What long weekend is complete without mountains, sun, a picnic and friends? And sometimes it feels like you have to travel far away for those things. But, would you believe me if I told you that this photo was taken in Santiago?
And this too…
They really were!
Santuario de la Natureleza el Arrayán is somewhere we discovered by chance. Months ago, when I went to have my wedding hair trial we saw a sign for it, and finally we took advantage of the long weekend and went along yesterday. It is technically in Santiago, just on the edge and doesn’t take long to drive there at all. But, it feels like you are miles away from the city.
There are no sounds of cars, just trickling water and the sounds of crickets. The views are spectacular, the water is fresh and you get to fit in some walking too.
Despite the hot temperatures, and pure blue skies there were also the first signs of autumn to be seen. Though I think we still have a while to enjoy the summer like sun 🙂
And when you are done, you wish goodbye to the tranqulity and bundle into the car only to be home in around 40 minutes. What a beautiful slice of nature!
How have you spent your long weekend?
Marcella xx
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WhatAWonderfulWorld 
Wow! What an amazing place!
It really was! The perfect place to spend a free Friday 🙂
This looks so peaceful and beautiful. Please take me here when I next visit. I spent my day at Maltby Market 🙂
It really was lovely!! 🙂 Looking forward to seeing a post on your visit to Maltby Street Market! 😀
Beautiful spot to get away and enjoy nature! I spent the weekend by traveling 5 hours to spend time with my wife’s sister’s and brother-in-law. Stopped on the way and had some tasty muffins, and coffee at our son’s place. I arrived at our destination with spring time allergy having kicked in full bore! 😦 My sister-in-law found some allergy tablets. I took a 24 hour tablet, and was soon made aware of the fact, that I should always take the no-drowsy kind! I was like in nana land all day Saturday. I am somewhat better better this morning, hoping to enjoy a nice breakfast at church followed by an Easter program! That is how I spent my weekend! 🙂 tc
It really was lovely!!
Sounds like you had a nice weekend with family, I hope your allergies improve – I know all too well about Spring time allergies and they aren’t fun!
I appreciate your response!
Happy Easter! It doesn’t look like it’s in the city:)
I hope you had a lovely Easter too! 🙂
thanks. I did:)
gracias Marcela! Crecí y viví en El Arrayan hasta el Golpe de Estado de 1973 y estos paisajes son parte de mi memoria y la de mis hijos.!
Muchas gracias! Que lindos recuerdos de un lugar tan bonito y especial 🙂
What a surprise! It looks like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. So great to see cacti in the area. I have been obsessed with them lately.
Yes, I love the cacti too, it makes me feel like I am somewhere very exotic!! 🙂
Wow! This place looks soooo beautiful! And I can’t believe it’s in Santiago!! What an incredible lucky find! I love the picture of the cactus and the berries! I want to pluck them right off the screen and pop them into my mouth!
I knowww, it’s crazy that it’s so easy to get to, yet feels like a million miles away! Those berries were good, we did taste them 😀 And as for the cactus, I love them so much!
It does look beautiful. I had family visiting and made the most of it. 🙂
It was a lovely place to spend the day, and I’d love to take my family along too 🙂
What a great find, especially on the outskirts of Santiago! Looks sooo peaceful! Also really nice that they had decent trails for you to hike 🙂
It really was peaceful, there were only the sounds of nature and tranquility 🙂 And, I love walking trails so it really was ideal 🙂
This place is absolutely beautiful!! I know what you mean about getting away–when I was in Austin, I’d always drive the hour or so to the beautiful rolling hills of Hill Country. It’s surprising how short a distance you need to feel like you’re “getting away from it all.”
Totally agree. I am a city girl through and through, but a bit of nature on the weekends is sometimes exactly what you need! 😀
It’s amazing how many stunning spots you can discover within your own city. Loved the photos, as always! We had friends visiting and went out and about exploring Tokyo with them. So much to write about, I should get back at it soon! xoxo, nano
Thanks so much, I’m all about exploring your own city and making the most of it 🙂 It sounds like you had such a fun weekend too, looking forward to reading about it!
You inspire me to visit Santiago and Chile SO much! I would never have guessed that was so close to such a big city 🙂
Aw, thanks so much! To have a place like this in a big city really is incredible 🙂
Wow! It looks so beautiful! I spent my extra day at home and the rest of the weekend out and about- shopping, brunch and a little photography.
It was very beautiful indeed. Your weekend sounds just ideal 🙂
That looks absolutely beautiful. So tranquil. For some reason I’ve been finding myself really craving a nice long walk in the countryside recently, and I’m not at all one for big walks. So this looks right up my alley! And so great that it’s so close to you. If only it were close to me!
I know what you mean, sometimes a long walk is just what you need… it’s a shame that Santiago is so far for you to get too hehe 😉
I feel like a lot of major cities have these kind of hidden nature spots really close to, or even inside of, the city! But they can be hard to find, and it’s awesome that you found this one! Earth is still around us, even when we’ve covered it with human stuff. 🙂 Thanks for linking up, Marcella!
Definitely! I also love when not many people know about them, so it feels like a bit of a secret 🙂
Stunning – I love finding places by complete chance, it makes it all the more special. It looks so peaceful. Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes
So true, the unexpected are just that little bit better 🙂