Anonymous wrote:
Why Santiago? Chile is great but Santiago is a real dud as a LA capital city.

Compare to what?

PP--also, I second Valparaiso. We visit every couple of years. It's fun to tour and see all the murals. They change every so often. So, each time we go it seems like you're in a different open air art museum. Ride the funicular up to the top of one of the hills and have your pisco sour there! You'll have a gorgeous view of the port and the rainbow of stacked houses on the hillsides for your view.

Chiloé island is beautiful and unique in northern Patagonia. World heritage wooden churches, whale watching, seals, sea lions, Pudu (smallest deer species). Carretera Austral is there, the Andes, great view of volcanoes. The ocean is super gorgeous, rustic colorful boats. The food is folky and wonderful.

Anonymous wrote:Tour Pablo Nerudas house

Barago is one of the best restaurants in South America. Very creative cooking and presentations

Went to the old location of Borago and loved it.

If you like wine schedule a day trip to wine country.

We did a walking tour with Tours 4 Tips. It was fantastic and the guide actually took us on an additional hike up San Cristobal.

There's some really great museums in Santiago.

Tour Pablo Nerudas house

Barago is one of the best restaurants in South America. Very creative cooking and presentations

Anonymous wrote:Skiing?
It’s been many years since I went but there used to be a fabulous open air market where people from the Andes sold lots of handicrafts.

Pueblito los Dominicos - it is indeed fabulous!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why Santiago? Chile is great but Santiago is a real dud as a LA capital city.

Stgo is great. Beautiful weather, lots of fun things to do, easy to get around on metro, great nightlife and food options, lots of outdoor stuff to do. Stgo also has lots of great small cities that aren't a far drive from it. Like Pichilemu.

Pichilemu is a 3 hr drive from Santiago. Not a day trip.

Anonymous wrote:
Why Santiago? Chile is great but Santiago is a real dud as a LA capital city.

Stgo is great. Beautiful weather, lots of fun things to do, easy to get around on metro, great nightlife and food options, lots of outdoor stuff to do. Stgo also has lots of great small cities that aren't a far drive from it. Like Pichilemu.