Michael the German Pirate
Michael the German Pirate
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Tailor-made private tours in Valparaiso and its surrounds off the beaten path and at your own pace.
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Michael the German Pirate
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
200 reviews
Excellent
189
Very good
3
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
2
SteveInTexas
Houston, TX109 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We organized a tour with another couple to pick us up at the airport after disembarking our cruise in San Antonio. In our case, we had a late evening flight out of Santiago Airport. The other couple was staying over in downtown Santiago. Communication with Michael via email was outstanding. We also used WhatsApp to coordinate things with him in advance and with our guide, Loreto, on the morning of the tour. Pickup at the port was promptly at the specified time. We had a van for the 6 of us (including Loreto and our driver) which had plenty of room for all our luggage.
It took a hour or so to get to Valparaiso. We made a few brief photo stops before taking at bathroom break at Loreto’s residence. It was lovely and we got to meet her quite engaging husband and your young son. They have a beautiful home right in a lovely neighborhood of town frequented by tourists. Of course Loreto is quite familiar with the area and we had a lovely walking tour. There is plenty of beautiful street art to enjoy as well as lovely shops and galleries. It is a memorable place and I really enjoyed and I would be happy to have an extended visit there again.
After a relaxed and delicious lunch at a local eatery Loreto recommended we had a drive of about an hour to a lovely winery, Indomita. There we enjoyed a nice wine tasting in beautiful surroundings. If I had any quibbles about the tour at all, Michael failed to mention the wine activities were not included, but it was a reasonable expense. We quite enjoyed the wine and it seemed inexpensive but unfortunately we did not have any room in our luggage to take any home.
After that it was an under ride to an hour to the airport. We were dropped off sometime around 6pm which was good timing. It was an excellent day. Loreto was a knowledgeable and engaging guide. I would definitely recommend booking tours with Michael!
It took a hour or so to get to Valparaiso. We made a few brief photo stops before taking at bathroom break at Loreto’s residence. It was lovely and we got to meet her quite engaging husband and your young son. They have a beautiful home right in a lovely neighborhood of town frequented by tourists. Of course Loreto is quite familiar with the area and we had a lovely walking tour. There is plenty of beautiful street art to enjoy as well as lovely shops and galleries. It is a memorable place and I really enjoyed and I would be happy to have an extended visit there again.
After a relaxed and delicious lunch at a local eatery Loreto recommended we had a drive of about an hour to a lovely winery, Indomita. There we enjoyed a nice wine tasting in beautiful surroundings. If I had any quibbles about the tour at all, Michael failed to mention the wine activities were not included, but it was a reasonable expense. We quite enjoyed the wine and it seemed inexpensive but unfortunately we did not have any room in our luggage to take any home.
After that it was an under ride to an hour to the airport. We were dropped off sometime around 6pm which was good timing. It was an excellent day. Loreto was a knowledgeable and engaging guide. I would definitely recommend booking tours with Michael!
Written February 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bettty45
Buckeye, AZ41 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
We took this excursion with a small group of as a shore trip from a cruise ship. Some of the places we wanted to go to were closed or unavailable but Michael and his assistant made up for it in amazingly creative ways! His wealth of knowledge is over the top. We had a disabled person or two and they went out of their way to accommodate them. He had us to his beautiful condo meeting his lovely wife for wine and appetizers when the winery we were to go to was closed!! Then he hired a very talented puppet master to provide us with a show in his condo courtyard close to the beach. I highly recommend this fellow. He is one of the best tours we have had and we’ve been on 50 cruises all over the world. You can’t go wrong.
The Davis’ from Arizona
The Davis’ from Arizona
Written November 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauraSeattle
Shoreline, WA14 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We took a day tour with Michael from Santiago Chile to San Antonio. We were boarding a cruise the next morning. Michael's tour was a fantastic way to see the sights of Chile between the cities. We wanted to see Valparasio and visit wineries. Everything about the tour was wonderful. Excellent communication, clean van with a safe driver. He shared his extensive knowledge of Chile. The winery we visited was excellent and provided a lovely wine tasting just for the six of us. Due to the pandemic many wineries in the area were still closed for a tasting experience. He made a wonderful winery visit. We all bought wine to bring on our cruise. We had a lovely day with Michael and his driver. He was very focused on making our experience enjoyable and something that we chose. His tour was very enjoyable!! One of the best guides on our 26 day trip.
