SantiagoTraveller.info

Santiago City Guide

admin — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:04:14 +0000

Santiago de Chile was founded in 1541 and is the oldest city in the country. The location of the Chilean capital is quite spectacular: the snowcapped mountains of the Andes provide the backdrop for the city.Santiago is very much the center of the world as far as Chileans are concerned. For nightlife, eating out, or anything at all this is the place to be. Some of the best places to experience these things are the Barrio Suecia and Bellavista neighborhoods. The young, colorful Barrio Brasil neighborhood is undergoing a renaissance and also offers many excellent opportunities for people watching and eating, including the famed Las Vacas Gordas steakhouse on Cienfuegos.

The city is no tourist attraction. It is a good place to live in, compared to other capitals in the region a civilised and tranquil city. This is a place where you can cross a street without fearing for your life. But the city seems to be made to be practical, not impressive, like Buenos Aires is. This means that tourist alcohol consumption reaches record highs in Santiago, because it a place where you have to entertain yourself. It is a great place to gather strengths, relax, or live. It`s not the place to be for people looking for `the real South America`.

For a good view of the city, take the funicular to Cerro San Cristobal. Santiago offers some great possibilities for daytrips as well. Valparaiso and Vina del mar are not far away, the mountains have great hiking opportunities, and the ocean is nearby. And, of course, wine lovers have easy access to the Concha y Toro vineyards as well as other producers in the Maipo valley. There are several winter resorts in the nearby mountains. The Ski season opens in june and goes into October.

La Fayette Apart Hotel

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:13:14 +0000

This hotel, founded in 1993, is located in the very heart of the commercial district of Providencia, within easy reach of the metro, restaurants, clubs, and shopping precincts. It is ideal for families, couples, and business people alike in that it offers all the comforts of one’s own home.

Cascada de las Animas

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:12:10 +0000

These cabins are located in quite a spectacular landscape, dominated by the Andes foothills and a fascinating display of fauna and flora. An ideal place to rest and fill your lungs with good, clean air: outdoor activities include hiking, rock-climbing, water sports, cycling and fishing. There is also access to the nearby nature reserve of the same name. Guests can stay in one of 9 well-appointed Cabañas, 6 individual rooms, or can set up their own tent in the onsite campground.

Plaza El Bosque Park And Suites

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:11:14 +0000

Plaza el Bosque Park and Suites, modern five star Hotel, located in the center of the el golf district, walking distance of USA and British embassies. Important companies like nestle, bellsouth, bat, nokia, telmex, are a few steps from the hotel. 3 blocks from subway Tobalaba station. Only a few steps from Santiago new Finantial, Business and culinary area.

Crowne Plaza Santiago

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:10:15 +0000

Crowne Plaza Santiago is located in midtown Santiago, at the entrance to Providencia, and approximately 15 miles from Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez Airport. With views of the city and the Andean Mountain Range, the hotel is two blocks from the metro station, within walking distance of Diego Portales Convention Center and Parque Forestal, half a mile from the National Museum of Fine Arts and National Library, one mile from Santa Lucia Hill and San Cristobal Hill, two miles from Plaza de Armas Square, and 50 miles from Isla Negra Pablo Neruda.Hotel amenities include the swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool, health center, cocktail lounge, and restaurant. The hotel also offers room service, babysitting, a concierge, dry cleaning, currency exchange, and a business center.

All rooms feature high-speed Internet access, bathrobes, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, coffeemakers, minibars, safes, individual climate control, in-room movies, and satellite TV.

Bonaparte

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:08:52 +0000

The 65 rooms have been specially designed combining technology and a comfortable atmosphere, taking into account every detail to ensure your comfort. All rooms have DDI, cable TV, desks, wireless internet, safe box, refrigerator, laundry service, hairdryer, and individually controled central heating and air conditioning. Bonaparte restaurant offers both excellent national and international cuisine as well as breakfast buffet service. There is a comfortable bar with a great garden view.

Pueblito los Domínicos

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:54:40 +0000

A beautiful place in which to pass the time away, this craft centre is located next to the San Vicente Ferrer Catholic Church. Visited by foreigners and Chileans alike, the centre has washroom facilities, a cafe and a restaurant. On weekends, traditional Chilean pies (empanadas), tortillas and home-made traditional cakes are for sale. You can always find antiques, Chilean ceramics, paintings, furniture, jewellery, wooden and woollen goods, and many other things.

Parque Arauco

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:51:14 +0000

Parque Arauco is one of Santiago’s most important shopping malls. A special car service, which runs seven days a week, transports tourists to the center from various hotels. On arrival, visitors are greeted by hostesses who point out the key sections of Parque Arauco; tourists are entitled to a 10% discount on purchases as well as in restaurants and fast food outlets. The complex boasts three levels, 4,500 parking spaces, an international call centre, a multiplex cinema and two foreign currency exchanges. The complex has English-speaking customer service agents and houses some of the best designer boutieques in the world, including Ferragamo, Versace, Polo, Valentino and Zara. It also houses a number of Chile’s most important department stores, including Falabella, Ripley and Almacenes París.

Almacenes París

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:49:05 +0000

Almacenes París is one of Chile’s most important department stores. With 100 years of experience in the Chilean market, the retailer boasts 13 branches. Seven of them can be found in Santiago; the remaining six are distributed throughout the rest of the country. The stores are modern outside and in. Tourists mingle at ease with regular clientele. There is a broad range of garment sizes and prices. Departments include womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, furnishings and electrical appliances, and the store has a vast range of merchandise.

Mercado Central

admin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:47:34 +0000

This delightful galvanised steel construction was built in 1872, to replace the unsanitary Mercado de Abastos (provisions market), which had served the needs of local citizens since the colonial period. Today, the Central Market still shines with nostalgic architectural pride, and offers an eclectic selection of handicrafts, fruit and vegetables. The speciality is fish and shellfish, which can be sampled in the small kitchens down the side of the building, or in the more formal restaurants that are interspersed throughout the market. Enjoy a plate of fish marinade or razor clams in parmesan sauce, while being serenaded by a band of local mariachies. Open every day of the year, except on election day.