Full-Day Valparaíso Private Tour with Vehicle

state were still united. After the implementation of personal IDs and religious tolerance, an era of conservative traditions was about to be left behind. Dominating the upper position of "Cerro Concepción", allows us to see the first sights of Valparaíso Street art and Architecture. The neighborhood used to be the upper part of town, residence of wealthy people, European investors many of them, could afford to have designed residences, earthquake proof for their time. The nineteenth century had been benevolent with those who formed part of a cosmopolitan Valparaíso, city of mixed nationalities and languages. It went from five thousand inhabitants, after independency, to more than one hundred thousand by the early twenty century; when the inauguration of the Panamá canal and german synthesize of nitrate for fertilization and explosive making, made Valparaiso's, and Chile's economy crumble.

“Graffiti” can be a derogative term for some, meaning “scratches on the wall made with spay cans” or a complementary one, meaning “planned art on the wall with an abstract message and skilled graphic work”and hence the controversy and interest about these topi, which makes Valparaíso, and Concepción hill, the perfect spot for admiring, taking pictures, making selfies with the most interesting motives that your eye and/or camera lense might capture. Walking down Templeman Street, we pass several forms of graphic expression on the walls. We shall get to a most street intersection, between by local Inn “Hostal Patrimonio”, unknowingly we might be standing on top of famous Graffiti “We are not Hippies, We are Happies”, existing from 2014 that can be seen from the lower angle of street San Enrique, from the walk sides-stairs of Templeman Street that by that length has become a downhill pedestrian, where a natural flower garden can be found as we walk down street.

Some street alleys are a dead ends, go in and out; go under the building level, show you the way around and some allow us gaze away and connect with nowadays and historic affairs. Dimalow promenade does it all. After a twist to the right coming from uphill, we past several coffee and sandwich shops, including best known cafetería “Entre Cerros”, among icecream shops and handicraft makers-vendor we “dive” into one of the most iconic views of Valparaíso, past hotel-restaurant “Fauna” we shall admire one of the most interesting slides in the city (watch it, it’s somehow steep), from which we can admire, at a glaze, from left to right the Anglican church of Saint Paul, the former German School and current Museum of Immigrant, the Lutheran church of the Holy cross and sigth of Valparaíso bay and Viña del Mar, next Reina Victoria elevator crowns our visit as we encounter the stairs that walk up the courageous ones who slid. We walk back the same way we came as there is more to discover.

Since 1810, the process of emancipation lead chile into finding their own path of development and into new alliances to consolidate such autonomy. As such at mid nineteenth century among, Italian, french and german immigrants, the British were also invited over to help us build this new nation. There was only one contradiction for the new neighbors they were not catholic in a legally bonding catholic country. British citizens were well regarded, but church was first. A solution rose: they were allowed to build only one church, but in a humble way, no cross was allowed on it, their windows and doors could not be larger than those of catholic temples. The British agreed. In 1858, the Anglican Cathedral of St. Paul was built, and these days, more a cultural heritage icon than a place for worship, the temple opens its gates during the week so those interested can experience a part of Valparaíso’s legacy and connection with the British culture.

The building of the "Evangelische Kirchengemeinde zum Heiligen Kreuz" it's since many years 1897 is a reference of gothic o classic style. Better known as “Lutheran church of Valparaíso” or “Lutheran church of the holy cross of Valparaíso”. The church offers mass during Saturday and Sunday, for attendings, even those not member of the church, to come and listen to the beautiful instrumental music and/or choir they still play in an proper organ original from the Anglican church, not so far away in the same hill. Located by the “piano staircase”, makes a memorable location for picture in middle of interesting graffiti and a lookout to the hills and the “Dimalow promenade”, we visited before.

