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CHILE/ARGENTINA |
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CHILE / ARGENTINA itinerary
“Chile & Argentina: South America’s hidden treasures”
Day 1: Santiago
Meals: Lunch/ Dinner Destination visited: Santiago to Colchagua Valley
Day Two: Colchagua Valley - Perallillo In the morning, our guides will drive you to San Fernando, where the Wine Train will be waiting to take you on an unforgettable hour-long journey. Traveling through the countryside, you will experience authentic Chilean music, a folklore group, as well as a complete tasting of local wines and Chilean food. When you arrive at the train station of Santa Cruz, you will be welcomed and brought to Viu Manent Winery, where a delicious lunch will be served. After a fine meal, you may choose to explore the plantations and elegant vineyard on foot, or by horse-drawn carriage. We will then continue the drive to Apalta Valley, where we will discover the essence of the valley on bike. After an invigorating ride, we’ll arrive at Viña La Playa, where you will spend the next two evenings. The gracious hosts and their friendly and experienced staff create an inviting family atmosphere. The dining room's international cuisine is first-rate and is well complemented, naturally, by La Playa wines.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner Destinations visited: Apalta Valley & Perallillo Distance cycled: 45 km/ 28 miles
Day Three: Colchagua Valley Loop Today we will explore the Lolol district, also known as "The Valley of the Artists". The group will depart in the morning and be taken to the town of Lolol, where the bikes will be waiting. We’ll pedal the small streets and enjoy the typical Chilean country style. Created by a collective over 100 Chilean artists, "The Valley of the Artists", is a display of paintings, sculptures and buildings that exhibit innovative concepts of space, setting and dimension. After lunch, you will be driven to Santa Cruz, where we’ll visit the Colchagua Museum. Located in a classic colonial-style house, the Colchagua is the largest private museum in the country; it features the country's most extensive collection of Mapuche handicrafts and other Pre-Columbian objects, including rare and precious Inca gold items. When you return to Viña La Playa, you can relax by the pool or wander around on horseback before savoring an authentic Chilean meal and then retiring to the comfort of your room.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner Destinations visited: Lolol & Santa
Day Four: Colchagua Valley - Santiago After breakfast, you will be brought from the Colchagua Valley to Santiago, where you will spend the remainder of the morning exploring and enjoying Chile’s capital. After lunch, we’ll embark on a drive through the main business district of Providencia, and then explore La Moneda: the Presidential Palace, seat of power and ceremonial center of the city. You can walk through the impressive building's exterior sections, which house art and other exhibitions that provide insight into aspects of Chilean life. From there it is a short ride to the Main Square, or Plaza de Armas, to visit the Cathedral and Pre-Columbian Art Museum, where you will find a vast display of relics from Pre-Hispanic culture. The tour will continue to the Cerro San Cristobal, which overlooks the entire city. Enjoy a marvelous evening meal before returning to your luxurious room to dream of the exciting things that lie ahead on this adventure.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner Destination visited: Colchagua Valley to Santiago
Day Five: Santiago - Mendoza Depart in the morning and board a flight to Mendoza. Located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, Mendoza is located 760 m/ 471 ft above sea level. The city of Mendoza is the provincial capital of the Mendoza region of Cuyo, one of Argentina's main wine-producing areas; it is a lush city with a number of parks, and a lively atmosphere with numerous restaurants and theatres. You’ll be brought by van to the Club Tapiz Hotel, located 30 minutes from the airport in the Maipu district. The residence was built in 1890, is surrounded by 10 hectares of vineyards, and boasts classic views of the Andean Range. The house has been restored, preserving its Renaissance-style villa structure and maintaining emblematic elements such as the patio and pinewood floors. A few steps away from the house is an antique winery where guests are invited to taste exclusive wines at the pulpería (traditional bar). After an enjoyable bike ride, we’ll arrive at the Pulenta Winery. Surrounded by 53 hectares of 40-year-old vineyards, Carlos Pulenta Winery is the perfect result of blending modern technology with years of experimentation in high altitude vineyards. Carlos Pulenta, a fifth-generation Argentine vintner, is proud to present his winery to the world. This young winery is catching the attention of the international specialized press, especially after the launching of their wine, the ‘Vistalba Corte A’. In the late afternoon, return to the hotel by coach, enjoy a fantastic dinner, and head to your room feeling accomplished and completely satisfied.
Meals: Breakfast/ Gourmet Picnic/ Dinner Destinations visited: Mendonza & Maipu Distance cycled: 24 km / 14.9 miles
Day Six: Potrerillos & White Water Rafting Prepare for an early morning departure and cycle through the Ruca Malen and Septima wineries. Our guides will then drive you to Potrerillos, where they will lead a beautiful ride around the lake. After a gourmet picnic lunch, you will experience one of the greatest and most adventurous ways to travel - white water rafting. Enjoy an unforgettable, exhilarating experience with a 30-minute trip down the rapids of the Mendoza River. Trained professionals offer a safe and exciting way to experience the beauty and grandeur of the majestic Andes Mountains. After an enlivening day, return to the hotel and relax at the luxurious spa.
Meals: Breakfast/ Gourmet Picnic/ Dinner Destinations visited: Potrerillos and surroundings
Day Seven: Catena Zapata Enjoy a short ride this morning to Catena Zapata. Bodega Catena Zapata is widely recognized for its revolutionary owner and wine-maker Nicolás Catena. He is known for introducing to the international wine community the true potential and quality of the Mendoza terrain. As Wine Spectator's South American critic James Molesworth mentions, Argentina produces world-class wines, thanks to the Malbec grape in general and the wines of Nicolás Catena in particular. Enjoy your exclusive tour and portfolio tasting of wines and exquisite cheeses. Return to the hotel and take time to relax at the spa or explore the beautiful grounds before a fantastic dinner.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner Destination visited: Bodega Catena Zapata Distance cycled: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Day Eight: Mendoza - Buenos Aires This morning you will be brought to Mendoza to board a flight to Buenos Aires. When your flight arrives, you will be taken to the hotel; everything is grand, on a scale fit for kings: Av. 9 de Julio ranks as the world's widest avenue. There is a cemetery so upscale that it occupies one of the premier spots of downtown, and the entire city sits on banks of the world's widest river. Buenos Aires never fails to impress. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will start a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the "Paris of South America”. Visit the sights clustered around the city's central plaza: La Plaza de Mayo, La Casa Rosada, Cabildo and the Metropolitan Cathedral. See the beautiful parks and gardens of Palermo, the old quarters of San Telmo, the bustling banking and business centre, the historical Government House, Congress and the Recoleta cemetery. Hear stories of the immigrants who came from Europe, and the politics that swayed emotions, changed lives and became the theme of stories, music and theatre.
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner Destination visited: Buenos Aires
Day Nine: Buenos Aires This morning you will be invited to visit more of the city on your bike! It will be a different and interesting way to see areas like Palermo and La Recoleta. After this visit, take time to relax before transfer to the airport for a flight back home or on to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast Destinations visited: Palermo and La Recoleta (Buenos Aires) Accomplished: Total Satisfaction! |
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