THE LOCAL AREA

Santiago has a very nice climate, like California or Spain. Everywhere you are you will see the mountains like a wall beside you. The apartment is situated close to Santa Lucia Hill where Pedro Valdivia first started Santiago. The Alameda Libertador Bernardo O' Higgens which is a broad avenue which enters the city centre. From there you can visit La Moneda where the government resides, Plaza de la Constitucion and Plaza Bernardo O' Higgins. The apartment is close to Cerro Santa Lucia which is a baroque maze of pathways, gardens fountains and squares and Parque Forestal which is situated along the river Mapuche and where you can walk and relax. On the other side of the Mapuche river you will find the Vega Central where all the fruit is taken in from the farmers, Patronato for cheap clothes and Barrio Bella Vista where you can buy jewellery only made in Chile. In the apartment is a booklet with a map and more information about museums, shopping, restaurants and other things you can do like going on top of Cerro San Cristobal with its incredible view over the city.

The apartment is a very good place to do excursions around Santiago. The Maipo valley is very close to Santiago and there are lot of opportunities to swim, ride horses, picnic, hike, camp or cabin overnight. There is also a variety of Chilean restaurants with traditional Chilean foods as empanadas and humitas.
Around 25 km is the town of San Jose de Maipo, here starts the road up in the Andes where you can ski.
Another beautiful excursions is towards Los Andes and go right to Mendoza in Argentina, 5 hours driving will bring you there.
More south is promaire where you can see hand made pottery and other handy crafts.
Down to the pacific is Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar with their beautiful beaches.