Atkinson Promenade has the typical British and German houses, looking into the ocean. A many big deal of British immigrant who came after the independency took part in the making of such a lovely community. From the first buyers after the independency, until the second owners who develop appreciation for the good taste of looking into the ocean, as you walk the promenade. It's named after the most prominent of them, Juan Atkinson, was a chilean shipbuilding businessman and British descendant whom part took in the construction of this particular row of houses in Cerro Concepción. Nowadays, vendors, musicians and handicraft workers display their items to the delight of visitors who came to enjoy the view and the ocean breeze. Even though these houses exist from the early republic time, the Architectonics of it are not those of a primitive nation. Therefore, they evidence the appreciation of the first British immigrants for that young Republic of Chile they came to call "home".

"Gervasoni" What does it mean? Is it Italian? Sure it is! In the same orientation as other pedestrian and lookouts alike, Gervasoni shares space with the first elevator (funicular) of Valparaíso "Concepción" elevator, at the hill of the same name. Another prominent Italian immigrant had his residence over there, Mr. Renzo Pechenino (Lukas), a cartoonist who worked for El Mercurio and spent most of his life drawing for such newspaper. The first café of the area, Café Turri, was named after the tower Turri, we can admire it from above. It shows the hour right "twice a day" and it indicates the location of the banking area downtown, where the ocean used to reach. Gervasoni, was an entrepreneurial go-getter who arrived quite young into the expansion years of Valparaíso, he participated, like many others, in shipping, fishing and running the South American Steam Ship Company. They named the promenade after him in order to honor his memory. Even though he did not live over there.

Pedro Belisario Gálvez former miner and journalist of the newspaper “El Chileno”, of ample national difusion, did precise and extensive descriptions about life conditions, unease, discomfort and improvements experienced by the miners. The current street alley, it is shortly named after him, just “Gálvez” alley. His writings had great impact in the chilean society of his time. The alley carries an important political cargo. Pictures, mosaics and other forms of expression leave an interesting perspective; at timed dare o even blunt, the pictures on these walls are not meant to leave you indifferent. Wether you agree or not with their motive. Wait, bathroom? Sure!, right here. Can be at the Red house of the Yellow house, stores on the side of the entry to the street Alley, but you’ll need to order a coffee at least... We continue our discovery, where after many angles, artistic slides and colorful doors, we step down the colors case stairs and wait for our vehicle.

In 1960, Chile had the biggest earthquake in history ever recorded, the whole country was wrecked and the location for the World Cup was being discussed, whichever country got it it would be economically blessed. "We have everything to host the world cup tomorrow, if needs be", said our counterpart at the convention. "We have nothing, therefore we want it all" was our reply the following day. Mr Carlos Dittborn had represented us and we would be host of a world class event in 1962, that propelled our economy! In order to honor our finest guests we decided to place a Clock shaped in flowers by the main traffic hub, so everyone could admire Chile at his best. The flower clock did not just do that back then, but today also. It has been a reminder that with determination and effort you can achieve your wildest goals even when circumstances are not favorable. Chile did not won the world cup that year, Brazil did. We obtained the third place and we were dignified and proud.

Our shore is in immediate contact with one of the deepest ocean pits in the world which goes along all of our shore and continues along the continent until Ecuadorian coasts. Nevertheless, Humboldt waters go filled with life and fruits from the ocean that feeds the most incredible, fussions and culinary creations. Fish, shellfish and other combinations of Sector 5 of Reñaca, it’s at the top of the comuna of Viña del Mar. (You might choose your own location or follow our advice, as lunch it's not included). As we face the ocean horizon, we can enjoy a meal that collects the best of ingenuity, good taste and creativity. Our drinks will make a party to your senses. And the kind attention of waiters and waitresses will relief you from the tiredness of a well explored city.

After lunch, don’t forget to go walking down the beach sidewalk on your own, let your spirit go free and your feet as well. Please, if you go into the water, do not forget to come out as you were. We still need to take you back to Santiago safe and sound! We cannot stress enough the importance to indulge the spirit by walking down the beach and allowing your mind fly away. You will make sense of your thoughts, new plus old information will come together and you might find inspiration for future ventures. The beach, covered with people of all ages, it's a reminder of how life can change and that the ocean might be cold and dangerous or social, funny and inviting. Such is life also.