The Dutch Principality of Laitec (See its history for more details) A serene retreat to reconnect with nature, work remotely, fish, meditate, barbecue, hike, and spend time with family. Located at the southern tip of Chiloé Island, at Patagonia’s gateway and surrounded by National Parks, Laitec offers stunning landscapes and tranquility. Savor the silence, enjoy local produce, and marvel at starry skies in this breathtaking haven. The space A house designed for comfort, safety, and tranquility. Stay connected, yet far enough from the crowd to truly disconnect. The perfect balance of access and seclusion. Immerse yourself in the Patagonian lifestyle with help from friendly locals who can guide you through everyday challenges—or simply relax with your friends and loved ones. Fire up the barbecue, put on some music, and enjoy the unique amenities: a Quincho, a hot tub, access to pristine beaches and forests, and fresh produce from local farmers and fishermen. Stay connected if needed, with internet via satellite or cellular network. For cozy evenings, there’s a TV, projector, and screen for magical movie nights—ideal for rainy days when nature takes a backseat to family fun. Feeling active? Go hiking, practice yoga, or try out our exercise tools. For a true Patagonian experience, why not give lumber cutting a try? Guest access You’ll have access to our entire property, spanning 5,000 m², as well as the condominium’s shared grounds, which cover an additional 50,000 m². Plus, you’re free to enjoy all the island’s beaches, as they are public property under Chilean law, along with the communal roads. If you ask Carlos, he can guide you to trails that lead through pristine, ancient forests—an unforgettable experience. At the house, you’re welcome to use all available equipment, including sports gear, barbecue facilities, cleaning supplies, and general tools. Please use them safely and ensure everything is returned to its proper place after use. Before enjoying the facilities, take a moment to locate the fire extinguisher and first-aid kit, ensuring you’re prepared in case of an emergency. Other things to note A Jeep is available for emergencies or to transport bags to and from the harbor. However, we recommend exploring the island on foot, as the rural roads can be challenging and occasionally unsafe for driving. For emergencies on the water, there is a boat available. For family outings, we suggest contacting Juanin, who has a reliable and safe boat. Please remember to bring life vests for any water excursions—safety first! We highly recommend indulging in the island’s local produce: fresh salmon, sierra (king mackerel), robalo, oysters, almejas (clams), erizo (sea urchins), locos (abalone), choritos (mussels), lamb, and eggs. Don’t miss the opportunity to try Doña Orfa’s fantastic farm-grown vegetables and the local garlic, which is a true treat. About Mussels The rope method for rearing mussels is about as ecologically friendly as aquaculture (seafood farming) gets. The joy of it is the sheer minimalism and lack of interference. There are no inputs – no chemicals are required to keep the mussels healthy and no added feed is needed to make them grow. There is no need for captive breeding as the young seed mussels, called spat, are collected by hanging specially hairy ropes in the waters of Chiloe during spawning season and the wild juvenile mussels attach themselves to the ropes. The mussels are microscopic when they first settle on the ropes, but within a year to fifteen months, in the fertile waters of Chiloe the mussels will be full of sweet, kelpy flavoured orange meat and be ready for a delicious healthy meal full of vitamins, minerals and omega 3 oils. Best of all, to get them fat and ready, you don’t even have to feed them. They will take all the nutrients they need by filtering the sea water that ebbs and flows around them. As if all that wasn’t enough, it seems that a mussel farm can provide a positive ecological benefit to the waters in which it is sited. The mussel-clad ropes make a weedy underwater jungle that attracts other sea life, too. The farm is a habitat and nursery for all kinds of creatures, including anemones, starfish, marine worms, crabs, lobsters, prawns and many types of fish. So what’s the catch? There isn’t one. Ecologically sound, good for the planet and good for you, why not pick up some mussels from your local fishmonger to try one of our many recipes because the final abiding virtue of mussels is the extreme ease and speed with which they can be transformed into a delightful dinner.