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 Rainfall in Valparaiso
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Set	Oct	Nov	Dec
mm.	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	7.2	23.2	27.7	22.1	13.4	4.6	0.0	0.0
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

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.