A Grape Escape to Chile & Argentina

Transcription

1 A Grape Escape to Chile & Argentina Day One: Depart USA Day Two: Arrival into Santiago. Welcome to Santiago, Chile! Upon arrival into the Santiago Airport, collect your luggage from the baggage claim area. Your private guide will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to your adorable boutique hotel located in a quiet neighborhood, just minutes from the city center. Resting on an inland plain, with the Andes Mountains glimmering in the distance, Santiago, the capital of Chile, is the central point of a region filled with many attractive sites and activities. The very heart of Santiago is the Plaza de Armas, which lies along the Alameda about five blocks south of the river. Walkers pass down tree-lined paths along the Mapocho, past small squares and the Museo de Bellas Artes. Across the river, the Bellavista neighborhood is home to many restaurants and cafes. The Parque Metropolitano is Santiago's playground, with walking trails, picnic areas, and a zoo. For stunning views of the city, head to the top of Cerro San Cristòbal, accessible by bus, funicular, or by a vigorous hike. Get to know the Chilean capital during your stay by making visits to the city s civic center, with the neoclassical La Moneda Palace, the Plaza de Armas, the exuberantly landscaped Santa Lucia Hill and the traditional handicraft market Pueblito Los Dominicos, just minutes away from your uptown hotel.

2 Later this evening, we recommend dining at a fabulous, eclectic restaurant that serves only the freshest seafood of the area. Ask your friendly server or the owner himself which fish was caught that day for your enjoyment! Day Three: Wine Tour of the Maipo Valley. After breakfast this morning, you will be taken on a private tour of two of the largest and most important Chilean vineyards, located in the fertile Maipo Valley. Your first stop is classified as an area ideal for production of the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes used to produce the most traditional red wine of the country. Founded in 1884, this vineyard uses the most modern technology to craft their magnificent American and French oak-casked vintages. You will have a chance to visit the vineyard s beautiful family park, the historical museum, and the enchanting cellars and caves amongst the legendary Castillero del Diablo ( Cellar of the Devil ), which has been described as the deepest and darkest cellar of the lot so no smugglers would go in there to steal any of the property s best wines. Different wines will be sampled and you will have the option to either have lunch inside or as a picnic on the vineyard grounds. The second winery s modern installations are reflected in the building s architecture, which was constructed not only to fulfill the technical objective of producing fine wines, but also to harmonize with the surroundings and avoid interruption of the natural, rural landscape of the area. You will have a chance to walk the vineyards and tour the interesting production building. Following your tour, you will enjoy a tasting to give you an idea of the richness found in Chilean winemaking. At the end of the day, you will be returned to your Santiago city hotel to enjoy the duration of the day on your own. Tonight, we recommend dining at one of many delicious eateries located just steps away from your hotel. Day Four: Tour of the Central Coast. This morning, prepare for an incredible full day excursion along the Sun Highway on the central coast. You will be met by a private guide and driver in the hotel lobby shortly after breakfast. The first stop on you indelible roadtrip will be to Isla Negra, home to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, Nobel Prize winner of Neruda s house, Le Sebastiana, overlooks the sea and was built as an escape from the hustle and bustle of Santiago. He came here for inspiration, to invite friends to visit, and to write. Enjoy a visit to the house which

