Resting in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range, Chile’s vibrant, cosmopolitan, the capital city of Santiago is famous for its beautiful parks, a wealth of historical attractions, and exciting arts and music scenes. The Cerro San Cristobal Park, the largest green space in the city, lies on a hill and is reached by a funicular ride. It offers visitors stunning sweeping views of the city, as well as a picturesque botanical garden and two huge swimming pools. The colonial Plaza de Armas, in the old town centre, is a delight to explore with its numerous Neoclassical buildings and museums, most notably the home-turned-museum of renowned poet Pablo Neruda. Visitors can also look forward to wonderful live shows, concerts and exhibitions.
Resting just 1.5 hours from the capital city of Santiago, Valparaiso (or Valpo as it has been affectionately dubbed by locals) is one of a string of coastal resort towns on Chile’s magnificent central coast. What sets Valparaiso apart from its neighbours is its charming collection of ramshackle, colourful houses spilling chaotically down its 45 steep 'cerros' (hillsides). While Valparaiso lacks white-sand beaches, it certainly makes up for it with its endlessly charming quirky character, its thriving street art scene, its fantastic funicular railway system and its spectacular seaside views. To see Valparaiso at its bohemian best, visit at the end of December during its week-long carnival festivities which typically ends in a jaw-dropping New Year’s Eve spectacle of fireworks.
The small town of San Pedro de Atacama is a scenic oasis in the Atacama Desert, surrounded by the imposing volcanic peaks of the Chilean altiplano and located close to several major archaeological and natural attractions. The fascinating ancient sites of Tulor and Quitor, the enthralling Atacama Salt Flat, the jaw-dropping turquoise Altiplanic Lagoons, and the other-worldly Tatio Geysers all lie nearby, and as a result, the village has become a significant tourist destination. Despite its small size it encompasses a wide range of restaurants; however, it is also known for its ‘western feel’ and retains an old-world charm. History enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the atmospheric 17th-century Iglesia San Pedro. However, it is really the breathtaking surroundings that make this destination special.
Located in Chile west of South America’s Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert is a desolate wonderland of dramatic scenery and captivating attractions. Its remote landscapes range from the pale beauty of salt flats dotted with the ostentatious pinks of flamingos and the surreal, steamy landscape of the Tatio geysers at sunrise, to the bizarre rock formations of Moon Valley and the ancient archaeological sites of Tulor and Quitor Pukara. The region’s culture is unique and welcoming, and an abundance of small villages continue to practise timeless traditions among the often extreme, although highly photogenic, terrain. One of the favourite activities in the area is stargazing, as the desert is has the clearest skies in the entire southern hemisphere. The Atacama is also home to one of the most famous astronomical observatories in the northern half of Chile, the Atacama Large Millimeter Array.
