My Trip Report - Santiago.

Santiago seems to have a diversity of everything; history, landscape, culture, wonderful people and fabulous food. The best thing is how it sits nestled below the Andes, and what a beautiful sight on a clear day.It reminded me of a father protecting his children, silently loving, hugging but watching.

The museum had a fantastic collection of pre-columbian art.The early textile fabrics were amazing and the early pottery simply beautiful.This is a must do whilst in Santiago.The museum is well laid out and easy to view.Most artifacts were donated by the Larain family personel collection.You only need about one hour here as the museum is rather small.

Museum Hours - Tuesday to Saturday from 10am - 6pm.
Sunday from 10am - 2pm.
Sunday's free admission.

San Cristobal Hill is a must do if visiting Santiago. The views of the city are beautiful and its a great way to see the outline of the city. The hill also includes a huge park where there are many wonderful spots to relax and enjoy the scenery.

There is a small chapel underneath the monument of the Virgin Mary Statue . You can drive up to the top of the hill or the option is to take the teleferico up or enjoy the walk and views.

Plaza de Armas is located in the heart and historical centre of the city. The plaza has numerous interesting architectural buildings which are interesting to visit including the Museum, the Post Office and Town Hall. There is a map located at the bottom of the museum which dates back to 1712.

The plaza is also lively and filled with activity and well worth your effort to visit.

La Moneda means "Mint". The building was originally built as Chile's Colonial Mint but later in 1845 became the Presidential Palace, its located in the Civic District. The best time to visit is the changing of the guards at 10.00am every second day.

Evidently, the Palace is now used as official government offices as the President doesn't live here.

Directions : Walk to the subway (linea 1) and get off at La Moneda station.

This tour company is very special as the guides are lovely people who can speak in various languages. They operate from Hotel Orly and also through their own website. I can highly recommend them for giving you the most of Santiago , Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.

Do a full city tour of Santiago and the different neighborhoods. You will visit Santa Lucia Hill were an opportunity is available for taking some excellent photo's of Santiago. Also on the tour agenda is visiting The Stock Exhange, The Government Palace, National Library, The Court House and numerous other historical buildings.

The tour ends after visiting the famous arts and craft village of El Pueblito de los Dominicos where you will be able to buy some lovely Chilean crafts and gifts.
You can also just do a half tour of the city too.

Tour to Valparaiso - Vina del Mar. (with Chileabout). The tour includes driving through the valleys of Curacavi and Casablanca the wine region.
Stoping off at Valparaiso and taking in the 44 hills and 15 elevators.
Explore La Sebastiana house that belonged to Pablo Neruda and Belleavista Hill.
See Sotomayor Square and the National Monuments.
Driving to Vina and catching the sights of the coastal waters.
Dining at Renac Cafe ....you can be dropped off to your hotel here or driven back to Santiago.I highly suggest you explore the region of Vina del Mar and stay at Cap Ducal.

Drive to the Casblanca valley and do some wine tasting and then visit the Isla Negra seaside town. You will visit the largest vineyard in Chile called Veramont's. The tour also includes visiting the poet Pablo Neruda house in Isla Negra.

Take a mountain tour from Hotel Orly to the Andes and visit the ski resorts of South America located in the Cordillera de Los Andes only 36kms away from Santiago. The road up to the road has something like 40 curves and is incredibily steep but fabulous for taking photo's . You will visit 3 resorts El Colorado, La Parva and Vally Nevado. Its a "must do " if visiting Santiago.

The best way to get to Vina and Valparaiso is by the bus, it's cheap and comfortable.The other way if you want to do some touring then use "Chileabout tours". We did both and each were completely different and both excellent.

Transfer from Hotel Orly to Cap Ducal via Valparaiso with English speaking guide costs over US$160. Transfer from Vina del Mar by air-conditioned bus is very cheap. (2 hours) leaves every 15 minutes from bus depot.

Vina del Mar is a beach resort which boasts being the garden city of Chile. It has a tropical beachy atmosphere and a hidden element of local wealth. I loved this little town with its deep roots and colourful promenade. Somehow, it's a place that just sits in the corner of your memories, silently powerful with enriching elements of life....funny thing is..I know I will return.

(which I did) !

The Cap Ducal Hotel is shaped like a boat. Itâs perched literally over the Pacific Ocean with stunning views of Vina del Mar and the coastline. The hotel is in a handy position only a five minutes walk across the bridge to the Casino and into the main heart of town. The Hotel is renowned for its restaurant which can get extremely busy at lunchtime. Built in 1936 it was the first restaurant in Vina del Mar, the atmosphere and ambience remains the same. Our room 14 has a magnificent view over Vina del Mar and the beaches. You can sit on your balcony watching the waves break simultaneously and harmonically with the screeching seagulls and pelicans. For those who adore the sea this is a MUST.

Catch the mini coast bus to Concon, this is a wonderful coastal drive.Stop off and walk around this quaint fishing village, you will be hassled to eat at one of their many seafood restaurants, and why not...it's as fresh and cheap and well worth the experience....except make sure you have a few vinos before heading back on the local bus....the ride home is something else !
The other place to eat lunch is at restaurant Pacifico at Renac credit card excepted or Mar de Vina only if you have cash. Renac is the next village travelling back to Vina del Mar on the coastal road.