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I’ve written a great deal on Chile but I’ve for the most part concentrated on Santiago and the major outlying areas. In this article I’ll concentrate more on the beach and coastal areas.

I frequent these areas just about every single weekend and had, for a time, planned on building my cottage near the coastal areas. I can say there’s still a great deal of readily available land for purchase in the coastal areas also.

Prices for a lot range about $3500 to $7500, depending on the size and locations desired. In my ebook on Chile, I have specified some websites you can go to look at that have photos of available land lots and surrounding areas. These areas are very attractive and rustic. The kind of places, where a small cabin would make one feel so cozy and at home in the environment.

The coastal areas of Chile have a lot to offer anyone who is thinking of living there. The most popular area or city is Viña Del Mar. It’s the most popular beach or coastal town due to the fact that, it has a casino, which makes it the central focal point. People travel for miles around to go to the casino and this is where the Chilean elite and well to do play. It’s very common to run into local tv personalities at the casino and Saturday’s are the best for casino action. The casino hotel itself almost rivals the MGM in Las Vegas, in terms of luxury.

If you’re not a gambler that’s ok also, because Viña Del Mar has a wealth of shops, restaurants and waterfront activity for any and all to enjoy. Right next door to the casino is a large city park where you can rent scooters, bicycles and more for the kids, if you’re looking for a bit of romance, then try a “Victoria”, which is a horse drawn carriage ride around the city center.

Right behind the casino is the carriage stand, where you and your loved one can take a slow ride down one of the side streets that is parallel with the ocean. You can ride and see the waves and the sunset.

Going into the main part of downtown Viña, you will find tons of street vendors selling anything from oil on canvas paintings of seascapes, to handcrafted leather items and more. There’s much to see and do and there are more small curio shops then I’ve ever seen in my life in Viña. If you’re looking to collect unique and rare items, this would be the place to start.

Now as far as accommodations, the cheapest places are called "residenciales". These are old family houses where you can rent a room for a very low price, you won't find luxury but it’s cheap and clean. One of the best places can be found at:

Residencial Blanchait
Avenida Valparaiso 82-A
Viña Del Mar
Singles USD 20.00 - 25.00

There’s fine dining in Viña but if you want something fast and simple there are tons of cafes and fast food type of restaurants. Fine dining is great but this city is one with people on the move who don’t always want to take the time to enjoy a fine cuisine. Everybody’s coming and going at all times of day and night. The city is not as lit up as Las Vegas but believe me when I say it has the same feel, the same energy and the same excitement.

During the month of February, the Viña Del Mar International Song Festival has been held each year since 1970, lasting all of six days. The venue for this major event is the Quinta Vergara amphitheatre, and it’s organized in three parts: the first is the international competition, which traditionally has around ten countries taking part; then there is the folk section, with performers coming from all over Chile; and finally the international show, sprinkled with international stars, and the ever-hopefuls who wish to win over the demanding audience, and let me tell you, Chilean crowds are very tough to please when it comes to entertainment.

Many american cruise ships are starting to make regular stops now in Viña Del Mar which is quickly making it a very international city. One of my other favorite cities is Valparaiso. Valparaiso is only ten minutes by car from Viña Del Mar and it’s considered a historic city. This city has the same protection as that of Prague; nothing in this town can be changed. It all must be preserved exactly as is.

Valparaiso is more or less a historical monument, the whole city! It’s very old but this is its charm and character. A real treat in Valparaiso, is a ride on an ascensore. The city of Valparaiso has been called “The Vertical City” because it was built on large hills, and so the city is truly divided. The shops and stores are in the lower part of the city but the residential living is in the hilltop areas, and to get from the hills to the lower part of the city you can take an ascensore.

That is, basically a large elevator car that takes you from the upper to the lower part of the city and vice versa. It’s only a couple hundred pesos for the ride but it’s a thrill you’ll always remember and cherish. The ascensores where first built and put into use sometime in 1883 and then there were over 83 working units throughout the city giving the townspeople access to the lower parts of the city.

Now there are only 15 working units left. It’s amazing to see these little boxes going up and down tracks built into the sides of hills. They work just like old time elevators in that they use a counterweight system to provide the lift. It’s highly suggested if you plan on coming to Chile you make this one of the things you want to experience.

