| Reviews and photos of Chile attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Chile sightseeing. Map |
 | Chile Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 469 |  |
 Elaborate by VeronicaG
The Fine Arts Museum hours are 10 am-7 pm and closed on Mondays. Hours change in the summer. The Museum of Contemporary Art hours are Tues.-Sun.11 am-7 pm; Sat. & Sun. 11 am-2 pm; Guided tours are Tues.-Fri. 10 am-6 pm; Sat. & Sun. 12 Noon-4:30 pm and closed on Monday. Address: Parque ForestalPhone: +56 2 632 7760Directions: Take the subway (line 2) and get off in Puente Cal y Canto. You'll have to walk 3 or 4 blocks to get there.Website: www.mnba.cl
|
Visiting Chile?
Read reviews about Chile Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Pablo Neruda, Chile's popular poet has grasped at my heartstrings. I have found him to be so interesting and have enjoyed reading some of his poetry! I picked up a compilation of his work at a gift shop at one of his homes and I encourage you to soak up his verses while traveling in Chile. It sets a mood...if you know what I mean.
We had toured his home in Valparaiso (La Sebastiana) on our last visit to Chile, so we wanted to see La Chascona ( Santiago) this time around. Pablo Neruda is said to be a poet obsessed by the sea, so much of his writing and collections pertain to it. The name La Chascona was inspired by his third wife who apparently had a tumble of hair that was difficult to keep under control.
Since Neruda loved the sea (although he was very fearful of it at the same time) his home was designed to resemble a ship. Windows were portholes and nautical lanterns were scattered throughout; the rooms were colorful with low ceilings. Unfortunately, during the Pinochet era the home was vandelized and many precious objects destroyed. Some unique items survived and offer a glimpse of Neruda's flamboyant personality. See this house if you have the time!
A guide escorts you through the home and is primed to answer just about any question regarding Neruda. A gift shop on the premises offered books by the poet and postcards or posters containing his verses. Address: Fernando Marquez de la Plata 0192Phone: 56-2 777-8741
|
 | |  |
Visiting the Palacio Cousino is experiencing what a life of privilege must have been like in 19th century Chile. Ah, I could get use to this!
The Palacio Cousino is a restored mansion in the city of Santiago. The original family owned coal mines and a winery. The mansion took 8 years to build and contains 20-25 types of marble, baccarat crystal chandeliers and elegant velvet and silk draperies. Artwork depicting family members is featured. It was built between 1870-1878. This home is important because in the 20th century most buildings in the downtown area were removed in order to add newer ones.
A fire in 1968 destroyed the second floor of the building, but it was restored. It was declared a National Monument in 1981. Hours are Tues.-Fri. 9:30 am-4:30 pm and 5:30 pm-8:00 pm. Sat. Sun. and holidays hours are 9:30 am-4:30 pm. It is shown by guided tour.
|
| | |
Leaving the plazas and narrow shopping streets of El Plan behind you, it's time to take to the hills. You could spend all day here riding up the little "ascensors" and then finding your way down via the narrow steps and lanes that snake between the houses, stopping to admire the views of the harbour and the hills that come and go with the twists and turns.
Corrugated iron is a building material much in favour here - sometimes rusty, sometimes painted but faded and peeling, and sometimes -as in the Cerro Concepcion district - restored and painted in an explosion of brilliant colour. This area has become something of an artist's quarter and you will find studios and galleries tucked away here as well as cafes and restaurants. Ascensior Concepcion - the oldest in the city - will take you there.
As well as the narrow terraced houses, you will find grander edifices built by sea captains grown rich on the California run - stone facades and elaborate porticos at the front and corrugated iron at the sides.
The stairs here would certainly keep you fit - I was really flagging at one point and stepped aside to allow someone to come through behind me - an old lady with a walking stick who was practically skipping down!
Click on photo for panorama Leave a Comment Directions: Ascensior Concepcion starts just across from the clock tower
|
| | |
 Entrance to the Pre-Colombian
Museum by VeronicaG
For example, ancient ceramics and stone carvings from approximately 600 BC-800 AD, which allowed a glimpse into mysterious cultures
Intricate, woven textiles, which though ancient, remained brilliant in color and complex in design. How long must it have taken to create these marvelous pieces?
Metal objects once employed in religious rituals, displayed in glass cases next to more utilitarian artifacts.
A fascinating and in-depth look at mummy preparation.
If you are interested in archaeology/anthropology be sure to visit this museum. The hours are Tues.-Sun. 10 am-6 pm; Holidays 10 am-2 pm. Children and students free.
|
Visiting Chile?
