Santiago and Wineries with Wine Train to Santa Cruz

With this suggested itinerary you will tour Santiago and then visit the seaside cities of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso and the famous wineries of Cousiño Macul and Concha y Toro. You will then board the wine train, taking you back in time to a century in which steam machine was used as a means of transportation. On board, you will have a delicious cocktail and taste the best wines of the area while enjoying the beautiful landscape and folklore of the Colchagua Valley. Continue with a visit to a vineyard, lunch and a stop at the spectacular Colchagua Museum.

Day 1: USA - Santiago

Depart on an overnight flight to Santiago.

Day 2: Santiago

Reception at Santiago International Airport and transfer to your selected hotel in the heart of the city. Afternoon tour of Santiago. A journey through the main streets of Santiago, viewing the neoclassical Moneda Palace, built in the 18th century and current seat of government, the Plaza de Armas, or main square with its cathedral, the Museum of National History and the Central Post Office, all with very different architectural styles. Continue to the Parque Forestal, inspired by the Champs d’Elysee in Paris, the Fine Arts Museum and Santa Lucia Hill where the city was founded in 1541. Continue to the bohemian area of Bellavista and climb San Cristobal Hill for a panoramic view of the city with the Andes Mountains in the background. The tour finishes with a visit to the handicraft village of Los Graneros del Alba. Return to your hotel.

Day 3: Vina del Mar and Valparaiso

Full-day tour of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Depart for the central coast, traveling through the valleys of Curacaví and Casablanca,

known for its recent success as a wine-producing area. You will visit one of the vineyards and do some tasting. Continue to the coast and visit the beach area of Reñaca and the town of Vina del Mar, known as the Garden City for its pretty parks and flower-lined streets. Visit the Gaming Casino and the coastal road.

In the afternoon, continue to the picturesque port of Valparaiso built in the 16^th century on 43 hills which are reached by narrow, winding streets, staircases and a series of lifts (funiculars). It has been declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Site because of its eclectic architecture and urban development. Visit the museum house of Pablo Neruda, La Sebastiana. The house is situated on one of the hills overlooking the bay and contains some of the poet’s collections, specifically related to the sea. Return to Santiago.

Day 4: Cousiño Macul and Concha y Toro wineries

Full-day tour of Cousiño Macul and Concha y Toro wineries. You will visit two of the oldest and most historic wineries in Chile: Viña Cousiño Macul, founded in 1856, is still owned and run by the direct descendents of Matías Cousiño, the founder of the vineyard and owner of the Lota coal mines in the south of Chile. The cellars were built in the French style using “cal y canto,” a mixture of egg white and lime as cement. After lunch (not included), continue to Viña Concha y Toro. Founded in 1883 by Don Melchor Concha y Toro, it is today the largest producer of export wines in Chile. It has more than 11,000 barrels of French and American oak oriented to the production of fine wines with a capacity to store more than 1.76 million gallons of wine in steel holding tanks. The tour takes you to the landscaped gardens of the colonial house and the vineyards. You will also learn about the wine-making process and will visit the modern processing plant and the old cellars. Return to Santiago in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel.

Day 5: Santa Cruz

** This tour is offered on Saturdays only.**

Heading south on the route, you will arrive at the San Fernando Train Station at approximately 10 am to begin your two-hour trip by train to Santa Cruz. On board you will enjoy a Colchaguino appetizer and wine-tasting, with folklore music. Once you get to Santa Cruz, you will visit a local winery (tasting included). You will then enjoy lunch at the Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel or in a vineyard. In the afternoon, visit the Colchagua Museum and then transfer back to the Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel for overnight.

Day 6: Santa Cruz – Santiago - USA

Free morning to enjoy the city. Transfer from Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel to the airport to take the flight back to the USA through Santiago.