Jaunted

It's Summer Somewhere: Viña del Mar, Chile

1/21/2008 at 11:00 AM
Tags: It's Summer Somewhere, It's-Summer-Somewhere, Music Travel (all tags)

Here in our neck of the woods "chilly" is the operative word. However, in the real Chile, it's prime time summer. We've been dreaming of heading to Viña del Mar, Chile next month for the annual Festival de Viña del Mar, the event of the summer. Starting February 20th, for six days locals and visitors alike get to experience great concerts from acts including Journey, Earth, Wind & Fire and Nelly Furtado.

Viña del Mar, called just "Viña" by most, was established in the 1870s as a getaway for Chile's more luxe crowds. It's still the summer home of the president of the country and boasts a municipal casino, stunning beaches, gardens and great restaurants and shopping. Check into the sleek and hip Del Mar Hotel, the city's latest and greatest, with great ocean views of the Pacific from most rooms and a rooftop pool.

Take a tour around town in a victoria (horse-drawn carriage) and don't miss the Flower Clock, above, which is always adorned with seasonal blooms. Getting there? Daily buses arrive from Santiago, just over an hour away.

Related Stories:
· It's Summer Somewhere coverage [Jaunted]
· It's Summer Somewhere Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: annais]