Gardens looking over the Río Lircay surround the comfortable cabins and hostel at Austrian-run Casa Chueca. It's in the countryside outside Talca, but it has become a destination in its own right for fans of the great outdoors. The knowledgeable owners can help you plan trekking and horseback-riding adventures in nearby Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay or beyond.
They'll also arrange wine tastings, Spanish lessons and kid-friendly activities. From Talca terminal you can take the Taxutal 'A' micro toward San Valentín to the last stop and walk 1.9km, but it's much easier to take a taxi (CH$5000).