Argentina – Gardens & Grapes Tour 2013

October 5th – 13th, 2013

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS JUST THE SHORT VERSION OF THE TOUR. THE FULL LONG DAY BY DAY WILL BE PUT UP LATER THIS YEAR. But all the DETAILS ARE HERE TO MAKE YOUR DECISION AND THE REGISTRATION FORM IS HERE AS WELL. FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT donna@icangarden.com  and I would be happy to answer your queries on it.

Argentina is a fascinating land of contrasts where the exceptional is almost commonplace. It is home to an abundant wildlife, enjoys a unique culture, and delights in an astonishing variety of landscapes from tropical rain forest in the north to the remote vastness of the Antarctic in the South. Three big landscapes form the country: the Andes in the west, the northern and western flatland as well as the wide plains of Patagonia in the South. The country that is stretched in length has three climatic zones: tropic in the north, moderate in the center and polar in the extreme South. The official language is Spanish, but in bigger towns English is also quite common.

Buenos Aires is not only the capital of Argentina; it is also one of the 10 most important metropolis in the world and the center of the political, economic and intellectual life of the country. It is the most elegant and busy city in South America. This cosmopolitan city - with great European cultural influence - displays a refined taste in its cooking, in its “boutiques” and in the elegance of its inhabitants. It has managed to preserve old traditions and charming corners. The atmosphere, the individual personality of each of its neighborhoods, the cordiality of its people and the wide selection of its cultural and commercial opportunities, fascinates. You can enjoy the plentiful nightlife visiting “tango” bars, cabarets, discotheques, restaurants or eternally open bars in the evening and during the day, a wide variety of attractions is offered: museums, art galleries, tasteful shops, fascinating antiques, large green areas, parks, wide tree lined boulevards, clubs and sporting events.

Mendoza Nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountain Range, an incredible oasis created by man with the help of the Mendoza and Tunuyán Rivers, which have been channeled into a huge irrigation system that gives life to everything it touches. The contrast of the vineyards, mountains and sky is breathtaking. Mendoza is considered the heart of the winemaking industry in Argentina with the vast majority of large wineries located in the provincial capital of Mendoza.

October 5 BUENOS AIRES

After your arrival at Buenos Aires International airport (EZE), you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel.
Check in time at hotel will be 3 p.m.

October 6 BUENOS AIRES Buenos Aires green – Northern area of the city

After breakfast we shall drive to the district of Palermo with its beautiful parks, the City Zoo, Argentine Horse Track and National Polo Fields. Palermo is beautiful for its artificial lakes, and gardens.

Then a visit to the Botanical Garden of Buenos Aires, located close to Palermo Park and the city Zoo. It contains 8000 varieties of flowers and trees from different parts of the world. It was created by Charles Thays in 1898, with the purpose of offering a “leisure and educational space”, where the three styles of landscape design are represented - symmetric, mixed and picturesque - recreating the Roman, French
and Oriental gardens. There is a big portion of the Garden dedicated to Argentine flora and systematic areas where the flora is classified in a taxonomic way. World-renowned landscape architect Carlos Thays, disciple of the famous French landscape architect Edouard Andre, designed this city. Thays was born in France in 1849 and served as Director of Parks and Walkways for the city of Buenos Aires in 1891. He fell in love with the young country and stayed for the rest of his life (he died in 1934). You will see evidence of his bold design of open space all through the city.

After we drive to the elegant district of Recoleta and enjoy a guided tour to La Recoleta, one of the city's most glamorous spots. Some people say this area is “a urban piece extracted from Paris”. Recoleta is home to BA’s wealthy residents. Fin de Siècle palaces and villas were built in this area. Many of the buildings are now considered national monuments, grand ‘Belle Epoche’ buildings, wide avenues, beautiful monuments and parks The Recoleta Cultural Center, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Palais de Glace shelter a very important part of Buenos Aires cultural activities. The Recoleta Cemetery, was founded in 1822 and it is the oldest one in Buenos Aires. Originally, the cemetery lands belonged to the church and convent of the Franciscan monks, the Recoletos. The cemetery occupies six hectares and is one of the most prominent worldwide. It has sculptures and vaults made by famous national and foreign artists. Many Argentina’s national heroes, presidents, well-known writers, scientists and artists are buried here including Evita Peron.

