Food, Wine & Culture in South America

Food, Wine & Culture

Highlights: Santiago, Wine Country, Iguazu Falls & Buenos Aires
Follow the wine route from the fantastic Carménères of Colchagua to the unique Malbecs of the Uco Valley. Explore the local food markets of Santiago, revel in the irresistible aromas of a Buenos Aires parrilla, experience the thundering sounds of Iguazu’s ceaseless falls, and witness the sun setting over the Andes. It’s all here — and so much more.

Day 1: Arrival in Santiago
After collecting your bags a private car will meet you and drop you at the door of your elegant boutique hotel in the trendy Lastarria neighbourhood. After a relaxing lunch, you will be picked up for your half day tour of Santiago. The tour begins with a journey through the main avenues in the civic centre, where you’ll visit La Moneda Palace, completed in 1805 after more than 20 years of on-and-off construction. This neoclassical building was the home of Chilean presidents until 1958, and today is the seat of the government.

You will continue exploring narrow streets leading to Plaza de Armas, a picturesque square surrounded by the 18th-century Cathedral Metropolitana, the National Historical Museum, and the central post office.

Leaving downtown Santiago, you’ll head toward Parque Forestal, which leads to the Fine Arts Museum, and then Bellavista, Santiago’s artsy and bohemian district.

Your tour will then take you up to San Cristóbal, a beautiful public park offering panoramic views of the city from above, where a 118-foot statue of the Virgin Mary stands. Afterward, you’ll descend and head towards the modern commercial neighbourhoods of Pedro de Valdivia Norte, Las Condes and Vitacura – perfect spots to indulge in some shopping.

Vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina.

Day 2: Into Colchagua
Today you will embark on a full day tour of the Colchagua Valley, renowned for being the home of Chile’s most acclaimed varietal, the Carménère, as well as some exceptional reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and the Syrah.
Each winery you visit has its own unique history and individual charm, many with long-standing family traditions, combined with the latest technology for producing world-class wines, which you will have the chance to taste. Your guide will explain each process, explaining how these magnificent wines come to life in this highly reputed valley.

You’ll have the chance to visit top wineries like Viña Montes, Viña Montgras, and explore the Wine Museum in Santa Cruz. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the beautiful Hotel Santa Cruz, where you’ll try the local products and specialities that pair perfectly with the wines of the region.

Day 3: West to Casablanca
You’ll be picked up for a full-day tour of the wine region. Your journey will  take you past the vineyards, farms, orchards and olive plantations in the Curacavi and Casablanca valleys, before reaching the organic vineyards of Viña La Emiliana. Here, you will taste their wonderful wines, take a guided walk through the vineyards, learning how the endemic fauna plays a part in the sustainability of the land’s biodiversity.
Next, you will visit William Cole Vineyards for a taste of their award-winning wines. At the end of your tour you will be dropped off at your boutique winery hotel, located inside one of the valley’s top wineries, where you can relax and enjoy the serene surroundings.

Day 4: Casablanca
Today is a free day to fully enjoy your stay at the hotel. Your all-inclusive package includes a visit to the vineyard, all meals and outdoor activities — such as horse-back riding, hiking, biking — or a drive through the surrounding vineyards. The hotel itself is a charming colonial country house, featuring seven stylish rooms. With over 100 years of history, it was fully remodelled in 2004 and beautifully decorated by the renowned designer Max Cummins.

Set in the tranquil Rosario Valley, the property offers the perfect setting for  relaxation and a unique holiday experience. Take time to visit the vineyard, explore the grounds, taste the fine wines, and relax in this peaceful, picturesque setting.

Day 5: to the sea, to Valparaiso
Today, you will be picked up at the hotel and head towards the Pacific Coast. You will drive alongside the beaches of Las Salinas and Reñaca before arriving to Viña del Mar, a town Chileans refer to as “Ciudad Jardín” due to its parks, flower beds and gardens. However, the beach is the resort’s main draw and visitors and locals alike enjoy strolling along Costanera Avenue and the oceanfront promenade in the shadows of the imposing Casino Municipal.

You will then follow España Avenue to neighbouring Valparaíso, a port christened by the Spanish in 1536. The city, built on 40 hills, is known for its narrow winding streets and you’ll have the opportunity to climb up and down and around these twisty streets and pause at the water front to watch the ships, boats and fishermen in the bay.

You will then proceed to the heart of the city and Plaza Sotomayor, a pleasant sanctuary opposite the Maritime Authority. Inside the plaza stands the Monument a los Héroes de Iquique, a memorial for those killed during the War of the Pacific. Just beyond the plaza is Muelle Prat, a pier with a small crafts market. You will then ride one of the city’s many elevators, an effective way of moving around this largely vertical port city. Ascensor Artillería, built in 1898, is one of the oldest still in operation and offers a beautiful view of the ocean and bay. You’ll end the day with a relaxing evening at your boutique hotel.

Day 6: Valparaiso
A Unesco World Heritage site since 2003, the port city of Valparaiso has a unique bohemian charm defined by its steep, labyrinthine roads, crumbling mansions, and breathtaking views — ideal for the photography enthusiasts. During your stay, you’ll have time to wander the alluring streets, visit poet Pablo Neruda’s home, or take the ascensores (funiculars) from the city centre to the city’s upper levels.

Depending on the time of the year you travel, some restaurants may be closed due to the holiday season. If this is the case, we will monitor the situation and provide dining options closer to your travel date.

Horseback riding in the vineyards, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Day 7: Across the Andes to Mendoza
Today, you will be taken to the airport for your international flight to Mendoza, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your luxury property situated in the heart of Valle de Uco, a newly developed wine region just 70 miles south from Mendoza. The central Andes of Argentina are among the top wine destinations of the New World. The region offers also offers exceptional mountain activities, with peaks of almost 23000ft — among the highest outside of the Himalayas.

Day 8: Uco Valley
During your free time, you can unwind at the Spa and the heated pool, both with gorgeous views of the Central Andes. You can also visit the nearby Kilka Art Centre and the nearby wineries, where you will be able to taste some of their finest wines. For a more adventurous experience, you can go horse-back riding at Finca San Pablo, go biking through the vineyards, or head to the nearby Manzano Histórico area for various outdoor activities.

Day 9: Uco Winery visits
Today, you will go on a full-day winery tour of Uco Valley. Nestle at the foothills of the Los Andes Mountain range, Uco Valley is the region with the highest potential in Argentina’s wine industry. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel and you’ll head to the nearby wineries. You’ll visit the small boutique La Azul Winery, followed by Domaine Bousquet, before stopping at Andeluna for lunch.
At the end of your tour, you’ll be dropped off at your luxury boutique property, situated in the heart of the wine region and surrounded by lush vineyards. The hotel boasts a fantastic Hamam Spa, and uses local grapes in many of their signature products.

Day 10: Getting close to the clouds
Today, you will go on a full-day mountain drive in search of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with splendid views of the Andes, before reaching the ‘Sentinel,’ where you’ll go on a hike to the mountain’s base camp.

Day 11: Visiting the Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo wineries
Today, you’ll be picked up for a private tour of the local wineries, where you’ll meet the oenologists and have a chance to discuss the specifics of each particular varietal or blend, while tasting a variety of the wines on show. You‘ll visit the regions of Luján de Cuyo and Maipú, learning about the original techniques used to harvest the grapes, and how the indigenous people turned this once deserted area into a thriving oasis. You will start at Benegas, followed by a visit to Achaval Ferrer, before lunch at Vistalba. Finally, you’ll enjoy a tasting of Domaine Saint Diego’s wonderful wines before returning to your hotel.

Day 12: From the mountains to the jungle
Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Puerto Iguazu. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel — the only property located inside the National Park. Your room will offer a view of the falls.
During your free time at the hotel, you will be able to enjoy the pool, take a stroll through the lush gardens, or indulge in one of the many spa treatments available at the hotel’s spa.

Day 13: The Falls
This morning, you will be picked up at your hotel for a full day tour of the National Park. The visit includes the upper and lower circuits of the jungle, and the train to the Devil’s Throat. You’ll also experience the Great Adventure boat and Land Rover excursion.
The tour will take you right beneath the waterfall, offering a unique view of the park. The sights are tremendous, so be sure to bring your camera. We recommend stopping for a bite to eat at one of the park’s restaurants. Be prepared to get wet during the day’s activities, so we suggest bringing a raincoat or a waterproof poncho if you would prefer to stay dry. After the tour, you’ll have time for lunch at one of the park’s restaurants before your return to the hotel.

Day 14: To the big city
You’ll spend the morning exploring the park, and after lunch, you’ll head to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina and one of the great cities of the Western Hemisphere. Upon arrival in BA, a private car will take you to your elegant boutique hotel in the heart of the fashionable Palermo district. Once an industrial area, Palermo is now Buenos Aires’ trendy hotspot, known for its restaurants, coffee shops, designer boutiques and chic furniture. Spend some time perambulating through this trendy neighborhood or relax at one of the local cafes before hitting one of the area’s famous dinner spots, where the beef is fresh, the wine exquisite, and the atmosphere filled with the joyful energy of  Argentine life.

Day 15: Tour of brilliant Buenos Aires
Spend your first day in Argentina getting accustomed to the numerous cultural offerings of this unparalleled city, where Latin America’s charismatic passion meets the refined sophistication of Europe, where brightly colored bodegas coexist with the polished granite of high-end apartments towering above wide and hurried streets, and where romance seems to linger in the air at every turn.

Explore the Old World trappings of Retiro and Recoleta, where the city’s Parisian influence is tastefully and graciously celebrated and remembered. These neighbourhoods hark back to the unpredictable days and fervid nights at the turn of the 20th Century, when Buenos Aires experienced a population boom that brought a rich cultural fusion to its streets and avenues. You’ll also get a chance to walk by some of the most important and noteworthy landmarks of Buenos Aires’s grand and glorious past, from Plaza de Mayo and the nation’s political heart, to the cobblestone streets of San Telmo, where Buenos Aires’s colonial past mixes with her thriving nightlife to produce one of the most unique neighbourhoods in this fascinating metropolis. From the rich and varied past to the fast-paced, exhilarating present, Buenos Aires is truly a city that is always on the move and always ready to take you along for the ride.
After your 2-hour guided tour, so you’ll have time to rest or continue exploring the city at your own pace.

Day 16:Learning the art of Argentine Tango
After a delicious breakfast at your Recoleta hotel, you’ll head to the private studio of one of the city’s top dance instructors for a lesson on one of the world’s most famous partner dances: the tango. Forged in the fiery atmosphere of the lower-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, the tango blends European and Argentinian musical traditions, and has become an integral part of Argentina’s identity since the 1950s, when it first became a source of fierce national pride. You’ll experience the powerful and colorful history of this captivating dance as your instructor fills you in on its subtle cues, deep emotions, and the irrepressible desire that drives its steps. This will prepare you well for an incredible evening show at a Buenos Aires tango club, where you’ll enjoy a tasty, authentic meal while watching the movements of some of the country’s finest dancers.

Day 17: Heading Home
Today you leave the passionate charm and ceaseless beauty of Argentina, filled with stories and songs, the sights of the Andes, the sounds of Iguazu, the smells of Mendoza and the feelings of warmth and welcome from all over this wonderful country — memories that will cherish for life. By the time you return home, you’ll no doubt be brushing up on your Spanish, ready for your next trip down South America way.

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