I can only blame my genetic predisposition to labeling broad swaths of the planet with the same cultural brushstroke for my misconceptions about Chile. As an American, when I think of South America certain images come to mind. Call it a form of cultural racism, but I can’t help it. I’m not exactly sure what I expected to find when I explored Santiago, Chile for the first time, but a beautiful and modern city was not on the short list of expectations I am sorry to say.
Driving around town I was mesmerized by the Spanish architecture juxtaposed against modern glass and steel buildings. It’s also a fiercely green city with parks and trees everywhere serving as the lungs of the city. Here is a look at my exploration of the city in photos, and I hope you’ll be as surprised as I was.
Inviting, to say the least!
I love the Spanish architecture in combination with the palm trees and sun!
A one-way ticket, please:)
We were surprised how much we liked Santiago – we just spent two months there and found new neighborhoods to explore and quirky little things until our very last day in the city. Love all your photos – where were these horses? We never came across them.
The horse photo was taken at Club Hipico, a 19th horse racing facility. It was beautiful out there.
I agree with you, it’s a surprisingly nice city, we stayed a week, but would’ve liked more time there. It’s the city with easily the most European feel to it in South America, just more affluent these days ;). It looks like you had nice weather with the mountains clearly visible, we were less lucky. By th way, the Free Tour of Santiago is one of the best guided tours I’ve been on (Valparaiso slightly better), just to throw in a recommendation for anybody getting inspired to go visiting after seeing your post.
I have to say, I totally agree with your comments. I’ve been to Santiago for a week during July of this year, and I just miss that place so much that I’m searching things about it again hahaha. I’m brazillian and I thought Santiago would be a a city like São Paulo, wich kind of shows that “thing” about being in an undeveloped country, despite the modernity. But no, Santiago brought me more thoughts about another big city, mainly in the central area, it reminded me so much of when I went to New York, three years ago! As this guy Pal said above, it’s the city with easily the most European feel to it in South America, I loved it and as traveller and last but least, as a South American guy, I surely recommend this trip!!!