14-Day Guided Tour of Argentina for Seniors

This morning, you will wake up to a delicious breakfast at your hotel before meeting your private guide in the lobby for a tour of one of Buenos Aires’ most colorful and vivacious neighborhoods: La Boca. You will stroll through the lively streets as tango dancers break out into impromptu shows all around you. You will also be enticed by friendly shop owners who may call out for you to come inside and take a look at their trinkets. You will even notice the children as they kick around a soccer ball in a local field, and you will immerse yourself in the true culture of Buenos Aires’ daily life. After you have had a look around, you will enjoy lunch at one of the many splendid restaurants that line the neighborhood’s main drag. Delicious Argentine delicacies are served by each restaurant, and you be delighted by the live tango shows that take place on their outdoor patios.

After your private driver has returned you to your hotel, you can explore the area a bit on your own with recommendations from your local guide. The Palermo neighborhood is full of charming cafes, unique boutiques, art galleries, bars, and restaurants, making it the ideal location to meander around in your free time. In the evening, you will meet your driver at the hotel and delight in a sensational show at the world-famous Teatro Colón Opera House. Here, you will delight in the interesting architecture and intricate designs of the building’s domed roof before enjoying the world-class spectacle that awaits you.

This morning, you will enjoy a traditional Argentine breakfast of facturas, which are pastries that have been covered in powdered sugar and typically filled with sweet, thick dulce de leche. You may also indulge in a coffee or mate, the typical Argentine drink of choice, which is a strong and highly caffeinated tea that requires a bit of an acquired taste. Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel to start your day with a visit to the famed San Telmo open-air market. San Telmo is one of the oldest and most historical neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and your guide will elaborate on its fascinating history. The weekly market brings fresh energy to this district, offering tourists and locals alike the chance to enjoy traditional Argentine delicacies, music, tango, and artifacts that have been crafted by local artisans. As you wander through the teeming market, stopping to admire a booth of paintings by a local artist, you may smell the sweet aroma of Argentine Parilla, or barbeque, and decide to stop for lunch. Here, you can sip a freshly squeezed orange juice from one of the market’s many vendors and enjoy the sunny afternoon at your leisure.

Today, you will wake up early and be met by your private driver who will transfer you to the airport for a quick flight to El Calafate, which is one of the main entry points into Patagonia. Here, your driver will leave you at the port where you will board a luxurious small boat for your two-night boat cruise through Los Glaciares National Park.

On this cruise, you will have the opportunity to view El Perito Moreno, one of the world’s most notable remaining glaciers that is expanding rather than receding. You will have the opportunity to get up close to the fantastic glacial ice fields and experience parts of the park that is typically inaccessible to other visitors.

You will wake on the boat to enjoy the second day of your deluxe cruise through the lakes and canals of Los Glaciares National Park. You will luxuriate in a gourmet breakfast before preparing for the day’s host of activities. The expert crew will educate you with details of the surrounding environment and regional wildlife as you continue to cruise through this impressive area.

The boat will stop at various landing points, allowing you the opportunity to disembark and explore the area on guided nature walks to overlook points with ideal views of the infamous glaciers. View the distinguished Upsala Glacier up close, you will enjoy being immersed in the incredible natural environment. Close your eyes as you listen to the wind as it rustles through the trees with the sounds of wildlife, reminding you how very far away you are from the stress and worry of your regular life. You can look over the seemingly endless ice fields as your boat gently cruises alongside them and be amazed by the massive Andes mountains that surround you as you glide through the crystal-clear waters of the Patagonian lakes.

After disembarking from your cruise, your private driver will meet you for your scenic, one-and-a-half-hour transfer to Bariloche, which is located in Patagonia’s distinguished Lake District. Your driver will make stops along the way at the notable sites, offering information about each place and the opportunity to take photos. Driving through the vast countryside of Patagonia with the snow-capped Andes mountains looming on all sides, you will notice the herds of sheep that lazily graze in fields, which will seem to expand for miles. You can absorb the gorgeous scenery that surrounds you on this tour, and discover delicious meals to delight your inner foodie.

You will fly to Bariloche, and your private transfer will escort you to a pristine mountain lodge equipped with fantastic views of the lakes and mountains for which the Lake District is renowned. You will notice that Bariloche is reminiscent of Germany’s Bavaria, and the snowy peaks of the Andes even earned it the nickname the “Swiss Alps of South America.” Your private driver will leave you in the town of Bariloche where you can relax among breathtaking views of this charming town that is nestled within the mountains.

