Argentina Luxury - Ultimate Wine Tour of South America

The Destination background

Buenos Aires is the most cosmopolitan city in South America and evokes a European sentiment thanks in part to its French style architecture. With glamorous shops, fine dining and a vibrant culture, this modern city is regarded as the finest in Latin America.

Mendoza, the home of Argentinean wine is set with a beautiful backdrop to the Andes. With numerous estates or bodegas, this is true wine country and affords a wonderful appreciation of the great New World wines.

Santiago is the modern capital of Chile which also boasts some wonderful colonial architecture from a bygone age.

Santa Cruz, the capital of the Colchagua region in Chile is the Bordeaux of Latin America. With world class estates and viticulture at a new high level, this is the perfect destination for the true oenophile.

Full Itinerary

• Day 1. Buenos Aires

  Arrival, reception and transfer to the deluxe 5* Hotel Alvear Palace Hotel, one of the finest hotels in South America, for two night’s accommodation.

• Day 2. Buenos Aires (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, a private city tour of the city, reminiscent of Paris. It is situated on the Rio de la Plata, and as its name suggests, it is the city of good winds. The tour will include a visit to the Plaza de Mayo, the hub of the city centre and where many public buildings such as the Catedral Metropolitana can be found. At the east end, you will find the Casa Rosada presidential palace with the famous balcony from which Juan and Evita Peron greeted the masses. A visit will also be made to the Teatro Colon, the world-class opera house that opened in 1908 with a presentation of Aida. It seats 2500 spectators and offers standing room for another 1000. There is also a museum featuring instruments, costumes and photographs of performers. You shall visit La Boca, Buenos Aires’ most colourful neighbourhood. Lunch at the La Bourgogne, the only Relais Gourmand restaurant in Argentina. The restaurant serves the finest French and international food in the city and according to Travel & Leisure magazine rated La Bourgogne the number one restaurant in South America, and Wine Spectator gave it the distinction of being one of the "Best Restaurants in the World for Wine Lovers." Return to your hotel.

  In the evening, dinner & tango Show in La Esquina Carlos Gardel, the foremost tango house in Buenos Aires.

• Day 3. Buenos Aires – Mendoza – Tupungato (B & D)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Mendoza. Transfer to Tupungato, in the Uco Valley. The Uco Valley is a privileged area for grape and high quality wine production at the foot of the Andean Mountain Range. With its unique landscape and 1000m altitude, you will find Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec and Semillón grapes with different characteristics to those in other areas of the province. Transfer to your lodge, the Posada Salentein, surrounded by mountains, vineyards and forests. Visit to the cellars of Bodega Salentein. Wine tasting and dinner at the posada.

• Day 4. Tupungato – Mendoza – Tupungato (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, a visit to the Bodegas Lurton and Fapes in the Uco Valley. Bodega Lurton, belongs to the Jacques and Francois Lurton brothers, who use “varietal” and generic wines with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Grey Pinot. Bodega Fapes, is one of the oldest cellars. Lunch at Salentein before a guided excursion of Mendoza which dates back to the XVI Century. Visit to its tree-lined avenues and its streets bordered by 'acequias' (irrigation ditches). Dinner and accommodation at the Posada Salentein.

• Day 5. Tupungato – Mendoza (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, a visit to Bodegas Norton and Lagarde. Bodega Norton, founded in 1895 is located in Luján de Cuyo department. This winery has the most modern technology in the area where you will find Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot, Semillón, Chenin, Chardonnay, Riesling and Barbera d’Asti.

  Bodega Lagarde is well known for its prestigious wines and regularly participates in international contests. Its fincas (productive ranches) are located in Luján de Cuyo county.

  Lunch at the excellent Francis Mallman 1884 restaurant. After lunch, a visit to the Bodega Domaine Vistalba. Their French owners of have managed to elaborate styles similar to a French Chateaux. Return to Mendoza and accommodation at the Park Hyatt Mendoza, with its beautifully restored 19th-century Spanish colonial facade. Dinner and accommodation.

• Day 6. Mendoza – Santiago (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, start of the incredible high mountain crossing of the Andes with your guide in private transportation. Boxed Lunch en-route. Arrival to Santiago and transfer to the 5* Ritz Carlton Hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

• Day 7. Santiago (B)

  Free day at leisure.

• Day 8. Santiago – Santa Cruz (B & L)

  After breakfast, a half day city tour of Santiago including a visit to the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. This museum offers a thorough overview of 4500 years of pre-Columbian civilization throughout Central and South America. At the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) view the Cathedral, Post Office and National Museum. Continue along the main avenue called "Alameda" to admire the San Francisco Church, the National Library. You shall also see the Mercado Central and is Santiago’s most colourful market and home to many great seafood restaurants Lunch at El Madronal, one of the best Spanish restaurants in Chile.

  After lunch, a visit to the Undurraga bodega for a tour and wine sampling of one of the oldest vineyards in Chile. It is also one of the few vineyards which produce sparkling wine. Transfer south in private vehicle to the heart of the Colchagua district, the ‘Bordeaux’ of Chile. Accommodation at the 5* Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza.

• Day 9. Santa Cruz (B)

  After breakfast, a visit to Viu Manent and Bisquertt vineyards, followed by a visit to the vineyards of Montes, recipient of the coveted "New World winery of the year 2002 award". Accommodation at the Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel.

• Day 10. Santa Cruz - Maipo Valley (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, we visit Los Vascos of Domaines. Barons de Rothschild-Lafite took over the Los Vascos estate (Los Vascos meaning The Basques, in honour of its Basque origins) in 1988. We shall also visit the Casa Silva estate and enjoy a lunch at the bodega before driving towards the Maipo Valley and to the prestigious Casa Real Hotel, located in the Santa Rita valley. This beautiful large mansion will be your last night’s accommodation in Chile. Final wine tasting and dinner.

• Day 11. Maipo Valley - Santiago (B)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Santiago for your return flight home.

End of our services.

Tour Prices

• Luxury 5 star standard rooms

  • Price per person US$5950.00 - based on two people sharing.

• Luxury 5 star suites

  • Price per person US$6650.00 - based on two people sharing.

Tour Price Includes:

• 10 night's accommodation in twin/double rooms at luxury hotels with private bathroom and breakfast.
• All transfers, tours and vineyard excursions as per itinerary in private service with English speaking guides and professional wine producers and/or oenophiles associated with each estate.
• All meals as per itinerary denoted by B, L and D.

Tour Price Does Not Include:

• International air tickets and associated taxes.
• Meals not specified on the itinerary.
• Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.
• Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident.
• Baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

Hotels

Buenos Aires

Alvear Palace Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Tupungato Hotel

Posada Salentein. (Subject to availability.)

Mendoza Hotel

Park Hyatt Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Santiago Hotel

Ritz Carlton Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Santa Cruz Hotel

Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Maipo Valley

Casa Real Hotel. (Subject to availability.)