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Bienvenidos! Welcome to Chile! When you arrive in Santiago, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head out and explore the Parque Forestal just steps from your front door. After your meeting, head out for dinner with your leader and group. From baked casserole to razor clams cooked in parmesan cheese, Chilean food is hearty, fresh and delicious.

Get to know the city on a tour with a local guide who’s an expert on all things Santiago. Start in the artistic Lastarria district to explore the charming neighbourhoods, historical landmarks and vibrant public spaces. From here, you will walk to Santa Lucia Hill, where Santiago was founded, for panoramic views of the city. Next, pass by the La Moneda Palace, an ornate neoclassical building and now Chile’s presidential offices, on the way to Plaza de Armas, the city’s cultural heart. You will also visit Parque Forestal and Bellavista, a blend of natura street art and bohemian flair. Finish with lunch at Peumayen, a local restaurant focused on ancestral gastronomy, including locally and seasonally inspired Mapuche cuisine. The rest of the day is free for your own explorations.

Enjoy a free morning in Santiago. Maybe visit the Mercado Central – Santiago’s celebrated fish market. Then, begin the journey to Valparaiso, stopping off for a wine tasting on the way in the Casablanca Valley. Sitting on a coastal plain between the capital and Valparaiso, Casablanca Valley is Chile’s fastest-growing wine region, with rich soil and a perfect climate for chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Visit an organic winery, with a focus on sustainability and biodynamic viticulture, for a tour of the property and gardens – and, of course, a wine tasting paired with cheese and chocolate. Then continue to Valparaiso, known for its brightly hued houses that spread over the hills overlooking the ocean. Your Feature Stay hotel for the next two nights is a boutique hotel with just 20 rooms. Set in the historic area of Cerro Alegre, the 1920s manor house exudes the warm hospitality of a close friend’s elegant home.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage centre in 2003, Valparaiso used to be South America’s busiest port before the opening of the Panama Canal. It has since transformed itself into Chile’s most creative city, which you’ll learn more about on your locally guided walking tour today. The hills of Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre are dotted with coloured houses, cobbled streets, galleries, restaurants and shops. Later, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau chalet. This evening, head to the rooftop bar of your hotel and enjoy some seasonal local snacks and an introduction to pisco – Chile’s national spirit, which is deeply tied to the country’s cultural identity.

Depart Valparaiso and head back to Santiago to catch an international flight to Mendoza. As your plane crosses the Andes, you might catch a glimpse of Mount Aconcagua – the highest mountain in the Americas at 6962 m (22,841 ft) above sea level. In Mendoza, get to know the lively city on a gentle stroll along its wide, lively streets with your local leader. Technically a desert city, the extensive irrigation system here means Mendoza is remarkably green. Check out the city’s tree-lined spaces – from the sprawling Parque San Martin to Plaza Espana – and get a taste of local life along the bustling street, Peatonal Sarmiento. Back at your accommodation, roll up your sleeves and get down to empanada-making. A professional chef will lead you through the process, then you’ll all sit down for a dinner with wine pairings. It’s a fun, communal experience in the comfort of your hotel, so you can relax with your group and share stories of your trip so far.

Mendoza is Argentina’s most significant grape-growing region, producing nearly three-quarters of the country’s wine. The climate produces an excellent variety of grapes, with the region’s signature being Malbec. Today, you’ll get to experience this internationally renowned wine at its source during tours and tastings at three world-class and innovative wineries, each with its own distinct style and flavour. Meet with a local wine expert and gain inside knowledge on the varieties of grapes and different production methods used at each winery, and sample award-winning bottles just as spectacular as the surrounding Andes. After the tastings, settle in for a special closed-door gourmet lunch at one of the wineries. Enjoy several courses paired with wines carefully selected to bring out the flavours in the wonderful food. In the evening, maybe test your palate by attempting to pair the perfect wine with an authentic Argentine asado (barbecue-style food).

Today, fly from Mendoza to Buenos Aires and then spend the afternoon soaking up the Argentine capital’s mix of European and Latin culture on an orientation walk with your leader around the fashionable neighbourhood of Palermo. Palermo is a lively area of the city known for fashion, design, green spaces and a thriving dining and nightlife scene. If you look around, you’ll find traditional houses that have been converted into boutiques and bars, creating a bohemian vibe. If time allows, you'll also have the opportunity to head to the center of the city to explore the historic monument of Obelisk and Plaza de Mayo – home to the original town hall and the presidential palace known as the Pink House. The evening is free to explore at your own pace[CD1.1]. Maybe visit a tango bar, attend a football match or find a great local eatery and set up shop.

Today, head out of town for a relaxing and enriching day in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires for insight into life beyond the city limits. Your private guide and transportation will take you to the charming areas of San Isidro and Tigre, where you’ll explore a local artisan market and stroll along the scenic Paseo Victorica, a tree-lined promenade known for its stunning European architecture. Next, board a private boat to navigate the serene waterways of the Parana Delta, the third largest in the world and discover how local islanders – known as “islenos” – have transformed the swampy terrain into a unique and thriving community. We’ll stop on one of the islands for a homemade lunch featuring regional flavours. Here, swim, kayak or just sit back and soak in the beautiful island surroundings before cruising back to the mainland and returning to the city for a free evening.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’re planning to stay on in Buenos Aires, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise extra accommodation.