A Taste Of Argentina And Uruguay

Buenos Aires Sightseeing Experience with lunch at traditional Bodegon Private Service (Personalized) | Vehicle & English speaking guide | Duration: Full Day (6 hours) | 3-course lunch with 1 soft drink and half bottle of wine per person included | Mineral water on board. The itinerary is liable to updates to provide better service according to the day, and inclusions agreed for the tour. Buenos Aires is one of the most fascinating cities in both Latin America and the world. Be it for its splendid and varied architecture, with its old Colonial buildings, French palaces and state-of-the-art skyscrapers; for its vibrant nightlife and endless cultural options; or maybe just for the rich identity of the Porteños, who proudly bear the European heritage of their ancestors, more and more visitors are coming to visit. Visit Plaza de Mayo, the city’s foundational site and witness of our country’s political history. There we’ll visit the Pink House, our Presidential Palace, the Cabildo, our primitive town hall, and the Neoclassical-style Metropolitan Cathedral, the final home of Argentina’s founding father, José de San Martín. We’ll come across sumptuous French palaces again in Palermo Chico, the area of Palermo best known for its large parks designed by celebrated landscape architects, such as the illustrious Frenchman Charles Thays. In Retiro and Recoleta, we will learn about the dream of our local aristocrats in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when they sought to build a small-scale Paris in the heart of Buenos Aires. After visiting the impressive Plaza San Martín, where Jorge Luis Borges used to take his walks, we’ll stroll down Avenida Alvear, chosen by the world’s most distinguished brands to install their exclusive boutiques, looking up to see the many wonderful French-style palaces which nowadays house a number of embassies. Then we’ll visit the Basilica de Nuestra Señora Del Pilar, one of the city’s oldest churches, which dates to the Colonial era. Finally, we’ll admire the celebrated Recoleta Cemetery, a true labyrinth of ornate mausoleums. We’ll make a stop at Eva Peron’s grave, one of the country’s most recognizable icons. We’ll visit Puerto Madero, the latest addition to the city’s barrios. In 1991, its huge warehouses and silos where remodelled and redesigned, to finally integrate the river to the city and to create a new corporative, residential, hotel and gastronomically district, which has become the playground for the pretty Porteños and the international jet-set. We’ll then head for San Telmo, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires. It used to be the residential district favoured by the upper class until the late 19th century when a yellow fever epidemic caused the wealthier families to leave northwards. The area was marginalized until the 1970s when many artists and artisans came to San Telmo to install their workshops. Nowadays, thanks to its amazing architecture and hip atmosphere, this ancient neighbourhood is really blooming. We’ll walk its cobbled streets, where the city’s Colonial past seems to come back to life, making a stop at Plaza Dorrego, best known for its traditional antiques fair, held every Sunday. Leaving San Telmo behind, we’ll continue southwards to La Boca, one of the city’s most authentic and charming neighbourhoods. It is a working-class district, heavily shaped by Italian immigrants who came to our country in large numbers during the last quarter of the 19th century. Here, we’ll make a special visit to the mythical Caminito Street, which sums up everything that gives La Boca its distinctive spirit: the strong passion for soccer, the heavy presence of art and colour, and the Tango-esque atmosphere. Enjoy Lunch at a traditional restaurant, typical "bodegón" (Venue: To be informed). In Argentina, in addition to having national dishes and desserts, we have a "traditional Argentine cuisine", which is also a mixture of Italian, Spanish and German dishes, all together in the same menu. This characteristic is due to the strong emigration that our country had in ancient times. This feeling of "belonging to the city", it´s transmitted through the abundance and accessibility of its food, and also by its environment. Each bodegon in Buenos Aires that lasts is a space of living history that is why sitting at their tables is one of the best ways to get to know the city. Observations: Daily departures. Lunch can be organized in a different restaurant and in other areas of the city. 4 hours are usually dedicated to cover full itinerary and 2 hours for lunch time. Please note the itinerary can be customized as per guest´s interests. If you add supplements (optional) to the original tour, note that extra time may apply, please check for extra vehicle and guide time cost. Overnight at Palo Santo Hotel.

Private transfer from Hotel to Ferry Port with your English-speaking guide assistance. Mineral water included on board. Ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia – included Service provided by Buquebus | Tourist economy class | One way trip | Duration: 1hr 15min Arrival at Colonia del Sacramento and private transfer to hotel with English speaking guide. Mineral water included on board. Colonia del Sacramento is the capital of the department of Colonia, in southwestern Uruguay. It is located at 177 kilometers from Montevideo and it is the oldest town in Uruguay. Its historic district is a renowned World Heritage Site since 1995 due to the successful architectural fusion between the Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial styles. The historic district has an area of 12 hectares in the western part of the city with a Portuguese blueprint that differs from the Spanish standard for the Latin American cities. Colonia features narrow cobblestone streets and attracts thousands of visitors. Posada Plaza Mayor is a peaceful and magical place built on a mansion from 1860 and a Portuguese ranch from 1700. A central garden recalling ancient Spanish courtyards welcomes you to enjoy a unique experience. Colonia Walking City Tour - Private service | English speaking guide at disposal | Duration: Half day tour ( 2.30 hours) | Admissions to Spanish and Portuguese Museum | Mate tasting included. At the scheduled time, meet with your Tour Guide for walking city tour along the cobbled streets of the old town of “Colonia Del Sacramento”. Visit the Spanish and Portuguese Museums and the most important tourist spots of this Old Portuguese City form the XVII century that has been declared Patrimony of Mankind by the UNESCO. Finish your day with a traditional “Mate” tasting and discover the cultural aspects of this typical infusion so widely drank locally. 1 overnight accommodation at Posada Plaza Mayor - Senior Room.

Wine Tour of Colonia Eastern Wineyards - Wine Tasting with Lunch Private service | English speaking guide at disposal | Duration: Half day tour ( 5 hours) |Visits to Cordano Winery and Finca Narbona with wine and cheese tastings | 4 steps lunch with wine pairing | Mineral water on board is included | Drop off at hotel in Carmelo Departing from Colonia we start the tour visiting the birthplace of wine in Uruguay: "La Caléra de las Huérfanas" National Monument (estimated distance: 70 km/43.5 mi - 55' on route). The history of this place says, that during the XVIII century the Jesuits established in the north of the Province of Colonia in Uruguay, where they continued their mission and built the first buildings in 1741. This is where Indians, slaves, and priests would gather. After the Jesuits were expelled by the Spanish crown, Don Juan de San Martín took the administration of the estancia and found 1500 stocks of grapevine; this is how wine production was born in Uruguay. After getting to know this important place in the history of the Uruguayan wines, we proceed to Carmelo (distant about 17 km/10.5 mi - 20') where we will visit two wineries where you will enjoy a Lunch and a Wine Tasting. Bodega Cordano is a small family-run winery which is led by Ana Paula Cordano and her family in the 5th Generation. Discover a unique place in our lands: “Almacén de la Capilla”, a vintage grocery shop founded in 1855 by Antonio Cordano, and still looking like these old days. After a warm reception there, you know the production areas and you will enjoy a beautiful walk through de vineyards earing the sweet sing of the birds. Cheer up to make a true journey through time, thanks to the magic of Bodega Cordano. Winery visit includes the guided tour through the vineyards and production area, led by the winery owners themselves. After that, you will enjoy a wine tasting. Continue to the next winery, Finca Narbona Their wine cellar has an area of 50 hectares located in the hull of the original farm dating from 1909 where Juan de Narbona founded one of the first wineries in the country. Faithful to the tradition in 1990 the hull is recycled, in 1998 the planting of vineyards began and in 2010 the construction of a new wine cellar began in the original hull for exclusive manufacture of premium wines. Enjoy your visit with wine and cheese tasting, accompanied by their winemaker who will explain you the production process and their varieties. For lunch, you will enjoy a 4-steps meal with wine pairing. We will then continue towards our friend Bernardo’s boutique winery, El Legado where guests will spend the night. (The selection of the wineries may vary due to availability and opening days, being replaced by similar option; as well the order of wineries visits can be changed due to operative or logistic reasons). This boutique winery located in the Uruguayan Wine Route offers a unique landscape, a well-cared historic building, comfortable rooms and a warm and personalized service; not to mention their exclusive Wine. 2 overnights accommodations at Posada El Legado – Suite.

Free morning at leisure. Sunset Cruise in the River Plate by Finca Narbona. Afternoon experience | Shared cruise at sunset | Duration: 2hs | Private transfers with Spanish speaking driver In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing tour through the islands of the Delta, where the waters of Río de la Plata and Rio Uruguay meet; this spot is considered to be “kilometer 0” of both rivers. The experience begins just before sunset at the secluded marina of Club del Faro. Board a classic boat guided by our captain. Discover the legends of the Uruguayan coasts and its shipwrecks before we toast to an amazing sunset. Overnight at Posada El Legado.

Private transfer to Montevideo with Spanish speaking driver. Mineral water included on board. Montevideo is the largest and more populated city in Uruguay. The city was established in 1726 as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. Montevideo is placed in the southern coast of the country, and on the northern bank of the Río de la Plata, becoming the southernmost capital city in the Americas and third most southerly in the world. Montevideo has a rich architectural and cultural heritage, the latter including tango, candombe and mate Upon arrival, Montevideo City Tour with lunch. Private Service (Personalized) | English speaking guide at disposal | Vehicle available during half day tour to Modern City | Duration: Full day tour (6 hours) | Barbacue Lunch with wine and soft drinks at port is included | Admissions to: Carnival Museum, Torres Garcia Art Museum, Mapi Museum, Solis Theatre, Gaucho Museum and Visual Arts National Museum | Mineral water included on board. On arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the Old city. The tour begins at the Independence Square where the statue of our national hero “Jose Gervasio Artigas”, guards his mausoleum next to the iconic “Palacio Salvo”. Montevideo used to be surrounded by a wall to protect the first settlers of the capital. We will cross the Gate of the Old city and walk along the pedestrian area towards the Torres Garcia Art Museum, one of the most renowned art schools in Uruguay. Continue onto the Solis Theatre for a visit before visiting the Constitution Square, the Cathedral and Cabildo. The tour continues to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art before arriving to the lively port market. Our last visit will be the Carnival Museum to discover the Spanish tradition and African roots of our carnival and learn about the “murgas” & “candombe”. If you are in Uruguay during Carnival season (late February or early March) you could even participate in one of the “tablados”, “candombe rehearsals” or “Llamadas Parade”!. Enjoy lunch at the lively port market. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a tour of the different neighborhoods of Montevideo that started developing after the demolition of the Old City Walls of Montevideo which took place on September 1829. Unlike the old city, La Ciudad Nueva (the new city), was planned with wide and tree lined streets, with magnificent stores and residence. From Plaza Independencia we can admire the surrounding buildings of different heights and styles, which clearly define it as a city facing the future. The main avenue, 18 de Julio, starts here. A few blocks away, we will visit the Plaza Fabini or “Plaza del Entrevero", with a magnificent sculpture of a horse battle between the first Spanish settlers and the native inhabitants, masterpiece of the Uruguayan artist José Belloni. From this spot we have a clear view of the Palacio Legislativo (Congress) a multicoloured marble building, one of the most sumptuous of Latin America. We will visit the Montevideo City Hall Observation Deck and will then continue onto the “Ciudad Abierta” (the open city), the area of Montevideo which gradually grew into an open city of green parks, famous monuments and residential areas. We will see the famous “Estadio Centenario” (Sports centre - entrance not included), Monumento a la Carreta and the residential area of Carrasco and Punta Gorda. It depends on the season and the visit day, you can also will visit the: “Museo del Guacho” and “Espacio de Arte Contemporáneo” (Museum of Visual Arts National Museum). DON Boutique Hotel Montevideo is located in the Old City, the main touristic neighborhood and financial center of Montevideo. We are strategically located within walking distance of the best restaurants, art galleries, theaters, typical cafés and museums of Montevideo. DON Boutique Hotel Montevideo was built in 1938 and was recently renovated to provide maximum comfort, refined style and also with the latest technology while retaining its Nautic Art-Decó facade. 1 overnight accommodation at Don Boutique Hotel – Superior room.

Transfer to Garzon and visit to winery. Private Service (Personalized) | English speaking guide and vehicle at disposal | Duration: Full day tour (6 hours) | Visit to Almazara O’33 with tasting and Garzon Winery with 3 course lunch and wine tasting | Mineral water included on board. Pick up at your hotel and transfer to the region of Garzón, also known as the “Uruguayan Tuscany”. Enjoy a visit to Almazara O´33 with olive oil tasting and then continue to the amazing Garzon Winery including tasting of their fine wines and a delicious lunch. Built atop a rocky outcrop, the winery offers amazing views of the vineyards located within rocky hillsides with mineralintense, well-draining soils that create high-quality grapes. After the visit, enjoy a tour along the hills of Pueblo Garzon that will take us to the sleepy town where we will visit the main square, chapel and train station. Visit “El Garzon” Restaurant and Hotel (owned by the renowned Argentinean chef, Francis Mallmann). “Casa Anna” is styled in the Garzon architecture of low built houses of the 1920’s. Now completely re-built, in the last 4 years, with 6 “Casitas” (double-room suites), one of which is a Dormitorio with 4 beds. The house is available for self-catering with maid service or with all meals prepared by the team of famous Chef, Francis Mallmann from his Hotel Garzon, close by. An extensive garden with a swimming pool and a Palapa style pool house. This can seat up to 30 people and can become a cinema in the evenings when required. The property includes a Ping-Pong court, an Observatory with a 10” Meade computerised telescope and a media room with WiFi and there is internet connection throughout. Yoga and massage are also available 1 overnight accommodation at Casa Anna Hotel – Double room.

Visit to Valizas and Cabo Polonio. Private Service. (Personalized) | English speaking guide and vehicle at disposal | Duration: Full day tour (9 hours) | Trekking and 4x4 truck-drive | 3 course Lunch with soft drinks, mineral water on board and entrance to natural reserve included After breakfast, meet your local guide who will guide you to the small village of Barra de Valizas. Enjoy a barefoot trek along the coastline and the incredible shifting sand dunes. Climb the “Buena Vista Hill” and appreciate the gorgeous view of the ocean before continuing to Cabo Polonio (3 hours trek). After a delicious lunch at a local seaside restaurant, visit the light house and sea lions reserve (one of the biggest ones in South America!). Afternoon 4x4 truck-drive to the main entrance of Cabo Polonio. Brisas provides an intimate experience while located right in the center of La Pedrera's old town, within a few steps meters from the beach as well as the town's main street and its many gourmet offerings. Our spacious guest rooms, appointed with mid-century finds and local artisan furniture, keep both elegance as well as comfort in mind. All guest rooms have wooden floors, bathrooms have large showers and colonial tiled floors. Brisas’ lush interior gardens ensure a peaceful stay even during the height of the season. The lounge opens into a large deck, the garden and the swimming pool, very popular with our guests as the beach often gets windy in the afternoons. Find an excuse to sit around, relax & enjoy our happy hour by the pool! 2 overnights accommodations at Brisas de la Pedrera Hotel – Suite Junior Garden.

Tour to Rocha Lagoon. Private Service (Personalized)| English speaking guide and vehicle at disposal | Duration: Half day tour (4 to 5 hours) | Lunch (fish) at local restaurant and mineral water on board is included Rocha Lagoon, a semi-freshwater lagoon of 72 km2 (28 sq mi). The lagoon has an outlet to the sea during winter months and constitutes a bird paradise with 220 species which have been recorded like migratory waders, Flamingos, Swans, Herons and ducks among others. This unique protected natural area is part of what we call the wetlands of the “Eastern Biosphere Reserve” internationally recognized within the framework of the Man and the Biosphere (Man and the Biosphere, MAB) of UNESCO since 1976. On arrival to the natural reserva, enjoy a boat ride along the lagoon guided by one of the local fishermans. We will see various bird species, local wildlife and vegetation. At midday, we will enjoy lunch at “Cocina de la Barra”, a local small restaurant ran by the wives of the fisherman... prepare yourself for amazing fresh fish!” Overnight at Brisas de La Pedrera.

Transfer to La Barra and panoramic tour of Punta del Este Private Service (Personalized)| English speaking guide and vehicle at disposal | Duration: Half day tour (5 hours) | Entrance to Casapueblo and Atchugarry Foundation| Lunch is not included | Mineral water included on board. Transfer to La Barra and Panoramic tour of Punta del Este with visit to the lively La Barra where we will cross the famous undulated bridge just before arriving to the Brava Beach of Punta del Este. Visit the most important attractions: “Juan Gorlero Avenue”, the yacht’s port, the residential areas and the lovely Casapueblo, a strange and attractive construction designed by the renowned Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró where we will visit his museum. On the way back to the La Barra visit the Atchugarry Foundation of the Uruguayan sculptor Pablo Atchugarry located in Manantiales. In the heart of the forest and one block from the sea, where the sound of the waves is confused with the ocean breeze caressing the treetops, Casa Flor is a new proposal of tranquility and enjoyment for the dreamed vacations. Casa Flor was created with the intention of offering an oasis with style and modernity in a magical natural environment, designed in every detail to be a place of rest and relaxation a few minutes away from the gastronomic and nightlife offer of La Barra. 03 overnights accommodations at Casa Flor – Garden View Room.

Full day tour to a Traditional Estancia. Private Service (Personalized) | English speaking guide and vehicle at disposal | Duration: Full day tour (8 hours) | Includes BBQ lunch with soft drinks and wine | Mineral water included on board Enjoy the simple things of the everyday rural life by participating in the daily activities of the estancia (ranch) working alongside the gauchos. The work varies depending on the time of the year, but the wonderful, friendly gauchos with their berets, ‘bombachas’ (riding trousers) and with their knives tucked into their colorful belts, always welcome a bit of help checking and moving the stock or putting animals in the corrals; they all seem to have been born on a horse and it is a delight to be riding with them! You will be able to enjoy some riding or a lovely hike to the wind mills to appreciate the lovely view of the hilly landscape. The highlight of the day will be to share the day with the local family! Overnight at Casa Flor.

Free morning at leisure. Horseback ride & Dinner in the forest - Private Service (Personalized) | English speaking guide and transfers | 4 to 6 hours duration | Refreshments, water, horses, saddlebags and dinner with flavored water and wine. Enjoy a horseback riding tour along the countryside, ocean and unspoiled coastal lagoons. We will ride cross-country along private trails bordering the coastal strip of the natural reserve of Laguna Garzón and reach the last corner of the Province of Maldonado, where the territory becomes the Province of Rocha. We will cross the sand dunes and gallop to the rhythm of the waves bordering the west arm of the lagoon known as "La Lengüeta". On arrival to the protected area of "El Caracol", we will enter the forest by a trail of “acacias”, cactus and local native plants before arriving to our destination where the fire pits will be burning under the stars. Enjoy an unforgettable dinner under the moonlight within the middle of the forest and with the noise of the waves, which reminds us that the sea is only a few meters away. Overnight at Casa Flor.

Private transfer from hotel to Montevideo (MVD) Airport with Spanish Speaking Driver. Mineral water included on board.