This morning, you will wake up to a delicious breakfast at your mountain lodge and meet your private guide in the lobby to begin your day of activities. Today, you will have the opportunity to explore the Lake District by boat, which is the most classic way to appreciate the true natural beauty of the region. You will board the boat for a day-cruise, disembarking for guided hikes through the glittering terrain, where you will discover the allure of Bariloche at a leisurely pace. At the completion of your day’s cruise, your driver will return you to your lodge.

For a unique view of Patagonia, you can spend time visiting El Bolosn to sample the rich cheeses and crisp beers taken from the German tradition with organic farms blossoming along the edges of the lake. You could also spend more time in Bariloche's chocolate shops to discover and admire a tradition of decadent flavors that celebrate both a local and international heritage. In the evening, settle in to watch the sunset from your hotel with a glass of  Argentine wine in hand to reflect on the wonders of the day.

This morning, you will have an early breakfast and meet your private driver at your hotel for your transfer to the airport, which is where you will board a short flight to Mendoza, Argentina’s esteemed winemaking region. Upon settling in at your boutique wine lodge and spa accommodation, you will be met in the lobby by your knowledgeable guide who will lead you on a wonderful tour of Mendoza’s best local bodegas or wineries. You will learn about the winemaking process from families that have been doing it for generations and have a passion for their craft, which becomes immediately transparent upon hearing their stories. After visiting several bodegas, you will be treated to a specially curated wine tasting and have the opportunity to sample some of the finest wines in the world.

Swirling a glass of sweet, dark Argentinian Malbec wine against the backdrop of endless picturesque vineyards, you can delight in every sip that you drain from your glass. Allowing the soft tannins to wash over your tongue, you will be convinced that this is genuinely one of the most beautiful places on Earth. In scenic, peaceful wine country, everything else seems to melt away, and you are free to live in the moment and indulge in the treasures of this fantastic country.

Today, prepare to traverse Mendoza’s beautiful countryside as you are taken by private coach deep into the Andes mountains. You will find yourself awestruck as you drive through the winding roads of Argentina’s Route 7, which is part of the famed Pan-American Highway. You will have the opportunity to view the mighty peak of Aconcagua, which is the highest mountain on the continent. Your knowledgeable guide will delight you with information about the region, offering an insider’s perspective into this natural wonderland. You will stop at noteworthy sites along the way such as Uspallata, which is an enchanting mountain town with extraordinary views of the alpines, and the renowned Puente del Inca, which is a colorful, natural rock bridge across the Vacas River that was once explored by Charles Darwin.

As you arrive at the lookout point for snowy Aconcagua mountain, you will marvel at its sheer magnitude and imposing stature. Your guide may ask you to close your eyes and just listen. The sounds of wind and wildlife will be heightened as you shut off your other senses, and the aura of the natural world as it surrounds you becomes palpable. You will open your eyes and gaze around at the breathtaking landscape, feeling so small among nature’s brilliance. After the tour, your private driver will return you to your hotel, where you will have the chance to enjoy your boutique hotel’s spa at your leisure. If a spa day does not entice you, then you can venture to town for dinner at one of the superb restaurants that are recommended by your tour guide.

This morning, you will awaken for breakfast and take the morning to admire the landscape and explore the town of Mendoza once more. You can choose a scenic cafe to revel in the tranquility of the town at your leisure. As you sit next to your travel companions, you will begin to reminisce on your marvelous journey. The days is yours to embrace the life and beauty of your surroundings by lounging in natural hot springs with a view of the natural arid landscape. If you prefer more adventure, you can venture out of town on horseback.

In the morning, you can look around you at breakfast and take in the snow-capped Andes against the charming dirt roads and vineyards of Mendoza. You may realize that this has truly been the trip of a lifetime before meeting your private driver who will meet you at your hotel. You will have help to collect your things and be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to enjoy the beauty of the city at your pace.

At breakfast, you may find the aromas of medialunas or alfajores in the dining room providing a sweet scene to the dining room of your hotel. When you are ready, you will transfer to the airport for your flight home to officially bring an end to your discovery of Argentina. You may have uncovered new ways to enjoy the beauty and simple pleasures of daily life that you can take home with you as you return home.