How to Make the most of a Skiing Day Trip

Drive up early, and enjoy the amazing sunrise on the road in Farallones.

Winter Vacations are coming up, and many people take advantage of the break to hit the slopes. It is a great plan, and one of the many advantages of Santiago. It is close and almost always sunny. I mean in one day you can enjoy the mountain and the snow, and then head back home for a full calorie dinner (pizza after skiing is so deserved!)

In order to make the best of a Day Trip to La Cordillera from Santiago, these are some things you have to consider during the weekend or holidays: 

1) Wake up very early! You should be on the road up to Farallones no later than 7:15 am. We mean this! At this time the drive should be up to 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you leave later be prepared to be stuck in HEAVY traffic, and a very looong 4 hour trip

2) If you are planning of going in different Cars, a great meeting point is the last Copec before the intersection to Farallones in Av. Las Condes. It is open, and it has coffee. (No more to say)

3) Make sure to have chains inside your car. They are obligatory during skiing season; even if it is not snowing you might get pulled over by the Carabineros, which will ask to see them.

4) As an alternative, you can rent chains on the road going up. You will see the guys installing the on the right hand side. There is a small Carabinero checkpoint going up Farallones, make sure to have the chains before this point.

5) Very curvy road going up and it can get icy (Particurlaly when going to Valle Nevado) So, it is better to take it slow.

6) Once up in Farallones, you could decide to go to El Colorado, La Parva or Valle Nevado. They are three different ski centers. Our favorite is Valle Nevado because it has the most modern infrastructure (Express lifts and gondolas). But, try all of them as part of the experience.

6) You could save some money if you rent your skis in Santiago instead of up in the mountain. These places are very affordable, with average equipment. (Don´t expect fancy rentals)

– Ski Ahorro

– Da Ski

7) Try avoiding the crowds during the day. Since you will open the ski center, have lunch an hour earlier, and enjoy the slopes when everyone is at lunch.

8) Have in mind that food at the ski center is expensive and not very good. So if you don´t want to spent too much money, prepare food and leave it in the car. There are a couple of places where you can eat your own food.

9) It WILL be crowded. It is a fact, so relax and enjoy the day. Breathe the fresh air and burn some calories.

10) Leave one hour before closing! We know you want to ski until the last minute, but trust us it is not worth the heavy traffic going down. Besides a pizza, or a burger are waiting for you back in Santiago.

Hope these tips are useful =) =)

Have something to add? Share it with us in the comments!

Romantic Getaway to Mendoza. Where to Stay. Eat and drink.

A view from our amazing Boutique hotel: Entre Cielos

We celebrated our wedding anniversary by going to Mendoza, and enjoying the food and the wines in the region. We had an amazing time, so we wanted to share with you our tips and experiences for a Romantic Getaway in this Argentinian wine region. Note: We do have to say that it does come with a high price tag, (but 5 years was worth splurging for) =)

Where to stay?

We stayed at a really nice high quality Hotel Boutique called Entre Cielos; which in 2012 won for best new hotel boutique in the world. The service is amazing, when you get to your room you have little details awaiting, from cupcakes to chocolate, and of course a bottle of wine. The rooms are elegant and colorful, each one named after a different smell from wines (chocolate, Figs, Berries) their restaurant is also worth the visit, very gourmet.

The Spa is a traditional Hamam, which is a very old concept where you are guided through different rooms with different temperatures to drain toxins and relax. I particularly enjoyed lying on a hot rock surface and then taking a dip in a small pool.

Our Room at Entre Cielos

What to do? 

There are so many wineries to see in Mendoza, but unless you stay like a month you probably wont have time to see them all. So choose wisely and give yourselves time to spend in each place, talk to the owners (this is the best part of visiting the smaller wineries) and drink a lot. We recommend the following ones:

– Visit Dominio del Plata: this winery was created by one of the first women enologist in Argentina. Try to have lunch at their restaurant Osadia, because the food is one of the best in all the wineries. They have great wines, and I personally enjoyed the Susana Balbo signature Malbec the most.

– Visit Ruca Malen. You can also accompany your tour with a 5 course menu in a splendid glass like restaurant.

– Visit Clos the Chacra. A family owned winery with a beautiful old house, and a great restaurant also.