3 now serves as a museum, still preserving Neruda s collection of antique bottles, Indian masks, and many nautical artifacts. Afterwards, you will head north to connect with the Casablanca Valley, until you arrive in Valparaiso, the oldest and most important port of Chile. Valparaiso s picturesque layout is enhanced by the surrounding hills that seem to dive right into the ocean, reminding us that this area was once the most important maritime destination along the Pacific Ocean before the straight of Panama was opened to navigation in Travelling north along the coastline, you will visit the city of Viña del Mar, one of the most highly visited seaside cities of the central coast. With its many parks of huge fruit trees and palms, Viña del Mar was given the well-deserved name, Garden City, by locals of the region. Here, you will have a chance to visit some of the world s most pristine and beautiful beaches. In the late afternoon, you will pass through the agricultural valleys of Curacavi and Casablanca, a premium white wine region, before returning to your hotel in Santiago. Upon completion of your tour, you will be returned to your Santiago hotel to enjoy the day s duration at your leisure. Tomorrow, you will depart for the heart of wine country, Santa Cruz and the Colchagua Valley. Day Five: Travel to Santa Cruz. After breakfast this morning, prepare for your private transfer from Santiago to Santa Cruz and the Colchagua Valley. The broad valley of Colchagua is well known for its excellent grape-growing soil. Before reaching the small town of Santa Cruz, you will pass through several small country villages that are surrounded by magnificent vineyards, as you witness firsthand the traditional way of life in central Chile. While in Santa Cruz, enjoy a three-night stay among the vineyards of a local winemaking family. Here you will find a classic and inviting hacienda-style property featuring lovely room accommodations under the same roof that protects the winery s Premium wine and cellars. With a traditional country estate architecture, you will find a gourmet restaurant, a bar, billiard and

4 game tables, a gift shop, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis and a barbeque area all for your pleasure. You may find yourself never wanting to leave! Once you arrive in Santa Cruz, relax and spend the duration of the day wandering about town to explore your new surroundings. You many want to include a visit to the Museo de Colchagua located in the main square. The museum is housed in an old colonial building and is one of South America s biggest private museums. The exposition shown is largely a pre-columbian art collection of Chile, Peru and Columbia, as well as archaeological collections. Pueblito de los Dominicos, a beautiful arts and crafts center nearby, exhibits styles and cultures from all over Chile. The stunning architecture makes for a pleasant stroll through the town s center, while browsing the work of 120 craftspeople working on their art in view of the public. Afterwards, enjoy a cup of local coffee a specialty - in one of the Plaza s cozy outdoor cafés. When you are finished touring Santa Cruz this afternoon, you may want to return to your hotel to freshen up before dinner. Tonight, we recommend dining at one of many delicious eateries just steps away from your hotel. Day Six: Wine Tour of Colchagua Valley. Today, you will experience a full-day of wine tasting in the Colchagua Valley. The Colchagua Valley enjoys a balmy, Mediterranean climate matched only in a few other places in the world. With zero area pollution, the air is exceptionally clean, and the region is noted for its abundant and extraordinarily luminous sunshine. As the modern Chilean wine industry has matured and come to rely even more on scientific methods for drawing the best from its exceptional soils and microclimates, it has become apparent that the Colchagua Valley offers outstanding advantages for growers and producers alike. On your wine tour, you will visit three different and unique vineyards. The fertile soils of this region make it possible to produce many red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chile s emblematic Carmenére. Lunch is included and will be served at an enjoyable restaurant in the valley this afternoon. When your wine tour concludes, your private guide will return you to your hotel in Santa Cruz where you can enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Day Seven: Return to Santiago. This morning, a transfer will take you from your hotel back to Santiago. Once you have had a chance to settle into your hotel, relax and delight in your final day in Chile. For your consideration, reservations for golf or spa activities can be arranged

