Published on December 13, 2024
By Molly Waldstein, Travel Writer
While many Chile vacations focus exclusively on its superlative wine country, VBT’s Chile: Coastal Vistas & Vineyards Guided Tour literally goes the extra mile—and what a beautiful mile it is, too!
While many Chile vacations focus exclusively on its superlative wine country, VBT’s Chile: Coastal Vistas & Vineyards Guided Tour literally goes the extra mile—and what a beautiful mile it is, too! The sunny Chilean coast is a stunning stretch of sandy beaches, charming villages, chic boutiques, and waterfront restaurants serving mouth-wateringly fresh seafood. “For me, the cuisine was a huge highlight,” says VBT guest, and Tour Consultant, Charlotte Carr. “In my opinion, this is really a foodie tour! And if you love seafood, there’s no better place to be.” After soaking in Chile’s sunny shores, your path turns inland—towards the exceptional vineyards of the Casablanca Valley and the lush expanse of the Andes mountains. Here, you’ll sample exceptional vintages and experience the best of Chile’s vibrant cuisine.
In a destination as culturally and geographically rich as Chile, local trip leaders really make a difference. “VBT’s Chilean trip leaders are the real deal,” says Charlotte. “Both Rafael and Gonzalo were born in Chile, and they were so good at giving us context for every ride—letting us know the history, culture, and geography of every region we passed through. I learned a lot of truly fascinating information along the way.” With a wealth of details about the unique biosphere of the Casablanca Valley, the history of the Andes mountains, and intriguing seafaring traditions on Chile’s coast, your local trip leaders are invaluable—and it shows. Best of all, with extra support from a team of local drivers who manage the daily transportation, both of your trip leaders are free to ride along with you—offering support and answering questions along the way. Along the scenic coastline, your trip leaders give you exceptional insight into one of Chile’s oldest cultural traditions—crab fishing. “One of the really cool things we got to do was haul crab traps in Zapallar, which is a cute little fishing village that’s right on the beach” says Charlotte. “We met a group of local fishermen, who took us out on their boats. We did a cruise around the harbor, where we spotted seals and porpoises. Our trip leaders pulled up some of the crab traps and dumped out all the crabs onto the deck which was so wild! There were purple crabs, blue crabs, and hairy crabs—and we got a little marine biology lesson there on the spot.” Back on dry land, your leaders are happy to give you their recommendations for delicious beachfront restaurants where you can feast on the day’s fresh catch. As your adventure gradually veers away from the coastline towards the remarkable grape-growing biosphere of the Casablanca Valley, the scenery changes dramatically. “The rides on this tour are really beautiful,” says Charlotte. “It’s incredible how much the scenery changes from the coast as you head inland into wine country. There were these beautiful mountains on each side, and eventually we rode into a eucalyptus forest—the scent was astounding!” Here, you’ll stop at the Kingston Family Winery where you’ll enjoy a tasting of the vineyard’s superlative vintages during a sumptuous picnic lunch.
Nestled at the foot of the Andes mountains, Viña Santa Rita has been producing superb Chilean wines since 1800. Today, the vineyard is comprised of thousands of acres of vines—at the heart of which lies the elegant Hotel Casa Real. This 19th-century mansion features 120 acres of manicured parks and gardens—including fountains, pools, and even the world’s second-largest bougainvillea. “Our last hotel is just a splendid property,” says Charlotte. “It sits on a park with gardens, ponds, and centuries-old trees. The hotel only has 16 guest rooms, so it feels very intimate—but it’s also a luxurious mansion with a grand dining room, a billiards room, a terrace with a gazebo, and many charming little sitting rooms with heirloom furniture. And the wines they produce there are just out of this world.” Here, you’ll find a glass of wine waiting for you upon arrival—and a world of luxury unfolding at your feet. In the hotel’s historic enoteca, a local sommelier walks you through the characteristics of Santa Rita’s vintages—and even adds a competitive twist. “The sommelier brings out all these unlabeled bottles of wine and your job is to try them and figure out how to blend the best vintage with what you have,” explains Charlotte. “It turned into a little bit of a competition, and everybody really had a lot of fun with it. There were people engaging in spy craft—trying to see what the other teams were doing with their blends. Everyone was laughing and joking—it felt like we were all little kids again.” If you enjoy fine wines and appreciate the expertise of a professional sommelier, this is truly an experience you won’t find anywhere else!
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