Valparaiso
Located
115 km (75 miles) from Santiago via Route 68, Chile's main port
- and seat of the Chilean Congress - climbs the crescent of hills
in a maze of alleys, winding streets connecting stairways and funicular
railways. At the foot of these hills lies the narrow belt of flatland
where the business centre, with its beautiful architecture, and
the port are located. Valparaiso combines in its urban landscape
the giant bulk of ships moored at its docks with the narrowness
of its main streets. Ingenuity has transformed this abrupt piece
of coastline into one of the world's most picturesque and famous
port cities. The views are particularly breathtaking when seen from
sea at dusk; a semi-circle of illuminated hills cascading down to
the water. The city was recently named as the Cultural Capital of
Chile and will receive massive investment in coming years. Chile's
premier beach resort, Viña del Mar, is only 10km (6 miles) north
of Valparaiso, and is popularly known as the Garden City because
of its manicured subtropical landscape of palm and banana trees.
Horse-drawn carriages trot past attractive turn-of-the-century mansions
on both river and beach frontages. Other attractions are the white-sand
beaches, numerous parks and notable museums housed in restored mansions.
The town is also the home of Chile's national botanical garden,
comprising 61ha (151ac) of native and exotic plants.
Average
Temperature in Valparaiso
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Set
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
|
°C |
16.7
|
16.6
|
15.5
|
14.0
|
13.3
|
12.0
|
11.6
|
11.7
|
12.0
|
13.0
|
14.3
|
16.4
|
°F |
62.1
|
61.9
|
59.9
|
57.2
|
55.9
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53.6
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52.9
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53.1
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53.6
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55.4
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57.7
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61.5
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Average
Rainfall in Valparaiso
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Set
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
|
mm. |
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
7.2
|
23.2
|
27.7
|
22.1
|
13.4
|
4.6
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0.0
|
0.0
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Inches |
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.3
|
0.9
|
1.1
|
0.9
|
0.5
|
0.2
|
0.0
|
0.0
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HISTORY AND
CULTURE OF VALPARAISO
Distance to travel: 50 km (31 miles)
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included: Lunch at a local restaurant
Minimum pax: 1
Maximum pax: 100
Price: $183 per person
This tour is designed to recapture the splendour of this once
great port city. Before the completion of the Panama Canal, Valparaíso
was one of the world's most important ports, connecting Europe to
Asia and the West Coast of the United States. Depart from pier,
passing by Valparaíso's main square to see the monument honouring
the Naval Battle of 1879, drive towards the southern side of the
city for a glimpse of the old funiculars. We then drive up a hillside
to the 21 de mayo viewing point for a most spectacular view of the
bay and Valparaiso's downtown district. After a short photo-stop,
we head along the city's complex system of hills, narrow, winding
streets to La Sebastiana, the former home of Nobel Prize for Literature
winner Pablo Neruda. Typical of many houses built on the steep slopes
of the Valparaíso hills, La Sebastiana has three storeys, but what
sets it apart from the others is the vast collection of memorabilia
Neruda brought to Valparaíso from all over the world. The house
contains a mouth-watering collection of books, paintings, glasses,
bottles and a myriad of items of furniture, from the Classic to
Kitsch. From here your motor coach will continue to the Palacio
Baburizza, Valparaíso's stunning Fine Arts Museum. Constructed in
1916, this beautiful building contains 19th and 20th century works
from Europe, the Americas, and many local exhibits. The building
was declared a National Monument in 1979. We shall stop for lunch
at a local restaurant in Valparaiso.
After lunch, we drive through the commercial heart of this traditional
port city, before joining the coastal highway that links Valparaíso
with the resort city of Viña del Mar. Upon arrival, you will have
a few minutes to take a picture of the Garden City's famous Flower
Clock. Our glimpse at Valparaíso's next-door-neighbour also includes
the Casino and the Plaza Vergara, before heading back to Valparaíso
to rejoin the Ship.
Timetable
08:30 Departure from pier
08:45 21 de mayo viewing point
09:30 La Sebastiana
10:30 Palacio Baburizza
11:30 Lunch at a local restaurant
13:00 Drive through commercial centre of Valparaíso
13:30 Viña del Mar, including Photo Stop at Floral Clock
14:30 Back at pier to rejoin the Ship
Remarks: Due to the limited capacity of La Sebastiana, if
the tour reaches the maximum of 100 passengers, it will be visited
in shifts.
