CHILE SANTIAGO AND THE HEARTLAND A great many of Chile's attractions are out of doors, in the national parks, adventure sports, etc, but the capital Santiago, has a rich cultural life and is a good base for visiting nearby areas. These include the port of Valparaiso and the beach resorts to north and south, principally Viña del Mar; ther vineyards of the Central Valley; the Andean foothills; the ski resorts. NORTH OF SANTIAGO La Sirena is a popular seaside resort, from which can be reached the Elqui Valley, where Cilean pisco is made, and three major astronomical observatories. Heading north, the land becomes more barren, but after rain, usually September/October, the flowers that have lain dormant desert burst inti bloom; if you are in the areas, a sight not cooper mine at Chuquicamata and the isolated Andean town and popular tourist resort of San Pedro de Atacama. Its attractions are lunar landscapes, hot geysers, salt flats and the and the way of life at h
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