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Argentina + Uruguay (Self Drive Holiday): Montevideo + Carmelo + Colonia + Buenos Aires

Exploring Buenos Aires + Uruguay (self drive)
Argentina Uruguay Self Drive Holiday Montevideo Carmelo Colonia Buenos Aires
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,747
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights + car hire quoted separately
ACV12M
• Argentina & Uruguay Holiday
• Buenos Aires
• City Tour & Tango Show
• Hydrofoil Ferry
• Montevideo
• Nueva Helvecia
• Carmelo Winelands
• La Calera de las Huerfanas
• Colonia del Sacramento
• Uruguay Self Drive Holiday

Combine Argentina & Uruguay on this wonderful self drive holiday that includes taking the high speed hydrofoil ferry from Buenos Aires across the Rio de la Plata to Montevideo, the Carmelo Winelands and the picturesque colonial town of Colonia del Sacrameno. Also enjoy a city tour & tango show in Argentina's vibrant capital of Buenos Aires. All transfers, ferry & specified sightseeing included.

Day 1
You will be met at Buenos Aires Airport and transferred to your hotel in this exciting city, situated on the estuary of the Río de la Plata - the 'River of Silver'.
 
Check in and relax in this capital of Argentina, known for its wonderful architecture, tango dancing and rich culture, including the highest concentration of theatres in the world.
Day 2
This morning enjoy a half day shared tour of Buenos Aires - a cosmopolitan city that has been influenced by the many immigrants who helped form it and offering beautiful architecture, history and culture.
 
After collection from your hotel, your tour starts at the Plaza de Mayo - the historical, political and cultural centre of the city. Here you can see the Pink House (Presidential Palace), the Pyramid de Mayo and Metropolitan Cathedral. We continue down Avenida de Mayo, with its wide avenues and spacious green areas, past the Obelisk to the neighbourhood of San Telmo, one of the oldest in the city with cobbled streets and colonial houses. The vibrant area is the centre for most of the tango parlours, restaurants and bars of the city. Every Sunday a major artisan market takes place here around the Plaza Dorrego.
 
Going further south, we visit the Italian port neighbourhood of La Boca, with its colourful houses in Caminito Street and many 'cantinas' (small restaurants). Also the trendy modern neighbourhood of Puerto Madero, where the old piers have been converted into upmarket offices, apartments and restaurants with views of the Rio de la Plata.
 
We visit the residential neighbourhood of Palermo with its elegant mansions surrounded by spacious parks, before arriving in glamorous Recoleta, where there is the option to visit the famous cemetery where Eva Peron is buried, with its rich architecture (pay locally). Next to the cemetery is the church of Our Lady of Pilar, the Recoleta Cultural Centre (originally a convent) and the Palais de Glace exhibition centre.
 
In the evening you will be collected for a Tango Show. Born in the brothels of the city amongst a racial mix of Gauchos, Italian, Spanish and African immigrants, this dance and its music originated as a combination of Cuban and Spanish rhythms, with some polka and African beat. Enjoy the show and dinner, including mouth-watering Argentinian beef and Malbec wine.
 
Note: Shared day tours have a maximum of 25 people. After your city tour you will be dropped off at one of the designated drop-off points in the downtown area.
Day 3
At leisure to explore more of the fabulous city of Buenos Aires.
 
You can enjoy its many shops and restaurants, or take an optional walking tour of San Telmo, the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. Alternatively take a tour to San Elmo, Tigre and the vast Parana River Delta, or a full day excursion to a traditional Estancia (ranch) where you can admire the skills of Argentinian 'gauchos' (cowboys).
 
You can also explore some of the city's museums, such as the Naval Museum, or take a full day excursion by high-speed hydrofoil ferry to the charming colonial city of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay.
Day 4
This morning transfer to Buenos Aires Hydrofoil Terminal to take the 3-hour high speed ferry across the Rio de la Plata ('River of Silver') to Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay.
 
You will be met on arrival in Montevideo and transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax in this vibrant and culturally rich city, situated on Montevideo Bay and home to nearly half of Uruguay's population.
 