Included: Private vehicle with air conditioning, Local English
speaking guide, Entrance fees where applicable, Meals, set menu,
only where and as indicated.
Not Included: Gratuities for guide and driver, Anyu item
not mentioned above.
THE LIFE AND
TIMES OF PABLO NERUDA
Distance to travel: 289 km (179 miles)
Duration: 9 hours
Meals included: Lunch at a local restaurant
Minimum pax: 1
Maximum pax: 100
Price: $206 per person
Departure from pier driving inland, passing Lake Peñuelas and the
town of Casablanca, before proceeding along a beautiful coastal
road skirting summer resorts to reach the seaside village of Isla
Negra. This delightful place was home to Chilean poet, and 1971
Nobel Prize winner, Pablo Neruda (1904-1973). He came across the
village in the 1940s while riding his horse and decided there and
then that this setting, with a background of forest and the Pacific
Ocean before him, was the ideal spot to build a house. He supervised
its construction and brought in a huge array of personal objects
from various parts of the world. This collection is now of extreme
value. After his death in 1973, Neruda was buried, as he requested,
in the garden of his house looking out on to the ocean. Eventually,
it turned into one of the most valuable collections anywhere with
all sorts of different objects brought in from all over the world.
Our journey to this remarkable place includes views of the many
resort towns found along this stretch of the coast. From the small,
and modest El Tabo and Las Cruces, to the brash and bustling Cartagena
and San Antonio, on to Llo-Lleo and its sophisticated neighbour
Santo Domingo, an exclusive residential beach renowned for its fancy
homes and beautiful gardens.
After lunch in Valparaíso rooftop restaurant, you will mbark on
the second half of this tour. First stop is the 21 de mayo viewing
point, for a most spectacular view of the city. After a short photo-stop,
we head along the city's complex system of hills, narrow, winding
streets to La Sebastiana , the Valparaíso residence of Neruda. Typical
of many houses built on the steep slopes of the Valparaíso hills,
La Sebastiana is brightly coloured three-storey house, but what
sets it apart from the others is the vast collection of memorabilia
Neruda brought to Valparaíso from all over the world. From here
we travel along the coastal highway that links Valparaíso with the
resort city of Viña del Mar. A famous landmark, the flower clock,
is visible from the road, as well as the casino, and the city's
famous Plaza Vergara square.
Timetable
07:45 Departure from pier
Towns of El tabo,
Las Cruces, Cartagena, San Antonio, Llo-Lleo and Santo Domingo
10:30 Arrival at Isla Negra. One-hour visit to Museum
13:00 Lunch in Valparaíso
14:30 La Sebastiana
15:45 Viña del Mar
16:45 Back at pier
Remarks: Due to the limited capacity of the Neruda Museums,
if the tour reaches the maximum of 100 passengers, it will be visited
in shifts. Restaurant may be substituted by another similar.
Included: Private vehicle with air conditioning, Local English
speaking guide, Entrance fees where applicable, Meals, set menu,
only where and as indicated.
Not Included: Gratuities for guide and driver, Anyu item
not mentioned above.
HARBOUR
& GARDENS IN VALPARAISO & VIÑA DEL MAR WITH COCKTAIL AT RESTAURANT
EDELWEISS
Distance to travel: 60 km (36 miles)
Duration: 4½ hours
Minimum pax: 1
Maximum pax: 280
Price: $150 per person
Depart from pier, passing by Valparaíso's main square to see the
monument honouring the Naval Battle of 1879, drive towards the southern
side of the city for a glimpse of the old funiculars. We then drive
up a hillside to the 21 de mayo viewing point for a most spectacular
view of the bay and Valparaiso's downtown district and the city's
complex system of hills, narrow, winding streets and steps. From
here we travel through the commercial heart of this traditional
port city, before joining the coastal highway that links Valparaíso
with the resort city of Viña del Mar. A famous landmark, the flower
clock, is visible from the road, as well as the Casino. Further
along Peru and San Martín Avenues, we take the road to the seaside
resorts of Salinas, Reñaca, Montemar and Los Lilenes. Summer homes,
restaurants and condos are spread out along this stretch of the
coast.
