Although Santiago is not often the first city that comes to mind when talking about a Latin American metropolis, its subdued charm and quiet chic certainly deserve to be in the same category as Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro. It’s this ambience along with the perfect blend of old meets new which makes the capital city so enticing.

The two geographical landmarks which characterise this city are the majestic wall of the Andes to the west and the two arms of the Mapocho River which encompass the city centre. Santiago is a metropolis on the edge of a vast natural wilderness, which means there are endless things to do, see and experience.

Santiago’s fascinating urban tapestry is the sum of its parts. Today, there are 32 neighbourhoods which make up the city’s mass, each with its own unique background and character. From the Moorish mansions of Patronato to the colourful outdoor markets of Bellavista, this city never ceases to amaze. Most of the fun in visiting Santiago is simply wandering around these eclectic neighbourhoods and soaking in the ambience.

Linking the districts together is a web of museums, plazas and leafy parks. The food in Santiago is as varied as its neighbourhoods and without a doubt, one of biggest delights of your visit to Chile. Complementing everything is a vibrant nightlife where you can relax in a purely Chilean bar drinking pisco sours or hit the nightclubs for an energetic night of dancing.

If the city life starts to drag you down, you can easily escape to the country. Within a couple of hours you can be hiking on a glacier in the Andes, skiing down some of the best slopes in the southern hemisphere, touring a winery or simply taking a picnic in a verdant evergreen forest. No matter how long you stay, it’s unlikely you’ll run out of things to do in Santiago.

For nearly three centuries after Santiago was founded, Chile remained a backwater for Spain. As an unimportant subject of the Viceroyalty of Peru, it wasn’t until the late 18^th century that any kind of development began.

When Spanish colonial rule finally ended in the early 19^th century, Santiago only had around 30,000 residents. The city roads were unpaved; there were few schools and very little cultural life. That quickly changed once the city was linked by railway and telegraph to the economically booming town of Valparaiso. Poor people from the countryside began migrating in huge numbers to Santiago in search of work and the city’s population grew.

As the country tried to establish democracy, control of the country swayed between military coups, wealthy businessmen and middle class radicals. When President Salvador Allende was killed in a coup in 1973, the country sank into a dark, fearful period as General Augusto Pinochet took control and eradicated his political opponents. Since Pinochet’s removal in 1998, Chile has been slowly coming to terms with his legacy and rebuilding its democratic system.

The climate of Santiago is similar to the Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild but wet winters. Since it’s located in the southern hemisphere, Chile sees in summer from December until February. Temperatures often top 30°C and the city empties out as local residents head to the beaches or the mountains to cool down.

Winter is not a popular time to visit Santiago. The city has one of the world’s worst smog problems, bringing dangerously polluted air to the valley. Although the temperatures aren’t cold, it rains frequently and is often grey and dismal. The damp grey days combined with the smog make for truly unpleasant conditions.

Autumn and spring are the ideal times to visit Santiago. The weather is fine and mild and the tourist numbers are fairly low. The autumn months between March and May bring glorious colours to the mountains and crisp, cool temperatures. The springtime months between September and November sees the trees in full blossom and fresh, clean air.