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Day One: Punta Arenas

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Begin Day One by arriving in Punta Arenas, the capital of the Magallanes region. Punta Arenas is located alongside the Straits of Magellan, and gets its name from J. Byron who discovered the area and named it “Punta Arenosa” or “Sandy Point”. Today the city is a center for commerce and culture and its influence spreads throughout the whole region.

Spend the day touring the Center City. Begin with the Plaza de Armas where enormous, ancient trees decorate the landscape. Notice the Monument to Ferdinand Magellan in the center of the Plaza; this statue is a favorite among tourists and locals alike. The legend of the city alleges that if you touch the toes of the statue, you will return to Punta Arenas one day.

Located near the Plaza de Armas are government buildings such as the Club de la Union. Take a drive past the mansions with glassed-in sunrooms, beautiful roofs, and well-tended gardens with enormous “araucaria” trees. Another main attraction in the area is the Museo Salesiano Mayorino Borgatello, the monument in honor of the shepherd with his dog, his horse, and his sheep.

Next Page: Day Two: Puerto Natales

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