The rough, rocky scenery is impressive in this area - known as Costa
Brava - where the sea, on windy days, and at high tide, crashes
fiercely against the coast, spraying up over the road. Soon we reach
the Roca Oceanica, a large rock jutting out into the sea, and home
to sea lions, and migratory birds. Further along the coast we find
Restaurant Edelweiss, set against the rocks facing the Pacific Ocean.
where a delicious Pisco Sour will be served with "Empanaditas",
a delicious meat, seafood or cheese pie, very typical in Chile.
We turn back towards Viña del Mar via the residential district.
Our tour continues to the "Fonck Museums" Fonck Museum, founded
on 1937 by a group of intellectual prominent citizens who desired
to contribute to the cultural development of the city and the country.
After its foundation important collections were gathered which have
increased over the years., at present the museum features some unique
pieces from Easter Island with its original Moai brought over from
the island.
Drive back to the pier , passing Viña del Mar's main square, the
Plaza Vergara on the way.
Timetable
09:00 Departure from pier
09:15 21 de mayo viewing point
09:30 Drive through the commercial centre of Valparaíso
10:00 Arrival to Viña del Mar
Drive along
coast road to Roca Oceanica
10:45 Roca Oceanica
11:15 Cocktail restaurant "Edelweiss" . Return to Viña del Mar
12:15 Fonck Museum
13:00 Plaza Vergara square
13:30 Back at pier
Included: Private vehicle with air conditioning, Local English
speaking guide, Entrance fees where applicable, Meals, set menu,
only where and as indicated.
Not Included: Gratuities for guide and driver, Anyu item
not mentioned above.
SANTIAGO
CITY TOUR
Distance to travel: 285 km (177 miles)
Duration: 9 hours
Meals
included: Lunch at a local restaurant
Minimum pax: 1
Maximum pax: 400
Price: $246 per person
Departure from pier passing by the Naval Square, heading towards
the main highway (Ruta 68) that links Valparaíso with Santiago via
the fertile Casablanca and Curacaví valleys. Once in Santiago, our
tour begins in the old quarter of the capital, passing remnants
of the city's glorious past such as the beautiful Club Hípico horseracing
track and the Cousiño Palace. Moving further into the heart of the
city we observe the La Moneda Presidential palace, the former Congress
building (the Chilean senate now has a purpose-built seat in Valparaíso),
the Supreme Court, the Cathedral, and the recently restored Plaza
de Armas square. Close by lies the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, one
of South America's most complete collections of indigenous artefacts.
We shall pay a 1-hour visit.
Proceeding along Alameda, Santiago's main artery, we can see the
Union Club, the Universidad de Chile, the San Francisco Church,
erected between 1586 and 1628, and Santa Lucia Hill, site of Santiago's
foundation in 1541. From here we drive up San Cristóbal Hill (SEE
IMAGE), from where we can take in the spectacular panoramic view
of Santiago and the impressive Andes mountain range. Crowning the
hill is the imposing statue of Virgin Mary. On our way back down
the hill, our motor coach will stop at the "Camino Real" restaurant,
where you may enjoy a delicious, three-course lunch. To end the
tour we drive through the upper residential districts of the city
and Providencia, an area renowned for its shopping and nightlife.
On leaving the city we shall pass along the Parque Forestal and
the beautiful Mapocho Station, before making our way back to Valparaíso
and the pier.
Timetable
08:30 Depart from pier
Journey to Santiago
10:30 Arrival to Santiago
First part of city
tour
1-hour visit to the Pre-Colombian Museum
13:30 Lunch
15:00 Continuation of city tour
17:30 Back at pier
Remarks: Depending on the number of passengers, the Pre-Columbian
Art Museum will be visited in shifts of 80 persons during the morning
and the afternoon.
Included: Private vehicle with air conditioning, Local English
speaking guide, Entrance fees where applicable, Meals , set menu,
only where and as indicated.
Not Included: Gratuities for guide and driver, Anyu item
not mentioned above.
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