Note: Your drivers will only speak Spanish.
Day 5
Today we suggest an optional half day tour of Montevideo with its many monuments, parks and scenic waterfront.
 
At the heart of the city is the Plaza Independencia, which separates the city's Downtown ('Centro') from the Old Town ('Ciudad Vieja') with its fascinating colonial and art deco buildings, the towering Palacio Salvo landmark and the neo-classical Solís Theatre. Other buildings of interest include the Catholic Cathedral, Constitution Square, Government House and the Town Hall.
 
Avenue 18 de Julio, the main commercial street, is lined with shops, cafes and commercial buildings.You will also see the impressive Plaza del Entrevero (the Parliament), built using 52 different colours of marble and 12 types of wood. The arts, music and theatre scene is very much alive in this city – from elegant older theatres and cozy tango bars to modern beachfront discos.
 
We continue driving through the Prada residential neighbourhood, one of the oldest in the city and home to a famous sculpture, La Diligencia (The Stage Coach) as well as a monument to the last of the Charrua Indians and a Rose Garden. We pass the Obelisk and La Carreta (Covered Wagon) monuments as we continue to Ordonez Park in the Batlle district. We also stop at the Plaza Virgilio monument to fallen naval soldiers, from where there are excellent views over the city. At the end of our tour, we return along the coastal road with its lovely beaches.
Day 6
This morning collect your hire car and leave Montevideo, driving for 4-hours through beautiful countryside to the wine-producing region of Carmelo.
 
Along the way you can stop at the small village of Nueva Helvecia. Also known as Colonia Suiza (Swiss Colony), Nueva Helvecia was founded by a group of European immigrants who were mostly Swiss, but included some German, Italian and French settlers too. Their descendants still farm here and produce a wonderful range of cheeses, jams and dairy produce offered for sale at the roadside.
 
Afterwards continue to Carmelo, which is situated on the Rio de la Plata and surrounded by beautiful vineyards.
Days 7 To 8
Enjoy exploring the Carmelo Winelands independently today. Alternatively take a guided tour or pre-book your own private driver.
 
Tannat, the nations's flagship red grape, was introduced by Pascual Harriague - a Basque immigrant who arrived from southwest France in the mid 1800s. Vineyards here are mainly cultivated by small boutique and family run operatiom. You can visit several different 'bodegas' (wineries), where you can enjoy wine tasting and lunch (own account).
 
You can also visit the ruins of La Calera de las Huerfanas, where in 1741 the Jesuits built a chapel and planted fruit trees, breed cattle and produced lime. After the Jesuits were expelled by the Spanish crown, Don Juan de San Martín took control of the ranch and planted the first 1,500 vines.
Day 9
Today drive 1.5-hours from Carmelo to the charming colonial city of Colonia del Sacramento.
 
Check into your hotel in this picturesque town that was formerly a Portuguese colony and is today a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 10
This morning enjoy a 2.5-hour private tour of historic Colonia del Sacramento, which is situated on a small peninsula that juts out into the river.
 
We start with a visit to the Real de San Carlos area, stopping at the San Benito Chapel and the Mihanovich Complex that dates back to 1910 and includes a 10,000 seater Bullring, a 3,000 seater Fronton (court for playing the Basque sport of jai alai), a casino hotel and a racecourse. We continue driving through various residential areas and along the river's west coast beaches to the Downtown shopping area. From here we enter the historic Old Town on foot and explore its narrow cobbled streets. Also view the Portón de Campo - the reconstructed 1745 city gate which contains remnants of the old city walls. From above the town, the 19th-century lighthouse offers sweeping views over the river.
 
The balance of the day is free for you to explore this historic city independently.
Day 11
At leisure to explore more of the historic city of Colonia del Sacramento.
Day 12
After dropping off your hire car, transfer to the Colonia Hydrofoil Terminal and take the 45-minute high speed ferry across the Rio de La Plata ('River of Silver') to Buenos Aires in Argentina.
 
You will be met at on arrival at the Buenos Aires terminal and transferred to your hotel conveniently situated near the airport.
Day 13
Take the free shuttle to Buenos Aires International Airport for your flight home.