My wife has a business meeting in Santiago, Chile, in May. Over the course of the 5 days we will be in Santiago, I suspect we will see the city and probably will be wisked out to the wine country for at least a few hours. When it's over, we plan to spend the next 6 days seeing what we can. I know the weather to the south is likely to be iffy, but there's a lot to the east and north of Santiago. How should we spend our 6 days?
Chile in May
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Go north. You can go as far as the Elqui valley or further to San Pedro de Atacama. The first can be done by bus in 6-7 hours but the second requires a flight.
May is often a cold (and gray) month in central Chile. Despite this, some coastal resorts not far from Santiago can be very attractive -and invigorating- in autumn. Zapallar and Cachagua, for example, are two prime examples of pretty and relaxing places. Isla Negra (with its main attraction: Pablo Neruda's house) and the string of wineries (Matetic, Casa Marin, etc.) with their cozy boutique hotels, located near to the coastal strip, are also definitely worth a visit.
If you rent a car, head south On PanAm 5 through lush wine country and end up at Hacienda Los Lingues. We had a most enjoyable two days there..it's a renowned horse ranch and Inn with outstanding acres and meals. We crashed a horse show and barbecue for visiting horse buyers from Argentina, one of whom was Fergie's (Duchess of York)mom, Susan Barrantes, who a few years later died in a car crash.
I would also recommend visiting colorful Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, before heading south. With six days, you can do all of this comfortably
stu
Turner:
here are some selected Chilean pics...for Hacienda Lingues, scroll down. Not great photography but you'll get the gist.
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ChileAndBarilocheArgentina#