South America Wine Tour: Chile, Argentina and Uruguay

We wanted to visit Buenos Aires and Uruguay for a week in June of this year. This is my second time using Zicasso. I had an excellent experience with them for a trip to Switzerland two years ago and wanted to give them another try. I was not disappointed.

I was offered two proposals from local travel experts in South America, both of which were promising. I made the choice because our Zicasso travel specialist was personally familiar with the places I wanted to visit, so he got the nod. I identified the places I wanted to visit and the kind of experiences I wanted to have, and he turned that around with a specific itinerary in a few days, after asking some qualifying questions about hotel, location, and traveling preferences.

For the Uruguay portion of the trip, he partnered with our travel specialist, our concierge for Uruguay and guide for Colonia del Sacramento, and travel through Montevideo.

Our guide for the tour of Buenos Aires was so knowledgeable that describing her that way is quite an understatement, given her mastery of the neighborhoods and their historic, cultural, residential, and shopping aspects. But even better, she had a talent for describing what real life in Buenos Aires was like historically and now.

Our hotel in fashionable Palermo was more than comfortable, with staff inviting us to share their sandwiches and pulling up chairs for the Argentina-Austria match being watched in the lobby. Very hospitable people, which we found everywhere, actually. We did a tango night with dinner and a show that left us speechless at a cabaret in Buenos Aires. We’ve never seen such grace, athleticism, and talent so up close. Bravo!

We reached Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay by ferry and were met there by our travel specialist for a tour (with our driver) of the colonial old city, where she explained how to tell which street or which building was built by the Portuguese or the Spanish during the contentious colonial period by looking at the stone arrangement and roof treatment. We had lunch and a lovely drive along the coast to Montevideo. Along the way, our travel specialist and our driver carefully explained how to avoid getting caught inadvertently by the prevalent speed cameras and be in compliance with local driving practices. Our hotel in Montevideo was our world-class HQ for touring the city, the beaches, and the wine country, before renting a car and driving to Punta del Este and surrounding areas.

From our hotel in Punta del Este, we could cross the road and walk along the beach for long distances. The dining staff greeted us like old friends after the first meal. The car always appeared immediately when we wanted it. The place is also rumored to throw one of the best New Year's parties in South America, but we weren’t there at the right time of year for that. Yet.

Our travel day home included a couple of hours' drive and rental car return (very easy), then boarding the ferry to Buenos Aires for a two-and-a-half-hour cruise. In Buenos Aires, we were delighted to meet up with our guide, who recommended that we spend our few hours until leaving for the airport at an excellent restaurant on the water, and then easily accommodated our need to buy some gifts for family back home. Along the way, he showed us how previous strangers can become good friends in a very small amount of time.

We saw and experienced everything we wanted to on this trip, and then some. It was well organized and scheduled, and the people were terrific. I would strongly recommend these people for traveling in South America. They really know their stuff.  

My wife and I recently embarked on a breathtaking journey through South America, visiting Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazú Falls in Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We entrusted Zicasso's tour agency with planning our trip and it turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we've ever made.

From the very beginning, the team at the tour company was attentive and responsive, taking the time to understand our preferences and interests. They crafted a personalized itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration.

Buenos Aires: Our adventure began in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. The agency arranged for a knowledgeable local guide who took us through the historic neighborhoods, tango shows, and culinary delights. The accommodations were centrally located, allowing us to explore the city with ease.

Mendoza: Next, we traveled to Mendoza, where we were immersed in the world of wine. The tour agency organized exclusive vineyard tours and tastings, providing us with a unique insight into the region's winemaking traditions. The picturesque landscapes and charming boutique hotel made our stay unforgettable.

Iguazú Falls: The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls. The agency ensured we had the best vantage points and arranged for a thrilling boat ride that brought us up close to the cascading waters. Their attention to detail and seamless logistics made this experience truly magical.

Rio de Janeiro: Our journey concluded in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. The travel company curated a perfect blend of iconic sights like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, along with hidden gems that showcased the city's unique culture. The beachfront hotel provided stunning views and a relaxing end to our adventure.

Throughout the trip, the tour company was always available to assist with any questions or adjustments, ensuring a stress-free experience. Their expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident in every aspect of our journey.

We wholeheartedly recommend this company to anyone seeking a well-organized and memorable travel experience. We look forward to planning our next adventure with them!

Zicasso’s travel specialist did an amazing job with the itinerary and the activities. The meals, excursions, transport, and hotels—everything went like clockwork. The travel company is the only one to work with in Argentina. Plus, the travel specialist also organizes trips in Chile and Peru. We can't wait to go back for a wine-centric tour.

It was a very well-organized trip with a lot of attention to detail. The tour guides were professional and kind. I fell sick the first day in Santiago and the hotel staff were extremely helpful with organizing a doctor and helping me get appropriate medication in the middle of the night. Patagonia is a truly wonderful place and the arrangements were excellent. Thank you.

The trip was extremely well organized by Zicasso's travel specialist and a comprehensive tour of Patagonia. It included nature, history, wine, and culinary experiences. Great trip.

Our South America holiday was amazing, but unfortunately, I cannot give the credit for that to the travel company.

This experience was in stark contrast to a previous Zicasso trip I booked two years ago with another travel specialist for Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. He arranged a video call at the beginning, took the time to genuinely listen to my interests, dislikes, travel style, and expectations, and then curated the most incredible personalised adventure. From start to finish, I dealt with him directly. He was available by phone, email, and WhatsApp throughout my solo trip, assisting with boarding passes, seat allocations, train details, tour reminders, guide names, and meeting points. I felt completely supported the entire way.

Unfortunately, my experience with this travel company was very different. Although the travel agent was attentive and responsive initially, her attention to detail was subpar. Once the sale was secured, I was passed on to someone else, and communication became fragmented and frustrating. There were mistakes, oversights, missed emails, and far too much back-and-forth considering the premium price I was paying for a supposedly curated private itinerary.

I found myself exhausted before the holiday had even begun because I constantly had to scrutinise every detail to ensure my requests and instructions had actually been followed. In reality, I ended up doing much of my own research, suggesting tours myself, and checking logistics repeatedly.

Once the trip began, the confusion unfortunately continued. We experienced duplicate bookings, guides chasing us, wondering where we were while we were already on another scheduled city tour, and multiple occasions when the meeting times on the "official" itinerary did not match the local guide information provided separately.

To be fair, the travel agent did check in a few times during the trip to ask how things were going, and I appreciated that effort.

Despite the operational issues, we still had an amazing holiday because South America itself was incredible. However, given the amount of money paid for a supposedly curated, premium private travel experience — compared to widely available pre-organised tours at significantly lower prices — I was disappointed with the level of service and how heavily involved I needed to be in managing my own trip.