Seniors Enjoy Colorful Viña del Mar

Viña del Mar, a city on central Chile’s Pacific coast, was recently selected as one of the top places for a visit in South America.  Viña del Mar means “Vineyard of the Sea” and senior travelers find that it is a highly popular tourist attraction. 

Often referred as “La Ciudad Jardín” (Garden City), Viña del Mar is located within the Valparaíso Region, and is Chile’s fourth largest city with a population of 325,000.

Commonly called Viña, the city developed in the 1870s as an exclusive residential and summer area for Chile’s well-to-do. It is still that, but has evolved into Chile’s premiere seaside resort, often called Chile’s Riviera. A major attraction in town is the beautiful Flower Clock (like the one in Geneva) created with seasonal flowers.

TripAdvisor suggests several must see sites such as the Jardín Botánico Nacional and Reñaca beach. This beach plays host to a famous Festival de Viña del Mar every year in mid-February that attracts international performers and audience.

Seniors Discover Alfajores

Lonely Planet notes that clean and orderly Viña del Mar  is a sharp contrast to the charming jumble of neighboring Valparaíso. Senior visitors will find manicured boulevards lined with palm trees, a sprawling public beach and beautiful expansive parks.

Make a note that a very popular treat in Viña del Mar is the alfajor, a typical argentinean/uruguayan type of cookie that has also been popularized in Chile. My wife and I love them and ate a lot of them in Argentina.

The establishment of Refinadora de Azúcar de Viña del Mar (Sugar Refining Company), CRAV in 1873 and the arrival of the British company of Lever & Murphy in 1883 gave the necessary economic push to transform the young city into one of the most important cities of Chile.

 A Castle And A Racetrack

In 1917, a seaside villa was rebuilt as what is known today as Wulff Castle. The Valparaiso Sporting Club horse racing track is another major landmark. Some of the major events during the year include Derby Day, held the first Sunday in February, and the international Festival de Cine de Viña del Mar during the second week of October.

So visit with your travel agent and make plans to spend time in Viña. Senior visitors will find luxurious estates, including the summer home of the President of Chile, waterfront hotels, parks and gardens, social clubs, a municipal casino and theater, sport facilities, beaches, golf, tennis, horse racing, lively nightlife, fine dining, and easy access to the nearby beaches and resort towns of Zapallar, Concon, Cachagua, and the fast-growing and hugely popular town of Reñaca.

My wife and I have been to Chile and would not hesitate to return again tomorrow. Viña del Mar invites senior travelers to discover its secrets and enjoy their events throughout the year. Your stay in Chile will be memorable. -jeb