Sunday, 26 February - Sunday, 12 March Highlights of South America

bwd vacations offer complimentary transfers from Galeão International Airport at 09:00, 12:00 & 3:00pm.

This afternoon you will meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink and a short meeting followed by a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Your local guide shows you the Brazilian capital today, beginning with a cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain for the incredible views of Guanabara Bay & its islands, the Rio Niterói Bridge and the Corcovado Mountain. Afterwards, you will drive through the Flamengo Park towards the historic downtown, where the highlights will include the National Library, Opera house, and the Bohemian Lapa district. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to continue exploring the downtown or returning to your hotel and relaxing on Copacabana Beach.

This morning you climb aboard the Tremzinho, the cogwheel tram that will take you to the summit of Corcovado for a bird’s-eye view of the marvellous city of Rio de Janeiro. Sitting atop the 710 m (2330ft) peak is the imposing Christ the Redeemer, with his arm opens offering faith and friendship to the people of Rio. One of the great icons of not just Rio de Janeiro but of all South America. We then return through the Tijuca Forest, a tropical rainforest located within the city limits. Tonight, we finish our visit to the Brazilian capital with a breathtaking Samba spectacular, showcasing both Brazilian music and dance.

This morning you fly from Rio de Janeiro to Foz do Iguaçu to visit the Iguazu Falls. This afternoon you will enjoy a guided visit to Brazil’s Iguazu National Park with its subtropical vegetation. You then make a short walk down into the canyon for a panoramic view of the parks more than 240 waterfalls. You will then ascend in the glass elevator to the upper deck for incredible views of the Devil’s Throat, a 2700 m (88860ft) wide fall that drops a total of 72 m (236 ft). After a time to freshen up and enjoy the hotel facilities, you then want a traditional Brazilian BBQ at one of Foz do Iguaçu’s most well-known restaurants.

This morning you cross the border into Argentina to visit the Argentina’s Iguazu National Park. Firstly, you will visit the upper falls, including the San Martin Falls and the Devil’s Throat, via a series of walkways that take right up to the base of the falls. Afterwards you will cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge with its incredible views of the Iguazu Canyon and into Argentina. You will then visit the upper walkway with its different perspective which allows a more intimate contact with the falls. Along the way you will walk through the subtropical rainforest filled with orchids, bromeliads and the many bird varieties in the park including the famed Toco Toucan. You will then return to your hotel where the rest of the afternoon and evening is set aside for you to enjoy Foz do Iguaçu.

This morning you board your flight to Buenos Aires, where your local guide will be waiting to show you the Argentinian capital’s highlights. Your visit will include the Obelisk, towering above 9 de Julio Ave., The Colon Theatre and the impressive French Embassy. Buenos Aires is well known for its traditional barrios or neighbourhoods, and with your local guide, you will visit La Boco, Montserrat & San Telmo with its famed cemetery. You will then continue with a stroll through the elegant barrio of Recoleta and the trendy Palermo before visiting the Puerto Madero with its luxurious skyscrapers, yacht club and the Women’s Bridge.

This morning you head north to the town of Tigre and the Paraná River delta, a wonderful wetland covered with lush vegetation and zigzagging rivers. You will then cruise along the Paraná river to admire the incredible natural beauty of the area, hopefully seeing some 200 species of birds that settle in the region.  Afterwards, you will return to Buenos Aires for a free afternoon. There is nothing like dancing the sultry tango in Buenos Aires, the city where it was born. This evening you will have dance lessons at the La Ventana Tango Club to learn some of the more well-known moves before sitting down to a beautiful dinner, and an unforgettable show highlights the tango dance, music and costumes.

Today you head out into the countryside, where you will visit a traditional estancia or Argentinian ranch. Whilst there, you will learn about their famed gauchos, or cowboys, including demonstrations of Doma India, horse whispering and tropilla, horse herding. If you want, you can then join them on a guided horseback or sulky (carriage) ride before sitting down to a traditional Asado or BBQ. After lunch, you have the chance to try some authentic mate, a South American herbal tea, along with pastelitos, traditional Argentinian sweet pies before returning to Buenos Aires for a free evening.

This morning, you take the high-speed ferry across the Rio de la Plata to the Uruguayan town of Sacramento de Colonia, regarded by many as the country’s oldest settlement. Once the only Portuguese settlement on the Rio de la Plata, Colonia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famed for its excellent restaurants, arts and craft shops, yacht harbour, and Barrio Historico, or Historical Quarter. Your local guide will show you the winding cobblestone streets, lined with colourful Portuguese colonial houses to visit the old fort, the old harbour and its lovely Rambla. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore this incredible town.

Today you visit the Bodega Bouza, a family-owned winery located just outside Montevideo. On arrival, you will enjoy a tour of the vineyards to see which grapes they use and why before touring the winery itself to see how they create their impressive wines. The owners are also avid collectors of classic automobiles, and you will be allowed to visit their garage browse their collection of classic cars. After your visit, you will then sit down to a beautiful lunch to try an assortment of locally prepared dishes accompanied by the appropriate wine. After lunch, you will continue to your hotel in the trendy beachside district of Pocitos in Montevideo.

Your local guide will meet you at the hotel this morning to show you Montevideo sights. Your visit will begin with a visit to Carrasco and Punta Gorda’s beachside districts to enjoy views of the city’s incredible coastline. You will then head downtown, where you will visit Plaza Independencia, the city’s most important square, to see the Salvo Palace, the Solis Theatre, and the Estévez Palace, the President of Uruguay offices. Afterwards, you will walk through the Puerta de la Ciudadela, the old city gate, where to explore the Old Town including the Mercado del Puerto, the Port Market, one of the city’s most important gastronomic destinations. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the downtown or maybe visit one of the city’s many museums.

This morning you board your flight to Santiago de Chile. Upon arrival, your local guide will introduce you to the Chilean capital. You will begin with a visit to Santa Lucia Hill, for its incredible views over the city and across to the Andes Mountains before continuing to the Metropolitan Park, one of the world’s largest urban parks. Afterwards, you will visit Plaza de Armas, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago. You will then continue to the Moneda Palace, today the President of Chile’s seat, and the National Museum of Fine Arts. This evening you will enjoy a wonderful dinner accompanied by a selection of local Chilean wines.

Chile has become renowned for the quality of its wines, and this morning you depart your hotel for the vineyards of the Casablanca Valley. After a tour of the vineyard, followed by a tasting of several of their wines, you will continue with a visit to Valparaiso, Chile’s main port. Today Valparaiso is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its colourful houses that decorate the hillsides giving its unique appearance. There, your local guide will show you the city’s sights, including the stunning street art that adorns the town. After some free time, you will return to Santiago for a free evening.

The morning is set aside to explore Santiago by yourself, perhaps visit one of the city’s many parks with many decorated with wonderful coffee shops or visit the Bohemian Bellavista neighbourhood for some of the best views over the city. This afternoon, we visit Santiago’s two main markets: La Vega Central and the Mercado Central, where you will buy your Farewell Dinner ingredients. Accompanied by a guide, you will explore the incredible variety of products available before selecting the best products from our favourite stalls. You will then head to a private home to prepare a delicious Chilean meal using the fresh produce you selected earlier. Not only a wonderful insight into Chilean gastronomy and culture but also an incredible way to finish your South American experience with bwd vacations.

Your trip finishes this morning, bwd vacations offer complimentary transfers which will arrive at Arturo Merino International Airport at 06:00, 09:00 and 12:00