Signature Uruguay: Land of vintage charm

Day 1

Arrive in Buenos Aires. Transfer to your hotel in San Telmo district.

Arrive in Buenos Aires, an elegant, cultured and cosmopolitan city famed for its interesting museums and the fascinating port district of La Boca, with its cobbled streets and brightly painted houses – it’s where the tango was born. The centre of town is home to the colonial heart, government buildings and churches as well as chic shopping and residential districts which have a nostalgic Parisian feel.

The bohemian quarter of San Telmo is full of quaint old houses interspersed with antiques shops, tango bars and classy restaurants. Slightly further out of the centre is the Recoleta district (your hotel is here), even more evocative of the French influence, where Evita Perón was laid to rest.

Stay at - Anselmo Buenos Aires

Day 2

City tour with a visit to Teatro Colón.

Your guided city tour takes you along Avenida 9 de Julio, one of the widest boulevards in the world and studded by the Obelisk, an emblematic symbol of the city. Along this majestic highway is the 19th century Teatro Colón (guided tour included) which, in terms of its architecture and design, as well as its excellent acoustics, is considered one of world’s best.

On to the Plaza de Mayo, enclosed on 3 sides by the metropolitan cathedral, the town hall and the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace. The tour continues to bohemian, arty La Boca, which was settled and built by Italian immigrants and has streets lined with brightly painted corrugated iron-clad houses.  You also visit the district of Recoleta, where Eva Peron is biried in the famous cemetery.

Stay at - Anselmo Buenos Aires

Day 3

At leisure in Buenos Aires; night time guided culinary tour.

The daylight hours leave you at leisure to explore Buenos Aires further: you might stroll around one or two of the lovely parks, such as the delightful Japanese Gardens, and maybe have an al fresco snack or lunch in trendy Puerto Madero, the sensitively restored Buenos Aires’ docklands, which has promenades festooned with industrial architecture, bars and cafés and a pretty little marina crammed with sailing boats.

In the evening you embark on a culinary-themed private guided walking tour. Shunning smart restaurants and tourist spots, you’ll dine out local-style, tasting authentic Argentine dishes in a variety of settings and experience the excitement of an authentic tango or peña venue. The evening usually takes place in the smart neighbourhood of Palermo, not far from your hotel.

After dinner, visit a milonga – a traditional tango hall – or a peña, also popular among locals but specialising in traditional music from the Andean north-west of Argentina.

Stay at - Anselmo Buenos Aires

Day 4

By hydrofoil to Colonia, Uruguay.

Take the hydrofoil ferry across the River Plate to Colonia in Uruguay.  Travel along a forest-fringed estuary, dotted with upmarket residences, to this peaceful little port, and its UNESCO-protected historic centre where you can wander among cobbled streets lined with colonial houses. Founded in the 17th century by the Portuguese, the fortressed town was prinicipally a centre for contraband activities for many years. It’s a peaceful place now, retaining its distinctive Portuguese colonial style and with a villagey feel. Its evocative colonial grid of peaceful lanes is a photographer’s delight and you can view the whole place from the top of the lighthouse.

You’ll be taken on a guided exploration on foot of the quaint, historic town and port of Colonia, which was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Stay at - Charco

Day 5

At leisure in historic Colonia.

Colonia brims with inviting cafes and restaurants and there’s plenty of time for you to explore and enjoy them at your own pace.

If you’d like to strike out further afield, we can pre-arrange a visit to a local winery or to the pretty small town of Carmelo, further upstream and a regional centre of wine production. Even a long day trip to Fray Bentos can be organised from Colonia with prior notice.

Stay at - Charco

Day 6

By road to Montevideo; guided tour of the capital and market lunch.

By road to the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, a journey of under three hours. In the lively waterfront city modern skyscrapers jostle with art deco façades and grand, monumental colonial buildings.

Born of the competing interests of colonial powers, the city, on the shores of a fine natural harbour on the River Plate, grew to be a prosperous port devoted to overseas trade. It attracted immigrants from all of Europe, resulting in an eclectic cultural mix which survives to this day.

Upon arrival you’ll have a guided walking tour of the historic centre. Stop for lunch at the atmospheric port market, its wrought iron structure designed by a British engineer in the 1860s and nowadays famous for its traditional parrilla restaurants serving grilled meats.

Stay at - Alma Historica

Day 7

Tasting Tannat experience with optional dinner.

Uruguay’s signature Tannat red wine is becoming internationally renowned and many of the country’s wineries welcome the opportunity to receive visitors. Your guided excursion will take you to one of several wineries in the vicinity of Montevideo. You will explore the vineyard and the bodega (cellars), have the opportunity to savour three different wines and take lunch before returning to the city. Transfers are private, and the winery tour is usually done as part of a group. The winery of choice varies, but throughout Uruguay these tend to be small-scale, family owned and run establishments using a blend of traditional and innovative techniques to produce a variety of high quality and award-winning wines.

Stay at - Alma Historica

Day 8

Drive to a rural estancia.

Travel by road into the countryside to reach the Estancia (4hrs), tucked away in the countryside north-west of Montevideo.

This tranquil farm has been in the same family for 6 generations. Now also a small, rustic guesthouse it is surrounded by the meadows and pastures and bucolic rolling countryside. The atmosphere is welcoming, sociable and informal. It’s especially popular with guests who enjoy horse riding but there is something here for everyone.

Stay at - Estancia Los Platanos

Days 9-10

Activities at the countryside ranch.

At leisure.  A stay on a Uruguayan estancia is often a highly personalised experience where you are likely to feel part of the family as well as a guest. Estancia Los Platanos is a fitting place for relaxation but you can also help out with activities on the farm and observe the gauchos at work. Alternatively, head out on a walk in the countryside, join an informal cooking demonstration or swim at La Salamanca, a natural pool in the vicinity.

Stay at - Estancia Los Platanos

Day 11

By road to Punta del Este on the coast.

Drive to Punta del Este, a glamorous and sophisticated beach resort on a lovely stretch of Atlantic coast, particularly popular amongst Argentines. It dominates a narrow peninsular with a calm bay side, the rougher Atlantic waters on the other, and forests of pine and eucalyptus further up inland. Other than its excellent bathing, ‘Punta’ has a top class yacht marina, and offers premier fishing.

Stay at - L’Auberge

Days 12-13

At leisure on the beach.

The upmarket resort Punta del Este is packed with classy hotels, holiday residences, casinos, boutiques, chic bars and restaurants. You have a couple of days at leisure to enjoy your attractive hotel and its grounds, explore the beaches and maybe indulge in some water sports.

Stay at - L’Auberge

Day 14

Transfer to Montevideo airport for international flight home.