VALPARAISO SHORE EXCURSIONS

1.-Full day Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Santiago, transfer from the ship to Santiago (8Hrs)This tour is ideal for passengers ending their cruise in this port and who want a a transfer from the ship to their Santiago hotel or airport, plus an overview tour of all major attractions -- Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Santiago. The tour takes you for a drive through Valparaiso passing the National Congress building and the commercial district, en route to the neighboring city of Vina del Mar where you’ll see the famous “Flower Clock”. Traveling along the coastal road, you’ll pass the Casino built in the 1930’s and through residential neighborhoods with their varied architecture and well groomed parks and gardens. Heading towards Santiago, you’ll travel through the picturesque Chilean countryside including the famous wine-producing valleys of Casablanca and Curacavi (wine tasting optional). In Santiago, you will travel to the historical center to see the Presidential Palace "La Moneda" and Constitution Square. You will also see the Ex-National Congress building and the Justice Tribunal buildings en route to the impressive Plaza de Armas (Main Square). Here, we find the Municipal Cathedral, Ex-Governor’s Palace, Main Post Office and National Historic Museum. Tour finishes at your Hotel or Airport in Santiago.

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2.-Valparaiso and Vina del Mar City Tour (4 Hrs)

After pickup from your hotel or pier, you will discover the exceptional beauty of Valparaiso, a centuries old port city recently declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal (1914), the Port of Valparaiso was the most important in the South Pacific as ships from around the world called here once they crossed Cape Horn or the Strait of Magellan. Explore a labyrinth of streets that stretch over the many tiered hillsides facing the bay and see an antique funicular (wooden cable car elevator) used to transport the resident “Porteños” up and down. Enjoy the imaginative architecture and bright colors of the centenarian homes built by the first Europeans to settle here. Breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean await you at the "21 de Mayo" promenade and panoramic lookout point. Other city highlights include the La Matriz church, “Plaza Sotomayor” with its impressive Naval Heroes Monument, Ex-Governor’s Palace and the Justice Tribunal building. Contrasting the aged elegance of Valparaiso is the “Garden City” of Viña del Mar. Viña is renowned for its beautiful avenues lined with immense old trees, well-kept parks, popular resorts, long sandy beaches and holiday fun. Enroute to Viña, you’ll pass the Plaza Victoria, National Congress Building, and Santa Maria University. Upon arrival you’ll see the Viña "Flower Clock", impressive Presidential Palace, Brunet and Wulff Castles, and the posh Viña del Mar Casino and luxury hotel.

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3.- Casablanca Valley, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar (5 1/2 Hrs)Your guide will pick you up at your hotel or pier to begin the tour with a visit at a local winery in the Casablanca valley, reknowned for producing fine Chilean wine. You will also pass the summer beach resort of Renaca. Continue with a panoramic journey through Vina del Mar, also known as the Garden City. Pass by the floral clock, Libertad Avenue, Las Salinas and several hilltop palaces -- the Brunet Castle (now in the possession of the Chilean police force) and the Palacio Presidencial, the Chilean President's summer residence, perched on top of Castillo Hill with its magnificent hillside gardens. In Valparaiso, you will drive through the hilly old district of Valparaiso, known as the Pearl of the Pacific. Along the way, you will see El Plan, Sotomayor Square, Promenade 21 de Mayo, the Custom House and the Stock Exchange. Time permitting, you will also take funicular elevators up the hillsides to view the picturesque city and port below. The tour ends with the drop off at the ship or Valparaiso/Vina del Mar hotel.

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4.-Full Day Beach Resorts Of Chile's Central Coastline (7 Hrs)

This tour is ideal for those who are extending their stay in the area and want to explore less-travelled routes. Starting from the ship or your Valparaiso/Vina/Santiago hotel, head towards the famed beach resorts lining the coastline. Each resort has its own distinctive character. Papudo, Maitencillo and Laguna are arguably the most popular and diverse. Zapallar is, possibly, the most traditional, exclusive and manicured. Cachagua is more rural, informal and family orientated. The coast of the Chilean central zone is considered one of the five wonders of the country. With the benign climate of the western Mediterranean and the agricultural relief and beautiful scenery of southern California, this coastline covers some 50 kms between Horcón and Papudo and is so named because of its oxygenated, green water. On this tour, you will visit Maitencillo, Cachagua and Zapallar. Maitencillo, a traditional fisherman village an hour and a half from Valparaiso, is known for its peaceful and laid back style of life. Drive down narrow streets that run along the village and admire exclusive summer homes clinging to the hills overlooking the Pacific. Take a leisurely walk along the beach Aguas Blancas to visit the seagulls. Seven kms further north is Cachagua (which means “pastureland” in Mapuche), a relatively recent resort built on gentle slopes. Stroll along the solitary 5km beach known for body boarding, surfing, parasailing and fishing. Cachagua has a riding club with a polo field and clubhouse. At the northern end of the beach is an island, a sanctuary for pelicans, cormorants, sea otters, Humboldt and Magellan penguins that are unique in this part of the Chilean coast. Access to the island is restricted but you can admire it from a panoramic viepoint. Zapallar is situated on a small, north-facing enclosed bay. Protected from the southern winds, it has its own microclimate resulting in luxuriant vegetation. This is, without doubt, the most stylish and exclusive spot on the Chilean coast. Amongst the beautiful homes and gardens is the Tudor-styled municipal building. We will also pass a beautiful stone church by the main square with big wooden beams built in the Romantic style. On the other side of the square the old theatre is still standing. The square is covered with plants and in the centre is a bronze pillar dating from 1682 and which belonged to the convent of the Clarisa Order. In 1986 the sea front, the bronze pillar and the Hildesheim house, a replica of a XVII century German house, were declared National Monuments

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