If you want more info on them you may want to get your hands on my eMag, that’s free at my website. Valparaiso has always reminded me of a European city, due to its architecture and styling. Narrow, cramped cobble stoned streets, give a definite air of old world European charm.

It has always reminded me of Paris, and once you’ve walked down the streets you’ll feel the European influence too, even some of the street names are French. There are several good cafes that are French in name also. One place I can recommend for cozy eating with Euro flair is the Le Filou De Montpellier Café. Stop by and get a sandwich and a cup of tea, you’ll be glad you did.

There’s also Casa Museo, the museum for Pablo Neruda, a great Chilean writer. This is definitely a cultural event and worth seeing. The Brighton Hotel is a great place to stay that also has a lounge with lots of excitement! There are all types of places to find action in Valparaiso.

Just try to get here before June which is the rainiest month for this area, and when it rains it truly pours!

So now comes the big question; is this a good place to potentially live in? The answer is yes it is. Rents are cheap here and that‘s because there are no modern buildings here, remember Valparaiso is a historical city, so there’s no new building going on.

Do keep in mind though; it’s a bohemian lifestyle here in the real sense of the word.

The apartment buildings are old and Chile is a country that is only interested in what’s new and seemingly modern. Most do not wish to live in an older building, as I’ve said in my previous writings. Landlords find it difficult to rent older buildings out. This is why rents are so low here but this is not the case in all places. No, in some parts of the city the rent is high, because you’re living near the ocean. Overall, for the right person, this can be an ideal situation though.

There’s very little work in Valparaiso. Most work in Santiago and commute everyday. It’s just a little over an hour from Santiago to Valparaiso and Viña Del Mar and for many this is the only way to make a living. But due to the fact that cruise ships are making regular stops here and the casino is the big draw, I suspect a persona can make a great living teaching casino personnel English.

There are also smaller areas that are all along the coast, that make great hideaways, and places to live. If you have a car, I’d say take a drive down the coastal highway to Con Con (pronounced, Cone Cone). This is a great coastal town. Sleepy, rustic but with real spirit, several hundred apartment complexes line the ocean with the only thing separating them from the sand is the two lane highway.

Don’t be alarmed if you happen to see so many Greek styled apartments in this area. That’s normal. Remember what I said about Santiago being an eclectic and diverse city? The same is true for the coastal areas also. You’ll swear that you’re taking a drive in Greece when you see the stylings and the color schemes of the apartments and that’s one of the things that make Con Con so interesting. It almost seems to be a misplaced city.

Whether you’re going to this area or coming back from it you will pass Edelweiss. It’s a Swiss restaurant that has a breathtaking view of the ocean and nearby cliffs. Stop and soak up more Euro styled culture at this great restaurant and have a piece of cake and coffee. Check out the menu for other traditional Swiss and German dishes. The best time to go is around 4pm, any later than that and you risk running into the early evening crowd. Just look for the large Swiss flag and you’ll know you’re there.

Ah yes, you’re wondering now, what’s the average rent for a place in Con Con right? Well it averages around $375 give or take, depending again on how new or old the building is. Always expect to pay more if the building is newer and as I have said in my past writings, you don’t want a newer building.

Here in Chile, the newer apartment buildings do look all modern and such but they are oh so small space-wise. The older buildings have way more character and are alot more spacious in size. Again, go to my website and download a free copy of Global Living and check out the pictorial on Valparaiso and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

My only complaint, and the reason why in the end I chose to start building my cabin elsewhere, is that the airport is very far from the Valparaiso-Viña Del Mar area. From the airport, these areas are almost two hours away. So I thought to myself, if I arrive from traveling and have been on a plane for ten hours, I don’t want to spend an additional two hours in a car just to get home.

So I ruled out building near the beach and coastal areas but I love them so much that I spend just about every weekend in these areas. My friends like to go to gamble at the casino (they’re gambling addicts, but that’s another story in itself) but I like to explore and look around or find a good place to eat.

