A week from now I will be on my way to Rio for my first international teaching conference, but all I can think of at the moment is my upcoming trip to Santiago and Valparaiso, Chile!  Because I’ve been so focused on the upcoming teaching conference, I haven’t really focused on what I will be doing for Spring Break in Chile.  I have a vague outline of when I will be in what city since I’ve already reserved rooms on Booking.com and Hostelworld.com, but I don’t have a solid day-to-day itinerary.

I would love to hear advice about where to go and where to eat from anyone who has been to, or lived in, either Santiago de Chile or Valparaiso.

Here is what I have so far for my one week in Chile itinerary:

Saturday, April 8

Arrive in Santiago at 8:48 PM

Get Money: ATMs are available on the 1st floor where there is a branch of Banco Santander, use the lift and on exit turn left and keep walking to almost the end of the terminal. There are further ATMS on the 2nd floor (departures), again use the lift and you will find the ATMs very close to the exit of the lifts.

Minibuses or airport vans offer door-to-door service throughout downtown Santiago.  Two major companies operate this service: TransVip and TransCity, whose representatives are stationed throughout the terminal.  Tickets can be purchased inside the baggage claim area and the price is approximately 4,500 CLP.

Drop bags at hotel and meet up with Emily.

Late dinner and/or dessert at Tiramisu. Excellent pizza, wine, and Tiramisu.

Sunday, April 9- Santiago

10AM-1PM Santiago Off Beat Walking Tour (free- meet in front of Mueseo de Bellas Artes)

Lunch at 1PM- ??

3PM- Get the metro up to Los Dominicos (open until 7pm) craft market – next to the church with the copper roofed steeples. Nice things and a pleasant place to wander around.

5PM Visit Chile’s Nobel Laureate poet, Pablo Neruda’s house La Chascona Casa Museo

Or

Head over to Parque Forestal (close to metro Universidad Catolica, or Bellas Artes), walk until you find the place where a street divides into Merced and Monjitas, and get an ice cream at the little restaurant there is there, called Emporio la Rosa (if in doubt, look for a big cluster of people). From there you can walk around the park, and explore a little bit.

Monday, April 10-Santiago- Wine Tour Day!!

I’m still waiting to hear back from the wine tour company I finally decided to contact, Uncorked, but if they don’t have spaces left I will do the much cheaper tour and tasting at Concha y Toro.

1. A) The Uncorked Wine Tour of the Casablanca Valley ($195) is my first choice since it is a full day tour that picks everyone up from their hotels at 9AM and returns to Santiago at 6:30PM.
2. B) Wine Tasting at Concha y Toro Take The Metro up to Las Mercedes Station on line number 4 (blue line). 2. Get off the train Once you get off the train and out of the station, take the exit that says “Concha y Toro Poniente”. 3. Take a taxi From there you can take a taxi to the winery or take a Metrobus to Pirque (Metrobus number 73, 80 or 81) 4. Extra Info A taxi to the winery should cost approximately $4.000 chilean pesos and the Metrobus $650. The actual tour is $38 USD.
3. C) Wine Tasting at Santa Rita Winery (Located at metro station Universidad de Chile (line 1) or Las Mercedes (line 4), and then a bus to Alto Jahuel.) English tour available at 3PM.
4. D) Can I do both B and C with public transportation?

Tuesday, April 11– Bus to Valparaiso

9AM After breakfast take the 1.5 hour bus from Santiago to Valparaiso.

Check in to the hostel.

Wander around.

Lunch- ?

Wander around looking at graffiti in Paseo Gervasoni?  Take an acensor like Ascensor Reina Victoria (elevator built into the many hills).

Dinner?

Wednesday, April 12- Valpo

Valparaiso Highlights Tour with Tours4Tips 3pm-6PM (meet at Plaza Sotomayor)

Lunch?

If the tour doesn’t go inside, make sure to visit La Sebastiana (Pablo Neruda’s House).

Dinner at Fauna Restaurant for incredible views from their terrace.

Thursday, April 13– Valpo

Find a graffiti tour?

Lunch at Café el Pintor to enjoy their three course set menu.

Friday, April 14– Day trip to Vina del Mar.

Take one of the buses that leave every 15 minutes to Vina del Mar for a more upscale beach town.  It should take only about 30 min each way.

Lunch?

Things to do in Vina del Mar?

Dinner back at Valpo at La Concepcion for great seafood and spectacular views.

Saturday, April 15– Morning bus to Santiago

Go to the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombiano (open until 6PM)

Lunch?

Get a tattoo (suggestions for a good tattoo parlor?)

Dinner?

Sunday

Sunday, April 16 Depart Santiago 6AM, Arrive in CCS at 3:30PM

I would love any suggestions!