Blanca Valbuena

Chile, Land of Nature, Food, and Wine

I worked for some wonderful people before FriendsEAT: Rich Scelfo and Lucy Lombardi. They are partners in Seaboard Brokers, a wine importer specializing in wines from Chile, Argentina, and Italy. They are the epitome of what bosses should be. They taught me, molded me, and I model my management strategy after them (and Arnold Casamenti who was my manager at the Shoe department at Nordstrom). I have an incredible amount of respect for their work ethic, the way they deal with people, AND their business savvy. If you ever meet them, consider yourself lucky.

Chile's Flower Clock
The Reloj de Flores in Viña el Mar is a clock made of real flowers that actually works

I worked with Seaboard for quite a few years and had the opportunity to explore both Chile and Argentina. Chile was my first trip to Latin America since I left Colombia in 1987. I didn’t really know what to expect. My mother had visited Chile when I was a child and she loved it, so I had an idea that it would be wonderful, but I was not prepared for all the wonders Chile had in store. In this post, I’ll be discussing what I love about Chile and giving you some travel tips to make your trip to Chile fun, easy, and painless.

Chile Travel Tips

Chilean Rooftops Vina Del Mar
Rooftops of Vina del Mar from Valparaiso

The Ups

EVERYTHING. Chile has skiing, swimming, desserts, lakes, wineries, ostrich farms, incredible seafood, gorgeous architecture, the Andes mountains, Valparaiso, and most importantly lovely people…and if you don’t speak Spanish…no need to worry, most of these lovely people speak English. Make sure to schedule a trip to Isla Negra to check out Pablo Neruda’s house and to pick up some Caldillo de Congrio at el Caleluche (I dream of that soup on a monthly basis).

Maritime Museum Valparaiso Chile
Maritime Museum Valparaiso Chile

The Downs

Chile is damn far. It is an 11-hour flight from New York to Chile…so get your Xanax and vodka ready for the flight. Another negative about going to Chile is that you probably won’t want to go home.

I stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Santiago de Chile. Although I’m not a fan of Hotels, this is an excellent hotel. Great food, great wine list, and really good amenities.

Things to do in Chile

Sauvignon Blanc Grapes Casablanca Vineyards Chile
Sauvignon Blanc Grapes Casablanca Chile

Visit the wineries, there are plenty of them all over the country. Obviously, I am biased, but Santa Carolina and Vina Casablanca are truly stunning.

Museo Marítimo Nacional, Valparaiso Chile
Museo Marítimo Nacional, Valparaiso Chile

Go to Valparaiso (I’ll have to find my pics) this is a gorgeous seaside town. While you are there, check out the Museo Marítimo Nacional, you can learn all about Chile’s Maritime history.

There are plenty of beaches in Chile
La Reñaca beach in Valparaiso is a Local Favorite

Spend some time in Vina del Mar. Great beaches (although the water is cold, so I don’t recommend a swim there). There are some really trendy restaurants and the famous “Reloj de Flores” flower clock.

Pablo Neruda lived in Chile
Pablo Neruda’s House in Isla Negra

Go to Isla Negra. Like I said above, check out Pablo Neruda’s House and eat some Caldillo – Yummy

borderio restaurants santiago de chile
Santiago de Chile’s borderio area is known for its varied restaurants

Check out the restaurants at Borde Rio in Santiago de Chile.

Lakes Region in the south. Think the greenest, most beautiful place on earth.

The Atacama desert
Chile has many varied landscapes including lakes and deserts

Go to the Atacama…you don’t need to go to Africa to experience the desert, Chile’s Atacama should do just fine

Eat ostrich, there are tons of Ostrich farms

Check out the Mercado de Pulgas for great finds from farmers and artisans

Casablanca Winery Chile
Vina Casablanca Chile

Did I mention drink wine? yeah..their Sauvignon Blancs are stunning and so are their cold weather Syrahs. They also have Carmenere which is pretty much extinct anywhere else

Meet some locals. Chileans are lovely…just don’t tell my Argentinean friends I said this.

Have questions about Chile? Leave them in the comments.


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