HD Exploring Valparaiso

Duration: 1 day

Highlights: La Sebastiana, Valparaiso Foundation, Cerro Concepción, Cerro Alegre, Funicular railway.

Half day orientation tour of Valparaiso.

Itinerary

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Valparaiso. The very name conjures up images of a glorious, maritime past. The city is a historic port and university town, famous for its labyrinth hills, which are covered in quaint, colourful old houses and accessible only by a steep climb or by the city’s unique system of funicular railways. This tour gives you the chance to see this famous city at street level, taking in the sights, sounds and vibrancy of this unique place. Highlights include Bellavista, Concepción and Alegre Hills, which were originally settled by German and British immigrants working in the banking and port industries during the golden age of Valparaiso.

This walking tour will commence on Cerro Bellavista Hill with a visit to La Sebastiana, former residence of Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. The house is full to the brim with the eccentric genius’ keepsakes from his many trips abroad, as well as an extensive library. Next, enjoy a scenic walk to the Valparaiso Foundation for a chance to learn about the project with its founder Todd Temkin. Todd is an American contemporary poet, and expert in the works of Pablo Neruda, who fell in love with the city of Valparaiso while teaching literature at the Catholic University of Valparaiso. The Foundation has executed major neighbourhood redevelopment projects; has improved the city's tourist infrastructure; and administers the city's jazz, ethnic music, and opera festivals; among other projects. It also played a huge part in achieving UNESCO World Heritage Site status for the city. As part of the visit, a donation will be made on your behalf to the Foundation.

Continue to the interconnecting Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre Hills, by far the most picturesque area of the city, with its winding roads and staircases, and beautifully restored houses. Highlights include the Palacio Baburizza, an elegant art nouveau mansion that houses the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valparaiso, closed for renovation at the time of writing. Nearby is the Fundación Lukas, dedicated to the life, times and works of journalist and cartoonist Renzo Pecchenino, or ‘Lukas’ as he was better known. Lukas was far more than a humorist or satirist. He depicted the daily life of the locals with great accuracy, and his work stands as a historical reference point to this day. On Cerro Alegre a visit will be made to the Casa Higueras Hotel, a boutique property so typical of many projects in progress at present in Valparaiso. Refreshments will be served, and there will be time to enjoy the views from this vantage point before taking the funicular railway down the hill, where your driver will be waiting to continue the tour.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
This walking tour of Valparaiso’s highlights provides a closer look at its interesting cultural heritage and includes a ride on the city’s unique funicular railway system.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 - 00:20 Drive from pier to La Sebastiana
00:20 - 01:00 La Sebastiana
01:00 - 01:15 Walk to the Valparaiso Foundation
01:15 - 02:15 Valparaiso Foundation; Meeting with Todd Temkin
02:15 - 02:35 Walk to Cerro Concepción
02:35 - 03:00 Cerro Concepción; with visit to church or Fundación Lukas
02:35 - 02:45 Walk to Cerro Alegre
02:45 - 03:30 Cerro Alegre; refreshments
03:30 - 03:40 Walk to Funicular railway
03:40 - 03:45 Funicular railway
03:45 - 04:00 Return drive to terminal

Approximate duration: 4 hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Includes the services of an English-speaking guide
- Bottled mineral water included
- Museums are closed on Mondays
- Activity level is Moderate