Wine Regions of Chile and Argentina

br />Book by August 31, 2010 and save $300 per couple on air-inclusive bookings on 2/9/11 departure.

Restrictions apply, based on availability.
Ask your agent for details today!Click here for terms and conditions.Wine tastings at bodegas; a tango lesson and show in Buenos Aires; a visit to colorful Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and a train ride aboard Chile’s famous 1913 locomotive are just some of the moments in store as you experience this journey through the breathtaking Andes. Some tour highlights include leisurely 3-night stays at top-notch hotels; delicious wine with all included lunches and dinners; and a home-hosted meal with an Argentine family to experience local culture in a personal setting. Discover why South America is today’s HOT destination!

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Discover the generous bounty of Chile and Argentina on a journey through amazing landscapes of the lofty Andes. Your South American adventure begins with an overnight flight to Santiago.

Day 2: Santiago, Chile - Tour Begins
Arrive in Santiago, Chile’s vibrant capital set against the magnificent Andes. This afternoon a Santiago city tour includes La Moneda Presidential Palace and Paseo Ahumada pedestrian avenue. Ride the cable car up Cerro San Cristobal for sweeping views of Santiago and the Andes and admire the Statue of the Immaculate Conception. Embark on a walking tour through Barrio Lastarria, a culturally rich and historic neighborhood. After a short lesson on the language, interact with residents during a visit to a bustling market where delicacies such as Chilean sea bass are abundant. Join your fellow travelers this evening for a welcome dinner and folkloric performance celebrating Chilean culture.

Day 3: Santiago - Valparaiso - Viña del Mar
Journey today out to colorful Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Enjoy a discussion with your expert guide on Valparaiso's intriguing history, nicknamed the “Jewel of the Pacific” and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site to honor its rich architectural and cultural legacy. Visit the chic beach resort of Viña del Mar to enjoy a seaside lunch before venturing into the lush, green valleys of Curacavi and Casablanca, stopping at a local vineyard for a sampling of Chile’s famous wines.

Day 4: Santiago
Climb aboard Chile’s famous wine train, the Tren del Vino! This 1913 coal-fired steam engine locomotive explores Colchagua Valley, a fertile expanse often compared to Napa Valley. Named Wine Enthusiast’s 2005 Wine Valley of the Year, Colchagua is particularly suited for red wines, especially carmenère, a cabernet family grape that thrives in the climate created by the steep Andean valley. Delight in a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and Chilean folk music during your train journey. Visit the award-winning Santa Cruz vineyard and learn the techniques of wine making and enjoy a tasting, followed by a traditional Chilean lunch. Then, take an aerial tram ride up Chaman Hill for sweeping views of this picturesque valley. Explore the outdoor museum and learn more about Chile’s indigenous cultures before heading back to Santiago.

Day 5: Santiago - Mendoza, Argentina
Start your panoramic journey into the soaring Andes through the scenic Aconcagua Valley, following the route of the famed Transandine Railway. Catch views of the glaciers on Aconcagua Mountain, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, and enjoy lunch at leisure in the boutique ski resort of Portillo before crossing into Argentina. Marvel at the Puente del Inca natural bridge, formed by the interaction of the extreme elements in the area – avalanches, ice and hot springs. At a market you can do as residents do and enjoy a sweetened yerba maté tea, traditionally infused in a dried calabasa gourd. Continue your journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the Central Andes en route to the land of sol y vino – sun and wine – Argentina’s wine country, where vineyards and olive groves flourish. The French grape, Malbec, has taken to the region and has made Argentine wine cherished around the world. Tonight, enjoy a unique dinner reception in an underground wine cellar.

Day 6: Mendoza
Take in the atmosphere of relaxing Mendoza during a tour of this tranquil city which highlights the vast Parque General San Martín and the lively central Plaza Independencia. It’s easy to see what makes Mendocinos so warm and welcoming. Before your tour ends, indulge in a sample of the local Italian-inspired ice cream with a Mendocino twist, such as vanilla with Malbec or peach with Syrah! This afternoon visit Bodega La Rural and the fascinating San Felipe Wine Museum highlighting the evolution of the winemaking industry in Mendoza. View antique artifacts showcasing the development of wine production techniques and enjoy a discussion on the history of winemaking in the region, followed by a tasting of the local varietals.

Day 7: Mendoza
Mendoza produces 70% of Argentina’s grapes and wines, with a viniculture history dating back to the 16th century. A vast network of aqueducts and dykes, dating back to the reign of the Inca Empire, makes the most of its annual six inches of rain to transform the city into a verdant oasis on the high plain. Thanks to the world’s attention to the quality of wines from this region, there are now said to be over 1,000 wineries – or bodegas, as they are called here – in the fertile Maipú, Luján de Cuyo and Uco valleys. Revel in visits to three bodegas on the Los Caminos del Vino wine route and enjoy a gourmet wine pairing lunch and ample opportunities throughout the day to sample the bounty of the Argentine vineyards.

