Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine, Chile

While known for being a rather unimpressive town on its own, the proximity of Puerto Natales to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine and Parque Nacional Bernardo O’Higgins has made it the main base for exploring this part of the world, with a surge of boutique hotels and hip eateries giving it a much needed lift. The medium-size fishing town offers picturesque views of the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound) channel, which was named by Spanish navigator Juan Ladrillero in the 16th century as it was his last hope to reach the Strait of Magellan.

Since the opening of the small airport in Puerto Natales, the town is starting to challenge the more staid larger city of Punto Arenas as a hub for exploring Patagonia.