Santiago de Chile

Chile’s capital and largest city, Santiago, is located at 580m above sea level, 128km east from the Pacific Ocean coast, in a valley backed up against the snow-capped Andes Mountains. On clear days the mountain vistas are spectacular, however clear days are few and far between, as the transportation footprint here where so many vehicles are diesel powered, creates a very poor air quality.

The central grand heart of the city’s old colonial core, Plaza de Armas, has 2 standout neoclassical landmarks: the 1808 Palacio de la Real Audiencia, housing the National History Museum and the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral. La Chascona is the home-turned-museum of eccentric poet Pablo Neruda.

The best of the city's areas to stay in are Las Condes, Providencia and Bellavista – the Providencia district`s northern edge includes Santiago Metropolitan Park, which has trails and a funicular which goes up San Cristóbal Hill. At the top is a huge Virgin Mary statue, with vistas over the city. The park also has a Japanese garden, the National Zoo and the Sculpture Park, by the Mapocho River, has art installations by prominent Chilean artists. Barrio Italia offers excellent antiques with Calle Caupolicán being the focal point. Dig deep to find some absolute treasures, from vintage typewriters, gramophones, vinyl 78 LP records, sewing machines and furniture that has origins in Europe and the UK from the late 1800`s – it’s a dream come true for those who love collecting. From the colourful houses of Bellavista, to the social project Museo a Cielo Abierto in San Miguel, the city has plenty of free art to view al fresco. Most of the times when out walking visitors are caught by surprise, unintentionally stumbling upon great works, a splash of colour and apparent artistic flair livening up even the most uninteresting street. Santiago`s residents are extremely proud of their street cafe food and at most hours of the day and night, you’ll be able to find something enticing to eat in street cafes or the boutique bohemian restaurants, from sopapillas (fried pastries), to completos (Chilean hot dogs) and pastry empanadas. Mercado Mastica and Ñam Familiar are popular areas with foodies.

Ideally international visitors to Santiago should have a three quarters day combining walking and driving excursion guided by an expert professional local, sufficient time to be get around all of the central city major must-see-visit attractions. Most International visitors dedicate two days to Santiago city, which is ample.

The Surrounding Area

The outlying areas of Santiago's hinterlands have appeal especially, the wonderful vineyards that are perfecfor wine lovers to explore. Just a short hour guided excursion from the heart of Santiago you can be among the bodegas of exceptionally talented winemakers, the likes of Concha Y Toro, or a smaller family-run boutique vineyards such as Vifia Vik and Vifia Matetic.

Visiting on a days guided excursion entails a site inspection of the wine production facilities and a professionally conducted wine tasting in at least two bodegas, with a sumptuous luncheon at a third bodega. Something Keyhole International highly recommends, as it adds an entirely different perspective, from that of the city. Then if you are keen on venturing further afield, a guided day excursion to the Pacific coast, to the eclectic port city of Valparaiso should definitely be oin your to-do list.

With it's multicoloured houses up the escarpment, accessed by riding on a funicular public transport rack-railway, Valparaiso is one of the best places to find excellent food. Bistro-style restaurants with traditional Chilean twists are common in Valparaiso and the seafood is, of course, very fresh and tasty. Valparaiso is a leading Bohemian centre and as such, it attracts artists, hippies, musicians and eclectic people, looking for unique experiences which it provides. Valparaiso is a great place for random conversation with the locals in a cafe or bar, as many speak good English; also to see a local band at a neighbourhood hotspot, or to take in truly remarkable street art.

Vina de Mar, a resort town that pumps in the summer, is relatively quiet in the spring and autumn, is known for its oceanic delights, so it stands to reason that Vina del Mar offers succulent seafood dining. From fine dining restaurants, to beachfront ceviche stalls, there's plenty of opportunities to sample the fruits of the sea. To pick just one, Donde Willy located on Luis Boirgono #12, has an amazing menu and very special main courses. Normally the day excursion includes travelling on north for 20km to the coastal resort of Vina del Mar and if you depart Santiago city after breakfast, the opportunity of exploring Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, then having a late vineyard visit and lunch on the way back to Santiago, is always met with accolades for a complete and excellent day's outing to experience Chilean culture to create unique memories.

Vifia del Mar has the moniker as the "Garden City" of Chile, for a reason. Although its lush city plazas are more picturesque than most, it's the incredible Parque Quinta Vergara that's the real star of the show. This neo-Gothic palace surrounded by immaculately landscaped gardens is the epitome of old world opulence.

It is a town with a reputation for museums and the Museo de Bellas Artes, offers sophisticated high-end culture, where the Palacio Rioja Museum displays Vifia' s bourgeois pas The Francisco Fonck is a must for anyone who can't make it to Easter Island thanks to its real life Moai statue on display.