If you love photography, then these areas are a photographers dream! Even if you’re not a great photographer, take lots of pictures anyway! You’ll be glad later you did. There’s no way you can come to any of these towns and not leave with a good feeling. I personally, doubt one can come here and not entertain the idea of moving and living there.

Don’t think for a moment you can’t live and make it in any one of these cities or places, because chances are with a bit of resourcefulness you can. There’s nothing like staring out over the cities from a hilltop and enjoying the lights and the sound of the waves hitting the shores.

It’s then that you’ll realize, just as I did, there’s so much the world has to offer, and that there’s a place for everyone. You just have to find your place and make it your home. Who knows, maybe the beach areas of Chile will one day become your new home.
Please include this bio if you use this article.

Chile the country not the food
by Ryan Fyfe

Chile, The Republic of Chile is a country located in South America. Chile occupies a long coastal strip between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. To the East It shares borders with Argentina, and to the North Peru.

Several theories exist to the origin of the world Chile. One theory, the Incas of Peru, who had failed to conquer the Araucanians, called the valley of the Aconcagua by corruption of the name of a tribal chief called Tili. Tili who ruled the area during the time of the Incan conquest. One more theory points out the similarities of the Aconcagua valley with that of the Casma in Peru. In Casma Peru there was a town and valley named Chili. Others think that Chile may have derived its name from the indigenous Mapuche word chilli, which may have meant "where the land ends" or "the deepest point of the Earth".

Approximately 10,000 years ago, Native Americans migrating from the North settled in fertile valleys of South America which is now Chile. The Incas for a while extended their empire into what is present day northern Chile, but because of the area's remoteness, and the strong opposition that existed at the time extensive settlement was prevented.

Ryan Fyfe may be contacted at http://www.pixibot.com

Chile As A Romantic Getaway?
by Norm G

Today Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtraveland Bookpleasuresis pleased to have as a guest Paul Lehman, Managing Partner of Austin-Lehman Adventures. Paul is an expert on travel to Chile.

Good Day Paul and thank you for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.

Paul:

It is a real pleasure Norm, thanks for the opportunity to talk about my most favorite South American destination.

NORM: Please tell our readers something about yourself and your expertise pertaining to Chile.

Paul:

I am an avid traveler who has been in the adventure travel industry for the past five years. Prior to that, I was involved in a family business headquartered in Chicago. When our family decided to sell our business, I asked myself what I like to do most in the world. The answer was to be active and pursue my passion for travel. Hence, my business partner, Dan Austin and I founded Austin-Lehman Adventures, which provides upscale, active adventures throughout North, Central, and South America. I have personally traveled throughout South America and Chile numerous times.

Norm: Where is Chile and how easy is it to travel from the United States, Canada or Europe to this country?

Paul:

For anyone who has ever been fascinated by geography, the long, impossibly thin line of Chile has always produced awe and astonishment. The country is located in Southern South America, bordered on the west by the South Pacific Ocean, rising into the Andean highlands and mountains between Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru to the east and north.

Chile is very easy to reach from the US. There are frequent non-stop flights from a number of major US cities. Though it is a fair distance from the US and Canada to Chile, the great thing about traveling there is that there is very little time difference. Jet lag is not a problem!

LanChile, the main Chilean Airline and a member of the Oneworld Alliance, offers good service from Miami and other major North American, European and Australasian cities and also serves all the main cities within Chile with several times-a-day service.

NORM: Would you consider Chile a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why?

Paul:

Absolutely. Chile has so many different aspects to it. Because of its length from North to South, it has incredibly diverse eco-systems from the driest desert in the world in the Atacama region to the most beautiful mountains in the world in Torres del Paine National Park. Also, Chile has a very well working travel infrastructure with good roads, reliable and frequent air service, and many beautiful remote resorts and romantic hideaways.

To paraphrase the great Chilean poet and romantic, Pablo Neruda, Chile will do to you what spring does to the Cherry trees.

NORM: What is the best time to visit Chile from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe?

