Plaza de ArmasThe Plaza de Armas is both the heart of Santiago and
the historical centre, a square hemmed in by impressive Spanish
colonial public buildings, including the 18th-century Cathedral and
elaborate main post office that was once the Spanish governors'
residence. The square became the hub of administrative, commercial
and social life when the city was founded in 1541 and today it
remains the centre of life in the city. Never a dull place to be by
day with its constant activity and throngs of people entertained by
buskers and local artists, the evenings are just as lively when
passers-by can become embroiled in chess games on temporary tables
set up under the trees.Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian ArtSpanning 4,500 years and about 80 pre-Colombian
civilisations of South America the Museo Chileno de Arte
Precolombino (Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art) is a fascinating
place to spend a few hours. Located in the old Royal Customs House,
the exhibit displays are well lit and beautifully arranged
throughout four rooms set around a central courtyard. The
collection provides an informative insight into the cultures of the
Incas, Mayans, Aztecs and other once proud civilisations of the
continent, illustrating their artistic diversity.Mercado CentralSantiago's colourful Mercado Central, housed in an
1872 wrought iron structure, has a fruit and vegetable market as
well as a buzzing fish market where an assortment of glistening
fish is packed onto the tables. Mussels, oysters and clams sit in
buckets among an unidentifiable variety of crustaceans and
tentacled creatures. The fishmongers demonstrate their skill at
gutting and filleting amid a cacophony of frenzied buying. The best
time to visit is at lunchtime when a delicious sampling of the
wares can be enjoyed in the happily chaotic atmosphere of the
central hall.Cerro San CristóbalCerro San Cristóbal is a 2,752-foot (860m) hill
jutting out of the city and on a clear day affords magnificent
views of the surrounds and across to the Andes. The easiest way to
the top is by funicular, but there is also a teleférico (cable
car), bus or a path leading up from the bottom through the forested
slopes. There are many walkways and at the summit is the 70-foot
(22m) high statue of the Virgin Mary to mark where the Pope held a
mass in 1987. There is also a small zoo, picnic sites and an
outdoor swimming pool. The cerro is situated within the Santiago's
biggest open space, Parque Metropolitano, and is a peaceful place,
an escape from the never-ending noise of traffic in the city
below.Reserva Nacional Los FlamencosWithin the reserve is the Valle de la Luna (Valley of
the Moon), a surreal landscape of salt peaks formed by uplifted
lake sediments that have been shaped into dramatic formations by
wind erosion. With a surreal blend of pastel colours the valley is
even more enchanting at sunset. A striking feature of northern
Chile's geography is the shimmering and apparently endless salt
lakes that are home to many bird species. The Salar de Atacama in
the reserve has a lagoon, Laguna Chaxa, which supports three
species of flamingos as well as other bird life. The salt lake also
affords good views of the volcanoes in the Andean chain of
mountains on the near distant altiplano.El Tatio GeysersAt an altitude of 13,760 feet (4,300m), this is one of
the world's highest geyser fields. Best viewed at sunrise when
there are changes in atmospheric pressure, the steaming fumaroles
are spectacular, shooting up clouds of steam 35 feet (112m) into
the air. Mineral deposits left behind after the evaporation of the
boiling water have formed other interesting structures on the thin
crust of the geyser field.Parque Nacional ChiloéFollowing in the footsteps of Darwin after 150 years,
the visitor will find an isolated but wildly beautiful assortment
of rolling hills, native forests and pristine coastline. It is home
to the Chilote fox, the rare pudú (miniature deer) and over 100
species of birds, including the Magellanic penguin. The park offers
a variety of walking trails, through forests and under twisted tepú
trees, along miles of unspoilt coastline or along nature trails
that lead up onto the hills for superb views of the surrounds. The
park is also home to several Huilliche Indian communities. The
information centre at the entrance has good displays on the flora,
fauna and the traditions and folklore of the Huilliche
people.Parque Nacional Torres del PaineUNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the 180,000-hectare
(442-acre) park is the pride and joy of southern Chile. The park
takes its name after the towering granite pillars that rise over
6,560 feet (2,000m) above the Patagonian plains. It is a hiker's
paradise with many excellent, well-developed trails through
astounding changes in scenery. Turquoise lakes and roaring
waterfalls, forests and magnificent rambling glaciers, icy rivers,
daisy-filled meadows, harsh mountain passes and plenty of wildlife,
including the protected guanaco (wild relative of the llama), are
some of its attractions.Parque Nacional Laguna San RafaelCreated in 1959, the park covers an area of 6,726
square miles (17,420 sq km) and includes the Northern Patagonian
Ice Field. It was named for the San Rafael Lagoon that was created
by the retreat of the San Rafael Glacier, and has been designated a
World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. A fjord more than 10 miles
(16km) long is one of the park's principle attractions, along with
some of the highest peaks in Patagonia, several glaciers, lakes and
a rich variety of bird and sea life.CastroThe main town of Castro is famous for its colourful
rows of stilted houses (palafitos) lining the estuaries, excellent
seafood and traditional handicrafts. It is a popular summer
destination for Chilean and Argentinean tourists and has a laid
back holiday feel to it. The town's most incongruous feature is the
Iglesia San Francisco, the dazzling exterior of remarkable colours
having assaulted the eyes since 1906. The town also provides access
to the nearby islands of the Chiloé archipelago and the Parque
Nacional Chiloé.Puerto MonttCapital of the Lake District, Puerto Montt is the
embarkation point for stunning cruises to the fjords of the glacial
Chilean coastline and is the gateway to the island of Chiloé and
Chilean Patagonia. Its architecture is Middle European with unique
wooden designs and predominantly high-pitched roofs and ornate
balconies. Many of the older, traditional houses can be spotted
with their distinct patchwork of weather resistant shingles, made
from the Alcerce Tree. Puerto Montt has a marvellous craft market,
a good place to buy Chiloén handicrafts, and the outstanding
seafood is not to be missed. Well worth a visit, too, is the local
cathedral, with its large rosary made from fishnet floats above the
confessional.
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