Santiago (Valparaíso), Chile

On the Trail of Pablo Neruda

The Houses of the Great Chilean Poet Dive in to the inspiring world of Pablo Neruda, one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Drive toward the seaside resort of Isla Negra to visit the Nobel laureate’s favorite home. “Ancient night and the unruly salt beat at the walls of my house,” wrote Neruda in The Night in Isla Negra , referring to his time here. A lover of all things maritime, Neruda designed the house to resemble a ship, complete with narrow corridors, low ceilings, creaking floors and an extensive collection of sea-related items. After his death in 1973, Neruda was buried on the grounds of Casa de Isla Negra. Enjoy lunch at a local winery before heading back to Valparaíso to visit the poet’s city home, La Sebastiana, and admire the mosaic walkways, hidden gardens and the poet’s personal art collection. Then, return to your awaiting ship. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.