Santiago is a modern yet traditional city almost 500 years old offering splendid colonial buildings together with modern and innovative architecture. From Santiago it is easy to reach the Pacific Ocean, just two hours away, where you can go skiing in the Andes. Valparaiso, a historical and picturesque port, and beautiful Viña del Mar, are two spots not to be missed. Beautiful beaches with many traditional resorts are only a short 1.5 hr ride from Santiago. These two beaches are located near one another, but each is quite unique. Valparaiso has been declared a World Heritage Site. Viña del Mar is more modern and is known as the Garden City of Chile. It combines the charm of the Pacific Coast with the beauty of its finely designed parks and gardens. The city offers an elegant Casino, many hotels and restaurants and a top-notch racecourse.