REGION: Central Chile
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 1 (Easy)
SUMMARY: From San Antonio or Valparaiso pier or hotel, we visit the major sights in Valparaiso UNESCO city; then continue through the picturesque countryside, stopping at a winery in CasablancaValley for a wine tasting and lunch(optional), before arriving in Santiago. Here, visit the local Art & Craft market “Los Dominicos, before be dropped off at your hotel or airport in Santiago.
DURATION: 10 – 12 hrs. Full day for Independent Travelers and Cruise passengers.
DEPARTURE: San Antonio port or Valparaiso port, or hotel.
MIN. / MAX. PEOPLE: 2—15; more travelers with prior arrangements.
SEASON: Year round
ITINERARY:
This tour is ideal for passengers ending their cruise in the port of San Antonia or Valparaiso and needing a transfer from the ship to their Santiago hotel or the Santiago International airport “Arturo Merino Benitez”, with an overview tour of the major attractions in Valparaiso, wine tour at Casablanca valley and visit the local market Los Dominicos in Santiago.
Depart from the pier of San Antonio and drive to Valparaiso, “La Perla del Pacifico”(Pearl of the Pacific); here you’ll see and visit the main spot of this UNESCO city. Valparaiso is perched among the hills, which describe, through people and architecture, the past of one of the most magnificent harbors in the Heritage site by UNESCO, which resulted in a boom for tourism and culture and the Cultural Capital of Chile, has been an important part of the country’s history. It’s a large bay with 45 hills around it that have naturally formed a spectacular amphitheater, the sea is the stage and each houses a seat with a panoramic view of the harbor. In Valparaiso, we drive through the hilly oldest district of Valparaiso, known as the “Plano”. Along the way, you see the downtown area, Sotomayor Square, and Promenade 21 de Mayo. We can also take a funicular up the hillside to have a look at the picturesque hills of Concepcion and Alegre with the port below.
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Heading towards Santiago, you travel through the picturesque Chilean countryside “Casablanca valley”, the famous wine-producing valleys of wine. A relative newcomer to winegrowing, the Casablanca Valley was first planted to vine in the mid-1980s. It quickly turned a page in Chile’s winemaking history and caught the world’s attention. Casablanca is strongly influenced by the cooling effects of the Humboldt Current, which flows up the west coast of Chile from the Antarctic. We will visit one of these wineries, for a tour of their vineyards, grounds and winery, making sure to leave time for tasting some of these excellent Chilean wines. You may also visit their store and purchase some wine and wine accessories to take with you. Also lunch is possible(optional) previous reservation. Tell us if you want to a table reservation!
We will be heading towards Santiago and now visit the historical Artisan Village “Pueblo Los Dominicos” located next to the beautiful San Vicente Ferrer Church (a National Monument of Chile), the village is a must stop for every traveler. The artisan’s village mixes our history and our handcrafting traditions. The shops, built with mud and straw (Adobe), are home to more than 100 artisans, representing the best and most complete showing of Chilean handicrafts. You see artists working on natural products such as leather, fine woods, straw, baked mud, glass, wool, roots, metals and semiprecious stones such as silver and lapis lazuli, transforming them into beautiful and unique works of art. Leisure time here to walk around, buy souvenirs or take a relax coffee in this typical village.
After this full day experience, we will drive to the International airport “Arturo Merino Benitez”, where you will take your international flight back home or hotel at Santiago if you need it.
Note:
It is essential that you wear layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion, windbreaker, sunglasses, hat, and sun protector.
INCLUDED: Professional local tour guide (with First Aid Accreditation and mobile phone), water and private transportation.
NOT INCLUDED: Travel insurance, personal equipment, lunch, tips or anything not listed in the program.
GUEST PROVIDES: Comfortable clothes appropriate to the activity.
TOUR OPERATED BY: Patagonia SouthernLand Expeditions staff
TOUR COST: Request a quote!
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