Best of Valparaiso
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Port
San Antonio (Santiago), Chile
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$179.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Travel to Valparaíso, well known for its impressive architecture and its mention in Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Today, you will see the old, hilly part of Valparaíso and the impressive downtown section.
Set out on a drive up the hillside to Los Cerros, the upper town. Spread along the narrow streets of 42 hills is an eclectic array of fine mansions, tattered houses and shacks. Stop at the Paseo 21 de Mayo promenade to take in superb views over the city and bay.
Your coach will descend to El Plan, the lower part of town adjacent to the port area. Pass the Naval Headquarters building that dominates Plaza Sotomayor and the impressive Monument to the Heroes of Iquique. Crossing the historical business center, watch for the majestic buildings belonging to now-defunct banks. Your guide will point out the El Mercurio building, which houses the oldest operational newspaper in Chile, along with the Stock Exchange, Public Library and the cathedral at Plaza Victoria.
Climbing into the hills by way of Alemania Avenue, you will see the city from another point of view. Experience a ride on two of the amazing ascensores, or funiculars -- quite unique in style.
Head to La Sebastiana -- one of the museum houses of Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda. You'll appreciate its astonishing construction and the enormous variety of objects found here.
At Cerro Alegre, enjoy set menu lunch before descending to El Plan and returning to the ship in San Antonio.
Notes:
This tour is only available to guests returning to the ship. The Pablo Neruda Museum is closed on Mondays; a visit to the Maritime Museum at Playa Ancha Hill will be substituted.