Day 1, Saturday
Depart US Gateway cities for flight to Santiago.

Day 2, Sunday
Early morning arrival in Santiago and transfer to our four star hotel (pool, restaurant and bar). The hotel is located in Providencia, an elegant residential and commercial district of Santiago, featuring tree lined streets, early 20th century French architecture, exquisite restaurants and delightful shops. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided city tour and visit to a special showing of fine Chilean craftsmanship in silver, copper, wood, ceramics and precious stones. Our welcome dinner features famous Chilean cuisine and the national drink, Pisco Sour. Overnight Santiago

Day 3, Monday
Buffet breakfast in hotel. Our walking tour of the Cerro San Cristobal gardens is led by a Chilean ornamental horticulture expert. This introduction to Chilean flora includes information on Chile’s ornamental horticultural industry, government controls, import restrictions and potential exports. Our group lunch is at the hotel giving an opportunity to take a dip in the pool or freshen up in our room. Our guided tour of the beautifully preserved Palacio Cousio includes the interior built to impress visiting European dignitaries, and the elegant gardens.In the evening, the soft aroma of semi-tropical flowers surrounds us as we stroll our hotel neighborhood, sip pisco sours and sample international cuisine at our group dinner. Overnight Santiago

Day 4, Wednesday
Buffet breakfast in hotel. At our meeting with the garden and landscape society of Santiago we learn how they are trying to improve plant quality and landscape design. From Santiago we head west through the Lo Prado tunnel and enter the Curacaví valley. Here we stop for lunch at Los Hornitos. Don’t let the thatched roof and sand floor fool you. The country cooking here is something to write home about! In the next valley, Casablanca, we pass through miles of newly planted grapes. During our stop at Villard winery we see why this valley has become famous for its white wines. The sparkling blue Pacific spreads out before us as we drop from the hills to the Garden City, and the Riviera of Chile, Viña del Mar. Our hotel is on Chile’s most famous beach, Acapulco, and just a step from all the best restaurants and the casino. Overnight Viña del Mar

Day 5, Thursday
Buffet breakfast in hotel.  The Aconcagua valley, north of Viña del Mar is an ideal microclimate for citrus, avocado and flower production. Our day in this picturesque valley includes visits to greenhouses and nurseries where we see large scale flower and ornamental plant production. Also included are visits to recently landscaped country properties. Our interviews with owners and managers is lively and informative. In the National Park Campana we hike up the mountain to see a forest of native Chilean palms and a grand view of the valley. Overnight Viña del Mar

Day 6, Friday
Breakfast in hotel. Our comprehensive tour of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar includes the Pablo Neruda museum, the most famous public buildings, the port and the Quinta Vergara. Touted as the most beautiful park in Chile, the Quinta Vergara was created in the 1840s. Plants were brought from all over the world to thrive in this Mediterranean climate. Following our group lunch at the hotel, there is abundant time to explore the many beaches, fishing villages, shopping centers, museums, local parks, and summer holiday neighborhoods. During our group dinner we watch the red sun slide into the Western ocean. Overnight Viña del Mar

Day 7, Saturday
Buffet breakfast in hotel. It is an hour and a half to the International airport where we catch our non-stop flight to Buenos Aires. Here we connect to our domestic flight to Iguassu Falls. Upon arrival and transfer to our hotel in the city of Iguassu Falls, we enjoy the warm evening surrounded with semitropical plants and birds. Overnight Iguassu Falls

Day 8, Sunday
Buffet Breakfast in hotel. Iguassu Falls is one of the top Icons of South America and a paradise for plant lovers. Here is found an amazing array of tropical and sub-tropical plants in the wild, and in carefully landscaped gardens. Our  comprehensive guided tour of Iguassu Falls park includes an excursion through the forest, a wild boat ride into the throat of the falls, and a hike to all the best viewpoints of the falls. Overnight Iguassu Falls

Day 9, Monday
Buffet Breakfast in hotel. Free time in the morning to enjoy the community of Iguassu Falls or to take optional excursions to the park and other tourist destinations in the area. Our afternoon flight returns us to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Our hotel is in the heart of Buenos Aires with great restaurants and popular tourist sites within walking distance. Free evening to explore the city and take advantage of the great bargains in the shops. Overnight Buenos Aires

Day 10, Tuesday
Buffet breakfast in hotel. This morning, our Argentine host takes us to a local nursery and botanical garden where we learn about the common ornamental plants of this climate. Lunch is a classic Argentine parilla with stacks of barbequed beef and fresh vegetables.  Our half-day city tour includes the most famous sights of Buenos Aires: Casa Rosada, Congreso National, Cathedral, Plaza de Republica, Recoleta and La Boca. In the evening we thrill to Buenos Aires’ famous tango. Dinner included. Overnight Buenos Aires

Day 11, Wednesday
Buffet breakfast in hotel. Last minute shopping and sight seeing is in order before we head to the airport and our return flight to Santiago, and other destinations.