Cities & Wines of Chile & Argentina

Itinerary

3 Nights – Santiago
2 Nights – Valparaiso
5 Nights – Mendoza
4 Nights – Buenos Aires

✈️ UK to Santiago (3 nights):  Your adventure begins in Santiago, Chile’s lively capital city that is framed by the stunning Andes mountains. Whilst you’ll want to tick off must-see sightseeing spots including Plaza de Armas and the impressive Catedral Metropolitana, you’ll also want to explore the city’s wonderful food scene.  Head to Bellavista, which is full of vibrant street art and fantastic restaurants where you can tuck into traditional Chilean dishes such as pastel de choclo (a delicious corn and meat pie) and fresh seafood caught off the Pacific coast. For spectacular city views, hop on the funicular up San Cristóbal or Santa Lucía hills and sip on a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc as the sun sets. Finish your evening in one of Santiago’s wine bars or sample some artisanal chocolates paired beautifully with local wines.

🚗 Santiago to Valparaíso (2 nights) Next, you’ll take a picturesque drive through Chile’s famous Central Valley, a region celebrated for its world-class vineyards that produce some of the country’s best white and red wines. One of the best ways to explore the region is to stop off at the various boutique wineries for a vineyard and wine tasting tours.  When it comes to white wines, you’ll find Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, perfect for pairing with fresh seafood. On the red side, you’ll find excellent Carménère, Chile’s signature wine.  You might also come across some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Valparaíso itself is a wonderfully bohemian vibe, with colourful houses tumbling down steep hills and street art that covers nearly every corner. The city is famous for its seafood, so make sure you try dishes such as fresh sea bass or congrio (a local type of eel). If you’d like to swap wine for another drink, try a pisco sour, Chile’s iconic cocktail.

✈️ Santiago to Mendoza (5 nights): From Santiago, you’ll fly to Mendoza, Argentina’s premier wine region, with the Andes mountains creating a breathtaking backdrop. If you’re feeling adventurous, we can organise a scenic bus journey instead of the flight, which takes longer but offers spectacular views crossing the mountains. Spend your first two nights in Mendoza city soaking up its relaxed atmosphere and dining at some of its best restaurants, where you can enjoy Argentine staples such as empanadas and slow-cooked lamb. Then move to one of the nearby vineyards for three nights, where the real magic happens. Here, you’ll indulge in exclusive Malbec tastings, take vineyard tours and enjoy wine-pairing dinners featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. For something special, sign up for a cooking class to learn how to prepare classic Argentine dishes while pairing each course with the perfect wine.

✈️ Mendoza to Buenos Aires (4 nights): The final chapter of your trip takes you to Buenos Aires, a city bursting with energy, culture and incredible food. Wander through the cobbled streets of San Telmo and catch an authentic tango performance in an intimate setting, all while sipping on a glass of Malbec or aromatic Torrontés. Buenos Aires is famous for its parrillas –  steakhouses that serve some of the world’s best beef. Make sure you try cuts such as bife de chorizo or ojo de bife, grilled to perfection and served with chimichurri sauce, accompanied by a full-bodied red wine. You’ll also find delicious local specialities such as provoleta cheese and alfajores biscuits for dessert. Don’t miss a visit to Mercado de San Telmo, a lively food market where you can sample artisanal cheeses, cured meats and traditional pastries. And of course, take time to explore iconic sights such as Casa Rosada, Teatro Colón and Recoleta Cemetery to round off your experience.

✈️ Buenos Aires to UK: After all the amazing food, wine and culture, you’ll fly home with a fully belly and first had experience of South America’s incredible flavours and wines.