I'm flying home from Santiago late on Dec 10th. Huentetu kindly pointed out on my planning thread that I should avoid traveling between Valparaiso, my previous stop, and Santiago on Dec 7 and 8. So I can either get to Santiago on Dec 6 and spend four nights/five days there, or spend the holiday in Valparaiso and just one night in Santiago. I expect to be back in Santiago next year, so I don't really need a lot of time there on this trip. However, if there will be something special going on for the religious festival in Santiago rather than Valparaiso, I'd consider staying in Santiago.
Immaculate Conception, Valparaiso or Santiago?
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Nothing special in Santiago. The reason for the highway closing is a religious pilgrimage to a church on the highway at Lo Vasquez. About 600,000 people go, many walking from Santiago and Valparaíso. It is for the safety of the pilgrims on foot or cycling that they close the highway. This year the 8th falls on a Saturday, which is slightly less disruptive. If you are taking the bus down to the coast you will see the church on the right at about kilometer 75.
Thanks Huentetu. Looks like I'll be spending the time in Valparaiso.
Any recommendations for wine tasting nearby? Should I stop off in Santa Cruz on the way north?
Santa Cruz is nice but you would stop at San Fernando going north I suppose and another bus to Santa Cruz and on a long distance bus from the south you would probably be dropped off at the side of the highway before dawn! But you could contact a couple of places in Santa Cruz and see if you can be met or if they have a suggestion.