GLORIOUS VILLA IN LUSH HISTORIC WINE REGION 30 MILES FROM SANTIAGO

My boyfriend and I stayed at this beautiful villa for a romantic weekend getaway. Very nice and rustic decoration, beautiful gardens and in a great location. We found really good restaurants nearby as well as very interesting wine tasting trips. Definitely recommended!

As soon as you drive through the gates of this beautiful property you know you have made the right decision. The grounds are lush with nut and fruit trees, flowers and herbs. You first see the beautiful villa the owners call their second home. Then the wonderful property manager greets you and shows you to the guest house you will be relaxing in a little further down the driveway near her home. The guesthouse isn't much from the outside, but once you settle in, you couldn't be happier in this 2 bedroom plus additional exterior 3rd bedroom guesthouse. The inside is comfortable and cozy, the beds are divine, especially as you get to fall asleep to the calming nearby river. The kitchen is fully equipped, even with good quality knives and a French press (difficult to find in Chilean rentals). And the deck is a perfect place to relax as its surrounded by tall trees with peaks of the valley and river. We stayed for 5 nights over Christmas and were served a delicious Christmas dinner in the courtyard by Maria. The owners were beyond accommodating and kind. We would highly recommend Casa Ishi to anyone looking for some rest and relaxation. A rental car is a must!

CAJON DEL MAIPO: just past the entrance of Casa Ishi is where the true beauty of the area begins. Take a drive at least! 2 hours down Ramon Subercaseaux and along Camino Al Volcan to Glacier El Morado (Banos Morales starting point) is a wonderful day hike!

WINERIES
When booking wine tours, make sure you ask details about the wineries. They charge more than other wineries around the world. They also only pour you 2-3 tastings which are about 1/2 a glass of wine, so we regretted having a driver. All below are at least 30 min apart.

Enjoyed-
Concha y Toro: beautiful grounds, very professional & fun tour; large production.
La Aquitana: boutique winery with views of Andes Mtns and city of Santiago. It was only the 3 of us on the tour, unique winery due to its location, and good wine. Highly recommend!
Casa de Bosque: (Casablanca) beautiful and delicious restaurant. The tour was unprofessional, and even with the extended 6 tastings you get less than 1/2 a glass of wine. Instead buy a bottle and sit under the vineyards.

Interesting due to large scale winery, but overpriced-
Santa Rita- massive production, restaurant -rich/heavy food, large portions, bland, expensive.

Wish we didn't go-
Cousino Macul- basically a museum tour and large production. Table quality wine.

Autumn & Abe

My husband and I love to travel, and have decided seeing all the continents before starting a family sounded like a great idea. Why we chose Santiago, I am not sure, but it was a wonderful experience with a very satisfactory ending.

We began our trip in the city, and ended it in paradise at Casa Ishi. This villa was beyond any expectation, and we left with no regrets. Not only was there every fruit tree you could think of - limes, lemons, oranges, apricots, dates - but you can enjoy every one. My husband and I picked apricots, and made apricot preserves to enjoy each morning with toast. We picked fresh green onions from the garden to jazz up our homemade tomato soup. Did I mention the whole chicken we baked in the outdoor oven? This villa is a little slice of heaven in an adorable small town. And not to mention the vineyards just a short drive away. If you are thinking of visiting Santiago, take a couple of days in the city, and then venture to paradise for the remainder of the trip. You can always make day trips to the city, but in the evening enjoy the serene atmosphere on the terrace, listen to the river rush in the background while you watch the sun set in the mountains.

The owners of the property were visiting the same time as we were, and were a delight. They were very helpful in giving directions when we lost our way, and really know their way around the town. They have great tips on where to shop, where to eat, and even what to drink! We had the pleasure of joining them for dinner, taking full opportunity of the scenery, dining outdoors on a meal cooked in the outdoor oven. The caretakers of the property were also very helpful.

Overall, I would come back to Casa Ishi in a heartbeat and would recommend it to everyone I know. It might be a few years, but we hope to come back!