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| Taste of Argentina and Chile Saturday April 4-Wednesday April 15, 2009 Day One: Departure for Santiago! Day Two: Welcome to Chile! Transfer to your charming, centrally located, European style hotel. Time to rest, regroup, and visit the city a bit on your own. Meet this evening for a welcome dinner at a restaurant specializing in old school Chilean cuisine. The chef has revisted authentic recipes such as "pastel de choclo", and delicate ravioli filled with the local pot roast known as "carne mechada", all paired with a variety of Chilean wines. (D) Day Three: This morning you will visit an off-the-beaten path part of the historic downtown Santiago; a myriad of elegant turn-of-the-century buildings, eclectic European architecture, cobblestone streets, colorful facades, and vibrant fruit markets. You will get a taste of the city's culinary history and rich gastromy as you explore the city's largest wholesale produce market to buy fresh ingredients such as seasonal fruits, vegetables, hot and crunchy sopaipillas (pumpkin bread) and tangy goat cheese, all which will become part of our lunch! Visit Santiago's fish market to choose your fresh seafood, and then on to authentic bakeries to search our dessert. Together with your guide, Liz Caskey, you will prepare your 3 course lunch in her private home overlooking Santiago's "Central Park". The afternoon will bring you a walk throughthe historic city center, and then on to San Cristobal hill for a panoramic view of the city. Return to your hotel late afternoon/early evening. Dinner is on your own tonight, suggestions provided. (B L) Day Four: Check out of your hotel in Santiago this morning and head for the foothills of the Andes for a visit of the well known Maipo wine region. A full day will be dedicated to the culinary delights of the Maipo Valley including visit with an organic wine maker, an organic farm and ecological school, and lunch on a chevre cheese producing farm. The afternoon will be spent visiting with the pioneer olive oil producer learning about the production of this golden, delicious product. On to the quaint village of Santa Cruz where we will check in to a comfortable, colonial style hotel with time on your own to relax and visit the village. This evening you will have a truly once in a lifetime experience meeting friends of Liz's that have resurrected the age-old tradition of artisan liquors made with natural fruits, herbs, and spices from the surrounding countryside. Dinner served at their home this evening. (B L D) Day Five: This morning you will be heading west towards the Pacific Ocean, past the country town of Marchigue. Here you will visit Liz's friend Patricia, a local cheese maker and dairy farmer. She will take you on a tour to see how her delicious "manjar" (milk carmel) and typical fresh and mature cheeses are produced. A sample "snack" of her products including homemade jams and bread will be served before departing for the prestigious Chilean property of Chateau Lafitte for a private tour and tasting. A traditional lunch at a local winery will be served al fresco (weather permitting) in their hacienda garden featuring grilled meats and homemade empanadas. After lunch, a return to your hotel with time on your own to take advantage of the spa, pool, and wander the village. Dinner is on your own tonight, suggestions provided. (B L) Day Six: You will work your way back to Santiago today with delicious and wonderful stops en-route to include the Apalta Valley where many of the top Chiliean red wines are born. Your visit will be to one of the most recent additions to the valley producing only 3 bottled vintages from the estates 100+ year old vines creating a very Bordeaux style blend. Down the road you will make another stop at a stellar Chilean-French investment whos exquisite red blend is made in a breathtaking, world class facility with a full view of the entire valley and the Andes. Lunch will be served at a historic restaurant in the kinship of Cunaco, once an 18th century bakery providing all the bread for the local hacienda and its workers. Back to Santiago for an evening on your own! (B L) Day Seven: Off to Argentina this morning on a flight from Santiago to Mendoza. Upon arrival in Mendoza you will be welcomed for lunch and tasting at the Benegas family's private winery dating back to 1901. Its so interesting to cross borders and see another another approach to wine making in a wonderful old stone cellar. After lunch you will be off for another quick stop at a very unassuming winery that has become one of Wsaine Spectators darlings achieving a 95+ for its single vineyard expression wines. Arrival in the late afternoon to your centrally located hotel in Mendoza, the evening is your own with suggestions provided. (B L) Day Eight: One last day to learn about the intricacies of Argentian wines that will include a visit to the Valle de Uco where they grow not only Malbec, but are experimenting with some varietals and blends as well. A visit to a boutique winery in the morning, and then on the Vista Flores for lunch with a local wine maker in their home. The view of the Andes from their house is unforgettable! Return to Mendoza after lunch, balance of the day is on your own with suggestions provided for dinner. (B L) Day Nine: Off for your flight from Mendoza to Buenos Aires today. Upon arrival in tango town, you will check in to your quaint Parisian style hotel in the heart of the Recoleta neighborhood withing walking distance of sights, shops, and great restaurants. The balance of the day is on your own to explore the city. (B) Day Ten: You have a very full day planned today with a culinary/cultural tour planned that will include a visit to the Mercado del Progreso, a huge fresh food market and then on to a historic walking tour. Lunch will be served in a private residence of a local gourmand, and then coffee after lunch with "locals". More walking after lunch as you finish up your day of exploration! Farewell dinner served this evening. Day Eleven: You have a full day on your own in BA today to shop, explore, and enjoy some more of their wonderful coffee! Meet in the early evening for a transfer to the airport for your late flight home! Day Twelve: Early arrival home. Tour costs: $3,825.00 per person based on double occupancy Tour is based on a participation of 10-12 people, exchange rates of USD 1.00 = 325 ARS/635CLP If this rate varies more than 2% we reserve the right to adjust the price. Your tour includes the following: **9 nights in centrally located, first class hotels **Breakfast daily **3 dinners and 7 lunches **All wine tastings as listed in the itineary **All transfers as listed in the itinerary **1 cooking class **Full time bilingual guide/escort Your tour does not include the following: **Round trip airfare USA-South America **Inter South America airfare, estimated to be $350.00 **Any items of a personal nature **Tips to drivers and guides We highly recommend travel insurance, please ask for further details. |
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