A journey that started with curiosity

When I first arrived, I was lucky enough to travel with my mother through the Atacama Desert, Araucanía, the Lake District and Patagonia. Within a few weeks, I had already discovered some of Chile's most spectacular landscapes.

But the real discovery was only beginning.

Shortly after settling in Santiago, I met the man who would eventually become my husband. His English was limited, my Spanish wasn't much better, and somehow we made it work.

Through him, his family and friends, I discovered another side of Chile. The everyday conversations, the music, the celebrations, the family gatherings, the little places you visit because someone local tells you they're worth the detour.

I wasn't just visiting Chile anymore. I was becoming part of life here.

After returning to Belgium to finish my studies, I faced a choice: pursue a doctorate in anthropology or give life in Chile a real chance.

In 2018, I chose Chile.

I came back, built a life here, and worked in different fields, from universities and NGOs to teaching French. Each experience helped me understand a little more about the country and the people who call it home.

In 2022, I found an opportunity to work in travel design.

It felt like a natural next step. What better way to share a country that had given me so much?

Over the following years, I discovered just how many ways there are to experience Chile.

Two people can visit the same destination and have completely different journeys. It depends on where they stay, who they meet, how they travel, what they enjoy, and how much time they give themselves to experience a place.

That's what fascinated me most.

My background in anthropology had taught me to listen, observe and understand people. Working in tourism gave me the practical knowledge, local connections and experience to turn that understanding into a journey.

I loved bringing those two worlds together.

After several rewarding years working for a travel agency, I knew I wanted to continue doing what I loved, but in a more personal way.

Creating a thoughtful, tailor-made journey takes time. Time to listen, explore possibilities, question an itinerary, find the right accommodation or suggest a different experience when it makes more sense.

And I wanted to give that time back to my work.

That's why I created Alma Sur.

I chose to work with a limited number of travellers, so I can be personally involved in every journey, from our first conversation to the moment you return home.

Not to create the most elaborate itinerary, or to include as many destinations as possible, but to help you discover Chile in a way that genuinely suits you.

Sometimes that means visiting the country's iconic places differently. Sometimes it means exploring a quieter region, slowing down for an extra night, or choosing a small local experience over a famous attraction.

For me, the best journeys aren't necessarily the ones that see the most.

They're the ones that feel right for the people experiencing them.

Chile has been part of my life for more than a decade. It's where I've built my home, my relationships, and so many of my most meaningful memories.

And even after all these years, it continues to surprise me.

One of the things I enjoy most is meeting travellers in person when our paths cross in Chile, whether at the beginning or the end of their journey.

Sometimes it's a chance to share a few personal recommendations, talk about everyday life here, or answer those last-minute questions before they set off. Other times, it's an opportunity to hear their stories, discover what surprised them, and see the country I've come to love through someone else's eyes.

I love those conversations. They remind me why I chose this profession in the first place.

Because for me, Alma Sur isn't simply about organising trips. It's about sharing a place that has become my home, and helping others discover their own connection with it.