Authentic Argentina: Tango, Gauchos & Vino

Welcome to Buenos Aires! Whether you arrive today or a day early, your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals lounge, ready to whisk you off to the 5-star Hotel Palladio. 

In the early afternoon, we'll stretch our legs as we explore the neighborhood with a private guide. We'll visit the El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore, considered the world's most beautiful bookstore by National Geographic, and the eerily beautiful Recoleta Cemetery, Eva Peron' 's burial ground. Then, it's on to the Plaza Francia, the Floralis Generica sculpture, and Callao Avenue, known for its Belle Époque architecture and fascinating history.

After a walking tour, take some time to refresh and check into your hotel room before we meet at 6:00 pm for drinks at the world-famous Presidente Bar, which is listed as one of the top 50 bars in the world. This will be followed by dinner at Fervor, a Michelin-recommended brasserie known for its classic Argentinian grilled steaks and fish, both highlights on the menu.

After a hearty breakfast, we'll meet our guide for our "Inspiring Women of Argentina" tour. The city awaits us. First, we'll learn about the founder of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a heartbreaking and captivating story. We'll also learn about the female captain who fought for Argentina's independence. 

We'll make a pit stop to refuel at the Gran Café Totoni, a well-known 1858 French art-nouveau café, for a coffee or hot chocolate and churros.

No important ladies' tour would be complete without Eva Perón, the former first lady of Argentina, and the political leaders who came after her, such as the country's first woman president, Estela Martínez de Perón. We'll explore the city's historical center and its barrios (neighborhoods), like San Telmo, La Boca, and Puerto Madero, as we learn about these inspiring women. 

We'll take a break and enjoy lunch at El Gran Paradiso, a popular Italian spot in the vibrant La Boca neighborhood. This restaurant is located in a tenement building from 1890, making it feel like we've stepped back in time.

After a quick refresh at the hotel, we'll enjoy a unique Argentinian dinner and show at Gala Tango in the San Telmo neighborhood. We'll linger over a three-course meal with drinks and wine, then appreciate a spectacular tango show. You can even enjoy a tango lesson before the show begins if you're up for it.

Today, we'll tour Buenos Aires' northern neighborhoods, including Retiro and Recoleta. We'll also explore the city's green lungs: the Palermo forests, the Rosedal Garden, and the Botanical Garden. The roses promise to be in full bloom at this time.

Our private guided experience will continue through Palermo's colorful and modern neighborhood, an open-air art gallery with cobblestone passages. 

Instead of lunch, we'll enjoy a multi-course tasting of Argentine classics and wines that pair perfectly with iconic dishes, like as spicy humita and empanadas, concluding with a maté tasting. Maté tea is made from an evergreen shrub and is perhaps Argentina's most iconic beverage.

We'll return to the hotel to relax, and then we'll grab a light meal at Milión; tapas and a cocktail will be just right before our evening plans.

Tonight, we'll experience a performance at the renowned Teatro Colon, recognized as one of the world's premier Opera Houses. We'll see ballet, opera, or theater, depending on the schedule.

Today, we are headed out of town to the Estancia El Ombú de Areco to learn all about the gaucho culture. The drive will take a little over one hour, but we’ll stop en route for a coffee or maté. 

At the estancia (Argentine ranch), we’ll take a horse-drawn carriage ride to explore the vast property, learn about the crops and animals they raise, and enjoy an authentic asado (South American BBQ). Enjoy the music, dancing, and time to relax. Bring your swimsuit along, you'll be able to take a refreshing dip in their pool. 

Learning about the gaucho lifestyle is essential for understanding Argentina. The tradition reflects the country’s rich history and national identity, rooted in the skills of horsemanship, livestock management, and the spirit of freedom associated with the gaucho, these iconic cowboys of the Pampas.

We'll make our way back to Buenos Aires for our final night in the city. After indulging in all the delightful savory and sweet treats today, you'll be free to have dinner or a snack, either by yourself or with friends. 

After checking out of our Buenos Aires hotel, we’ll meet the driver in the lobby for a transfer to the city’s domestic airport in time for the 9 am flight to Mendoza.

We’ll arrive in Mendoza by 11 am and head out for a visit and tasting at Viña Cobos, approximately a 45-minute drive. Paul Hobbs, the legendary winemaker from California named by Forbes as the “Steve Jobs of Wine,” launched this winery in the late 1990s. A tour and tasting here is just the beginning of discovering everything that Mendoza wine country has to offer.

Next, we’ll drive 15 minutes around the bend to the historic Bodegas Lagarde winery, which was founded just over 100 years before Cobos and is now run by two young sisters. We will enjoy a leisurely lunch and tasting experience here. The winery produces many award-winning wines, from the quintessential malbecs to cabernet sauvignons and even sparkling wines.

