be a brilliant idea to slap personal names on laws, either to bask in the limelight or to secure their spot in history… Anyhow, according to this law, it’s an absolute no-no to hit the road with even a smidge of alcohol in your system; if you get nabbed, it’s off to the slammer for you. Cheers to that, huh?