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary
Aiken, SC19 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We booked a transfer and customized tour with Michael the German Pirate. He picked us up promptly at the airport in Santiago. After a relaxing drive through the countryside, we visited several vineyards with a stop for lunch in the beautiful Casablanca Valley. Michael gave interesting commentary on the Chilean wine industry and provided a good introduction to the area. Before reaching our hotel in Valparaiso, we had a driving tour of neighboring Vina del Mar.
Communication with Michael was excellent when arranging the pickup and tour and we were able to customize the tour to suit our interests.
Communication with Michael was excellent when arranging the pickup and tour and we were able to customize the tour to suit our interests.
Written March 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joetop
Princeville, HI13 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Leo was our guide. He was very enthusiastic about Valparaiso. We would have liked to do less walking past murals and graffiti as we got the gist after about 20 minutes. We don’t know these ‘artists’ and it was a lot of walking up and down hills and steps. We would have liked to spend some of the time seeing the government buildings and square at the bottom of the funicular. Much time was spent eating lunch at a lovely but extremely slow restaurant at the beach. We then drove to a nice vineyard where there was a wine tasting but no tour. We then went to the airport but no tour of Santiago which cruise ship tours did and we heard it was beautiful. I would not recommend this tour.
Written February 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ComputerTravelGuy
Tampa, FL37 contributions
My wife and I arranged a private tour via Michael based on his positive reputation. We had been to Santiago and Valparaiso before so we wanted to have a specialized tour of the area (and skip shopping). About six weeks before our trip, Michael combined us into another group which wasn't our written deal and what we wanted. We were able switch to another tour provider called Perfect Day who exceeded our expectations. While traveling friends have recommended Michael, I'd would not since he changed the arrangements unexpectedly. Caution.
Written March 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
226can
Dallas, TX6 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
Michael has an amazing gift for personal connections. He used that to our benefit on our tour when, as we were admiring the architecture of a particular house, the owner stepped out and asked us to come in and see her house. As we were walking down the sidewalk a short time later, a bombero driving an old fire engine stopped for photos. I was amazed that Michael knew so many people in Valpo. He knew which artists had painted the murals that he was describing to us and we even met a few. From street artists to proprietors of hotels and restaurants, he seemed to know everyone. I don't think we would have seen so much of the city and its people had we not toured with Michael. I cannot recommend Michael's tour enough for anyone interested in the back story of this fascinating town.
Written March 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IMLady_Marion
United States131 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
Prior to the pickup tour/ transfer to the Port of San Antonio, communication with Michael was outstanding. The breakdown occurred after our pickup in Santiago. We were all staying at different hotels and apparently some of the earlier pickups dictated our itinerary. For lunch, our guide took us to an EXTREMELY out of the way run down shack. The driver had to use GPS (which wasn't working well) to get us there. Once we arrived, the owner informed our guide that she had run out of the meat for lunch. None of us wanted to stay anyway. Then we were driven to a vineyard for lunch. Not one on the printed itinerary, where we had lunch with wine. The prices were VERY expensive. Overall, we did not see half the attractions on the itinerary we were previously provided and we didn't get to the port until VERY late, after 3pm. Let me say that this was not Michael's fault, but definitely the guide, who seemed more interested in discussing his cooking skills and cookbooks rather than describing what we were seeing. Need new guide and knowledgeable driver!!
Written January 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LarryLen
Indianapolis, IN16 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
They pick us up at cruise ship and took 5 of us on great tour of Valpo , then to a winery on the way to Santiago. Took my wife and I to our hotel and the others to the airport. Highly recommend this!
Written May 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paperweight811
Angola, IN97 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
My husband and I arranged for a private transfer with Michael, the German Pirate, from Santiago to Valparaiso two days in advance of a cruise. We wanted to tour between the cities on the transfer day, and then tour Valparaiso. For a very reasonable amount (compared to the cruise ship), He picked us up at the San. airport, took us to two wonderful wineries and a wine mart, then dropped us at our hotel so we could rest following our overnight flight.
Our Valp. hotel was located in an area where he could not drive to the door. He knew just how to navigate this issue and we got all the help we needed from the staff, safely and easily, thanks to Michael's experience.
The next morning, he met us in the lobby with one other couple, who was also on our ship, and we spent the next 4 to 5 hours on a delightful walking and driving tour of Valp. and Vina del Mar. Michael is very knowledgeable, aware of his clients needs, well-known in the community and comfortable to spend time with. If you are in that area, I highly recommend him as a guide for whatever you need.
