● from 2016 e-mails ●
We went to Valparaiso and beaches a bit north and south of there. The ones south are a bit more beautiful. Hold on to your wallet in Val. With your daughter being there and a family helping, should have no problems. In between Valparaiso and Santiago are some fabulous wineries. I would recommend at least one! Santiago is also interesting. You can also take day hiking tours outside Santiago. Definitely recommend the San Francisco Glacier. If you need a guide, I know a very reliable and trustworthy local, and an outdoor tour company that is superb. You will have an awesome time. We spent about 20 days there, and eight in Argentina. Great escapes!
The guides I know specialize in day trips out of town, especially nature trips. Chile has so much to offer. The company name is Hike Chile. They are a little pricey, but good. I also know a guy who works with a company and he does trips on the side. They are less expensive that way. If you want to hike, ride horses or do some other activity while you're in Santiago, this guy is worth it, as is Hike Chile. If you are staying in Valparaiso the entire time, I would research tour companies in that city. Trip Advisor will give you ideas, and the reviews are very helpful. You can take free walking tours in Valparaiso and Santiago. However, if you are dealing with your big family unit (4 or more), I would think it's best to pay for private tours, which include a guide, driver and vehicle.
The biggest tip I could give you - and I don't know your travel experience, who's going with you and their ages, the age of the daughter studying there, or how much research you have done already - is take safety precautions seriously in Santiago and especially Valparaiso, which may have the worst reputation for pick pocketing and theft in South America. Read what you can online and in guidebooks for safety tips before you go. You don't have to worry about your physical safety (unless in wrong places at night), but anytime of the day your wallets, handbags, shopping bags, luggage, wallets, passports and smartphones could be snatched. So be smart. iPhones are particularly popular, and if you and your kids have them out like you do here, believe me, someone will look for an opportunity. They are known to identify targets and wait for a time to walk up and snatch a phone right our of your hands! We bought a tiny camera with wrist strap at Best Buy for our outdoor photos and kept our smart phone in our pocket, only pulling it out when it was absolutely safe, or in a coffee shop or restaurants. Backpacks are easy pickings for thieves. They can be cut open in crowded spots.
We had nothing stolen, and I didn't even detect the possibility. However, I read all the warnings and used my years of experience to limit the chances. A lady I know from Asheville - her husband has his wallet and passport stolen on the metro in Santiago. But again, I emphasize that Val has a horrible reputation. If you are smart (not paranoid) and sure of of your day's plans and don't stick out so much, you will be fine. The key is reading up, taking precautions and utilizing the tour companies to take you around. They will be your security, too.
Good luck. Chile is one of my fav countries!!!!
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