Loved our morning city tour of Mendoza! We learned so much from our local guide, Diego, about the changes in Mendoza’s city streets since its founding in 1561 by the conquistador Pedro del Castillo. One of the most interesting things about Mendoza is that it is an artificial oasis. Everywhere giant sycamore trees line the [...]
It’s early in the morning but I wanted to get up and check out the fitness facility at the Hotel Huentala Boutique.We arrived here last night, the last leg of our Andes drive reminding me of America’s Grand Canyon National Park—colors seem to shift from reds and oranges to blues and grays. Cutting a ribbon [...]
Our last stop before a late lunch at a road side restaurant frequented by locals was the remarkable bridge, Puente del Inca, a natural stone bridge believed to be used by the Incas to cross the RÃo de las Cuevas.
Ever helpful, Max, relays to our group that the bridge was once made of ice that [...]
We depart the hotel this morning at 8 a.m. leaving behind great memories of our time in Santiago, Chile. Our destination is Mendoza, Argentina, the land of sun and wine. But first we must cross the mighty Andes Mountains by motor coach and survive impatience and ennui at the border crossing which Max has warned [...]
Debbie and I board the vintage train and grab seats up in the front of the car which our group has been assigned. Burgundy velvet seats and wood paneling gives the 1913 train a nostalgic feel.
I must admit I’ve never been much of a train person …it brings me back to family vacations when my [...]
Today we will climb aboard Chile’s famous wine train, the Tren del Vino and Debbie and I are excited for our journey through the Colchagua Valley which is often compared to California’s Napa Valley.
Late yesterday on the way back to the hotel from Vina del Mar… (see video)
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Seriously! It’s a bit rough around the edges but a gem nonetheless. Valparaiso is built on two hills and its 264,000 residents could probably relate to Spider Man as they literally cling to the steep narrow streets punctuated by mural-lined alleyways, steps and the occasional iconic ascensores. Valparaiso has used these funiculars to transport people [...]
Today is what our itinerary calls a day at leisure. What this means, essentially, is that you are on your own to explore. I can see where this is a good thing on an escorted tour. Everyone has different interests—some like to while away an afternoon at an outdoor café, some like to shop and [...]
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The park on top of Cerro San Cristóbal, the big mountain overlooking Santiago, was incredible.
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Our group took the 10-minute tram ride to the top, where a few last steps (o.k., it was a workout and Debbie and I were the only takers) led up to the 72-foot statue of the Virgin Mary, who seems to [...]
The rest of the morning was great today! With the briefing behind us, Debbie and I take our information-addled brains to a money exchange with Kevin and a few other passengers.
Armed with Chilean pesos, we are now ready for our afternoon city tour of Santiago, a city of 6 million inhabitants wedged between the Andes [...]
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