Our Valp. hotel was located in an area where he could not drive to the door. He knew just how to navigate this issue and we got all the help we needed from the staff, safely and easily, thanks to Michael's experience.
The next morning, he met us in the lobby with one other couple, who was also on our ship, and we spent the next 4 to 5 hours on a delightful walking and driving tour of Valp. and Vina del Mar. Michael is very knowledgeable, aware of his clients needs, well-known in the community and comfortable to spend time with. If you are in that area, I highly recommend him as a guide for whatever you need.
Written January 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buddhaaus
Kanazawa, Japan
My sister and I will be staying in Santiago and looking on Saturday 29 September for a day trip from Santiago to Valparaíso to see the sights (and have lunch at a great restaurant there), then go to the best Chardonnay vineyards on the way back for a tasting. Is that possible. Paul.
Written September 27, 2018
Hi. Mike the German Pirate has a website. I would ask him directly. I’m sure he would have plenty of suggestions as Valparaíso is his specialty as are the surrounding vineyards.
Written September 28, 2018
Hi, friends on our cruise (3 groups) have already booked round trip tours with you from/back to San Antonio port next March. We still have folks who are not taking a 2nd cruise out from the port and need transfers from the port to Santiago hotels. Would you please quote us your best rates on transfers with a tour via Algarrobo & El Quisco, and another one with tour via Valparaiso and Santiago city? I can post your rates and itineraries to pool into different interest groups. Thanks
Written April 16, 2018
Hello there, please google my website and send me directly an inquiry. This is much better to comunicate. I am sure we can arrange something designed after your needs and interests, Best regards, Michael, The German Pirate of Valparaiso
Written April 29, 2018
Hi, my son and I will be in Santiago April 10-13 and are wanting a day trip to Valpariso, are you available any of those days? Nick p.s. is it best to contact you here or other means? we are in US till April 1 Thanks
Written March 28, 2018
Hello, no problem you can easily come by public bus to Valparaiso, I will pick you up at the bus station.
Please look a t my website (you will find me be the nick name
immediately) and send me an email.
Best regards,
Michael, The German Pirate of Valparaiso
Written March 29, 2018
What type of vehicle do you use? What is the largest size of group you would take from a Santiago hotel/ tour of Valpariso & Vina del Mar with a San Antonio drop off?
Written January 26, 2018
Hello, we use normally Mercedes Sprinter or something similar, definitely with plenty of space and aire conditioning.
The maximum group size should be twelve but the people shouldn't be in six different hotels. Especially during the week a
pick up in Santiago can be very challenging.
If you like to see Valparaiso/Vina del Mar you have to start early because of an additional drive of about 130 km.
Best regards,
Michael
Written January 26, 2018
I am interested in booking a couple's wine day-tour to Casablanca during January. Would this be possible? I don't see contact information listed anywhere on this site, and your website isn't working right now.
Written December 5, 2017
Hello, thank you very much for your inquiry, hopefully the website
will work tomorrow. You can send it also to my email but you have
to look for it on the internet, it is not allowed to publish it here.
Please excuse me for the inconvenience.
Best regards,
Michael
Written December 7, 2017
Yes I do. Please send me an email. Best regards, Michael
Written July 8, 2017
Firstly the cost of getting to Valparasio with Michael at 2pm ETA Santiago of LAN flight from Auckland. Then cost of any touring the next day?
Written October 3, 2016
sorry probably too late. cost was all inclusive around $120 PP USD. less than transfers aline.
Written November 13, 2016
Cubavacation_11
Mississauga, Canada
how do I get in touch with Michael the German Pirate?
Written September 8, 2016
His website is called My Valparaiso. Trip Advisor doesn't let me add a link, so just google "My Valparaiso" or Michael the German Pirate.
Written September 9, 2016
Hi, do you have a price for transport from Santiago airport to the hotel Manor Atkinson, Valparaiso please for two people in October, 11th?
Written February 21, 2016
Hello, the price for a transfer from the airport to the hotel without doing any tour will be around 110 U.S. Dollar.
Best regards, Michael
Written February 22, 2016
We have a family of 4 in our group. Would like to know if you will pick us up from Santiago hotel on March 12 to Valparaiso. We can join either a full day or half day Valparaiso tour. Please give us a price that includes transportation and tour. Thanks.
Written February 1, 2016
Hi,
as the previous responder said I think this is a question for Michael, I do know that if he has availability he does do this sort of thing.
Written February 3, 2016
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