Santiago Chile - Help!

[FANC6]

We recently attended a charity function and my DH was the successful bidder in an auction for a 5 day trip to Chile! We will be staying for 3 days at the Vina Tarapaca chateau (in the wine region) and then for 2 days in Santiago. We have never been to Chile before so we are looking for advice on what to see, what areas to tour, possible tour guides or reputable companies, and any other comments would be GREATLY appreciated. We are planning on going in Mid January. I've checked out several websites but I've always found the BEST advice comes from fellow CC'ers. :D Thanks!

[digby]

We spent two wonderful days last December at the Ritz Carlton in Santiago. It is a beautiful hotel in a nice section of town, and the price was very low when compared to a Ritz here in the USA.

[Aussie Gal]

We are also booked into the Ritz Carlton in Santiago for when we end our cruise in January. I got a very good rate there, much cheaper than what we pay in Singapore.

 

Jennie

[digby]

"We are also booked into the Ritz Carlton in Santiago"

 

We found a wonderful restaurant just a short walk away from the Ritz. I forgot its name, but turn right as you exit the Ritz and walk to the corner. Cross the street and turn left and you'll find the place less than half a block away on your right. It's a white building with tables with umbrellas outside. It's run by a very friendly New Zealand woman. If you go to the pool on top of the Ritz, you'll be able to look down on it from the outside deck.

[Aussie Gal]

digby,

 

Thanks for the info regarding the restaurant. We will certainly look for it and try and have a meal there. It would be nice to meet up with one of our "cousins" so far from home.

 

Jennie

[ACJV]

If you book a room at the Ritz, be sure to check for a weekend package or special. We recieved a massage a day, breakfast for two, champagne in our room and a rose petal bath drawn by a butler. It was so fantastic. One of the most beautiful hotels we have ever stayed in. I would love to go back there some day.

Vicki

[FANC6]

Thanks everyone for the info on the Ritz. I don't know yet about our choice of hotels but I will definitely be asking for the Ritz - it sounds like a fabulous place.

 

Neither myself or my husband speak fluent Spanish, just barely passable phrases. Will this be a problem? Any suggestions on where to go and what to see in the city? Any "must sees" or your favourites would be appreciated.

 

Thanks Digby for the info on the restaurant - we'll be sure to look it up! Anyone else have recommendations for places to eat?

 

Thanks again for all the help!:)

[Splinter]

Had good success in booking local tour arrangements through http://www.southstartours.com if you are looking for something you can book in the USA but have local companies provide.

[digby]

"Thanks Digby for the info on the restaurant - we'll be sure to look it up! Anyone else have recommendations for places to eat?"

 

If you are staying at the Ritz, their dining room is one of the best in town.

[BOHEMIO]

The Central Market (Mercado Central) it is a good option for eatsBALI HAI restaurant is for eating at night,with show of Creole dances of Chile

with Polynesian dances of Easter Island

 

It is a completely tourist place,very animated and its food he is excellent

[NewCruiseFan]

Definitely take time to visit one or more of Neruda's homes

La Chascona, Santiago

La Sebastiana, Valparaiso

Isla Negra, Isla Negra (not really an island)

you can get more info on Neruda at the foundation site: http://www.neruda.cl/home.htm

 

Just outside Santiago, on the drive to the coast, are some of Chile's finest wineries. Be sure to arrange for tours and tastings!

 

Also in Valparaiso (which is about 2 hours west of Santiago) are ascensore's, trams which climb the incredible hills. Those are fun. At the top of one is a Naval museum which is very nice.

 

Vina del Mar, just north of Valpo, is a lovely beach resort town with swimmable beaches.

 

have an awesome time!

[sfbear]

The restaurant Digby is referring to is "The Akarana" . . . I travelled with Digby on this trip (there were four of us) and we truly enjoyed the meal there. In addition, the owner of The Akarana has another restaurant a few blocks away known as Cafe Melba. Cafe Melba is a delightful coffee shop with a wonderful breakfast menu. We enjoyed it very much. If you can, be sure to visit with the owner while at The Akarana. She is very engaging.

 

The Ritz Carlton experience was wonderful and well worth the cost which, as previously mentioned, was very reasonable when comparing it to our US prices. Check the web-site for possible special prices.

 

You will have very little, if any, language problems. Almost everybody speaks English - - especially in the hotel and restaurants mentioned.

 

Rich and Merlyn

[FANC6]

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful advice and recommendations. We will try to see the places mentioned and get to the restaurants. One other thing, how safe is Santiago? Do we need to take any extra precautions or just normal precautions for any large city. Are there any areas we should avoid?

 

Thanks again for all the help!:)

[lrn376]

We used Port Compass for some of our tours in S.A. everything was done by e-mail. Sue, answers your questions rather quickly and is very easy to work with. Have a wonderful time. We did. Lois

[Sumar76]

We were in Santiago a couple of monthes ago, and also stayed at the Ritz. We stayed on the Club Level, and the concierge desk there was very helpful. Arranged tours for you if you like. Also if you stay on the Club Level, you have 4 food offerings a day...continental breakfast, light lunch, tea in the afternnon, and cocktails and h'orderves from 7 to 10. Very, very nice.

 

To answer your question re: safety, we never felt uncomfortable, or threatened at any time. The only "unsavory" characters we saw were in a town either Valapariso, or the town north of it sitting on a bench. Weren't doing anything wrong, or lurking...just looked like the kind you'd like to stay away from.

 

We rented a car, and drove to the Pacific Ocean one day, thru wine country, and to the mountains the other. Both about 1 1/2 hours in opposite directions.

 

What we did the day we got there (flew red eye from NY), was to arrange for a "city-tour" thru the Concierge. Very helpful to get your bearings and see things that you would not be aware of on your own.

 

Good luck! and Have fun!

[Traveling Fools]

If you just want to do your own thing one day or afternoon, there is a subway station right outside the front door of the Ritz (also next to an ATM). Subways are clean and inexpensive. If you don't have any problems walking, you can do a lot on your own downtown. Be aware that most museums are closed on Mondays.

[BOHEMIO]

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful advice and recommendations. We will try to see the places mentioned and get to the restaurants. One other thing, how safe is Santiago? Do we need to take any extra precautions or just normal precautions for any large city. Are there any areas we should avoid?

 

Thanks again for all the help!

 

FANC6 the Ritz, this located in a very calm area (commune Apoquindo).is not necessary to take precaution more that the normal one. Santiago is a calm city and people is very amiable.

Near hotel this is the street El Bosque Norte, in this place it you can found the best restaurants of the city

The underground train (metro)it can be of much aid for you,this it can transfer it to downtown,in the University of Chile station , this closely together of the House of government (La Moneda) and the historical

places of Santiago and Central market

In Santa Lucia station it is The hill Santa Lucia place where the city of Santiago is based it is an interesting place