Santiago & The Central
zone
10
The variety and diversity offered by Santiago can be felt in its various neighborhoods. Exploring them is the best way of
2
Santiago is one of the leaders in the region’s quality-of-life rankings. The New York Times named it a premier travel destination, thanks to its growing cultural life, new infrastructure dedicated to the arts, and first-class hotel options.
of Lastarria, Italia, and the bohemian Bellavista, there is an array of restaurants, design shops, bars and cafés, creating a truly vibrant experience. Just a few kilometers from Santiago, you’ll find ski centers, vineyards, and the cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, which make up the most important coastal urban network in Chile’s central zone.
The capital was the birthplace of the country’s first vineyards,
s a nt i a g o a n d t h e c e nt r a l z o n e
getting to know the city and its streets. In the neighborhoods
and visits to wineries make for fun, quick and easy excursions. The wine routes in the Maipo, Casablanca and Colchagua valleys offer daily visiting schedules, tastings, wine shops and excellent restaurants. In the winter, the ski centers – including Valle Nevado, La Parva, Portillo, El Colorado and Farellones – fill with powder
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV
DEC
fa c t s
c l i m at e
and attract visitors who come to Chile to ski its famed runs.
According to a worldwide study held by Newsweek, Chile is the best place to live in Latin America.
11
Activities in Santiago and the Central Zone
SKI wine routes heritage
90°
12
53°
The majesty of the
Andes
You can find the largest concentration of ski centers in the country within an hour of Santiago, all without having to venture too far from city life. Tucked away amid the Andes Mountain Range, the Metropolitan Area’s four complexes offer options for those who want to enjoy a day of skiing, as well as those seeking longer stays during the season.
s a nt i a g o a n d t h e c e nt r a l z o n e
2
Get a taste of
chile
A city that is part of
history
Chile features a number of wine-producing valleys, with different
Valparaíso is Chile’s principal port, with each of its steep streets
morphological and climatic conditions. The Casablanca, Maipo,
offering a terrific view of the Pacific Ocean. The architecture of
Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curicó and Maule wine routes are geared
its buildings and homes, perched on a series of hills, has made it a
towards tourists, with excursions that allow you to soak up the
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
history of the vineyards and the art of the wine-making process, in addition to enjoying tastings.
A number of these old buildings have been refurbished as boutique hotels, which along with the variety of restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, have further strengthened the city’s cultural and touristic appeal.
13
2
3
1
Chile is one of the world’s most important wine exporters, renowned for the quality of its premium wines and revered by specialty wine publications. The 10 tourist routes highlight the history of Chilean wine, offer a glimpse at the process that goes into making each bottle, and feature tastings that are perfectly complemented by the local cuisine. Every area of Chile has its own culinary identity, influenced by the customs of the native people. 4
30
1. Santa Cruz vineyard, Valle de Colchagua (Colchagua Valley) 2. Chilean cuisine 3. Mercado Central (Central Market), Santiago 4. Valle de Colchagua (Colchagua Valley), Santa Cruz
p i c t ogr a m s
FESTI VALS
c u lt u r e & h e r i ta g e
AR C H a E O LO GY
C RA F TS
H IST O RI C SITE
C H UR C H
ET H N O -T O URISM
W O RLD H ERITAGE SITE
F O LKLO RE
MUSEUM / C ULTURAL C ENTER
SPOR T S & ADVE N T URE
M O T O R CYC LING
c av i n g
SUR F ING
DI V ING
KAYAKING
H O RSE B A C K RIDING
M O UNTAIN C LIM B ING
B IKING
F IS H ING
C AN O PY RIDES
TREKKING
WATER SP O RTS
M O UNTAIN B IKING
RA F TING
SAND B O ARDING
AERIAL SP O RTS
golf
LO O KO UT / P H O T O SITE
C RUISE S H IP TERMINAL
SALT F LAT
GE Y SER
V o lc a n o e s
food & Wine
V INE YARDS
MARKET / FAIR
GLA C IER
B IRD WAT C H ING
NATI O NAL PARK
NATURAL M O NUMENT
casino
month
Olmué
January
Tapati Rapa Nui
Easter Island
January – February
Traditional Chiloé Festival
Chiloé
February
Viña del Mar Festival
Viña del Mar
February
Wine Harvest Festival
Elqui Valley
February
Wine Harvest Festival
Santa Cruz
March
Wine Harvest Festival
Curicó
March
Wine Harvest Festival
Talca
March
Wine Harvest Festival
Santiago
April
Rancagua Champion
Rancagua
April
We Txipantu (Mapuche New Year)
Temuco
June
San Pedro and San Pablo
Atacama
June
La Tirana Festival
La Tirana
July
Independence Day
Chile
September
Virgin of Andacollo
Andacollo
December
Cultural Carnivals
Valparaíso
January
New Year’s
Chile
B EA C H
December
Santiago a Mil Festival
Santiago
January
Esquila (Shearing) Festival
Patagonia
January
B O TANI C AL PARK
Leisure & Lifestyle
TRADITI O NAL C UISINE
F LO RA AND FAUNA / NATURE RESER V E
location
Huaso Festival
SKIING
N AT URAL I N SPIRAT IO N
ASTR O N O M Y
festival
S H O PPING C ENTER
NIG H TLI F E
h e a lt h & w e l l n e s s
H O T SPRING
MEDITATI O N C ENTER
35