Santiago has become the commercial capital of South America. With its modern high rise glass and steel buildings, efficient transportation and communication system, friendly and safe neighborhoods, Santiago is a very easy and stimulating city to visit. In addition to many attractive museums, the Plaza de Armas surrounded with colonial architecture, and the San Cristóbal Hill park overlooking the entire central valley, there are shopping centers that match anything in Europe or the United States and world class restaurants featuring Chile’s famous seafood.
Buenos Aires is known as the Paris of South America. But it is more than that. Buenos Aires has an incredible variety of neighborhoods, from the colorful old port district to sidewalk cafes and parks reminiscent of the Champs Eleyseé. Dinner featuring the famous Argentine Parrillada and Malbec wine from Mendoza must be followed by a Tango show.
Sugarloaf, Corcovado, Copacabana, Ipanema, Samba and Carnaval. What more can be said about Rio de Janeiro? Located in a perfect setting, beautiful people from all over the world flock to Rio de Janeiro. The Sugarloaf is in itself dazzling, and also provides a spectacular vista of the city and the bay. Copacabana, with its beach, is the capital of Brazilian tourism, but the better restaurants are found along Ipanema beach.
Day 1
Arrival in Santiago, Chile. Airport reception and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, a walking tour of the hotel district to learn about the services, shops and markets available. Welcome dinner. Overnight Santiago
Day 2
Breakfast in hotel. Step back into the 16th century as your local guide traces the city’s history and heritage. Start at La Moneda, the official Government Palace, and nearby San Cristóbal HILL with its landmark statue of the Virgin Mary Arter visiting the Pre-Colombian Art Museum, your tour ends at the Plaza de Armas, the main square, with a visit to the 15 th-century Cathedral. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure. Overnight Santiago
Day 3
Breakfast in the hotel. The day is free independent activities. You may want to take advantage of an optional excursion to the beautiful coastal region west of Santiago. Drive through the undulating hills of Chile’s Wine country to the historic port of Valparaiso and continue along the coast to nearby Viña del Mar. This chic seaside resort with palm tree-lined avenues and lovely villas truly deserves the sobriquet “Pearl of the Pacific.” Get to know the agriculturally and historically rich central valley with an optional excursion to a 400 year old Spanish style estate south of Santiago. Overnight Santiago
Day 4
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning, relax during a scenic flight over the Andes before arriving Buenos Aires, proud capital of the vast country that occupies most of the southern part of the continent. En route to your hotel, an orientation drive acquaints you with the “Paris of South America”, its wide boulevards and outdoor cafes. Overnight Buenos Aires
Day 5
Breakfast in the hotel. Your sightseeing this morning starts in La Boca, a colorful district and site of the city’s first port. Take a short waking tour of this unique neighborhood at the mouth of the river and then on to San Telmo - famous for its late colonial buildings and as a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the Presidential Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, housing San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Colon Opera House before reaching The Cemetery of The Recoleta, the burial site of Eva Perón. After an afternoon at leisure, savor the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan capital with and excursion to dinner at a typical restaurant featuring Argentine cuisine. Overnight Buenos Aires
Day 6
Breakfast in the hotel. Today, enjoy an included excursion to the Pampas. Experience the
atmosphere of Argentine country life as you visit a citando [ranch]. Get acquainted with the lifestyle of the gauchos and enjoy a typical asado [barbeque] lunch and the warm hospitality of your hosts before returning to the city. Overnight Buenos Aires