4 Best Sights in The Central Valley, Chile

In the center of the palm-lined Plaza de Armas is a colonial-style bell tower with a carillon that chimes every 15 minutes. Inside the tower is a tourism kiosk with information leaflets.

There may be no better way to get to know the Central Valley than by taking a ride on one of Chile's few remaining narrow-gauge buscarril lines, which runs from Talca to the wine region of Gonzalez Bastias and on to the coastal port of Constitución. It departs from Talca's Estación de Tren three times daily. A good option is to stop at the Estación González Bastías and visit Gonzalez Bastias winery to get a tasting and traditional campestre (countryside) lunch. You can then continue to Constitución or return to Talca.

On a clear night, the Colchagua Valley can be excellent for stargazing. Eccentric expat Ian Hutcheon runs an observatory just outside of Tagua Tagua, where events begin with a welcome glass of wine (made with meteorites in the barrel), after which there is entertaining discussion, presentation, and observation through advanced telescopes. During the day, Hutcheon leads nature hikes in the area with a buried treasure surprise.

In the lesser-visited Lolol region, this winery is owned by the same businessman who has the Santa Cruz Hotel and Museum. Something of a Disney World for wine lovers, it's one of the most kid-friendly options in the area with an antique car museum, wagon rides, bike rentals, and a cable car ride to a hilltop lookout. Adult tours finish, of course, with plenty of wine tasting.

Visit at night and you can stargaze from the observatory (open all year, depending on weather).