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Wine Travel / Chile Travel / Santiago Travel / Drinking Travel / South America Travel / Winery Reviews / → All Tags

Skipping Out on Santiago for Casa Silva in Chile's Colchagua Valley

This week, Jaunted Special Contributor Eric Rosen continues his worldwide wine wanderings south of the equator in the Andean foothills of Chile, visiting some of the biggest names in its famous Colchagua and Rapel Valleys. So start looking for a bottle of Carmenere in your grocery store, and join us as we taste through the wines of Chile. Salud!

Don’t get us wrong. We love Santiago cosmopolitan charms, but when we head down to Chile, we like to get out of the city as soon as possible and head to the hinterlands to taste one of the country’s most famous exports (no, not copper): wine.

That’s why, on a recent trip, we started tasting from LAN’s sommelier-assembled list as soon as we boarded our flight, then when we hit the ground, we headed an hour-and-a-half south from Santiago to the country’s famous Colchagua Valley, focusing on the area between the two major towns of San Fernando and Santa Cruz and stopping at some of the biggest names in Chilean winemaking along the way.

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Sharks / Killer Beaches / Animals / Dangerous Travel / Beach Travel / California Travel / → All Tags

Sharks Close Down Cali Beaches, But Not On Porpoise

For those planning to splish splash with their flippy floppies this weekend in Santa Cruz, the plans have changed. Apparently Shark Week just doesn't want to end, but instead of it being in high definition, it’s being played out for real off the coast of the Golden State.

This week, a hungry shark proceeded to nom nom nom on a porpoise. The poor porpoise washed ashore, and researchers are trying to figure out what kind of finned critter exactly was responsible for the attack. Obviously with beach visitors spotting sharks off shore, people are being kept out of the water.

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Movie Set Travel / → All Tags

Movie Set Travel: The Tripper

We have to admit that this week's big screen options are slim pickin's, but if you want to see David Arquette (directing) take a fading stab at salvaging his career, head to theatres to waste $10 on The Tripper.

This one centers on a group of hippies headed to Redwood Forest for a weekend of recreational, er, concerts, when they soon find they're the target of a Reagan-obsessed serial killer. Huh? We know. We thought the same. But if you were married to Courtney Cox and had money to blow on a movie, this must have at least been fun to make!

The Tripper is set in NorCal, Santa Cruz and surrounding forests to be exact. Here are some fun things to check out in the area:

Where To Stay:
Babbling Brook Inn
Part of the historic Inns-by-the-Sea group, Babbling Brook is touted as one of the most romantic--perfect for you and your hippie love. The 13 guest rooms are inspired by famous artists and many have featherbeds, fireplaces, and spa tubs. Chill out in the garden gazebo while you waste the hours listening to the waterfall.

Where To Eat:
Zachary's
Zachary's is all about breakfast, and on weekends you'll find a line that locals claim is totally worth the wait. Order the sourdough pancakes with fresh berries, or the Mike's Mess of eggs and bacon and potatoes, and you'll be a satisfied camper. Look to blend in with SC families, UCSC students, and the like.

Where To Visit:
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Head to the home of the largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco, and feel free to wander. The park consists of over 18,000 acres of old growth and recovering redwood forest, and elevations can reach 2,000 feet. You can camp out, hike, and mountain bike on over 80 miles of trails.

[Photo: The Tripper/MySpace]