WATCH!: What was your most lasting memory of Chile?
Eric Close: We rode on horses up to a high mountain meadow resting at the base of the Andes. Spectacular peaks, named after various saints, rising thousands of meters, surrounded us in all directions. From our vantage point, we were able to see three major rivers converging into one in the Maipo River valley. While our horses grazed, we relaxed in a meadow filled with Copihue (aka the Chilean Bellflower), Chile’s national flower, sipping on Chilean cabernet and eating tapas while condors soared overhead on the warm spring breeze — I’d say that’s a lasting image.

W: Is there another trip to South America in your future?
EC: We would love to return to Santiago and visit the coast, the lake district, Easter Island and Patagonia. I love to backpack and have already pitched the idea to a couple of my buddies that we should return and trek in the Andes. Of course, the wine region is an absolute must, too.

W: What were the people like?
EC: We found them to be welcoming, courteous and helpful, possessing a strong commitment to faith and tradition. And they have a deep sense of pride for their nation and heritage.

W: How was the wine?
EC: Considering we shipped back a variety of Chilean wines, I would say excellent! We took a day trip to the Colchagua Valley to visit the Viu Manent winery. We were carried through the kilometers of vineyards via horse-drawn carriage, with the snow-capped Andes as our backdrop. After our tour of the winery with the winemaker, Grant, from Australia, we settled in for our tasting. We weren’t halfway through before we started placing our orders. The Chilean wines have been getting more attention in the last several years — and deservedly so — but they are still a relatively undiscovered treasure.

W: How often do you and your wife travel?
EC: Since Keri and I started dating, we have always saved our pennies for the purpose of traveling. It’s always more difficult during the months when I’m shooting Without a Trace, so we tend to take short weekend trips when we can. Keri’s family and many of our dearest friends live in different parts of the country and the world. Spending time with them is important to us, so we make travel plans around making sure we do that. One of our closest friends lives in Japan, so we are all going to meet on an island in the South Pacific this year.

W: Did you bring back a lot of gifts?
EC: We actually covered most of our shopping in Santiago at the Los Domínicos market, a serene little place on the edge of the city, where local artists display their work in a maze of tiny shops connected by dirt footpaths and bridges. We purchased beautiful handcrafted jewelry, blown glass, pottery, authentic Chilean garments and a couple of art pieces.

W: How were the accommodations?
EC: The Ritz-Carlton is the perfect place to stay when visiting Santiago — a very classic looking hotel with lots of dark wood, leather furniture and cool light fixtures. The service was top notch, carried out by a very courteous and welcoming staff. Our dinner at their signature restaurant, Wine 365, aptly named for its 365 varieties of whites and reds from 100 different Chilean wineries, was excellent.

W: Flying to Chile is quite a trip. How was the flight?
EC: Flying to Chile from Los Angeles is a long trip, so my advice is to take the red-eye so you can sleep. Then you have the whole day to do things instead of sleeping off your jet lag. Keri and I were lucky because we got to fly first class on American Airlines and slept almost the entire leg from Dallas to Santiago. … The food on American is pretty tasty, and they also play this great CBS show, Without a Trace, for your in-flight entertainment.