– Visit Chandon. This is a more commercial choice, but I love bubbles so it was a must in my agenda. Skip it if you have less time or are not into sparkling wine.

– Visit Achaval Ferrer. One of the priciest wines in the area, Achaval Ferrer has very strong wines with great taste. The old house is beautiful and the view from it worth the visit.

– Visit Andeluna. It has Breathtaking view of the Andes, and its blue sky. They have a stunning old house in the middle of field of wine grapes. The restaurant is also supposed to be wonderful; but we did not eat there because it was full. So, reservations are needed.

– Visit La Azul. We loved this small family owned winery, because they make you feel home. We were greeted by one of the sons and had wine outside in the terrace, while they told us the story about the house, the land and the family. Simply charming! Great service and delightful wine also!

Sitting at The terrace at La Azul.

The View at Andeluna

Where to eat? (If you have not had enough during the day) =) 

Be prepared to eat and drink a lot. There are some really good restaurants in Mendoza city. We did not have enough time to visit the city. But, we managed to eat at two places we had on our list.

– Maria Antonietta. Our trip favorite. It is  a small little bistro like restaurant, with delicious food and desserts.

– 1884 (by Francis Mallman) my husband is a barbecue fan, and enjoys Mallman´s show. So, it was a must. It was a great experience, the meat was perfectly cooked and everything just tasted better with a little burn. Try their burnt fruit dessert.

Tourism for not tourists! (and for tourists too)

Hello insiders!,

Even though autumn is here, days are shorter and weather is getting colder, the sun is shining and there are a lot of options to enjoy this beautiful city.

Hanging out in Providencia neighbourhood, i found Easybici store. Owned and operated by an American, an Australian and a Frenchman – brainchild of Founder Felipe Correa – Easybici is the only dedicated e-bike rental company in Santiago.

They offer a very creative way to know different parts of the city. Not by car, not by foot, not by the typical hop on hop off tour bus. they offer tours using electric bicycles, providing pure cycling enjoyment without the need to worry about fitness level, age or terrain; perfect for exploring the city, dominating Cerro San Cristobal or visiting historically significant landmarks of downtown Santiago.

You can choose between 3 different tour options:

-insight into the nature of Santiago (focussing on Cerro San Cristobal)

-Sanhattan and the business district (visiting parks along the way, and taking advantage of the city’s extensive cycling lanes),

-the historical tour which cycles through downtown, Lastarria, and Bellavista with stops along the way.

Easybici is committed to a bringing about a change in the way that consumers participate in tourism, offering a green, sustainable, environmentally responsible transport alternative in areas that experience a high saturation of tourism in ecologically important areas of Chile.

Inside Santiago team totally recommend it!

For more information, please visit

http://www.easybici.cl

or just go to the store in  General Flores 72 street  and ask for Felipe or Arienne (they are very nice people!)

see you!

How to survive a 30 hour bus trip in South America

We want to share with you this great blog and post we found while looking around online. Adrianne has a been traveling around south america, and has some very interesting insights about bus traveling in the region. We thought it was excellente information, very complete and all her travels look amazing! Thanks to her for letting us share it!

Wayfaring Adventure

Step 1: Sit as close as you can to the driver and just cry. He will either empathize for you and drive faster to make you feel better, or get annoyed and drive faster just to end the trip sooner.

No, not really. Though the thought did cross my mind.

While this post has been crafted with the journeys to/from Patagonia in mind, I’m sure most of the tips will apply to any long bus trip. We traveled a total of 30 and 1/2 hours from Puerto Montt down to Punta Arenas. This included two border crossings, passing through the Andes mountains, crisscrossing the southern part of the continent, and traveling through several Argentine departments. In all honesty, it was brutal. So was the return trip (Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt), though because there were fewer passengers and no children, the trip went easier through the night. In case you…

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Weekend trip to Maitencillo Chile: Beachy Little Town

March is a very good time to go to the beach in Chile, because the crowds are back in the city, the weather is still hot, and the prices are low. In February, most of the small hotels or cabins don´t have availability for just one weekend, you have to reserve for a whole week. So, for those working March is a great time to go down to Maitencillo for the weekend. 

We particularly love Maitencilllo, because it has a little beach town feel. It is not so crowded as Concon or Reñaca, and not so Pompy as Zapallar or Cachagua. The beach is very long, a bit wavy if you have little kids, but enjoyable. Of course, it´s cold like everywhere in the Pacific but just take a very quick splash to cool off.