Read reviews about Chile Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
With the majestic Andes Mountains soaring to great heights throughout Chile, you might think that other hills would be left in its shadows. Perhaps seeming 'less than' or even overlooked, but you would be wrong. Take for example, Cerro San Cristobal.
Cerro San Cristobal (Hill of St. Christopher) was recognized as the highest point in the city of Santiago when named by Spanish conquistadors. This hill is located in the Barrio Bellevista and can be reached by funicular.
A statue of the Virgin Mary crowns the top of the peak and can be seen from anywhere in Santiago as she blesses the city. Pope John Paul II specifically traveled to Cerro San Cristobal to visit the Virgin--a vignette in honor of this visit can be seen inside the statue's base.
As we heaved ourselves to the highest point of the hill, inspirational messages by Pope John Paul's were accompanied by music and played over the sound system. The city of Santiago extends for miles!
Where the funicular drops its passengers off there are gift stalls, as well as restrooms (a small fee of 100 pesos required). The cost for the ride was 1.200 pesos round trip. **$2.500 pesos are the equiv. of $5 US Directions: Barrio Bellevista
|
| | |
 I bought this book at Las
Chascona by VeronicaG
ONENESS
There's something dense, united, sitting in the background,
repeating its number, its identical signal.
How clear it is that stones have handled time,
in their fine substance there's the smell of age,
and water the sea brings, salty and sleepy.
Just one thing surrounds me, a single motion:
the weight of rocks, the light of honey,
fasten themselves to the sound of the word night:
the tones of wheat, of ivory, of tears,
aging, fading, blurring,
some together around me like a wall.
I toil deafly, circling above my self,
like a raven above death, grief's raven.
I'm thinking, isolated in the depths of the seasons,
dead center, surrounded by silent geography:
a piece of weather falls from the sky,
an extreme empire of confused unities
converges, encircling me. PABLO NERUDA
|
| | |
 Pisco--a Chilean
tradition! by VeronicaG
3 parts Pisco brandy
1 part freshly squeezed lemon juice
1-2 tablespoons of sugar or as desired
ice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake well until ice melts. Serve in cocktail glass.
Serves about 4. Other options: Put in 1 tablespoon egg white. Add few drops of Angostura Bitters.
|
Palacio de la Moneda is an impressive structure which was built under the guidance of Italian architect, Joaquin Toesca and completed in 1805, originally intended for use as a mint.
The building was first repurposed as a Presidential palace in 1846 when Manuel Bulnes claimed it for his residence and executive offices. It became a place of tragedy when Chilean President Salvador Allende committed suicide there to avoid capture after having occupied the palace when it was bombed in 1973 during the Pinochet coup.
In spite of its tragic history, it was a pleasant day to visit the Presidential Palace. The large, sunny courtyard featured an exterior iron-railed stairway to the upper level, a fountain, some orange trees, a cannon and metal sculpture. Iron detailing used in the palace was made in Spain, all other building materials came from Chile.
Security checked our purses before allowing us to enter. We came on a Sunday afternoon, but there was not much of a crowd. This structure is no longer being used as a Presidential palace.
Lengthier tours to the interior of the palace can be requested by calling 2/6711402. There is usually a 2-3 week wait; passports required. These tours are only conducted during weekdays. Address: Barrio Civico
|
| | |
 Sepulcher of Benjamin
Vicuna MacKenna by VeronicaG
Pedro de Valdivia, conqueror of Chile, visited Cerro Santa Lucia in 1541--the city of Santiago was founded soon after that. It is the significance of that moment which marks this spot as a historic landmark.
The hill was merely an irregular shape formed of rocks until 1872 when prisoners were used to build walkways and small squares transforming it into a popular lookout. A Japanese garden, fountains and a small church sit on its heights. This sepulcher was built to honor the memory of Benjamin Vicuna MacKenna.
Hours of visitation are 9 am-8 pm from April-August. It has been suggested that it may not be wise to tour Cerro Santa Lucia after dark. Address: Avenida Alameda and St. LuciaPhone: 2/632-7783 tourism office
|
|
Travel in Chile
DIscover and Experience Chile. Great Travel with Expert Guides! Travel Chile
Private Tailor-Made Journeys Patagonia, Easter Island, Glaciers Hotels Cheap
Save up to 50% on Hotels and Now Get Our Best Price Guarantee. Traveling to Chile
Get All Flight, Hotel & Agency Trip Options. Save Time & Money w/Bing ™ Yampu ex Kontiki Tours
Trust the Experts.11 Years planning only Latin Tours. Offices in NY, UK Sponsored Links
|
