concierge.com -Why Chile?

[bonniejoy03]

Hi M...didn't you hear the LL Halloween party was moved to Chile?



Only kidding...yes, a few more weeks until I leave for Chile. It will be sad leaving the new pup but she will be in good hands with our friends. Can't wait. It seems as if Anthony Bourdain's travel channel special to The Cliffs Preserve at Patagonia is shown now every week here in Central PA!!! I am looking forward to the trip and time away. I think I have all the loose ends wrapped up! Ready to go!!

[Mountie]

Wonder if LL is going to put up some more programs for Chile in 2010?

[LL_Travelfan]

I certainly hope so. The reports from bonniejoy, omegaet and exflygirl sounded great.

[jsattapr2]

-O-, what's the name and contact info for the guide you used in Santiago? I have a business associate heading that way in February and wants to spending a couple of days with someone who knows their way around.



bonniejoy03, did you use a guide in Santiago?

[bonniejoy03]

Hi J...Yes...I used a guide...ME!! I read a lot and learned to manuever the metro. I did a great job! We were in Santiago for 24 hours and I was able to visit the major tourist sights (funicular, Plaza de armas, Bellavista Patio.) Not bad on no sleep! Everytime we seemed to be lost, some amazing person personally guided us to our correct destination. It was wonderful. Great city! (the tour would have continued however, I had two pisco sours and that was it.......)

[omegaet]

j-s-2...bonniejoy03 would probably be the number one choice for a sightseeing guide in Santiago for your friend (just put a limit on the pisco sours). If she is unavailable, you might want to check out Hector Medina:



http://sites.google.com/site/privatetourguidechile/



Hector does offer a variety of tours around and outside of Santiago. We have used his services on three occassions...not so much for "tours" but more as a private driver. We generally do our own research before arriving in country (much like bonniejoy03), but since many of the places we wish to visit are somewhat "off the beaten path," walking and the metro are not really good options. Hector does have a posted fee schedule for his standard tours....however, flexibility is also a component when exchanging emails and asking about tours.



Liz Caskey http://www.lizcaskey.com/ is also a very good source (we have previously posted some comments regarding her services). She is the American expat living in Santiago who did the "boots on the ground" work for the Anthony Bourdain show in Chile. She is an expert on wines in Argentina and Chile...and writes for a number of well respected and widely read publication. Her prices are somewhat higher, but her services are flawless.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi O...thanks for the vote of confidence. I 2nd Liz Caskey from what I have heard from other LL travellers. O likes her services and I met some others in Chile who were using her services. Hector was also very responsive to our questions. We didn't use him because our stay in Santiago was so short....good luck!

[jsattapr2]

Thanks, -O-, will pass the contact info along. My associate is NOT looking for a structured city tour, so these individuals might fit the bill. Also, I don't think my associate could afford to pay the additional air fare to get bonniejoy03 back down there.

[bonniejoy03]

He could use frequent flier points!!! Can't wait to go back!!!

[omegaet]

bonniejoy03.....did you "park" your horse in front of the clubhouse at The Cliffs Preserve? We tried taking our trail rides early each morning and timing our return to catch lunch and let the horse grab a snack as well:







You will be able to get in some interesting rides up in the Atacama....the horses love climbing the sand dunes.....which is a little different than the trails at The Cliffs Preserve in Patagonia!