When we go in March, we like staying at Cabañas Hermansen. These small little cabins are found on a hill, they are sort of hidden with trees, so they can´t be seen from the street. They have a very cozy rustic feeling; they are clean and quiet. Some cabins have their own terrace and barbecue, which is very convenient for cooking and eating after the beach. They have parking places, so you can forget about the car for the whole weekend and walk everywhere.

It has a nice little restaurant called La Canasta; great for lunch and pisco sour. We enjoyed its terrace and drinking our “Aperitivo” with the view to the beach!

Cheers!!

Visit Colchagua and enjoy Vendimia Season

For some people in Chile, March means back to school, the end of summer, or back to work; but for other lucky ones it means the start of the Wine Vendimia or Vintage. In this time the harvest of the grape occurs, and with it one the most critical steps in the wine production process.

Because of its importance, in the wine regions across Chile this special time is celebrated with big events and “La Fiesta de la Vendimia” or the Party of the Vintage. The different wineries, the town and all the people who form part of the wine making community take part in this colorful celebration. Music, dance, eating and of course a lot of wine are essential elements for enjoyment. 

If you would like to have a Vendimia experience, we recommend visiting Colchagua. This area is located south of Santiago, about a 3 hour drive, and it has the best wineries in the country. During March, you will find great prices on wines, and some delicious gourmet treats. But, the best thing about going this time of year is being able to see the wineries in full production. You are visiting a live machine, with grapes coming in, juices pouring everywhere. The fields are full of sweet fruit, ready to be tried and tasted. Don´t worry you will be encouraged to try the different varieties direct from the vine when touring.

Our travel crew making its own wine at MontGras!

List Of Wineries not to be missed:

– La Apostolle

– Montes

– Viu Manent

– Casa Silva (Further out but worth the time) Great for lunch when returning to Santiago.

-Montgras (Has a very fun tour, you get to make your own wine. Its different. The wines are not my favorite though)

– Los Vascos

If you would like to know where to stay. Read our previous article on Colchagua.

Check it out here>> http://insidesantiago.com/2014/11/06/best-boutique-hotel-in-colchagua/

Cheers!!!

 

 

Take trip to the South of Chile: Visit Puerto Varas

The south of Chile has one of the most attractive sights and beautiful sceneries of the country. Unlike the desert areas of the northern or central parts, the south its most known for its green pastures, and endless fields. 

One of our favorite places to visit is Puerto Varas, about 1.000 KM south from Santiago, about two hours on plane to Puerto Montt (40 minutes away by car)  Puerto Varas is a small town by The Lake Llanquihue and has a view view of the Volcano Osorno! Words can´t really describe how cozy and “gemutlich” like the Germans say this city is. German settlements have been an important part of the growth and creation of this area, hence the buildings remind us of the small wooden cabins, with black and white fronts, characteristic of southern Germany and the Alps.

When you decided to go, here are a list of activities and places that you should not miss:

• Visit the Osorno Volcano
• Visit Petrohue Falls with its emerald waters.
• Visit Lago Todo Los Santos for espectacular views
• Have afternoon Coffee and cake, or like the Chileans call it Kuchen for its German Word. They have really nice Cafes by the lake, where you can get anything from ice cream to strudels.
• Book a spa day. We recommend a day at the Hotel Patagonico. You can relax in its sauna, Jacuzzi or enjoy a nice massage.
• Plan an adventure, go fishing, hiking, rafting or biking. There are many tours and activities that you can do while visiting Puerto Varas.
• It is a pretty quiet town, but at night you can try your luck at the Casino.
• Just 30 minutes away, you can visit Frutillar a smaller town also by the lake, which is home to the famous Teatro del Lago.

The bar at the Hotel Patagonico

 Now for the most important stuff: where to eat! Puerto Varas is very close to Puerto Montt (city by the ocean) so you can find great seafood, and also they are know for their salmon. We recommend the following places:

• La Jardinera Gastropub. Attended by its owners, it´s a great restaurant, but you must make reservations.
• Chamaca Inn Puerto Varas. A small Chilean “Picada” nothing fancy, but very tasty. Simple cooking, but fresh ingredients. Try the Centolla!
• Mercado 605. They have great wines and chesses, perfect for tapas.
• La Gringa Bakery. It’s a small café with an international menu but with local products. Lots of cakes and cupcakes!
• La Marca. It’s a Chilean barbecue place, great for the meat lover

Seafood by the sea

This a special post for seafood lovers.

