Itinerary for: Wines and Wonders of South America (CWWWSA)
| South America | Chile |
| Argentina | Santiago |
| Mendoza |
Departs
from your home address in the UK - 'tour only' option available without flights
on request
Wine tastings at bodegas; a tango lesson and show in Buenos Aires; a visit to colourful Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and a train ride aboard Chile’s famous 1913 locomotive are just some of the moments in store as you experience this journey through the breathtaking Andes. Some tour highlights include leisurely 3-night stays at top-notch hotels; delicious wine with all included lunches and dinners; and a home-hosted meal with an Argentine family to experience local culture in a personal setting. Discover why South America is today’s HOT destination!
Itinerary
Day 1: Overnight Flight.
Day 2: Santiago, Chile
Arrive in Santiago, Chile's vibrant capital set against the magnificent Andes. This afternoon a Santiago city tour includes La Moneda Presidential Palace and Paseo Ahumada pedestrian avenue. Ride the cable car up Cerro San Cristobal for sweeping views of Santiago and the Andes and admire the Statue of the Immaculate Conception. Embark on a walking tour through Barrio Lastarria, a culturally rich and historic neighbourhood. After a short lesson on the language, interact with the locals during a visit to a bustling market where delicacies such as Chilean sea bass are abundant. Join your fellow travellers this evening for a welcome dinner and folkloric performance celebrating Chilean culture. (D)
Day 3: Santiago
A day at leisure provides you with countless opportunities. Shop Santiago's chic boutiques and dine at one of its cafés, enjoying the city's cosmopolitan atmosphere. Or, perhaps join an optional tour to colourful Valparaiso - a UNESCO World Heritage city - and visit the chic beach resort of Viña del Mar and venture into the lush, green valleys of Curacavi and Casablanca, stopping at a local vineyard for a sampling of Chile's famous wines. (B)
Day 4: Santiago
Climb aboard Chile's famous wine train, the Tren del Vino! This 1913 coal-fired steam engine locomotive explores Colchagua Valley, a fertile expanse often compared to Napa Valley. Named Wine Enthusiast's 2005 Wine Valley of the Year, Colchagua is particularly suited for red wines, especially carmenère, a cabernet family grape that thrives in the climate created by the steep Andean valley. Delight in a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and Chilean folk music during your train journey. Visit the award-winning Santa Cruz vineyard and learn the techniques of wine making and enjoy a tasting, followed by a traditional Chilean lunch. Then, take an cable car ride up Chaman Hill for sweeping views of this picturesque valley. Explore the outdoor museum and learn more about Chile's indigenous cultures before heading back to Santiago. (B, L)
Day 5: Santiago - Mendoza, Argentina
Start your panoramic journey into the soaring Andes through the scenic Aconcagua Valley, following the route of the famed Transandine Railway. Catch views of the glaciers on Aconcagua Mountain, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, and enjoy lunch at leisure in the boutique ski resort of Portillo before crossing into Argentina. Marvel at the Puente del Inca natural bridge, formed by the interaction of the extreme elements in the area - avalanches, ice and hot springs. At a market you can do as the locals do and enjoy a sweetened yerba maté tea, traditionally infused in a dried calabasa gourd. Continue your journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Central Andes en route to the land of sol y vino - sun and wine - Argentina's wine country, where vineyards and olive groves flourish. The French grape, Malbec, has taken to the region and has made Argentine wine cherished around the world. Tonight, enjoy a unique dinner reception in an underground wine cellar. (B, D)
Day 6: Mendoza
Take in the atmosphere of relaxing Mendoza during a tour of this tranquil city which highlights the vast Parque General San Martín and the lively central Plaza Independencia. It's easy to see what makes Mendocinos so warm and welcoming. Before your tour ends, indulge in a sample of the local Italian-inspired ice cream with a Mendocino twist, such as vanilla with Malbec or peach with Syrah! Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to stroll, shop or sample specialties from the local cafés. (B)
Day 7: Mendoza
Mendoza produces 70% of Argentina's grapes and wines, with a viniculture history dating back to the 16th century. A vast network of aqueducts and dykes, dating back to the reign of the Inca Empire, makes the most of its annual six inches of rain to transform the city into a verdant oasis on the high plain. Thanks to the world's attention to the quality of wines from this region, there are now said to be over 1,000 wineries - or bodegas, as they are called here - in the fertile Maipú, Luján de Cuyo and Uco valleys. Revel in visits to three bodegas on the Los Caminos del Vino wine route and enjoy a gourmet wine pairing lunch and ample opportunities throughout the day to sample the bounty of the Argentine vineyards. (B, L)
Day 8: Mendoza - Buenos Aires
Leave the Andes and fly to Buenos Aires, home of the legendary Eva Peron and birthplace of the tango. Stretching along the banks of the Rio de la Plata, this "Paris of South America" is a mosaic of European-styled architecture, South American spirit and proud national identity. Tonight, enjoy an informal interactive presentation from a local resident where you can ask questions about daily life in Buenos Aires. During a reception followed by dinner you'll gain insight into how the Argentinean people have adapted to a unique history of economic turbulence. (B, D)
Day 9: Buenos Aires
Today you'll enjoy a Porteños tour of the capital, viewing the lavish Teatro Colon, the famous opera house; the Avenida 9 de Julio - the wide, elegant boulevard that honours Argentinean independence; Recoleta Cemetrey, where Evita rests in an oft-visited tomb; the Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada; and the historic San Telmo barrio, lined with cobblestone streets and tango clubs. Later, take a stroll through San Martin Park or Calle de Florida, a shopper's paradise. Perhaps you will opt to visit a local market or art museum, or spend the rest of the afternoon at an elegant sidewalk café in one of the city's many fashionable neighbourhoods. (B)
Day 10: Buenos Aires
Today is yours to independently enjoy the charms of Buenos Aires. You may choose an optional excursion across the famous Pampas to experience the culture and lifestyle of Argentina's gauchos, or relax and continue to soak in the city's cultural delights at your leisure. Join your fellow travellers this evening to discover the spirit and elegant passion of the tango, the national dance of Argentina. Embrace the art of this once scandalous dance during a lesson. Then, indulge in a delicious Argentine dinner, followed by an unforgettable tango performance! (B, D)
Day 11: Buenos Aires - Depart For Home
From the high valleys of the magnificent Andes, to the cosmopolitan verve of Santiago and Buenos Aires, you've tasted the best of Chile and Argentina. Your tour ends in Buenos Aires. Board your flight home with an abundance of South American memories. (B)
Day 12: Arrive U.K.
Meal Basis: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner