WINES & WONDERS OF
SOUTH AMERICA 11 DAYS
From approx $2,199 US Details
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Wine tastings at bodegas; a tango lesson and show in Buenos Aires; a visit to colorful 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!
Day 1: Overnight Flight Discover the generous bounty of Chile and Argentina on a journey through amazing landscapes of the lofty Andes. Your South American adventure begins with an overnight flight to Santiago.
Day 2: Santiago, Chile - Tour Begins 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 neighborhood. 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 travelers this evening for a welcome dinner and folkloric performance celebrating Chilean culture.
Today dinner will be included.
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 colorful 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.
Today breakfast will be included.
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 aerial tram 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.
Today breakfast and lunch will be included.
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.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
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.
Today breakfast will be included.
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.
Today breakfast and lunch will be included.
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.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
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 honors Argentinean independence; Recoleta Cemetery, 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 neighborhoods.
Today breakfast will be included.
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 travelers 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!
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 11: Buenos Aires - Tour Ends
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.
Today breakfast will be included.
HIGHLIGHTS EXPERIENCES AND INCLUSIONS
11 days, 15 meals
Santiago, Wine Train, Colchagua Valley, Crossing the Andes, Mendoza, Los Caminos del Vino Route, Wine Pairing Lunch, Buenos Aires, Tango Show
Ride the Tren del Vino, an historic 1913 steam locomotive that travels through the Chilean wine country of Colchagua Valley.
Journey through the breathtaking Central Andes across Chile and to the land of sol y vino – sun and wine – Mendoza.
Enjoy a unique dinner reception in an underground wine cellar in Mendoza.
Experience the flavor and history of Argentina’s most famous wine, Malbec, while at the bodega and during a gourmet wine pairing lunch.
Learn about the daily life and culture of the Porteños during an interactive presentation by a local resident of Buenos Aires.
Move to the beat of the tango during a private lesson; then thrill to a stunning tango performance in the city where this dance was born.
Optional Excursions for Wines and Wonders of South America
Plan Ahead, Reserve Now!
Add a touch of personalization to your vacation by selecting from our well-researched list of options. While we are known for our many inclusions, we also want to be sure you have adequate free time and options to enhance your vacation - your way. And now, you can reserve your options in advance of your tour!
Availability is limited and reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. Payment must be received no later than 15 days prior to departure. Prices are subject to change. Children under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Fiesta Gaucha & Asado Lunch $135.00
City: Buenos Aires
Experience the arts, culture and open spaces of the Argentine pampas and the gauchos who made their homes and lives here! Begin your day with a journey across these flat, fertile plains that stretch from the Atlantic coast of Argentina to the Andean foothills. Arrive at an expansive ranch called an Estancia – where you’re greeted with a welcome drink and appetizers. Meet a real-life gaucho and experience an equestrian demonstration that displays the athletic prowess of these South American cowboys. Then, enjoy a hearty asado lunch – a typical Argentine barbeque, prepared over an open fire. Lunch is followed by a lively folkloric show, featuring live music, dancing and a tango demonstration that celebrates the independent spirit of the gaucho. The gauchos then showcase their horsemanship with cuadreras and ring races. For those who yearn to participate in the fun, saddle up for a ride on one of the ranch’s gentle horses or take a ride around the ranch in one of the traditional two-wheeled carts called sulkies. After your full day on the pampas, enjoy a hearty cup of maté – an herbal infusion of yerba maté. Similar in taste to some green teas, maté is a traditional South American beverage and sharing maté together is a strong social custom. Enjoy delicious home-made pastries with your maté, and reflect on your day of cultural fun.
Please note a minimum of 10 is required in order to operate with an English-speaking guide.
Your transportation is included.
Please note a minimum of 10 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 8 hour(s).
Tigre Y Delta Boat Tour & Train Ride $75.00
City: Buenos Aires
Just 18 miles outside of Buenos Aires, discover the extraordinary ecological zone of the Parana River delta. Embark on the adventure-of-a-lifetime when you travel to Olivos to board the Tren de la Costa (Riverside Train*). On this breathtaking journey, behold a picturesque coastline dotted with marinas, stunning homes and riverside dwellings. Upon arrival in San Isidro, take a short trip up the Tigre. A private river excursion by boat explores the streams and canals of this river delta. Each year, 90 million tons of sediment carried by the river creates thousands of islands and islets crisscrossed by rivers and brooks. The natural beauty of the Tigre will amaze you as you travel down its web of interconnecting river ways. *Please note that if the train is not available due to scheduling, this scenic journey will instead be done by bus.
Note that this option may not be available for all flight schedules - please reconfirm before booking.
Your transportation is included.
Please note a minimum of 10 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 5 hour(s).
Vina del Mar & Valparaiso $120.00
City: Santiago
Venture into the green and fertile valleys of Curacavi and Casablanca to explore Chile’s famous wine country, its Pacific Ocean resorts and the stunning seaside city of Valparaiso – “Paradise Valley.” Enjoy a visit to a local winery and learn about the variety of grapes grown there which produce such wines as cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, then have a chance to taste some of these delicious varietals. Gaze upon fruit orchards and olive groves as you journey to Valparaiso – Chile’s second largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage site which boasts colorful architecture. Tour the narrow avenues of the port and the Plaza Sotomayor, flanked by the Maritime Authority building and the Iquique Heroes monument. Travel along the beautiful coastal route to Viña del Mar, the “Vineyard by the Sea.” Enjoy a seaside lunch at a local restaurant. Chile’s elite have been retreating here since 1874 and it is still one of Chile’s most fashionable beach resorts. The famous Chilean poet and 1971 Nobel Prize winner, Pablo Neruda, lived here. Visit his eccentric home at La Sebastiana, now a museum. Travel along the beaches of Las Salinas, Reñaca, and Con-Con on your way back to Santiago.
Please note, Valparaiso is on hilly terrain and walking there can be uneven at times. The minimum of 15 is required in order to operate with an English-speaking guide.
Your transportation is included. Duration: approximately 8 hour(s).
Countryside Dinner in the Vineyard and Cooking Class $175.00
City: Mendoza
A delicious adventure in Argentine gastronomy and enology awaits you this evening! Begin your savory journey by traveling to one of the prestigious local wineries in the famous Luján de Cuyo or Maipú valleys. Among the vineyards and fruit trees of this charming countryside setting, learn how to make a traditional Argentine favorite food – empanadas! These small pastries are usually comprised of cheese, meat and sweet corn and are a common hors d’oeuvre for parties and picnics. Each region has its own distinct style and seasoning, so pick your favorite as you roll up your sleeves and learn from your host how to make the national dish. Indulge in a fantastic Mendocino dinner complete with local wines. Savor empanadas straight from the oven combined with the right Malbec, Cabernet, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Don’t miss this chance to further educate your taste buds on the high quality wines available in this prestigious winemaking region. The host provides a wealth of tips on the art of pairing a meal with the perfect wine. You are sure to impress friends and family back home with these newfound epicurean skills. Finally, join your fellow travelers in a toast to health - South American style. Celebrate your discovery of the wonderful culinary and wine delights of Mendoza’s gardens and vineyards. Salud!
Your transportation is included.
Please note a minimum of 5 passengers is required. Duration: approximately 5 hour(s).
Departure Dates March - April
Prices From approx$2,199 US per person
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