Santiago: NY Times Top Tips, Ideas!

[TLCOhio]

From the New York Times Travel Section this weekend, they had this headline: “36 Hours: Santiago” with these highlights: “Because Santiago, Chile’s sprawling capital, is the gateway to some of the world’s greatest natural wonders — Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island — many travelers understandably breeze through. It might not wow like Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, but scratch the surface and the city is alive with music, art and nightlife, against the arresting backdrop of the Andes.”

 

In this profile, many options and potential are outlined for restaurants and nightspots, museums, galleries and shopping, where to stay and getting around.  A nice number of visuals are included.

 

Here is more as a sample: "As far as national cuisines go, a hot dog drowned in mayonnaise, tomato and mashed avocado might not blow you away. Still, you must try a completo. As the story goes, in the 1920s, a young Chilean man named Eduardo Bahamondes returned from the United States to Santiago with a simple hot dog, inflaming passions by adding toppings and quickly establishing a new national obsession. At El Portal Ex Bahamondes, the brightly lit, mirror-lined diner he opened in 1928 on Santiago’s Plaza de Armas, the most traditional combination is a vienesa italiana (named for the the avocado-mayonnaise-tomato layers that resemble Italy’s tricolor), but you could also opt for a chacarero: tomato, green beans, green chili and mayonnaise."

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/21/travel/things-to-do-santiago-chile.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 248,951 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

[Fa-Li]

Thanks, Terry! This is exactly the kind of article I’ve been looking for!

[dawnvip]

Thanks Terry! DH and I have exactly 36 hrs in Santiago post-cruise so this is perfect!

[TLCOhio]

On 10/27/2023 at 12:16 PM, dawnvip said:

Thanks Terry! DH and I have exactly 36 hrs in Santiago post-cruise so this is perfect!

 

Appreciate these posts.  After your visits, follow-up here and let us know what you loved the most while seeing in and around Chile.  

 

For those of us living in the northern hemisphere, do we need to consider winter escapes?   From Condé Nast Traveler magazine earlier this month, they had this headline: “19 Warm Places to Visit, From Chile to Sri Lanka" with this sub-headline:  "The only ice you’ll see is in your cocktail.”

 

Here are some of the highlights focused to this area of South America: “Chile:  Average winter temperatures: High of 68 degrees, low of 51 degrees. Chile really does have something for everyone. Sightsee in urban Santiago, head into the Atacama Desert to stargaze with astronomers, or pass through Chile’s vineyards to get to the colorful, coastal town of Valparaíso. The city is arguably one of the most scenic hubs in the country, with lollipop-colored homes staggered along the 22 hills that rise from the Pacific Coast.” 

 

Full story at:

https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-04-30/places-winter-nonexistent?redirectURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cntraveler.com%2Fgalleries%2F2014-04-30%2Fplaces-winter-nonexistent

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,449 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

[TLCOhio]

From the Lonely Planet website, they have just released their top, must see lists for 2024.  Ranked at the top for countries deserving attention, they cited Chile.  

 

With the headline: “Best in Travel 2024”, they had these highlights for Chile: “With expanded parklands, a new president and plans for a new equity-minded constitution, change permeates the air across Chile – a country of salt flats, rainforests, volcanoes, glaciers and fjords. Chefs in Santiago are unlocking the potential of endemic ingredients. Vintners are finding more natural ways to make wine. Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is imagining a sustainable future, while rewilding efforts in Patagonia are restoring biodiversity.”

 

Sound exciting and interesting?  Looking forward, hopefully, for early 2025 in doing Chile as a part of an Antarctica adventure.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel#chile

 

For more background on Chile, see: 

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/chile

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 247,002 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

[dawnvip]

DH and I are back home after a 24 hour travel day from Santiago to Vancouver BC (whew!). We really enjoyed Santiago and would have no problem going back and exploring more of the city and surrounding area. While we didn't do much of the things listed in the article, here are some thoughts:

- Santiago is a large sprawling city, with some areas of town much cleaner and safer than others (just like any other large city) so do your research and pick the spots you want to visit. 

- We did the free walking tour leaving Plaza des Armas at 10 AM every day and really appreciated MJ's history descriptions, details, enthusiasm for her city. Tour lasted about 2.5 hours and covered approximately 1.5 miles.

