We will be in Chile in early March next year (2017). After spending some time in the Lakes area we will go to Santiago and on to Valparaiso. We would like to take the day we transfer from Santiago to Valparaiso to see some of the country outside the two cities. Touring wineries and tasting are not something we want to do. We live in Santa Barbara, California and drink wine every day. We would like to see the vineyards and country side.

On another site the following was suggested to someone else.

“I know you said no wine country but the area around Santa Cruz in the Colchagua valley (about 2.5 hrs south of Santiago) is also a pleasure to visit for the rolling hills - wildflowers in October - small villages and nice hotels with good food. I don't drink but always enjoy visiting the area. The museum in Santa Cruz is well worth a visit. If you can set up a private car and driver to take you around, the small towns between there and Rancagua in the Cachopoal valley have some wonderful adobe structures, the weavers of the traditional "chamanto" poncho worn by Chilean horsemen in Doñihue and a view of traditional central Chile.”

This sounds like a day trip we would like to do with a slight change. We would depart from our hotel in Santiago and end the day at our hotel in Valparaiso. Can anyone recommend a driver or company that would be appropriate for this outing? Additionally any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks