Day 3, Tuesday
The Maipo valley is the most famous Chilean wine region, and here we find
one of the most famous, the Undurraga winery. Here we see the newest
and the oldest, including beautifully landscaped gardens and an intimate
tasting room. Just a few minutes away is the Tarapaca winery where we
have a light lunch in a warm country atmosphere. Our next stop is the
Santa Inez/DeMartino winery. Following our winery tour the
DeMartino's treat us to a cocktail/reception. Back to Santiago.

Day 4, Wednesday
Our travel south on Route 5, Chile's main street, takes us through the
most intense agricultural valley in South America. Lunch is in the
wonderfully preserved village of Santa Cruz. The Bisquertt winery
is a short distance away. Our tour of this small winery (by Chilean
standards) is led by the enologist. Close by is the La Postolle winery,
another special site with traditional methods preserved next to modern
presses, stainless steel tanks and underground caves.

Day 5, Thursday
We begin our day with a visit to the Colchagua museum featuring
regional history and artifacts. From here we head south to Curico, the
cherry production capital of Chile. The Montes (or Discover) winery
is just on the edge of town. Aurelio Montes is one of the best enologists
in Chile, and created this winery to produce fine wines for export.
Lunch is at a typical ranch featuring orchards, livestock and
famous Chilean barbeque.

Day 6, Friday
En route to the coast we stop at Los Hornitos for a typical Chilean
lunch served in a unique environment. Our next stop is the
San Jeronimo farm where we explore nature trails, visit the original
hacienda chapel and study the Holsteins waiting to be milked. We
continue to Vina del Mar and our beach side hotel next to Playa
Acapulco, the most famous in Chile. Within a few blocks of the hotel
are hundreds of specialty restaurants, the casino, a large shopping
center, and many more beaches.

Day 7, Saturday
Our comprehensive city tour begins right after breakfast and includes
fishing villages, the port, Valparaiso's 14 hills and colorful houses
clinging to the slopes. La Sebastiana is the most famous of Pablo
Neruda's three homes and displays his eclectic taste in architecture
and artifacts. After visiting Victoria plaza and the new congress building
we proceed to Vina del Mar where we walk in the gardens of
Quinta Vergara.

Day 8, Sunday
Leave the coast, we enter the Casa Blanca valley, covered with
vineyards. The French owned Villard winery is famous for its production
of fine white wines. A light lunch is waiting for us as we sample their
latest vintages. Next we pass through the El Zapata tunnel and enter the
Curicavi valley where we see oranges growing next to peaches, corn and
alfalfa. Finally the Lo Prado tunnel opens to a spectacular view of the
Andes and within minutes we are at the Santiago airport where
we connect to our flight to La Serena.

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