SANTIAGO: AROUND SANTIAGO

Los Andes is a town of craftsmen that work with Cala ceramic, producing hand-painted earthenware, jars and fonts, among other items.
The town, founded on July 31, 1791 with the name of Santa Rosa de los Andes, is 81 kilometers from Santiago. Among its attractions can be mentioned the Casa de los Villares, a mansion built at the end of the 19th century by one of the main families in the area, and the Carmelita de Auco Sanctuary, holding the remains of Sor Teresa de los Andes, the first Chilean saint, consecrated by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his visit to Chile in 1987, and sanctified on May 21, 1993 in Rome.

Curacavi is a picturesque village located 47 kilometers from Santiago. It is noted for manufacturing sweet buns, chicha and for the proverbial hospitality of its population. This is an ideal trekking and horse riding area.

Pomaire, an old Indian town, probably of Peruvian origin, that still maintains ancient traditions and customs, which are reflected in its earthenware crafts and its tasty local cuisine including the exquisite "empanada pomairina" (Pomaire meat pie).
Besides these attractions, the area has theme trails like the "cheese and wine trail". A few kilometers away lies Lake Aculeo. It is located 60 kilometers west of Santiago.

Maipu Votive Temple, dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen, patron and "General" of Chile's armies, in thanks for the decisive victory on April 5, 1818 at Maipu in Chile's struggle for independence. To one side of the temple lies the Del Carmen Museum, with religious figures, colonial furniture and historical documents, as well as period carriages. More than 500,000 pilgrims visit this site every year. It lies a little over 10 kilometers from Santiago, in Maipu municipality.

Pukara de Chena, this is an Inca-style building from the 15th century, which is thought to have had a defensive purpose, due to its strategic placing on top of the Chena hill, that overlooks the whole Maipo river valley. It was only discovered in 1975, thanks to excavations and research by archaeologist Ruben Stehberg. It is at kilometer 13 of Route 5 South.

Calera de Tango, this is an architectural complex built in the Bavarian Jesuit colony formed by the Master's House, church and other surrounding buildings, around the year 1724. Thus, Calera de Tango became a center for evangelization and education in crafts and professions such as watch-making, sculpture, engraving and goldsmith work.
Declared a Historical Monument, it is one of the most important rural buildings of the central area. It is 7 kilometers southwest of Malloco and 15 kilometers southwest of Santiago.

The Cajon del Maipo
A glacially sculpted valley just southeast of Santiago, The Cajon del Maipo makes an excellent day or weekend trip. Whitewater rafting , hiking, and horseback riding are among the activities offered in Santiago's backyard getaway

Viña del Mar and Valparaíso
Just an hour and a half northwest of Santiago , neighboring Viña del Mar and Valparaíso are like two sides of a coin. Viña, the 'Garden City,' is one of Chile's premier beach resorts, with excellent hotel and shopping. Valparaíso, immortalized in the words of Pablo Neruda , is one of South America's most charismatic and historic ports, with its charming ascensores (funicular railways) and colorful hillside constructions .

Wine and Gourmet Tours
Chile's wine region includes eight separate valleys, each with its own characteristics and wines. The Casablanca Valley is generally considered the finest producer of whites, principally Chardonnay but with a growing reputation for Sauvignon Blanc. The Maipo valley, meanwhile, is Chile's most traditional wine region and producer of the country's finest Cabernets and Merlots. The wine and gourmet tours generally combine wine tastings with tours of historic haciendas and bodegas (wine cellars), some of which have been declared national monuments. Near Santiago, they make a great weekend escape or luxury vacation all on their own .

Skiing and Winter Sports
Chile is home to the best skiing in South America. Its terrain includes Portillo, rated one of the world's top-10 ski areas; Valle Nevado, with the southern hemisphere's largest skiable terrain; and, Termas de Chillán on the scenic volcanic slopes of Volcan Chillán. The Chilean ski season starts around June/July and generally lasts untill September/October.