Paul:

All times of year. Remember that Chile's seasons are the reverse of ours in the Northern Hemisphere. So, while we are sweltering here up in July, in Chile, you can schuss the slopes of Portillo in the incredibly beautiful Andes Mountains. Conversely, when it is winter here, you can be sunning yourself on the Chile's Pacific coast in Valparaiso or hiking magnificent trails in Patagonia. Falls in the Lake District are beautiful, too. Austin-Lehman Adventures offers its 10 Day/9 Night itinerary combining the Wine Country, Lake District, and Patagonia in January and March.

Norm: How safe is it to travel to Chile?

Paul:

Chile is among the most stable and safest countries in South America. Like travel everywhere, tourists should take the same precautions they would take traveling in their own countries. The main thing to be concerned about is the occasional pick pocketing or theft of your handbag, backpack, or camera from your rental car, restaurant, or unlocked hotel room. Use common sense and always be aware of your surroundings and whereabouts of your personal items. A good resource for safe traveling abroad can be found on the U.S. DEPT OF STATE WEBSITE

NORM: Could you give our readers an idea of the costs involved if travel originates from the USA or Canada?

Paul:

Flights to Chile are comparably priced to travel from the US and Canada to Europe. I've seen roundtrip flights from Miami to Santiago for as little as $475. As always, travellers should keep their eyes open for frequent discounts provided by airlines. Because the seasons are the opposite, high season in Chile occurs during our winters. But, Chile remains a relative bargain when compared to travel in the US and in Europe.

NORM: If you had to choose 5 unequalled venues in Chile for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why?

Paul:

At the top of my list would be the EXPLORA LODGESin the Atacama Desert and in Patagonia. These luxury eco-lodges offer wonderful activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and touring in beautiful surroundings.

The spa, Termas de Puyuhuapi, in northern Patagonia is another very romantic, secluded spot where honeymooners can enjoy hiking, boating, fly-fishing, and spa-ing in very comfortable accommodations.

Located on a picturesque lake in one of the most stunning volcanic regions on earth, the Yan Kee Way Lodgeoffers gourmet dining, very romantic accommodations, and an activity program jam packed with fun things to do for everyone.

In Santiago, the top place to stay is Ritz-Carlton. This luxury hotel rivals any in the world. They have a special weddings team that will help you plan your event with a full menu of bridal services to choose from.

I would be remiss if I didn't recommend a trip with our company, Austin-Lehman Advenutures. We have a fabulous 10 day trip to Chile's Wine Country, Lake District, and Southern Patagonia. We feature two luxurious lodges, the Yankee Way and Explora Lodges, and we hike, bike, taste wine, kayak, and river raft. What could be better!

NORM: What should people know about celebrating a wedding in Chile from the point of view of requirements, experience of the various hotels, etc.

Paul:

You should first check with the Chilean Embassy and Consulate Office for current laws and requirements. Getting married abroad is as legal and accepted as if it happened domestically as long as you adhere to the proper requirements of both the host country and your own. I would suggest consulting with a resort or hotel directly or a tour operator such as Austin-Lehman Adventures who has the right connections in country. There are many romantic hotels and resorts, both in the major cities and in rural areas that will do complete wedding planning from the ceremony to the reception.

NORM: How far in advance should a couple prepare themselves for their honeymoon, romantic getaway or wedding in Chile?

Paul:

We recommend that you begin your planning a minimum of 6 months ahead for honeymoons and romantic getaways and a year prior for weddings. Many resort and hotel wedding planning services will help with invitations, travel logistics, and accommodation blocks.

NORM: What resources are available on the Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in Chile?

Paul:

A good site is: Embassy Of Chile- USA

Another for books and ideas is:Lovetripper.com

A Good Online Travel Agency

Thanks Paul

Norm Goldman is a graduate of Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University) in Montreal, Canada, as well as the Université de Montréal, Faculty of Law. He practiced law for 35 years then retired to pursue a career in book reviewing and travel writing. He and his wife Lily are a unique husband and wife team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic destinations and wedding destinations featured on their site at http://www.sketchandtravel.com, as well as several other sites. Norm is also editor of a book reviewing site http://www.bookpleasures.com and contributes to various other sites, as well as being a regular contributor to the Canadian Book Review Annual.

Norm G may be contacted at http://www.sketchandtravel.com or l.goldman@sympatico.ca

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