Contulmo

By Zenan Delaney

Located by the beautiful Lake Lanalhue, this small town of 2,500 residents, roughly 600Km south of Santiago is a slice of rural Chile. German immigrants settled in the town in 1884 and the first German school in Chile was founded here in 1893. Streets of old and twisted wooden houses help give the town the laid back ambience of a bygone era. The scenery makes it a great place to relax, it is also a good place for walking although the dangerous forestry trucks in the area make walking on the main road treacherous. There are several campsites and many visit the lake for the water sports. Contulmo is home to the white strawberry, in the summer season visitors can enjoy the local albino strawberries. The town is one of only two places in Chile that grows these delicious white strawberries, so trying them while your there is a must. For Chile off the beaten track, Contulmo is definitely worth a visit.