Chile's Central Valley Travel Guide
Travel to Chile's Central Valley - Wine Country - vinyards and haciendas
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South of Santiago is Chile's main centre for wine production. Green fertile lands are covered by haciendas and vineyards, many of which are open to the public as part of the Santa Cruz wine tour. Also home to beautiful national parks like Río de los Cipreses and its inviting thermal baths, there's more to Chile's Wine Country than just its wonderful wine.
A patchwork of greenery, this is the most fertile land in Chile. The area from Santiago to Chillán was really the heart of colonial Chile. Home to the majority of the old haciendas, it was here where the colony's most powerful families ran a feudal system over the countryside. Today, most of this land is controlled by commercial producers, but many signs of its colonial heritage and deeply ingrained traditions remain.
Preserved haciendas and colonial towns with their adobe buildings dot the countryside, Huasos, Chilean cowboys, rule the land. Everyone here prefers to ride rather than drive and rodeos are very popular.
Attractions in Chile's Central Valley
Termas de Cauquenes – High above the Río Cachapoal and surrounded by the foothills of the Andes, these are some of the best hot springs in Chile.
Río de Los Cipreses National Reserve – Often bypassed, this reserve, full of wildlife, is excellent for hiking and horse riding through beautiful scenery.
Lago Rapel – An artificial lake created by damming of two rivers, Lago Rapel has excellent water sports facilities.
Hacienda Los Lingues – One of the oldest and best preserved of the region's haciendas at more than 400 years old.
Santa Cruz wine trail – Nine wineries have joined forces to offer a tour around Santa Cruz's vineyards. Taste more than 200 local varieties of wine.
Radal Siete Tazas National Reserve – One of the prettiest natural sights in the country. Deep in the native forests are seven beautiful waterfalls each carving a “teacup” out of the rock at their bases.
Chillán – Birthplace of Bernardo O'Higgins, founder of the Republic, the town is near some less-visited hot springs, mud baths and has a state of the art spa to unwind in.
Activities in Chile's Central Valley
Hike or horse ride in the Río de Los Cipreses National Reserve, enjoy the water sports at Lago Rapel or hike to the natural wonders of Radal Siete Tazas National Reserve.
Relaxing
Unwind the the region's open air thermal baths or enjoy Chillán's modern spa complex.
Getting Around
Local buses join local towns.
Transport is provided as part of the Santa Cruz wine tours.
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