Alan Lyall from our supplier Andean Trails suggests two great times to enjoy contrasting places in his Chile travel advice: “In January, many families have left Santiago for vacations, so the city is less frenetic. It's mid-summer so great for sitting outside, sipping a drink and enjoying the sunshine. Great for walking around too – there is much to see, like sculpture parks and outdoor theatre. On Sundays, they close streets around the Forestal Park to hand them over to pedestrians and cyclists. And March in the wine country in central Chile is a good time, as it's the grape harvest – so local places such as Santa Cruz in the Colchagua Valley have wine festivals.”

Independence Day - "Dieciocho" (September 18)
September 18 – and days around – sees nationwide Independence Day celebrations known as fiestas patrias (literally "patriotic parties"), either outdoors or in temporary wooden buildings called ramadas. It's wonderfully colourful - traditional costumes, folk music/dancing, parades by Chilean cowboys (huasos), plus flowing wine. Many places set up fondas (stands) selling traditional food and drinks.