Santiago, Maipo Valley And Valparaiso (With Wine Tasting)

Welcome to Santiago! Home of Pisco Sour, seafood, and marvelous Cabernet Sauvignon, Santiago is considered one of the safest cities in South America. Chile's capital is the perfect base to explore the country or enjoy a few days between the mountains and the ocean. Upon arrival, you will be driven from the airport to your hotel. Type of service: Private Included: Transportation mentioned above Note: You will be met at the arrival area at gate 3. Assistance at restricted areas inside the airport is available at additional costs. Important: In order to avoid scam drivers, please go straight to the meeting point and do not accept help from any person approaching you without the sign with the local representative logo or your name on it. A scam driver could tell you that the transfer is delayed and that it is better to take the taxi offered by that person. The airport is under renovation and is provided for these unscrupulous to do their business Included guide assistance during transfer

After breakfast, you will meet with your private guide at your hotel and will be transferred to “Vega Central” market, located in the downtown area. There, you will find all kinds of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and spices brought from the agricultural areas of the center of Chile. While walking through the “little Vega”, you will find different kinds of meats, some “cocinerias” (local small restaurants) and more shops that offer variety of spices. You will then wander through “Tirso de Molina” market, where you will be able to taste delicious fresh fruit juice prepared on spot. Afterwards, you will head out to the “Central Market”, which was declared a national historic monument and where all kinds of fish and seafood from the Pacific Ocean are sold. Throughout the tour, we will talk with different shop employees to learn about the local products and their uses in the typical Chilean cuisine. At the market, you will also get to taste some “Pisco Sour” (Chile’s national drink) accompanied by delicious “Machas a la parmesana” (a kind of seafood with cheese). After that, we will continue to explore Santiago’s most significant sights and will walk to “Plaza de Armas” (the main square), surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the palace of the Royal High Court, the Main Post Office and other buildings of historical interest. You will then visit the Constitution Square, the palace of “La Moneda” (the current seat of the government), and Santa Lucia Hill, where the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia founded the city of Santiago. From the Caupolicán terrace, you will be able to admire the Hidalgo castle (formerly Spanish fortress). Finally, you will visit San Cristobal hill, where you will access lookout points that showcase the city. At the end of this experience, you will be taken back to your hotel. Type of service: Private Duration: 8 hours Included: Transportation mentioned above, bilingüal guide, tasting at the markets Not included: Lunch

Our guide will pick you up at your hotel and will take you towards Valparaíso, stopping at Casablanca Valley, a wine area known for the white vines, especially Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. We will have a shared guided visit at Emiliana organic winery where we will learn about the winemaking process and taste their exquisite wines. Afterwards, we will continue to Valparaíso, one of the most important ports in the country. This picturesque city is hanging on the hills and its historic center was declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Our visit begins in the elegant Victoria Square, famous for the interesting sculptures brought from Lima at the end of the Pacific War between Peru and Chile. Then we visit the heart of the city, beginning from Sotomayor Square and Pratt pier, where boat rides in the bay are offered. We will continue visiting the famous hills, taking a walk on Avenue Gervasoni and Atkinson, from where we will have a wonderful view of the bay and its picturesque buildings. We will also visit the famous elevators. Afterwards, we will leave Valparaíso behind and go to Viña del Mar, an important city and summer retreat for locals. We will visit the coastline and pier, as well as the clock made of flowers and the Quinta Vergara. Transfer back to your hotel at Santiago Type of service: Private Duration: 9 Hours Included: Transportation mentioned above, bilingual guide (English / Spanish), shared visit to the winery, wine tasting, elevator ticket Not included: Lunch Age restriction: Wine tasting only for people older than 18 years