Our time in Santiago was spent exploring it’s many terrific squares, churches and a bar here and there. It’s one of the great cities of South America and I always enjoy visiting on my travels through this city.

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This post is one chapter in our trip to Peru and Chile via Air Canada Executive First (Business Class). This trip was booked using Air Canada e-upgrades to upgrade into Air Canada International Executive First class. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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City Visit: Enjoying Santiago, Chile

We had a full day available to us in Santiago, Chile after our flight down from Lima, Peru. We had set aside a day of sightseeing to re-connect with the plane. It was MrsWT73’s first visit to the city where as it was my second time through, having previously visited on a trip in 1998. The city had grown up a little bit since then but, in some ways, it was the same old charming place; beautiful classic architecture with the occasional modern touch.

Visiting Cerro Santa Lucia:

We set out for the day on foot towards Cerro Santa Lucia and the Terazza N in Centro (downtown) Santiago. It was a nice clear winter day. The city of Santiago is very similar to my home city of Vancouver with snow covered mountains forming the back drop of the skyline.

Visiting the Plaza de a la Constitucion:

It was a short walk west ward down over to the Plaza de la Constitucion and the Palacio de la Moneda.

Visiting the Plaza de Armas:

We walked into town and up to the Plaza de Armas, stopping by the gorgeous Cathedral Metropollitana. It was built between 1748 and 1800 and is probably the most beautiful church in Chile. It’s old world charm is surrounded by modernistic glassy towers which makes for a startling contrast between old and new.

Stopping in for a drink at La Piojera:

After a day worth of sightseeing, it was time for some local charm. We wondered over to La Piojera. It’s one of the great drinking bars of Santiago having been in operation since 1922 through three family generations. It offered an exceptionally authentic experience that is rare in today’s drinking establishments Previous guests have included past Chilean presidents. It’s been on the demolition block by developers for several years but seems to be saved.

After enjoying the house speciality of two strong ciders, we headed back towards Barrio Provendica. It’s always pretty in Santiago.

Dinner at Liguria:

We arrived for the evening at Liguria in the Barrio Provencida neighbourhood. It’s a fantastic little chain of four restaurants in Santiago. We were able to enjoy a little Chilean Carmenière Reserva off their robust wine list with over 50 bottles, along with a great asado steak.

To Re-Cap:

All in all, a great day visit to Santiago. A trip through here is always a pleasant experience and the city seems to fit me like a glove whenever I pass through. The Barrio Providencia was a great place to be situated and I’d love to be based here again the next time we visit.

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