Curicó ('Dark Waters' in the native Mapudungun language) is a rural city in the heart of the agricultural Central Valley of Chile, about 2 1/2 hours south of Santiago. The region specializes in apples, pears, berries, kiwis and is very proud of the local wines.

Talca means 'Thunder' in Mapudungun. The area surrounding Talca is noted for a long tradition of Chilean Folklore. The city is also in the Central Valley and is about 1 hour south of Curicó. Here's a very brief history of Talca. The city lies just underneath the Andes Range and is a short drive to the Pacific Coast.

The rugged Andes are a challenge to the adventurous who can enjoy trekking, climbing, cycling, rafting, or simply horseback and family excursions. The local wineries receive visitors on organized tours of the vineyards; traditional rodeos are also very popular.

October is an excellent spring month in this region; the flowers are blooming and the hills are green. The temperatures are likely to be cool in the evening (bring a sweater) and warm during the day. Rain is possible, but unlikely.

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