5 locally, at your request. Recommendations for area activities and local dining can be made with the hotel concierge. For example, Barrio Bellavista should not be missed; it is a neighborhood that lies between the Mapocho River and San Cristóbal Hill and is famous for its bohemian nightlife along its main artery, Pio Nono Street, which is lined with dance clubs, restaurants and pubs. In addition, Bellavista is often found to be a popular place to purchase lapis lazuli (a unique semiprecious stone found principally in Chile and Afghanistan). Of particular note Pablo Neruda's famous house in Santiago, La Chascona, is also in this quarter. As this will be your final day in Chile, be sure to make it a memorable one! Day Eight: Travel to Mendoza. Following check-out of your hotel, your private guide will escort you to the Santiago Airport to meet your flight to Mendoza. Prepare for a monumental journey as you fly over the most incredibly sparse, but breathtakingly beautiful, terrain imaginable as you cross over the Andes into Argentina. Upon arrival into Mendoza, you will be met by a local host who will transfer you to an area hotel that has been arranged for you. Mendoza is situated on a major road between Argentina and Chile, as hikers often frequent the city on their way to climbing Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. In 2008, National Geographic Magazine named Mendoza as one of the top 10 historic destinations of the world. Today, Mendoza is an action enthusiast s fantasy, as there are numerous activities to be enjoyed, including: mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding, rafting and other sports. Especially of note are the two major industries of Mendoza: olive oil making and wine making. Your hotel in Mendoza is a charming tourist-class hotel and winery in the heart of wine country. The owner, a third generation Argentinean of Italian descent, transformed her beautiful 20 th century manor home into a premier destination of privacy and seclusion, located just 20 minutes from Mendoza and within walking distance of a thriving village community that houses many local shops and restaurants. Guests are welcomed as if part of the family! Nightly, the hotel s winery opens its doors to invite its guests to join in an evening celebration of delicious food and handcrafted wine in a relaxing and informal atmosphere. Here, as the saying goes, mi casa es su casa ; my house is your house is the rule to live by. With your free time this evening, you may want to relax in the hotel lounge to enjoy a glass of vino, followed by a sophisticated dinner enjoying regional tapas in the superb hotel restaurant, which utilizes fresh, local produce accompanied by a highly-rated wine list, of course.

6 Day Nine: Wine Tour of Lújan de Cuyo. This morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast as you prepare for a full day of wine tastings. Meet your local guide in the lobby who will take you on a visit of three wineries of the Lújan de Cuyo, home to the Malbec grape and where the most prestigious Argentine wineries are located. Travel to the high quality regions of Agrelo and Perdriel, the most expensive vineyard terrain in the entire country, with the snowcapped Andes Mountains in the background. Your first visit will be to a boutique winery which produces only limited quantities of high quality red wines. A strong passion and shared love for Mendoza s terrain brought the perfect union of Argentinean and Italian friends to launch their esteemed winery in Your visit includes a fabulous tasting from the barrel, along with a very informative stroll through the resplendent vineyards. Next, enjoy a private visit and lunch to a winery that produces limited batches of wine coming from exclusive vineyards growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Tempranillo vintages. This winery is located in the heart of the Lújan de Cuyo and is currently not open to tourism, only to special wine visits like yours. Your tour concludes with a visit to a winery located in Perdriel, which is the heart of Mendoza s wine region. In Argentine, the literal translation of this winery s name is Terraces of the Andes, and of particular note is how the winery shares a direct lineage with Domaine Chandon in France, producers of some of the world s best Champagnes and sparkling wine. Their wines are crafted by utilizing vines planted at different vertical heights terraced on mountains found in the area, and they are all distinguished by their perfect balance of intensity and elegance. Upon completion of your tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel in Mendoza to enjoy the duration of the evening at your leisure. This evening, relax and savor some of the excellent food and wine of the region that your hotel features nightly. Day Ten: Wine Tour of the Uco Valley. Early this morning, meet your local guide who will escort you on a ninety minute drive down to a relatively new and very exciting wine region, where great grapes, walnuts and various fruits grow in abundance. The Uco Valley is a unique climate region with varying elevations, sometimes even in the same vineyard, and abundant sweet water that provides

7 local winemakers with some of the best terrior they could ever wish for. The distinct quality of the grapes grown here have encouraged many modern and progressive wineries based in the Lujan and Maipú regions to also plant vineyards here in this valley. Your first visit will be to a local estate winery established by two local brothers. Originally, the building which houses their operations was a warehouse, but it has now been skillfully transformed in a winery defined by its gravity, benefitted from the experience and wisdom of the two brothers father, who manages the daily operations. Two of their 2002 varietals were rated in the top seventy wines coming out of South America This is a sure sign of greatness in the making! Your second winery visit and lunch stop can be found at a truly unique Uco Valley winery. In the area of Tunuyán, more than 4000 feet above sea level, the cruciform construction of this highly regaled winery is of an unprecedented design. Each one of the four wings construction constitutes a small cellar of two sections: the first one at ground level houses tanks of stainless steel, while the second one underground is used for the upbringing of the wine in oak barrels. The four combined cellars unite in a central amphitheater and they share a modern division room, producing wines of outstanding character! Your final wine tasting this afternoon will be on the 200 hectare estate with classical architecture combined with the outstanding landscape of the Andes and the Tupungato mountain ranges provide stark contrasts with the high technology of their winemaking. The wine tasting bar on property invites visitors to discover the secrets of their wine tradition of more than one hundred years. Arriving back to your hotel in the early evening, enjoy the duration of the day soaking up the Argentina sunset with a fine glass of vine and a wonderful meal. Suerte! Day Eleven: Mendoza at Leisure. Enjoy your entire day at leisure, exploring this fascinating landscape and unique destination on your own. Recommendations for daily activities and dining choices can be selected for you in advance, at your request. As this will be your final night in Argentina, reward yourself with an incredible farewell dinner at a local restaurant that comes recommended by the hotel staff,

