Chile Santiago is one of the most interesting capitals in the whole South America. Big, organized, friendly and modern are just some of the attributes it carries – in addition to being the largest city in the entire country, with a population that exceeds six million inhabitants.
Relatively close to Brazil, Santiago remains a good getaway for us brazilians throughout the year. But it is in autumn and winter – which continues until September – that the Chilean capital gains more special contours due to the cold weather, with temperatures ranging from 3°C to 18°C.
Surrounded by Andes mountain range – from the window of the plane we were already impressed by the size of the set of mountains and their snowy peaks -, Santiago has beautiful landscapes and still combines the aromas of history with its world-renowned wines.
With direct flights from the main capitals of Brazil such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Florianópolis, Brasília, among others, this destination can be reached in a few hours through at least three major airlines.
Thus, the capital of Chile is ideal for a trip that can be shorter in the July holidays or during an extended holiday.
Adding to its attributes, the city still offers us good wines, good food and great cultural tours.
But what to do in Santiago? Recently, while recording the new season of CNN Travel & Gastronomy I was able to stipulate a script with a good balance between the classic and the one that deviates a little from the curve.
In other words, a visit to the famous Plaza de Armas, for example, is more than welcome and can also be done on an itinerary that includes the alternative Franklin, a commercial district that carries a strong cultural and historical identity. Put in the midst of it wines and food from renowned houses, and voilawe have a complete trip!
the classic
Plaza de Armas
One of the first stops to really get to know Santiago is at Plaza de Armas, ground zero of the city and heart of the capital. Here, some of the main architectural and historical symbols that date from the colonial era reside, such as the Correo Central, the City Hall and the Metropolitan Cathedral .
The latter, by the way, is the main church in all of Chile and dates from the 18th century, and has a neoclassical style. Its elongated interior is worth visiting, with ornate ceilings that sparkle the eyes.
O Postal Museum in operation since 1949, and the National Historical Museum which has several thematic collections that tell the history of the country, are also here and have free entrance . Regional performances usually take place around the square, which is a good spot for those who want to immerse themselves in local culture and history.
Palace of the Moneda
Built in the late 18th century, the imposing neoclassical-style building is now home to the seat of the Chilean presidency. One of the best-known tourist spots in all of Chile, the stop here is to admire the building, take a few clicks and witness the characteristic ceremony of the changing of the guard.
A traditional civic event, which has taken place since the mid-19th century, the changing of the guard takes place every other day at 10 am on weekdays.
Stage for popular demonstrations, Plaza de la Moneda is a landmark of the 1973 coup d’état – which left Pinochet in charge of the country – and it is possible to cross the Palace from Plaza de La Constitución to the north via Patio de Los Naranjos.
La Chascona – Pablo Neruda’s House
The greatest Chilean poet and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971, Neruda had a house in Santiago, which is almost like an extension of his artistic expression.
Next to Cerro San Cristóbal, the house was born as a hiding place for Matilde Urrutia, her secret love at the time, and the name alludes to her beloved’s hair.
The Chilean icon’s house houses objects used by the artist and has a unique decoration. Paintings presented by important painters, friends of the poet, ended up forming a valuable artistic collection – there is even art by Diego Rivera, a famous Mexican artist.
THE entrance to La Chascona It costs 7,000 Chilean pesos – around R$40.
the modern
The central area of Santiago, its parks and institutions are already worthy of very interesting tours of the Chilean capital. But, if you want to have a different taste of this little piece of the city and the country, then the stop is at Franklin neighborhood.
The place is categorized as a commercial center that spreads across the Matadero Market an old slaughterhouse and known for having meat and various products, even its colorful murals that refer to local history.
Among simple restaurants, flea market and antiques, stands out the Franklin Factory an old building in the neighborhood before being used as a factory, which today has become an interesting gastronomic project with a variety of producers.
The sheds, which are located in an industrial facility of almost 6 thousand square meters, were recovered and house a space with about 20 entrepreneurs. Here, we find a little bit of everything: there are chocolates, beers, gins.
Also open on weekends, here we can find the Cervejaria Alquimia, the Café Andariego, the delicatessen La Fiambrería, among others. It’s worth stopping by a charcuterie to see the sausage process, as well as getting into the Pickle Bar and snacking on some well-made food, as well as enjoying a distiller that makes vermouth.
If you are looking for a good breakfast or brunch, this is the place. demo Franklin a small and charming cafe that is located in one of the sheds of the Víctor Manuel commercial place, close to the market Persian Bio Bio – the neighborhood is basically made up of several commercial places like these. Cucumber tartar, tiraditos, fried fish, chips, octopus, and a variety of other dishes and foods are served here in a casual and modern way.
