These are photos from the two very different neighbour cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar in the 5th Region of Chile, about 2 hours from Santiago on the coast. Valparaiso is a historic, world heritage listed city, which contrasts spectacular beauty in the hills with chaos and run down buildings on the plano (flat land between the port of hills). It is a busy port which sees lots of cruise ships, and unfortunately a recent gas explosion destroyed most of a city block in the old city. Valpo has lots of character and is generally poorer than Viña.

Viña, which literally borders Valpo - a street divides the cities - is a modern, holiday city, home to some of Chile´s busiest and most popular summer beachers, an ATP tennis tournament and the famous Festival de la Cancion (song contest). It is far more modern than Valpo, but without the same character.