Santiago is Chile's vibrant capital, set in a valley beneath the snowcapped Andes. On a clear day, the mountains seem to rise right out of the city, and within an hour or two you can be skiing in the Andes, tasting wine in world-class vineyards or relaxing on the Pacific coast.

Start at the Plaza de Armas and the historic center, home to the Metropolitan Cathedral and excellent museums like the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Ride the funicular or cable car up Cerro San Cristobal for sweeping views, and climb Cerro Santa Lucia, a hilltop park with gardens and fountains. Explore the bohemian Bellavista neighborhood, home to La Chascona, one of poet Pablo Neruda's houses, and the stylish Lastarria district, full of cafes and galleries. Visit the moving Museum of Memory and Human Rights, and graze through the Central Market for fresh seafood.

Nonstop flights connect Santiago with several U.S. cities, and it's the gateway to Patagonia, the Atacama Desert and Easter Island. I'll plan your stay, wine tours in the Maipo or Casablanca valleys and day trips to colorful Valparaiso.