Lonely Planet on Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

I've been browsing the lonely planet website (really fun) and came across these pretty descriptions of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, the cities in which I'll be living. I'll find out which one and more about my host family when I'm in Santiago for our orientation

VALPARAISO
Lying 120km (74mi) northwest of Santiago, Valpo is Chile's principal port and second-largest city. Despite its size, it is Chile's most distinctive city and one of South America's most intriguing. Occupying a narrow strip of land between the waterfront and the nearby hills, its convoluted centre has distinctive, sinuous cobbled streets, and is overlooked by precipitous cliffs and hilltop suburbs which are accessed by funicular railways and stairway footpaths. It is conducive to maze-like strolls and rides on the funicular, and its natural history, fine arts and maritime museums are justly famed. Muelle Prat, the redeveloped pier, is a lively market area.


VINA DEL MAR:
Chile's premier beach resort is just a two-hour bus ride north of Santiago. The bustling commercial centre is known as the Garden City, for reasons obvious to any visitor. Viña del Mar developed as a playground for wealthy santiaguinos when nearby Valparaíso was linked to the capital by rail. Charming assets abound: Chile's national botanical garden, a vast chunk of native and exotic plants; horse-drawn carriages that trot past turn-of-the-century mansions on river and beach frontages; and white-sand beaches that stretch from the town centre to the overbuilt suburbs of Reñaca and Concón.