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Chile & Argentina Wine Adventure, eleven blissful days savoring renowned wines and culinary pleasures
With the Andes as backdrop, you'll visit fifteen wineries and linger over gourmet meals in picturesque vineyard settings
Duration: 11 days
2-3 Travelers: $4,095
4+ Travelers: $3,615
Spend eleven blissful days savoring renowned wines and culinary pleasures in the premium wine-producing regions of Chile and Argentina. With the Andes as backdrop, you'll visit fifteen wineries and linger over gourmet meals in picturesque vineyard settings to get a delicious introduction to two world-class wine regions and the best of their bounty. But it's not all about food and drink. These Chile Argentina tours include history and culture too with a visit on either end to two of South America's most fascinating cities, Santiago and Buenos Aires, all in one unforgettable trip.
This Chile & Argentina Wine Adventure can also be arranged on a private departure basis. Please contact us so we may explain details and costs.
Chile & Argentina Wine Adventure Tour Itinerary
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Day 1: ARRIVE SANTIAGO / CITY TOUR / WINE TASTING DINNER
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Your guide will meet you at the Santiago airport and accompany you to your hotel. After getting settled and lunch on your own, you'll take a guided tour of the historical and cultural highlights of South America’s most modern city. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at one of the capital's top restaurants, Astrid & Gaston. While dining and sampling some special wines from the restaurant's extensive wine list with your guide, you'll have an opportunity to discuss the week's Chile travel itinerary. You'll be returned to your hotel at the end of the evening. (D)
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2: CASABLANCA VALLEY AND VALPARAISO
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In the morning, you'll depart from your hotel to the Pacific coast for today's Chile tours, making a stop along the way at Viñedos Organicos Emiliana (VOE) in the Casablanca Valley. The cool coastal breezes make the Casablanca Valley an ideal viticultural region, and VOE is the perfect winery for sampling some of the area's best creations. Next you will visit the Kingston Family Vineyards for a taste of some award-winning Pinot Noirs. Kingston derives its quality grapes from many of Chile’s top vineyards and has evolved into one of the country's hottest boutique wineries. On reaching the coast, you'll explore Valparaiso, one of the first port cities of South America founded by the Spanish and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. For lunch, you'll enjoy the delectable offerings of Caruso set amidst the city's unique hilltops where a fusion of Chile, Easter Island and Peru cuisine is served in a relaxed atmosphere that captures the unique Valparaiso rhythm. After lunch, you'll tour the Concepcion and Alegre neighborhoods on foot and ride the century-old historic hillside ascensors (elevators). From there, you'll tour the eclectic home-turned-museum high above the sea where Chile’s most famous poet, Nobel Prize-winning Pablo Neruda, lived. (B,L)
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Day 3: MAIPO AND CACHAPOAL VALLEYS
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You'll spend today in the Maipo Valley, the "cradle of Chilean wine-making." The oldest and most famous of Chile wine regions, it is home to some of the country's most traditional wineries as well as many boutique wineries that have opened over the past ten years and produce some of the region's best premium wines. The first stop of the day is Antiyal, a labor of love for renowned organic winemakers Alvaro Espinoza and his wife Marina Ashton who founded the winery. Next you'll head south to the Cachapoal Valley where Altair is making an international name for itself and the area. A partnership between Chile's second largest winery, San Pedro, and Chateau Dassault of Saint Emilion, France, the winery produces two premium wines and is nestled in a remote corner of the valley, with panoramic views. This will be the scenic setting for your lunch and a relaxing afternoon before being transported to your hotel in the Colchagua Valley to rest up for more Chile tours. (B,L)
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Day 4: COLCHAGUA VALLEY
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The largest of Chile wine regions with the most visitor amenities is the Colchagua Valley, located two hours south of Santiago. It is known for producing some of Chile's best wine, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère Syrah and Malbec. Toward the western end of the valley lies the picturesque Los Vascos vineyard, owned by French Domains Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Here you will tour the vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting followed by a traditional Chilean BBQ lunch made even more memorable by your congenial host, Pancho. Before returning to your hotel for a free evening, you will have a guided tour of the Santa Cruz Museum, which contains one of the best private collections of pre-Columbian art in all of South America. (B,L)
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Day 5: COLCHAGUA VALLEY
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The Colchagua Valley is emerging as the star of Chile wines, especially for its Carmenère, Syrah and Malbec varieties. Your last day of Chile travel starts with a visit to Vina Clos Apalta, established in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle of the Grand Marnier family. Producing some of the best values in Chilean wines since its outstanding 1997 debut vintage, Casa Lapostolle's Clos Apalta has helped build the reputation for Chile as a premier red-wine region. Owner Marnier-Lapostolle and her team began by blending Chile's distinctive Carmenère, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate's oldest vines in Colchagua's Apalta sub-valley, then kept refining, fermenting in smaller lots, hand-de-stemming grapes and constructing a gravity-flow winery. In 2008, they were awarded a 96 in Wine Spectator for their Clos Apalta creation. Next, you’ll visit Montes, one of Chile's most internationally-recognized wineries. Aurelio Montes and three partners started the winery in the late 1980s. After a light lunch at the Montes café, you’ll travel to the end of the road in Apalta where the highly-selective Neyen is located, a winery that produces a Bordeaux-style blend from its 115-year old Carmenère vines.
