The city of Santiago sits in the Maipo Valley, from which you can see the Andes Range. The city has various attractions, such as museums, churches and government buildings. The Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, which was built in 1748 and located on Plaza de Armas, is impressive for its rich details.

The Central Market is another tourist attraction you won't want to miss. Here you can eat a famous centolla, a giant crab that's one of Chile's national dishes. You also won't want to miss Cerro San Cristóbal, in the Bellavista neighborhood, which has a sanctuary on top and a beautiful, panoramic view of the entire city. Among the museums, La Chascona Museum, where the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda lived, and the Bellas Artes National Museum, which is among Chile's most important, stand out.

Touring the wineries outside of Santiago is a great trip to make by car. The Colchagua Valley, which is Chile's largest producer of fine wines, is 130 km (80 miles) outside Santiago. You can begin your visit in the city of Santa Cruz, which is the starting point for tours to the area's main wineries. Another interesting trip to take is on the Wine Train – a train pulled by a steam-powered locomotive that visits various local wineries.

A visit to the Concha y Toro winery is also a must if you have a few days to spend. To get there by car, follow Vicuña Mackena, a long avenue that cuts through Santiago on a north-south axis. The avenue's name changes to Concha y Toro and after a few kilometers you'll be able to see the winery's gate. Don't forget to make a reservation on the website so that you won't need to stand in line.