Day 8: Mendoza - Buenos Aires
Leave the Andes and fly to Buenos Aires, home of the legendary Eva Peron and birthplace of the tango. Stretching along the banks of the Rio de la Plata, this “Paris of South America” is a mosaic of European-styled architecture, South American spirit and proud national identity. Tonight, enjoy an informal interactive presentation from a local resident where you can ask questions about daily life in Buenos Aires.

Day 9: Buenos Aires
Today you’ll enjoy a Porteños tour of the capital, viewing the lavish Teatro Colon, the famous opera house; the Avenida 9 de Julio – the wide, elegant boulevard that honors Argentinean independence; Recoleta Cemetery, where Evita rests in an oft-visited tomb; the Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada; and the historic San Telmo barrio, lined with cobblestone streets and tango clubs. Later, discover the treasures of MALBA – Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires. Enjoy a lecture on Latin American art and the movements that have shaped the art of the region.

Day 10: Buenos Aires
Today is yours to independently enjoy the charms of Buenos Aires. You may choose an optional excursion across the famous Pampas to experience the culture and lifestyle of Argentina’s gauchos, or relax and continue to soak in the city’s cultural delights at your leisure. Join your fellow travelers this evening to discover the spirit and elegant passion of the tango, the national dance of Argentina. Embrace the art of this once scandalous dance during a lesson. Then, indulge in a delicious Argentine dinner, followed by an unforgettable tango performance!

Day 11: Buenos Aires - Tour Ends
From the high valleys of the magnificent Andes, to the cosmopolitan verve of Santiago and Buenos Aires, you’ve tasted the best of Chile and Argentina. Your tour ends in Buenos Aires. Board your flight home with an abundance of South American memories.

Don't miss our current specials: Free or Reduced Companion Air to Europe Check out these last minute SAVINGS provided by our airline partners who have offered special pricing for specific tours and dates only. As a result, we're delighted to offer you FREE or reduced companion air on select tours. See list of tours for details on our last minute offer applied to that specific tour when you make your air-inclusive booking. Some restrictions may apply, please call 800-942-3301 for details. Italian Vistas This 13 day trip has everything you've always wanted in a trip to Italy. Enjoy multiple night stays in Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi coast and Stresa in the Lakes District. Discover the treasures of Classical and Christian Rome. Walk in the footsteps on the ancients in Pompeii. See the gems of the Renaissance in Florence's Academy Gallery, including Michelangelo's David. Visit Lugano, Switzerland, and cruise to Isola Bella, one of the scenic Borromean Islands. Reflections of Italy Revel in the magic of Italy on this 10-day tour that explores the cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi and Perugia. Travel the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside, exploring medieval hill towns and visiting the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi. Discover the masterpieces of the Renaissance in Florence and see hot glass transformed into exquisite art on Murano Island. Linger in Venice for two nights before ending your journey in the lovely Italian Lake region. Cross the border and explore the Swiss resort town of Lugano. Spain's Classics Spain is a colorful pageant of art, history and culture, set against a backdrop that spans sunny Mediterranean shores and grand mountain ranges, dotted with groves of oranges and olives. Explore the priceless treasures in Madrid’s Prado Museum. Visit the exotic and expansive Alhambra palace, resplendent with Moorish regal flair. See Columbus’ tomb. Feel the passion of the Flamenco with reserved seating at a performance in Seville. Explore Valencia, Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba and Toledo. Travel the Sierra Nevada Canada's Winter Wonderland Immerse yourself in the ultimate winter wonderland — the Canadian Rockies. Hop aboard VIA Rail Canada's Snow Train Express and head for Jasper with spectacular views. Travel across the Icefields Parkway with breathtaking scenery. Relax at three Fairmont properties: Jasper Park Lodge, Château Lake Louise, and the Banff Springs Resort, each magically decorated for the holiday. Enjoy a cooking demonstration, kitchen tour and learn how to make your own holiday pastries FREE Door to Door Service Now Vacations Start at HOME! Don't worry about getting to the airport... because a vacation should be worry-free. With Collette Vacations, enjoy free round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour.* This personalized service - including gratuities - is available on new air-inclusive bookings to the South Pacific, Canada, and Europe; and on ALL Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures and Explorations by Collette tours. On departures May 2010 and beyond, Door to Door transfers are included with air-inclusive bookings to all destinations Great Savings • Added Comfort • More Convenience
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
10/20/2010 - 10/30/2010	$2,099
11/3/2010 - 11/13/2010	$2,099
1/19/2011 - 1/29/2011	$2,099
2/9/2011 - 2/19/2011	$2,099
3/23/2011 - 4/2/2011	$2,099
4/6/2011 - 4/16/2011	$2,099
10/5/2011 - 10/15/2011	$2,199
10/19/2011 - 10/29/2011	$2,499
11/9/2011 - 11/19/2011	$2,199
11/30/2011 - 12/10/2011	$2,199
1/18/2012 - 1/28/2012	$2,199
3/14/2012 - 3/24/2012	$2,199
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Free or Reduced Companion Air to Europe

FREE Door to Door Service

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour has no reviews yet. Have you experienced this tour? Write a review.

Related Travel Articles

• See Europe :: Travel Safely and In Style, Escorted Tours
• Europe Language Tips