Recoleta visit will include it`s parks, Floralis Generica at United Nations Park, Libertador and Figueroa Alcorta Avenues ,Fedderativa Brazil Park, Plaza Vicente Lopez y Planes and Plaza Francia. – where an enormous rubber tree stands with its huge tentacle-like lower branches casting shade over La Biela's popular terrace. Known as the Gran Gomero, it was planted in 1878 and is 50 meters wide.

Tonight, our Welcome dinner at Puerto Madero area, one of the largest projects ever undertaken in Buenos Aires. The former docks of the port have been very attractively recycled and converted into luminous offices, lofts and commercial sites.


October 7 BUENOS AIRES Buenos Aires green – Southern area of the city

Today get in touch with the birth city of the Tango! During this tour you will visit the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo it`s the impressive Congress building. Continue to sensual and sultry San Telmo, an historical neighborhood full of history and personality with colonial and art nouveau buildings and the oldest district of Buenos Aires. Continue the tour passing by Lezama Park (according to some historians, first foundation of Buenos Aires took place at this park in 1536 by Pedro de Mendoza). The National Historical Museum is located in this park.

Our next stop is La Boca, with its brightly coloured houses and famous Caminito street, passing by the famous football stadium Boca Juniors.
Very close to the city centre, you find the “ Costanera Sur “Ecological Reserve. It is a unique area in the city of Buenos Aires, a wildlife sanctuary with vegetation species typical from the River Plate coastline, and the Parana River Delta. Brushwood, copses of alders and willows and other environments feed insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Some may be seen in the water, in the grass, in flight or crossing over embankments.

Return back to downtown area along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world, you see the Colon Theatre, a famous Opera House that stages the most important artists and musicians from all over the world. Pass by Plaza San Martin (San Martin Square).

Arrival back at the hotel to get ready for our Dinner & Tango show at the Astor Piazzolla Theatre located in the historic Guemes Gallery.. one of most significant theatres in the world. A majestic performance in an unique, exclusive and warm atmosphere with musicians, Tango dancers, professionals singers and a delicious meal with all the magic, spirit and memories of Buenos Aires, Piazzolla and Tango.

October 8 BUENOS AIRES Palermo area including Japanese Garden & Lunch

Today keep on enjoying the biggest green area of Buenos Aires. Visit the Japanese Garden (Jardin Japones). It was constructed at the 3 de Febrero Park in 1967 for the visit to Argentina of the Princes Akihito and Michiko, the Emperors of Japan at that time. All the elements in the Garden strive for harmony and balance. The several oriental style bridges are symbols, which in combination with cascades, lend to a very peaceful experience. Besides Argentine trees, there is a wide variety of Japanese flora. This 5-acre garden was designed by famed landscape artist Yasuo Onomata to resemble the surroundings of a Zen temple. The lush plant life includes over 150 different species, many brought directly from Japan. The world’s largest Japanese garden outside of Japan.

Continue to Palermo with its beautiful parks - Once the estate of Juan Manuel de Rosas, Parque Tres de Febrero, also known as the Bosques de Palermo (Palermo Woods), is a city park of 25 hectares and known for its groves, lakes, and rose gardens (El Rosedal). Thays designed the Zoological Gardens, the Botanical Gardens, the adjoining Plaza Italia and the Rose Garden.

Lunch will be included at local Palermo restaurant.

October 9 BUENOS AIRES / MENDOZA

At the appointed time we will transfer to Domestic Airport (AEP) to board your flight to Mendoza
.
Mendoza It is really fascinating to find a green city like Mendoza in a kind of dessert situation. Its inhabitants really love their town. On each side they`ve planted trees to have shade during the very hot summer months. As in Mendoza there is not very much rain, they dug a kind of channel system in order to give water to the trees.

After arrival we will enjoy a City Tour Mendoza including park stops

Visit the city sharing the culture and history of its foundation by the Spanish colonizers four centuries ago. It includes a visit to the oldest part of the city with Pedro del Castillo Square, the sensual Alameda of General San Martin (Popular Avenue), the Museum of “Area Fundacional”, Ruins of San Francisco Church (last testimony of Mendoza city before the terrible earthquake that took place in 1861). Along tree lined streets, hosed down by the well-known irrigation ditches, you will drive to the new city: its squares (like Plaza Independencia), downtown Mendoza, the main avenues and the Civic Center, the old residential area until arrival at the General San Martin Park with its lake and rose garden and the Hill of Glory, a popular spot for a panoramic view.

