Pablo Neruda, Gabriela Mistral, Joaquín Toesca are only a few of the poets, architects and artists that made Chile a wonderful place for lovers of art and poetry to visit. This tour brings you close to not only the legacy of artists and poets of the past, but puts you in touch with today’s budding art and poetry community. Santiago, Valparaiso, La Serena, Vicuña are just a few of the destinations included in this comprehensive, yet relaxing ten day tour.

Day 1, Sunday
Arrive Santiago’s new international airport. Reception by Anglatin. Transfer to hotel. Free time. Group lunch at Mulato Gil Plaza. Guided visit to the Fine Arts Museum. Free time to explore the hotel neighborhood and admire the fine architecture. Overnight Santiago

Day 2, Monday
Breakfast. To the city center to watch the changing of guard at La Moneda, the president’s house. Tour of the Huidobro Foundation and meeting with directors. Tour of the Casa Colorada. Group lunch. Walking visit to the Bellavista district, the most popular for playwrites, poets and artists. In the evening, enjoy a production at  the municipal or the Bellavista Theater. Overnight Santiago

Day 3, Tuesday
Breakfast. Guided visit to the Pablo Neruda Foundation “La Chascona” home, one of three that have been preserved in memory of Chile’s most famous writer. Walking tour of the Sculpture Park. Group lunch in the Bellavista district. Climb to the top of San Cristóbal Hill on the funicular railway. Time for grand vistas and photos of the city, the Andes and the valleys. Return to hotel Free evening. Overnight Santiago

Day 4, Wednesday
Breakfast. Visit to the Allende foundation of arts and conversation with foundation director. Group lunch. Tour of the Telefónica art gallery, the Aninat Art Gallery and the Galería Animal. Return to hotel. Free evening. Overnight Santiago

Day 5, Thursday
Breakfast. Travel to Chile’s most famous wine region, the Maipo Valley. Enjoy a stroll around the Embalse (reservoir) El Yeso and a visit to Los Baños Colina (hot baths). Group lunch. Guide tour of one of the original wineries including wine tasting. Return to hotel. Free evening.

Day 6, Friday
Breakfast. Travel through the Curacaví valley, in the direction of the Pacific Ocean. Group lunch at a traditional country restaurant. Stop for guided winery tour and tasting at one of the new wineries in the Casablanca valley. Continue to Valparaiso, Chile’s Heritage for Humanity city. Overnight Valparaiso

Day 7, Saturday
Breakfast. Visit Cardonal farmer’s Market and enjoy the lively trading. Visit Valparaiso’s famous funicular’s including the ascensor Artillería, leading up to the Cinco de Mayo promenade. Pause for delicious fresh juice at the Bogarin, popular hangout for Valparaiso’s artists. Group lunch at the Brighton Restaurant. Visit Lucas foundation and Alchemist print shop. Free evening to enjoy the colorful atmosphere of this port city. Overnight Valparaiso

Day 8, Sunday
Breakfast. Guided bus tour of the city visiting the many hill neighborhoods with grand vistas of the port and the sea. Tour of Pablo Neruda’s  second, La Sebastiana. Walk through the Cerro Carcel Cemetery. Visit the El Farol art exhibition center. In the evening, relax with a cup of tea and sample the pastry at the Chocolate Café. Overnight Valparaiso

Day 9, Monday
Breakfast. Travel to Viña del Mar, Chile’s garden city and most popular seaside resort. Tour of the fine art museum and the Rioja Palace Museum. Group lunch on the beach. Continue up the coast stopping at architecturally and artistically interesting communities such as Reñaca, Zapallar and La Ligua. Overnight La Ligua

Day 10, Tuesday
Breakfast. Continue along the coast through the rocky desert to La Serena, a renovated Colonial style city. Group lunch and walking tour of the city center. Continue up the Elqui valley to Vicuña, original home of poet Gabriela Mistral. In the evening a program at the Mamalluca astronomical observatory to learn about the Southern sky. Overnight Vicuña

Day 11, Wednesday
Breakfast. Excursion up the Elqui Valley to admire the Muscatel vineyard climbing the impossibly steep slopes. Visit two traditional Pisco distilleries and sample this special brandy made only in Chile and Peru. Group lunch overlooking the vineyards and the towering mountains. Return to Vicuña to visit the museum and foundation Gabriela Mistral. Overnight Vicuña

Day 12, Thursday
Breakfast. Travel back south to Santiago and the international airport. Connect to homeward bound flights.