Huentetu

Museums are open on Sundays and closed on Mondays. Sunday lunch is very popular but many places are closed in the evening on a Sunday.

In Santiago the Patio Bellavista will have open restaurants in the evening.

In Valparaiso:
http://www.hostalmorgan.cl
You would need to book now as it is popular.

crellston

We stayed in http://www.bblanona.com/en/home.htm in Cerro Alegre and really liked it ( although if was a few years ago) the owners, Rene and Carolina were excellent hosts, a mine of information and provided us with all the information we needed for walking tours, restaurants etc. Rene also came with us on the bus to Vina for a horse trekking expedition through the massive dunes to the beach.

FWIW I much preferred Valparaiso to Santiago and would love to return one day.

susiesan

Clive that Hostal you stayed at has a minimum stay of 2 nights. Also, no prices on their web site and the booking engine doesn't work so no way to know how much it costs.

I had already emailed Hostal Morgan to check availability but no answer so far.

susiesan

I had read this article and was going to use it as a guide for things to do in Santiago:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...hile.html?_r=1

What do you think of the sight seeing plans? I'm not all that interested in shopping.

thursdaysd

Seems to be all about food. I'm another who preferred Valpo, although I did think the Human Rights Museum was worth seeing.

mlgb

I think I checked on crellstons' lodging before my trip and there were some issues. Either a different owner or some noise issues, or both. Maybe the children were older and noiser?

crellston

Susie, La Nona wasn't expensive. It was awhile ago but I would guess at around $40 US?

I am pretty sure owners are the same (same names). As I recall the owners had a small child when we were there but it was 9 years ago, so mlgb may well be correct ( there could be a rowdy teenager in residence !!) It was like staying with a family - breakfast together etc. Not everyone's cup of tea, but we enjoyed it.

Huentetu

That NY Times article is from 2007 and sadly out of date. I am not that fond of major newspaper's suggestions for visiting anywhere really.

Definitely recommend Bocanariz for wine/food. But I find some of their other choices strange.

The photo of the Sarita Colonia restaurant is making me nervous. A lady has her handbag hanging on the back of her chair. That is a recipe for disaster anywhere in the world. She probably lost it 10 seconds after they took the photo. Do not do that!

Lastarria is a good area to stay so have a look at reviews for hotels in the area. Most are "boutique" hotels with the exception of Cumbres, which is a good choice, right on Lastarria.. There are a LOT of new hotels in Santiago since that article. I don't think they mentioned the Pre-columbian museum, which is world class. Or any of Pablo Neruda's homes. Or the MAVI, or the Centro Cultural La Moneda.

crosscheck

Hi susiesan,

I have traveled to Santiago four times for work and always stayed a few extra days. My favorite tours in SCL are the Free Walking Tour, La Chascona (Neruda's house) and the Uncorked Wine Tour to the Colchagua Valley. I have also gone hiking in the Andes with friends and that's spectacular as well, but given the choice I would go with the wine tour.

I love Valpo and given the choice, would stay overnight.

Here's a brief trip report with my Santiago highlights:

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...highlights.cfm