Touring South America offers the perfect wine trail, combining the soils of the Andes, Pacific coastal plain, and the riverside pampas. Your custom tailored tour embraces the diverse characteristics of vineyards spread across Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay for a tour as unique as the wines you taste. Let the sounds of the tango in Buenos Aires seductively move your body. Wander amongst the cobblestone streets and colonial homes of Colonia. Witness the snowcapped peak of the Andean Mountains and...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Santiago – Charms of Chile
Santiago is a city of cosmopolitan flavor and exciting history, bohemian culture and enticing cuisine. Skyscrapers float above the city streets imitating the soaring peaks of the Andes Mountains bordering the east. Renovated colonial buildings around Plaza de Armas tell a story of Spanish conquest while the murals decorating the facades of the Bellavista neighborhood highlight contemporary aesthetic and the avant-garde perspective of a youthful ambiance.
Your private transfer meets you at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport and escorts you to a luxurious hotel overlooking the bustling streets of the captivating city. After settling into the comforts of your accommodation, you meet your guide and set out on an introductory tour of the mixture of urban renewal and countryside greenery. The neighborhood of Paris-Londres resembles the narrow pebbled lanes shaded by trees you would find in France. Cafés set out tables beneath the thin trees, offering views to passersby as well as the lingering aroma of freshly brewed coffee. You reach the historic heart of the city at Plaza de Armas to find the regal façade of the presidential palace.
The structure was erected in the 18th century and became the residential palace in the mid-19th century. The limestone and sand taken from the banks of the Maipo River cast a pearly glow against the manicured gardens along the forecourt. Oak and cypress trees provide a herbaceous scent to the air and comfortable shade to the walkways. The neoclassical architectural style presents an elegant vision, embellished with historic statues and the graceful mist rising from the long fountains.
What's Included:
Day 2
Santiago – Touching the Glowing Grapes
Day 3
Mendoza – Discovering the Chilean Shore
Day 4
Mendoza – A Gourmet Glance at Mendoza
Day 5
Mendoza – Introduction to Argentine Wines
Day 6
Colonia – Stepping Out from Argentina’s Shadow
Day 7
Colonia – Irresistibly Photogenic
Day 8
Buenos Aires – Culture Across the Riverbed
Day 9
Buenos Aires – A Taste of Tango
Day 10
Buenos Aires – A Lingering Exquisite Taste
Trip Highlights
- Sample the diverse varietals of the Casablanca Valley, a region of Chile combining the Andean soil and minerals from the Pacific coastline
- Indulge in a luxurious sampling of Argentinian wines in the Uco Valley outside of Mendoza, known for various varietals including Malbec
- Delight in a day visiting Uruguay’s presidential summer estate, located on the country’s oldest vineyard
- Explore the pleasures of chocolate in Mendoza, Argentina during a private cooking class utilizing the enticing flavors of the regional specialties
- Discover the charm of Colonia de Sacramento in Uruguay, a town of cobbled streets, colonial homes, and antique architecture hiding contemporary shops
- Bask in the tango’s embrace while entertaining a dance lesson with a private instructor
- See the beauty of Chile’s Pacific Ocean when visiting the cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar; the latter houses the unique Museo Francisco Fonck
Detailed Description
Experience perfection in the ardent flavors of South America on your 10-day South American Tour focusing on the wines of Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. From the cosmopolitan streets of Santiago to the quiet cobblestone avenues hidden in the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, you will discover the emerald vines of the valleys and the historical charms of Uruguayan plains, each highlighting regional flavors, and culture embodied in celebrated wines. Your tour of South America begins with your arrival in Santiago, Chile. Your private transfer meets you at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport before escorting you to a luxurious hotel in the heart of the city.
Your guide greets you in the lobby after you have had a chance to settle in, and leads you on an encompassing introductory tour of the city’s vibrant streets and gourmet restaurants. The next morning, you travel northwest out of Santiago to traverse the vineyards in Casablanca Valley. Enjoy tastings at three separate vineyards before returning back to Santiago for the evening. Then, you travel to the shores of the Pacific Ocean, visiting the charming cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. The sister cities contain distinctive personalities while overlooking the Chilean coastline. Visit the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda’s home and wander through gardens and plazas before flying from Santiago to Mendoza, Argentina. You have a luxurious hotel in the heart of the city, allowing you to settle into the beauty of Argentina’s popular wine-growing region.
Your South American tour takes you on a half-day walking excursion through the city of Mendoza to view colonial architecture, verdant parks, and lively street culture before partaking in a confectionary class to learn the art of making chocolate. Afterward, your guide leads you into the countryside to visit a number of vineyards in the Uco Valley. Sample a selection of wineries and enjoy regional cuisine at lunch before returning to Mendoza. Your private transfer collects you at the hotel and escorts you to Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport for your flight to Montevideo, Uruguay.
Your guide meets you at baggage claim and leads you on a fabulous tour of the capital city, in a country often caught in the shadow of its larger neighbor to the west. After the tour, you continue to the town of Colonia del Sacramento, easily settling into the comforts of your accommodation. You explore the countryside outside of Colonia, visiting one of the country’s oldest wineries, which is also the home of the presidential summer residence. In the afternoon, you tour a winery founded by German émigrés in the 19th century before returning to Colonia. You have the morning to discover the charming streets of Colonia at your leisure, taking in the colonial architecture and historical center en route to the port.
Board the ferry and cross the Rio de la Plata to reach Buenos Aires. Your private transfer meets you at the port outside of customs and escorts you to a stunning hotel in the elegant neighborhood of Recoleta. Your guide leads you on a full day tour through the city to uncover the surface splendor and hidden wonders of the cultures brimming in each distinctive neighborhood. In the evening, partake in an inviting private tango lesson before witnessing a seductive tango performance. Your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby on the final day and escorts you to Ministro Pistarini International Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,100 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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