Life in São Paulo and travel throughout South America
La Bicicleta Verde
To clarify, we are no longer vacationing in Chile. Writing posts this lengthy takes a significant
amount of time and effort. Or I’ve become a tad lazy in my jobless state.
While chatting with a dear friend the other night I had to explain that my blog is most definitely NOT in sequential order.
Our trip took place in mid February, which as it turns out is text book travelers weather… sunny warmth during the day and cool breezy nights.
I’ll never understand how Suzanna was able to condense our entire vacation into a single post, but I respect it greatly.
On the other hand, I will proceed by showing you all six hundred photos… Kidding. Although, not really.
The highlight of our trip was participating in a bike and wine tour through the Maipo Valley.
Cycling through three boutique vineyards with the Andes mountain range as a backdrop was spectacular in every way.
On our Sunday tour with La Bicicleta Verde, we learned an incredible amount from our knowledgeable and
super friendly tour guide, Anibal. (It may have helped that we refrained from tasting until the end of our cycling route.)
Mid tour we stumbled upon a trail of almonds drying in the sun and stopped for a snack.
And perhaps, if your guide recommends staying on the path and avoiding off-roading due to thorns….
maybe you should actually listen. Because there’s a chance he knows what he’s talking about.
If you need confirmation that this is indeed, a good idea, you could ask my husband who went rogue and
reappeared with a sunken tire. I bet he could tell you the importance of following the directions.
Silly husband. Thank goodness Anibal is handy with the tire repair kit.
Once the bikes were retired we sat down for a picnic table tasting with the owner of an organic Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard.
The last stop was an authentic Chilean lunch at a roadside restaurant/farm house where we
proceeded to finish off both red & white wine from all three vineyards.
Besides good eats, they had a bird farm and some hidden gems in the tractor shed.
Believe it or not, I actually asked permission to enter the shed. This is how the conversation went (in Spanish of course):
April: Hello! Can I meet and touch your animals?
Farmer: That idea is not good. There is a dog and he is very mean. He bit off my goat’s leg.
April: Great! I really like mean dogs. My parents grew up on farms and I miss visiting them very much.
Farmer: {silence, confusion}
April: {persistent smile}
Farmer: Okay. I’ll introduce you!
While the rest of the group ate dessert inside, I hung out with the farmer in the shed while he
introduced me to a multitude of farm animals… by name. Including their pet goose and tripod goat.
Be still my heart. I have a new dream people.
SO… the tour ended with me petting a goat and dogs… at THE SAME TIME.
Also, an attempt to pet the family goose, which as it turns out was a little leery of me.
So basically, the best day ever.
If you are in Santiago, Chile… this tour is a MUST. Even if you don’t like wine. Because it is that good. Honest.
TOUR DETAILS
- Tour includes: all necessary biking equipment, private transport to and from your hotel, mineral water, guides, lunch and vineyard entrances and tastings
- Size of group: The tour requires a minimum of 2 people. Average group sizes are 2-8 people.
- Language: Guides are bilingual in English and Spanish. You will be asked to specify upon making your reservation.
- Schedule and pick up: The tour runs from 9:30 am to between 5:00 and 6:00 pm. You will be asked to specify upon making your reservation where you are staying. Our Bike & Wine tour will pick you and drop you off.
- Difficulty: The route is about 12 kilometers and possible for ages from 14-65 years old.
To make a reservation, fill out this online form.
8 Comments
j-e-a-l-o-u-s. This trip looks like it was so incredible!!!
1. I feel like you are on a continual vacation…and I’m jealous too.
However, I would have taken the wine with me when I went to visit the animals.
2. Right now, in Minnesota, all of our yards have that “ugly spring” look. Could I send you a couple photos to put on your blog?
3. I am always hungry/thirsty after looking at your posts.
4. So…you have turned into an “animal whisperer”. Obviously, it’s the farm girl in you.
Someday can I come visit you and take a trip to Chile?….,, sigh
everything looked awesome!
I think if you start sending me the wine (and food if you can manage it) it would enhance you already strong persuasions to convince to find my way to Brazil!!! Won’t it be a surprise when you find me on your doorstep ready for coffee and a stroll through the market???!!!
Umm why don’t we all live in Chile again? Great pics!
Woaw, That’s quality of life! Chile is beautiful, is good to know you had such a great time there. Parabens!
Please support the Project Cycling Bus (just google it), an invention from a Chilean struggling in the gigantic and wild São Paulo.
These photos are incredibly stunning. So very jealous, although very happy for your traveling experience. So, Dean asked what it takes to come visit there. I said I know we have to get a visa to enter the country – $140 and I don’t know what else. What are the requirements?