Valparaiso, Viña or Santiago?

[laverendrye]

We will be arriving in Valparaiso on the Celebrity Infinity on a Sunday morning in January and flying out of Santiago on the following Tuesday evening. Any suggestions on how we might spend the time--Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, Santiago, or some combination? At this point I'm not sure whether after the two week cruise we will be looking for some down time or something more active.

[seaproponent]

We spent 3 nites in Santiago, and only 1 in Vina -- would do it that way again if we go back. Vina was somewhat depressing to us -- rows of 1960's style buildings, and not much to do. We enjoyed staying in the Providencia district of Santiago, and walking around the Plaza de Armas area during the day.

 

Try "Astrid and Gaston" restaurant -- very well known, and very good. We ate dinner there twice. Beware that restaurants do not open before 9 or 10 in the evening in Chile -- and worse yet, Starbuck's doesn't open until 9 in the morning!!!!!!!!!

[smeyer418]

We spent 3 nites in Santiago, and only 1 in Vina -- would do it that way again if we go back. Vina was somewhat depressing to us -- rows of 1960's style buildings, and not much to do. We enjoyed staying in the Providencia district of Santiago, and walking around the Plaza de Armas area during the day.

 

Try "Astrid and Gaston" restaurant -- very well known, and very good. We ate dinner there twice. Beware that restaurants do not open before 9 or 10 in the evening in Chile -- and worse yet, Starbuck's doesn't open until 9 in the morning!!!!!!!!!

LOL thanks....reminds me of Madrid where eating at 8 was the early sitting....Personally I get in the flow and start at 10(both Am and PM)....

[owl61]

Vina has the beach and a large casino. See:

http://www.vinayvalpo.com/index.html. Valparaiso (8 km away) has the Pablo Neruda home/museum and other sights. Wine tours can also be a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. The weather in Santiago will be hot, 30C, and possibly uncomfortable. Vina/Valpa will generally be 5C cooler.

 

One could easily spend a couple of pleasant days/nights in one of the many reasonably priced Vina/Valpa B&Bs and then take the public bus (120 km, 2 hours) to Santiago. Do a day tour in the city (consult tour operatior for baggage storage) and then head for the airport. That would be my recommendation.

[laverendrye]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. They'll help us make our decision.