Chile's central region: Valparaiso (Valpo)

Description: 120 km (74 miles) NW of Santiago; 8 km (5 miles) S of Viña del Mar

Valpo is Chile's principal port and second-largest city. Despite its size, it is Chile's most distinctive city and one of South America's most intriguing. Occupying a narrow strip of land between the waterfront and the nearby hills, its convoluted centre has distinctive, sinuous cobbled streets, and is overlooked by precipitous cliffs and hilltop suburbs which are accessed by funicular railways and stairway footpaths.
It is conducive to maze-like strolls and rides on the funicular, and its natural history, fine arts and maritime museums are justly famed.
Muelle Prat, the recently redeveloped pier, is a lively market area.
The most interesting part of Valparaiso is the old section, where you will find colonial buildings, churches, and museums, a great place to stay in this area is the Hotel Manoir Atkinson, itself a restored patrimonial home.
Also worth seeing is Pablo Neruda's favourite house, a few minutes from town. A Colourful, sunlit mansion overlooking the water, the house is now a museum, a visit to which, can pleasantly occupy an afternoon.