8 complemented by a bottle of the best Argentine wine you found on your wine tour while here in Mendoza. Buen Norte! Have an enjoyable evening! Day Twelve: Journey Home. This morning, prepare for your flight home. Your driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and escort you to the airport in Mendoza. Once you arrive in Buenos Aires, you will be transferred from the regional airport to the International Airport in time to catch your departing flight to the United States. We trust that your wine tour of Argentina was truly memorable, and we wish you Chau, Suerte! Goodbye and Good Luck in preparation of fortuitous things to come

9 INCLUDED: Day One: Private transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Hotel with English-speaking driver Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Santiago Day Two: Private transportation from Santiago to Maipo Valley with English-speaking guide Full day wine tour of Maipo Valley including (2) wine tours and tastings Lunch Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Santiago Day Three: Private transportation from Santiago to Isla Negra, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar with Englishspeaking guide Visit to La Sebastiana/Neruda s Museum including fees Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Santiago Day Four: Private transportation from Santiago to Santa Cruz with English-speaking driver Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Santa Cruz Day Five: Full day wine tour of Colchagua Valley including (3) wine tours and tastings Lunch Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Santa Cruz Day Six: Private transportation from Santa Cruz to Santiago with English-speaking driver Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Santiago Day Seven: Private transfer from Santiago Hotel to Santiago Airport with English-speaking driver Private transfer from Mendoza Airport to Mendoza Hotel with English-speaking driver Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Mendoza Day Eight: Full day wine tour of Lújan de Cuyo including (3) wine tours and tastings Lunch Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Mendoza

10 Day Nine: Full day wine tour of Uco Valley including (3) wine tours and tastings Lunch Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Mendoza Day Ten: Overnight stay at 4-Star Hotel in Mendoza Day Eleven: Private transfer from Mendoza Hotel to Mendoza Airport with English-speaking driver NOT INCLUDED: Prices do not include costs of obtaining passports, visas, inoculations, excess baggage charges, all items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls and cables, internet access, meals not specified in the itinerary, personal and baggage insurance, local airport taxes and tips to waiters, hotel staff, tour conductors, sightseeing drivers and guides. Gratuities: Tips to tour guides, waiters, hotel staff and baggage handling are not included and are at the tour participant s discretion. Guidelines for gratuities will be provided with final tour documents. Most meals, unless otherwise noted on itinerary, or room service charges Intercontinental flights Tips to drivers and guides Porterage at arrival Luggage handling fees at hotels Travel insurance Excessive baggage or shipping charges Storage and/or transportation of excess baggage Charges for extra meals, transport, sightseeing service or other optional additions to your itinerary are your responsibility and must be paid locally. Excess time beyond contracted service carried out at the request of the passenger for driver, guide service, vehicle charges, etc. Additional wait time or additional service due to delayed or cancelled airline flight Any items not specified under inclusions PLEASE NOTE: Every effort will be made to confirm your requested sightseeing tour as outlined in the itinerary; however, individual wineries, museums, estates, etc. can change their hours of operation at short notice. In the event that a particular tour closes on the day or time of your visit, your guide will offer alternative arrangements.

11 LAND QUOTE RATE PER PERSON: Vacation Price Starting at: $ USD per person double occupancy. EXACT VACATION QUOTE: Will be calculated based on dates of travel, hotel category and transportation type.