Last weekend i had a great experience at Zapallar. Its a very exclusive beach an hour and a half far from Santiago. Everybody recommended me  a restaurant called El Chiringuito. Of course, i went there and i can assure you i had one of the greatest salmon i ve ever eat in Chile (till now). It is a very relaxed  place in front of the pacific with an exquisite bay view, where you can eat superb fish and all seafood you can imagine.

You must try ” jardin de mariscos”, great white wine and good desserts too.

Please check this tasty pictures

 

 

 

For more information about zapallar please check

http://www.munizapallar.cl

And for the restaurant check all the info and reviews in trip advisor.

See you!

Family in town (Part 1): Concon

There is one thing that is probably sure for most expats: Visitors. It´s wonderful having family over, and spending some time together. (Of course, considering adequate periods of stay, and sufficient space for all the members) In any case, you will have to plan some sightseeing activities and taking them out to get to know the city or its surroundings.

That being said, we will give you a few suggestions of where to take visitors. For this week’s post, we will share our recommendations for visiting Viña, Reñaca and Concon (Day trip)

Just about 1 hour and a half from the city you will find Viña. You can get there by car, and drive through a very well built highway. To make the most of the entire day, get up early and avoid the weekend traffic out of Santiago (in case of traveling on Saturday specially)

On your way there, depending on time, you could stop and take a look at one of the wineries at the Casablanca valley. Make a short stop, or at least make a note that you are driving by one of the most important wine Valleys in the region.

Follow the signs to Viña, once you get there, you can park the car at the Mall, or if you find a spot near the coastline. From there walk to the coastline toward the boardwalk, where you can enjoy the breeze, get something to eat, buy crafts at the local market, or let the kids plays at the playground. Take some pictures, and  enjoy the scenery. As a fun activity, you can ride a horse carriage around Viña for a few thousand pesos.

Keep going straight and drive towards Reñaca. Here you will see the buildings change, from a city feel, to a more beach setting. You can get out of the car, and enjoy sector 5 the most popular beach spot. If not keep driving towards Concon.

Concon is our favorite area; it has great restaurants and is more secluded, so you have amazing views of the bay. To eat we recommend “A´que Jaime” a famous chilean seafood restaurant by the water. Be sure to order the machas, and ask for the fresh fish options of the day. Their Pili-pili shrimp is also tasty with a spicy kick. It’s always full, so make sure to reserve! Lines are usually long to get in.

Around sunset, make sure to visit the terrace at Radisson hotel in ConCon, they have an incredible view. It’s a great spot to order a pisco sour while watching the sunset. 

Hope you enjoy your day in Viña! =)

Weekend Lunch at Casas del Bosque

One of the best things about Santiago is being able to visit the mountain, the beach and great wineries in about an hour drive. You can get away from the city during the weekend, breathe fresh air (much needed during summer, due to higher concentration of smog!) and enjoy a different setting.

On today´s weekend getaway post, we want to recommend to you our favorite Winery for Sunday or Saturday Lunch: Casas del Bosque. Located in the Casa Blanca Valley, an hour drive from the city, Casas del Bosque has a nice restaurant and terrace area for summer days. For the second time in a row, it has been named best chilean winery of the year, according to Wine and Spirits Competition. Its restaurant, Tanino, has also won several awards as best winery restaurant.

If its the first time, you can take the winery tour and have a look at the “Bodega” and their production areas. Also, have a tasting of their wines, their white wines and pinots are one of the best in Chile. After that you could stay for lunch, or sit at the outside at the Sparkling lounge for tapas and wines. They have a kids area so it´s perfect for a family outing also. =)

Tapas at the Bo Sparkling Lounge

For lunch, try the empanadas, the machas, the tuna and the wayu beef. Make sure to reserve before, and patience is needed because service is sometimes slow.

Hope you enjoy it!!! Cheers!

Pinot on a Sunny day

http://www.casasdelbosque.cl/enoturismo/interior/restaurant.php