- Inexpensive funicular to the top of Cerro San Cristobal was an excellent opportunity to see much of the city from a bird's eye view. No line-ups when we visited around 1 PM. Or you can hike up/down for free.

- we never tried the completo, but did share a mote con huesillo. Its a drink/snack all in one with rehydrated wheatberries (not corn as the article states), peaches and sugarbeet nectar. Sweet and tasty.

- We spent one day touring Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Casablanca valley. These coastal areas are completely different from Santiago in both feel and climate. Highly recommend. 1.5 to 2 hrs each way.

- We also spent one day touring Maipo valley and El Yeso resevoir. Great to be in the Andes and see the beautiful natural wonders of the area. However, there isn't much infrastructure or amenities so be prepared before heading out. 2 hours each way.

 

Dawn

[tottenhamfc]

On 12/7/2023 at 9:17 PM, dawnvip said:

DH and I are back home after a 24 hour travel day from Santiago to Vancouver BC (whew!). We really enjoyed Santiago and would have no problem going back and exploring more of the city and surrounding area. While we didn't do much of the things listed in the article, here are some thoughts:

- Santiago is a large sprawling city, with some areas of town much cleaner and safer than others (just like any other large city) so do your research and pick the spots you want to visit. 

- We did the free walking tour leaving Plaza des Armas at 10 AM every day and really appreciated MJ's history descriptions, details, enthusiasm for her city. Tour lasted about 2.5 hours and covered approximately 1.5 miles.

- Inexpensive funicular to the top of Cerro San Cristobal was an excellent opportunity to see much of the city from a bird's eye view. No line-ups when we visited around 1 PM. Or you can hike up/down for free.

- we never tried the completo, but did share a mote con huesillo. Its a drink/snack all in one with rehydrated wheatberries (not corn as the article states), peaches and sugarbeet nectar. Sweet and tasty.

- We spent one day touring Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Casablanca valley. These coastal areas are completely different from Santiago in both feel and climate. Highly recommend. 1.5 to 2 hrs each way.

- We also spent one day touring Maipo valley and El Yeso resevoir. Great to be in the Andes and see the beautiful natural wonders of the area. However, there isn't much infrastructure or amenities so be prepared before heading out. 2 hours each way.

 

Dawn

Leaving from Vancouver in April on a cruise from Santiago to NY. Staying in Santiago for two nights and sailing from Valparaiso. Would you suggest splitting it into one night each location? Also how did you get to Valparaiso? I know there is a bus but would like to get opinions on safety and reliability? TIA

[dawnvip]

20 hours ago, tottenhamfc said:

Leaving from Vancouver in April on a cruise from Santiago to NY. Staying in Santiago for two nights and sailing from Valparaiso. Would you suggest splitting it into one night each location? Also how did you get to Valparaiso? I know there is a bus but would like to get opinions on safety and reliability? TIA

We took a tour/transfer with the German Pirate. It was a great choice for us with pick-up at the cruise terminal, see Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and the Casablanca valley before being dropped off at hotel in Santiago.

 

Check your departure port, as I don't think there are many cruises from Valparaiso any longer. San Antonio is an industrial port, but seems that most cruises stop there now. It is at least 1.5 hr drive from Santiago to San Antonio, and about an hour between Valparaiso and San Antonio. Personally, for the extra time in Santiago and so much to see and do, I would stay there.

[tottenhamfc]

31 minutes ago, dawnvip said:

We took a tour/transfer with the German Pirate. It was a great choice for us with pick-up at the cruise terminal, see Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and the Casablanca valley before being dropped off at hotel in Santiago.

 

Check your departure port, as I don't think there are many cruises from Valparaiso any longer. San Antonio is an industrial port, but seems that most cruises stop there now. It is at least 1.5 hr drive from Santiago to San Antonio, and about an hour between Valparaiso and San Antonio. Personally, for the extra time in Santiago and so much to see and do, I would stay there.

Thanks for the tips. It does say Valparaiso on our itinerary. I was sceptical also about that but others have assured me that Celebrity uses Valparaiso. I will ask again at final payment.