Weekend in Santiago | Valparaiso

After staying at the pretty La Casona Boutique Hotel at the winecountry, we spend the weekend in Santiago, Valparaiso and the nearby Viña del Mar beach.

It’s been a while since the last time we visited Santiago and we felt we had to go back in order to visit some hotels and meet with the local staff over there to coordinate a few datails. Of course we tried to match this business trip with a weekend so we could take a time to visit again some nearby places we loved like stroll at Santiago’s center and the inspiring streets of Valparaiso.

We stayed at Double Tree Hilton Vitacura where we were lucky to receive an upgrade by the hotel’s manager who gave us suites on the 15th floor exclusively for Hilton Honors members.
The view from our rooms was impressive because you could see the mountains of the Andes and the contrast with the modern buildings of the city.
We had a very pleasant stay, the staff were very attentive and helpful. We recommend this to our customers. the location is perfect, quiet and safe, definitely one of the best hotels in the city.

Our room at Hilton Vitacura

Viee from our room

The next morning when we were done with our work appointments, we decided to go for a walk around the hotel. Near there is the tallest building in Santiago, the Sky Costanera where we got to enjoy the 360 degree view of the entire city of Santiago.

Santiago from the top

Then we decided to take a walk downtown, visit the Museum of La Casa De La Moneda and climbed the San Cristobal hill.

The charm of places like these make Santiago is a very attractive city, although it does not have much colonial architecture and other Latin American cities, has very charming spaces and unique ideal place to spend a day visit either at the beginning or end a trip to Chile.

At the Museum - Casa de la Moneda

Pamela returning from San Cristobal Hill

On Saturday we went out of Santiago to visit Valparaiso.
The first stop we made was at the port. The day was quite cold so we decided not to take a boat ride, plus we already had done it on our previous visit.
Then we went uphill, we made a brief stop at the Museum of Pablo Neruda and then walked downhill through the picturesque streets of the city, enjoying the charm and colorful houses. Also the bohemian atmosphere that is present in every corner. This is a 100% recomendable tour!
Then we went down in the old funicular to head to Viña del Mar.

Vaparaiso pier- too cold for a boat trip!

A common street at Valparaiso.

Once at Viña del Mar, we spent a time on the beach, enjoying the tranquility of the boardwalk where we could finally see the real life of the place without the thousands of visitors who are just going to enjoy the summer (we were there in late May when it’s cold already!).

Susana and a real Moai at Viña del Mar's museum.

On Sunday morning we decided to go a moment to visit the vineyard of Concha y Toro, just outside of Santiago.
We took the guided tour that takes about 1 hour and had time to buy a few bottles of wine to give away as prices and variety was better than that found in Lima.

Marita at the entrance of Concha y Toro