After a big day, we’ll check into the boutique hotel Lares de Chacras with time to relax before coming together for a light dinner in the hotel.

Another Day, Another Winery – Life is Good! 

After breakfast, we are headed to Bodegas Andeluna for a cooking class and a wine tasting (of course!) at this family-run organic winery. As well as Cabernet France and Malbecs, here you can sample a rosé, a white Semillon, a Chardonnay, and a Sauvignon Blanc – all alongside the six-course lunch we have helped create.

After a day of learning and tasting, we’ll return to the hotel. Enjoy time at the pool, hop into the jacuzzi, read a book, or perhaps spoil yourself with a massage.

We'll reconvene for the afternoon to take a petite tour of Chacras de Coria, the small town where we are staying. We’ll stop at the town square, a beautiful church, an art bookstore, and various other charming shops before ending at Zappa for a light farm-to-table meal of local Mendoza-produced food.

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll start our morning at Susana Balbo’s place. She was Mendoza's first female winemaker. We have something special for you: the chance to create your own wine blend in Balbo’s wine blending experience. This unique opportunity allows you to gain a deeper appreciation of the wine-making process. 

Next, we’ll visit Chandon, a sparkling wine pioneer in the region that has been part of LVMH since opening its cellar in 1959 and winning the best sparkling award in 2023. Why? Well, because their chief winemaker, Paula Bartolucci, is female, of course! We’ll indulge in a picnic lunch on the grounds before our tour and tasting. 

After rest and a refresh at the hotel, we’ve reserved one of the world’s top 50 restaurants for our farewell dinner: Casa Vigil. A recent Michelin Star winner, this is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. The restaurant inside the winery invites us to experience a fusion of gastronomy, nature, art, and literature, creating an otherworldly experience. We’ll toast to the delightful days we’ve enjoyed together and the friendships we’ve made.

After breakfast, we’ll check out and head to the Mendoza airport together around midday. We’ll part ways with cherished memories and new friendships to last a lifetime. For those continuing on the extension to Chile, see you in Santiago!

We'll take a brief flight to Santiago, departing at 12:50 pm and arriving at the Santiago airport by 1:45 pm. We suggest picking up something to eat beforehand at the airport in Mendoza from one of the several restaurants and cafes or requesting a boxed lunch at the hotel.

We’ll drop our bags at the 5-star Hotel Magnolia before touring the Lastarria neighborhood, a hip area full of restaurants, shops, and street vendors. After perusing around, we’ll stop in for tea and a sweet bite at the Wonderland Café, where you’ll feel like you wandered down the rabbit hole. If time allows, you can stop by the Bellas Artes museum on your own time, as it’s close to our hotel.

This evening, we’ll stroll to Bocanariz, a wine bar located in a beautifully restored old house, to enjoy small plates with Chilean wine. This is an opportunity to taste the unique qualities of the wine produced in both great South American countries, Chile and Argentina.

We’ll rise early to enjoy breakfast before departing for Valparaiso, the tremendous seaside city and former home to Nobel prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. 

We'll discover the lively Cerro Alegre neighborhood in Valparaiso, located in the hills. We'll visit unique art shops, charming coffee places, and admire the rich street art along the way. This may be the world’s largest, most impressive example of street art.

Lunch at Maralegre offers a beautiful view of the bay, accompanied by locally sourced seafood dishes. Next, we’ll venture up to enjoy sweeping views of Santiago via the historic funicular. 

We'll then head slightly out of town to find Isla Negra and Pablo Neruda’s seaside home, made famous by its representation in the film Il Postino. The small compound where the poet wrote and entertained houses his extensive art collection. He collected found objects, discarded boats, antiques, and vintage items. The breathtaking seaside location and view make you feel his spirit come alive.

Our final stop is at Vina Casa Marin, a boutique winery established by Chile’s first female winemaker, María Luz Marín. The setting and the wine are exquisite.

A relaxed meal on the rooftop at our hotel is just what you’ll want tonight, paired with a pisco sour, Peru and Chile’s favorite cocktail.  

As most flights back to the US and Canada depart late in the evening, we’ll have almost a full day to tour Santiago.

After breakfast, our guide will take us on an exploration of the city center, including the Plaza des Armes, Constitution Square, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, telling stories along the way. 

Next, we’ll stop at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. It covers the entire span of indigenous history throughout the Latin American world and is undoubtedly one of the world’s most impressive collections.

We’ll end our tour today at the art-forward market, Persa Victor Manuel, where we’ll savor a bite to eat before visiting the art galleries and flea market stalls that fill this former shoe and leather factory. Before heading to the airport, we’ll pause to take in the best town view at the Sky Costanera Center, the highest building in South America.

Your guide and driver will take the group to the airport around 7 pm for your return flight home.

Adios!