Anyway, Franklin is a pleasant discovery, where a factory scene full of warehouses has given way to antique stores, bookstores, art galleries, cafes, bars and all kinds of things to buy.
A taste of gastronomy
In the midst of its historical tours and its rich culture that mixes Spanish and indigenous colonial elements, it is clear that Santiago would also present us with mouth-watering cuisine.
To begin with, the city is home to the Borago a restaurant considered the best in Chile and which is still in the 6th place among the best in Latin America and not 38th among the 50 best in the world in 2021, according to The World’s 50 Best ranking. Expect, therefore, for a true gastronomic experience in the house captained by chef Rodolfo Guzman .
The interesting thing is that Boragó, which is located in the Vitacura neighborhood, is different and stands out in the smallest aspects, where the objective is to unite nature and cuisine in a beautiful harmony. Here, we find a tasting menu called Endemic, in which the chef works with plants, flowers, fruits and everything else that the territory of Chile can offer in a natural way.
The food comes from undisturbed soils, collected from communities and small producers in the country, which is why the dishes can vary even during each meal – vegetables, for example, grow in a place half an hour from the restaurant in the most natural way. possible.
I ended up meeting the chef for lunch in the experimental kitchen of his restaurant, at which point I was able to see up close his instigating process of creation that portrays an ancestral Chile. On the walls, we even see slates with drawings, figures and sayings that are part of this process. The result? A true art with unusual food and flavors.
For receiving so much recognition, it is important to arrive here with a reservation in hand, which can be made through the site. The tasting menus cost R$400 on average.
Also in Vitacura, in the metropolitan region of Santiago, is the Restobar dementia address inaugurated in August of last year and commanded by the young chef Benjamin Nast – the name behind DePatio, which also appears on the list of the best in Latin America, and the Asian DeCalle.
In the new location, which has a large terrace with a bar and a neon sign with the name of the house, we can taste signature and classic cocktails that combine with a rich and creative cuisine.
We satiate ourselves with delicacies like asparagus with mint, pork jowl presses – two sandwiches of brioche bread stuffed with the tasty jowls – as well as house-style meatballs and hake buñuelos, good for sharing.
It’s also worth the trip to the Pulpería Santa Elvira , close to the Victoria district, which is a charming little house that works as a kitchen that resonates with local and neighborhood habits. The place maintains a spirit of pulperías, small shops in rural areas, and is adorned with antiques, photos and period furniture, in addition to selling products from local residents and canned goods from local companies on the shelves.
It’s a good tip for a leisurely lunch filled with creative foods with natural foods from local producers, in which the kitchen is led by Javier Aviles Lira .
getaway to winery
It is not news that the Concha and Toro is one of the most famous wine producers in the world. And when in Chile, a super wine producing country, it is impossible not to feel seduced to go to its wineries and, at the same time, get in touch with its history and vineyards.
Located in the rural area of Pirque, a municipality in the metropolitan area of Santiago, just a few minutes drive from the capital, “Vinícolas y Adegas Concha y Toro” is the main oenological attraction in Santiago. It was in this same place, in the heart of Valle del Maipo, that the company was founded in 1883 by Melchor Concha y Toro.
Speaking of him, here, in addition to the traditional tours to get to know the property and taste certain labelsit is possible to know the production of Don Melchor the company’s iconic wine that ranks among the best in the world and makes reference to its creator.
For US$ 180 (about R$ 860), the private tour called Collector’s Experience by Don Melchor, which has to be booked through the website, starts with a tour of the 22 hectares of the garden of the summer residence of the winery’s founder. Then we see the historic guard cellar dating back to the mid-19th century, where Don Melchor wine ages in French oak barrels.
The tour also includes visits to the family’s imposing and well-preserved summer house, which also dates from the 19th century. One of the best parts is the tasting, when we taste a selection of three lots from the terroir of Puente Alto, which give rise to Don Melchor. .
Not only that, we have the opportunity to taste the latest vintage of Don Melchor, and the visit ends at the Sala Coleção Don Melchor, where all the vintages of the wine since its launch in 1987 can be found.
Bonus: Valle Nevado
If you want to ski for the first time and enter the world of snow sports, the Valle Nevada could be a good option. One of the largest ski areas in South America Valle Nevado is just 90 minutes from the capital Santiago and has a privileged view of the Andes Mountains – at 3,000 meters above sea level – and leisure infrastructure for all ages.
Ski and snowboard classes, spa, fitness center, bars, pubs and restaurants of different types of cuisine are offered in the complex. Valle Nevado has three accommodation options, and maintains the standard in all. They are: Tres Puntas, Puerta del Sol and Valle Nevado, with three, four and five stars, respectively.
Source: CNN Brasil
