The New York Times chose Chiloé for inclusion in its annual list 45 Places to Go in 2012, citing its “stilt houses, Unesco-anointed churches, nature preserves, unusual wildlife and raw natural beauty” as reasons to visit. The article cited the island’s modernization plan that will bring a much-desired airport to the island with direct flights to Santiago, as well as newly paved roads and President Sebastián Piñera’s plans to open the island to travelers with a new ecological reserve. The luxury Refugia Lodge opens to the traveling public on September 1, 2012: www.refugia.cl.