We will have with us an Architect who is an expert on Landscaping guide us.

Welcome dinner at a winery this evening. 3 course with wines included

October 10 MENDOZA Wine Experience & cooking class at Zuccardi Winery with lunch included

We head out early today because we are having a full day’s delight…we start with breakfast at Zuccardi! Enjoy the pleasure of visiting one of the best enological (the study of wine and the making of wine) areas in Argentina. Accompany us to discover its terroir guided by experts.

Cooking class - Fine cuisine goes hand in hand with fine wines. This activity was specially designed for visitors who are looking to enjoy and learn the secrets of Argentine wine and food. With the help of the chefs, visitors will learn how to use regional products in the cooking of traditional dishes and then taste them during lunch together with the winery wines. Cooking class include local dishes : empanadas (rolled pies) stuffed with different flavours such as meat, onion & cheese, homemade bread, pastelitos (local pastry stuffed with sweets). Add to this a BBQ, salads and wines and you will be sleeping on the way back to the hotel!

As mementos of your visit today you will each take home a cooking apron (so keep it clean while cooking!),

October 11 MENDOZA / UCO VALLEY Uco Valley Wine Experience and Lunch

The Uco Valley is compared by many to the Napa Valley 25 years ago. At a higher elevation than Luján de Cuyo, excellent high-altitude wines are produced from vineyards up to 1400m (4600 feet) high, at the foot of the Andes.

Today we will visit Estancia Ancon, a wonderful place full of plantations. This estancia has lovely gardens which were created by Charles Thays. The property is a refined environment that recalls European castles, formal parks and gardens and is unique for its centennial trees. Visit of the boutique winery & wine tasting. The only "Estancia" that produces and bottles its own wines.

We then continue to María Lorine Bombal Winery created in 1858, is situated at the southeast from Mendoza’s capital. This region has been historically chosen for the production and the development of the wine industry, and that’s why it’s known as the “wine’s cradle”. Following the tradition and the family calling, María Lorine Bombal decided to build her winery in this place, exactly in Lunlunta.

Ending our day at Bodegas Salentein winery, one of the pioneers in the Uco Valley, with an architecturally impressive winery designed in the unique style of Mendoza’s winery architect Bórmida Yanzón. Salentein lies in the province of Mendoza, the most important winegrowing region of Argentina, with some 150.000 vineyard hectares (370.500 acres) and more than 900 wineries. Salentein is a leader in cultivating global awareness of the emerging premium wineries of Argentina. A new vision of quality —with plantings of classical varietals, preservation of old vines, application of European artistry, and advanced technology— is yielding world-class wines.

October 12 UCO VALLEY / FD LA ALEJANDRA RANCH

What a way to end our tour - a full day ranch experience with the imposing scenery of the Andes Mountains nearby. Arrival at La Alejandra ranch, located on the foot of Cerro el Plata, this traditional ranch is located at 1900 meters above sea level at La Carrera, Tupungato.

Upon arrival, welcome reception with local breakfast: coffee, tea, local mate from the area, fruit juice, pastelitos (fried stuffed sweets)

You will have the chance to learn about their horses during this day, and if you wish to go horseback riding, a guided horseback ride will be available for 2 hours.

At lunch time, enjoy :

Entree with homemade breads, cheeses, and olives
Empanadas (stuffed turn overs) with meat or corn
Full BBQ / variety of Argentinean cuts with fresh seasonal salads
Dessert : taste of different local sweets from Cuyo area (rice with milk, pears with Malbec wine).
Soft drinks and local wine

In the afternoon return back to the hotel in Uco Valley

October 13 UCO VALLEY / MENDOZA / BUENOS AIRES
At the appointed time transfer to Mendoza airport to board your flight back to Buenos Aires and then transfer home with wonderful warm memories of your time in Argentina.
 

click on the above buttons for the compete tour day by day itinerary or the registration forms

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Argentina - Gardens & Grapes Tour 2013

October 5th – 13th, 2013

LAND only 4858.00 CDN p/p sharing
SINGLE Supplement 1354.00 CDN

See Highlights Box for all inclusions on this tour.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel | Journeys of Discovery Exclusive Travel Agent on this Tour

Do not book air until you have been advised that the tour is a go. If Carlson Wagonlit Travel is booking you as an air/land package then they will look after this for you.

Email: donna@icangarden.com
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