The finale of your Chile wine country tour is La Posada vineyard, tucked away in a far corner of Santa Cruz. Here, you'll find the Veta Bistro, recently opened by chef Roberto Neira, of the Napa Valley's French Laundry Restaurant and Manhattan's upscale, Per Se. Surrounded by vineyards, Veta's outdoor patio makes a memorable setting for your last night of Chile tours where you'll enjoy a toast at sunset before enjoying some of Robert's simple yet delicious dishes. This is sure to be a gastronomic highlight of your visit to South America. (B,L,D)
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Day 6: SANTIAGO - MENDOZA
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From your hotel, you'll be transported to the Santiago International Airport for your flight to begin your Argentina travel. Arriving in Mendoza, you'll check in at the world-class Hyatt Hotel before touring this sophisticated scenic city. The evening holds in store a special dinner at Mendoza's top dining establishment, Francis Mallman 1884, an airy, elegant restaurant at the entrance to Bodega Escorihuela. (B)
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Day 7: LUJAN De CUYO
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You will be picked up at the hotel for the drive to the Lujan de Cuyo area, one of the most traditional and developed Argentina wine regions, just south of Mendoza. It is home to many of the most famous Argentina wineries where the country's best Malbecs are produced. The day's first stop is the Tapiz winery where you'll taste directly from American and French oak barrels. The next tasting will take place at the Achaval Ferrer winery, the source of some of Argentina’s most prestigious wines. The next destination is Ruca Malen, a new winery that has received much praise in its short history. After some tastings, the winery's chef, Lucas, will prepare a delectable lunch paired with some of the winery's outstanding selections. At day's end, you'll pay a visit to one of Argentina's most important vintners, Carmelo Patti. A pioneer in the Mendoza wine industry, Sr. Patti will share his passion for winemaking while preparing special barrel tastings. (B,L)
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Day 8: VALLEY De UCO
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Today your Argentina travel takes you to the high-altitude wine growing area of Valle de Uco, the new frontier in Argentine winemaking. At almost 6,000 feet, the region borders the Andean foothills, offering some of the world's most dramatic vineyard scenery. The bold architecture, viticultural technologies and fine wines produced here make Valle de Uco an impressive destination on Argentine tours. The first stop is the unique tasting room of Bodega Pulenta Estate. Next is Bodega Lurton, whose owners, two famous French brothers, chose Mendoza and specifically Valle de Uco for its enormous potential. Their winery is equipped with the latest technology, and visitors taste right from the tanks. For lunch, you will visit Bodega Altus, combining great architectural and cozy decor. This last evening of Argentina tours in the wine country is yours to enjoy as you like. (B,L)
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Day 9: BUENOS AIRES
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In the morning, you will be transported to the Mendoza airport for your morning flight to Buenos Aires, arriving at mid-day. Your local guide will be waiting to escort you to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore the sights of South America’s most cosmopolitan city. Here in the birthplace of tango, this evening you will attend a glamorous Tango show including dinner in one of the capital's most prestigious tango houses where your VIP seating guarantees a great view. (B,D)
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Day 10: BUENOS AIRES
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You'll start today with an exclusive guided city tour, visiting four important parks and plazas to gain a "porteño's perspective" on the capital, its history and contrasts. The afternoon is free to continue your sightseeing according to your interests, perhaps some world-class shopping and dining in the historic La Florida pedestrian zone or a stroll through the hip boutiques, galleries and cafes of Palermo Soho. (B)
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Day 11: BUENOS AIRES - HOME
With so much to see and do, your last free day in Buenos Aires will still leave you wanting more and planning your next Argentina tours. In the evening you will be transported from the hotel to the airport for your flight home or on to your next destination, concluding Southern Explorations' services. (B)
View Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
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2010 PRIVATE DEPARTURES
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Meals as indicated
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- All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis)
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- All airport/hotel transfers
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- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
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- English speaking certified guides
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- 15 Winery visits with tastings
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- 6 Lunches
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- 4 Dinners with wine included
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International round - trip airfare to Santiago and departing from Buenos Aires
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- Airport taxes international Chile $131 and Argentina $18
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- $440 Per Person Airfare (Santiago / Mendoza / Buenos Aires) Subject to change
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- Tips and gratuities
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- Travel insurance
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- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate - Difficult
PATAGONIA ACCOMMODATION
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Chile & Argentina Wine Adventure:
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10 nights hotels
Prices based on 3% cash discount
