Viña del Mar & Valparaiso Excursion

About an hour and a half west of Chile's capital of Santiago lie two incredible neighboring cities: Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. These places are as different atmospherically as they are close in proximity. The first stop is Viña del Mar, an upscale coastal resort city teeming with shopping complexes, commercial high-rises, boutiques, and well-manicured gardens. The city's modern image is the result of many buildings being rebuilt after the numerous earthquakes that have hit the Chilean coast over the years. However, some early 20th-century landmarks still exist, like the Germanic Wulff Castle and the Venetian-Gothic Vergara Palace, the former home of the founder of Viña del Mar.

Next up is Valparaiso. This colorful metropolis is the artistic and bohemian soul of the country, like San Francisco reimagined by Dr. Seuss. It's filled with street art, music, and poetry. It's also a throwback to the turn of the 20th century when electric trollies coasted along the waterfront and lurching funicular elevators carried passengers to the highest points in the city. A walking tour begins at the old plazas of Sotomayor and Aníbal Pinto. After a ride in the Reina Victoria funicular, it's time to wander the hilly neighborhoods of Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepción, and Cerro Florida. Everywhere in these hilly neighborhoods are sweeping views looking out over the colorful houses to the Pacific coast and the blanket of blue water running out to the horizon.