SUMMER & FALL 2012 - VOLUME 3 - Senior Tours Canada

TENTATIVE ITINERARY FOR ARGENTINA & CHILEDAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DAY 4DAY 5DAY 6DAY 7DAY 8DEPARTURE. We depart for Buenos Aires.BUENOS AIRES. We arrive in BuenosAires and transfer to our hotel. After sometime to relax we take a short orientationwalk, followed by our Welcome Dinner.BUENOS AIRES. On our city tour we seesome of the unique neighbourhoods thiscity is known for. We also see thePresidential Palace (former headquarters ofEva Peron - still a popular cult figure here),the Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral,Colon Opera House and Ms. Peron'smausoleum set amid dramatic statuary. Wewill stop in historic San Telmo, the oldestneighbourhood in Buenos Aires, and strollthrough the unique shops. Afternoon atleisure. This evening we enjoy a fabuloustango cabaret.COLONIA (URUGUAY) / BUENOS AIRES.We take a short ferry ride across the RiverPlate to Colonia. This 17th-century townstill retains vestiges of its Portugueseorigins - gaily painted homes and latticedironwork on the windows and balconies.The old area of the town is designated anUNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll enjoy awalking tour, lunch and time to stroll andexplore before our return ferry.BUENOS AIRES. Today we head to thecountryside to visit a typical estancia on thepampas. Here the gauchos (cowboys)display their horsemanship and entertain uswith songs and dances. Included is a truefarm-style barbecue lunch.MENDOZA. We take a short flight toMendoza, where scenic vineyards have thebackdrop of snow-capped mountains. Wetransfer to our hotel and the balance of theday is free. The town has well-shadedpedestrian zones for shopping and manycafes and restaurants with al fresco dining.MENDOZA. Some of the finest wine in theworld comes from the Mendoza area, sotoday we will enjoy a tour of a few localvineyards. There will be wine tasting andlunch at a winery owned by a local family.MENDOZA. Today we visit the Museum ofArts, former residence of the well-knownFrench-Argentine painter Fernando Faderwho decorated the building. Lunch is at alocal restaurant.DAY 9DAY 10DAY 11DAY 12DAY 13DAY 14DAY 15DAY 16ANDES / CHILE / TERMAS DE JAHUEL.This will be a day to remember as we crossthe Andes Mountains with peaks reaching23,000'. The pure grey granite of thesemountains change colour with the weatherand time of day - a mighty spectacle! Weenter Chile and stop for lunch at the skiresort of Portillo. Later we arrive at our spahotel in Termas De Jahuel.TERMAS DE JAHUEL. A day at leisure toenjoy our spa hotel and this popular resorttown. Spend some time in the mineral poolswhich overlook the lush gardens.SANTIAGO. Morning at leisure in Termas.After lunch we proceed to our Santiagohotel.SANTIAGO. Our city tour includes thePlaza des Armes and the Barrio Civico - thecity's historic centre. Here there are manycolonial and neo-classical buildings,churches, museums, old mansions, plazasand palaces. Arcades are lined with smallshops and restaurants. This is a great areafor a follow-up visit.COUNTRYSIDE TOUR / SANTIAGO. Aday in the countryside. First we visit thevineyards and sample some wine. Lunchwill be in the tranquil countryside town ofSanta Cruz. Later we enter the fertileColchagua Valley and visit a unique privatemuseum there, before returning toSantiago.VINA DEL MAR / VALPARAISO /SANTIAGO. A day of exploring the twincities of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Thelatter is a UNESCO world heritage site andfeatures 20 historic funicular elevators thatwere built to facilitate access to the city'smany steep slopes. We also see the manyimportant monuments and archeologicalgems in both cities. This evening we havedinner and a folkloric show in a localrestaurant.SANTIAGO. Morning at leisure. In the earlyafternoon we’ll go to an authentic Chileanrestaurant for a relaxing lunch, followed bya visit to a shopping area to pick up thoselast-minute gifts. We then transfer to theairport for our flight home.HOME. Morning arrival in Canada.61.