Taste of South America

Itinerary

3 Nights – Santiago / Valparaíso
2 Nights – Montevideo
3 Nights – Buenos Aires
2 Nights – Iguazu Falls
4 Nights – Rio de Janeiro

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 UK to Santiago (3 Nights): You’ll kick off your Taste of South America adventure in Santiago, Chile’s capital, framed by the famous San Cristóbal and Santa Lucía hills. Santiago is known for its 22 funiculars and rewarding, high-perched views. Stroll the bohemian Barrio Bellavista neighbourhood and visit the Catedral Metropolitana shadowing the main Plaza de Armas square. Shopaholics and spice lovers are catered-to at endless malls and markets. From Santiago you can also visit the UNESCO world heritage city of Valparaíso which is known for its bohemian culture, brightly painted houses and beautiful coastal setting, as well as explore Chile’s famous wine regions.

Santiago to Montevideo (2 Nights): You’ll next fly to Montevideo in Uruguay. A great place to start exploring this welcoming city is the Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo’s old town, where you’ll find colonial architecture and bustling markets. A central feature of the city is the 8.5 mile long La Rambla, a promenade that stretches along the city’s coastline with beautiful views that connects various areas of the city. If you like the hustle and bustle of a market, Mercado del Puerto is a must-visit, with a lively atmosphere, street performers, traditional Uruguayan cuisine, and local crafts. If you’d like to explore the nearby Colonia del Sacramento, consider spending a night in this historic city, located about a 2-hour drive from Montevideo. Colonia offers a picturesque setting along the Rio de la Plata and boasts a nostalgic sense of stepping back in time with its colonial buildings and narrow winding streets.  Founded in 1680 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, its influences are from both the Portuguese and Spanish colonial periods with key highlights including the old lighthouse, and the 18th-century Basilica del Santísimo Sacramento.

Montevideo to Buenos Aires (2 Nights):  Take a scenic ferry from Montevideo (or from Colonia del Sacramento if you’ve chosen to spend a night there) to Buenos Aires, a city renowned for its vibrant tango rhythms, excellent cuisine, and blend of European and Latin cultures. Start your exploration in La Boca, where the lively pedestrian street of Caminito features brightly coloured houses and offers a fascinating glimpse into the origins of tango.  In upscale Recoleta area, visit the grand Recoleta Cemetery, known for its elaborate mausoleums and striking architecture, and explore Retiro, home to Plaza San Martín – a central square celebrated for its historical buildings and cultural events. If it’s trendy shops and chic cafes you’re after, head to Palermo.  Buenos Aires is renowned for its authentic tango performances, dance lessons, and live music and one of the best places to experience the passion of this iconic dance is to head to San Telmo with its energetic tango bars. There are plenty of dining options across the city. For a refined dining experience with a picturesque view, head to Puerto Madero, where waterfront restaurants and bars offer a beautiful setting, especially enchanting with the river’s twinkling reflections at night.

Buenos Aires – Iguazú Falls (2 Nights): Iguazú Falls is the destination for 275 crashing waterfalls that are taller (and wider) than Niagara Falls and you’ll reach it on a short flight from Buenos Aires. Awe-inspiring, humbling and shrouded in fresh mist, the Iguazú Falls cascade amid natural beauty that is nothing short of staggering. Walk, hike or jungle trek The Devil’s Throat against dense forestry, and make the most of either Argentinian or Brazilian sides of this border-dividing wonder. 2 nights is ideal to take in this impressive wonder, and we’ll happily recommend the best hotel for you.

 Iguazú Falls – Rio (5 Nights): Wrapping up this itinerary in spectacular style, you’ll now fly direct to the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro. Blending urban jungles, white-sand beaches and sensational shopping and dining, Rio wasn’t nicknamed “The Marvellous City” for nothing. Bounce rays and samba beats on the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, explore colourful favelas and take in breath-taking panoramas from the Sugarloaf and Corcovado mountains. Under the iconic Christ The Redeemer statue, Rio encapsulates a feast of cloistered charm, cutting-edge nightlife, iconic landmarks and some of the most beautiful beaches on earth.

 Rio – UK: We’ll be at your hotel on your departure day to meet and escort you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.