Wines & Wonders of South America A Journey through Chile and Argentina

Highlights
Santiago, Wine Train, Colchagua Valley, Crossing the Andes, Mendoza, Los Caminos del Vino Route, Wine Pairing Lunch, Buenos Aires, Tango Show

Collette Experience

  • Relish renowned Chilean & Argentine wines during visits to picturesque vineyards in Colchagua Valley and Mendoza.
  • 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.
  • Experience the flavor and history of Argentina's most famous wine, Malbec, while at the bodega and during a gourmet wine pairing lunch.
  • Enjoy a home-hosted dinner in Argentina, learning about the daily life and culture of locals.
  • 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.

    • Call 1 (800) 999-2599 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8724133

    Tour Operator
    Collette Vacations
    Offer
    Offer valid through 12/31/2009
    Duration
    11 Days
    DayDestinationDescription
    Air 1Overnight Flight 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 2Santiago Santiago, Chile - Tour Begins : Arrive in Santiago, Chile's vibrant capital set against the magnificent Andes. LANGUAGE DISCOVERY Your Tour Manager helps you discover the origin and history of the local language along with key words and phrases to help you communicate. This afternoon, a Santiago city tour includes the Hippodrome and O'Higgins Park. 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, and visit a bustling local 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.
    Day 3Santiago Santiago : A day at leisure provides you with countless opportunities. Shop Santiago's chic boutiques and dine at one of its cafes, 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 Vina 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.
    Day 4Santiago 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 carmenere, 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 a vineyard and learn the techniques of wine making and enjoy a tasting, followed by a traditional Chilean lunch. Then, visit one of the continent's largest private museums in the picturesque town of Santa Cruz. The expansive, fascinating collection of the Colchagua Museum contains everything from exquisite pre-Columbian jewelry, 300-million-year-old fossils and Chilean cowboy artifacts.
    Day 5Mendoza Santiago - Mendoza, Argentina : Start your panoramic journey into the soaring Andes through the scenic Aconcagua Valley, following the route of the famed Transandine Railway, currently in reconstruction and expected to be one of the most spectacular railway journeys on earth. 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 mate 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.
    Day 6Mendoza Mendoza : Take in the atmosphere of relaxing Mendoza during a tour of this tranquil city which highlights the vast Parque General San Martin 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 cafes.
    Day 7Mendoza 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 Maipu, Lujan 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.
    Day 8Buenos Aires 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 a home-hosted dinner with a local Argentine family where you have the opportunity to experience local culture in a personalized setting and ask questions about daily life.
    Day 9Buenos Aires Buenos Aires : Today you'll enjoy a Portenos 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 cafe in one of the city's many fashionable neighborhoods.
    Day 10Buenos Aires 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!
    Day 11Tour ends 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.
    Dates/Pricing

    Click Quote or call 1 (800) 999-2599 to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

    DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
    10/06/2010Quote
    02/09/2011$2,099.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    03/23/2011$2,099.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    Lodging
    Atton Las Condes
    Hotel Huentala Boutique
    Panamericano Hotel & Resort
    Disclaimer
    Note
    Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.