Arrive at Santiago's modern international airport as the morning sun rises over the Andes Range. A 30 minute ride through fields and residential areas will take us to Providencia, an upscale residential-commercial district of Santiago. Our hotel is one block from the main shopping area and surrounded by charming restaurants and French style architecture. After hotel check-in and freshening up  you can take the Hop On Hop Off City Tour in Santiago.  A guided city tour featuring the most important historical, political and cultural sites. After that, we visited Mundo del Vino, Santiago’s largest wine store. Here we learn about Chile’s varietals, wineries and wine valleys. In the evening our welcome dinner features famous Chilean cuisine and wine.

Overnight Santiago

This morning we traveled up the Maipo River canyon (Cajón del Maipo) and visited a small family owned winery and resort. The atmosphere is relaxed as we sip pisco sours and wine around the pool. The owners proudly show their bodega and share their plans for expansion. From here it is a short ride to the Maipo Valley, Chile’s most famous wine valley. Here we visit one of the most historical Maipo wineries starting with a stroll through their beautifully landscaped gardens. We learn about viticultural practices and the wine making process. Lunch is served in the original Casa Patronal of the winery. It is just a few minutes to the organic vineyard next door where we learn about many years of organic production, and the innovative methods still being used. We are entertained by the geese and other natural farmers as we sample their whites and reds. We return to our Santiago hotel with plenty of time to explore the neighborhood with its many shops and restaurants. A visit to Los Domínicos, a delightful handcrafts market, is also recommended.

Overnight Santiago

Today we travel south through the agriculturally rich Central Valley to the Cachapoal region. Andean foothills and vistas of vineyards comprise the landscape, always with the white capped Andes to the East. Summers are warm and dry, good conditions for Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Here we find less visited boutique and family wineries with limited production of prize winning whites and reds. Among the three we will visit are vineyards at 3300 feet elevation where the cool mountain breezes favor Gewurtzraminer, Pinot Noir and Merlot as well as the more traditional Chardonnay, Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Next we visit a family wine estate with limited production but many international awards. Our final visit of the day advertises “the best Chilean wine”. We have the opportunity to confirm this! With happy paletts we return to our hotel for a free evening. Try the sandwiches at one of the nearby sidewalk cafes, and watch the evening strollers.

Overnight Santiago

Today we check-out of our hotel and traveled to Santiago’s suburbs to visit the country’s largest produce market. The action is lively as vendors and buyers exchange cash for produce. Growers are happy to tell you about their wonderful products and learn where we are from. Then, we enjoyed a taste lunch where we learned about the different Chilean dishes and the origin of culinary history.

 Next we continue towards the coast and the Casa Blanca Valley, a new and very successful appellation featuring white wines. Our visit to an organic winery includes comprehensive information on organic methods as well as a delightful sampling of their products. Continue west to the beach and Viña del Mar,Chile’s largest and most famous beach resort city. Our hotel is on the Pacific Ocean overlooking Playa Acapulco. You can feel the salt spray as the waves crash into the beach. The afternoon and evening are free to enjoy the beaches and discover the lively restaurant and club scene.

Guided tour of Viña del Mar, the garden city, and Valparaiso, the port and Heritage for Humanity city. Tour includes historical and cultural sites, gardens and the port. Return to the hotel for a free afternoon to enjoy museums, parks, beaches, the casino and other delights of this famous coastal resort.

Overnight Viña del Mar

To Casablanca valley, where you sample their exquisite Sauvignon Blanc and their blended red featuring Carménère. Visit organic vineyards and wine tasting is included. Visit a beautifully designed boutique winery surrounded by their own vineyards. Lunch at the winery. Continue to Santiago. Free afternoon and evening.

Transfer to Santiago Airport. Short flight to Mendoza. Transfer to a hotel in the city center. Hotel check-in. Visit one of the most famous wineries in Argentina. Wine tasting is included. Return to the hotel for a free evening and a stroll through the tree filled plaza.

Overnight Mendoza

Visit a family winery and well managed vineyards and elegant showroom surrounded with green grass, thanks to irrigation. This friendly bodega features Malbec. Close by we visit another family winery where the owner proudly boasts about their bold design bodega. The vineyards farm Mt Aconcagua, highest in the Western hemisphere. Their wine does not need boasting. Hear about the family history and philosophy from the owner. Return to Mendoza for a free afternoon and evening.

Overnight Mendoza

This morning we visited a popular winery close to Mendoza with many tourist activities in addition to wine tasting. After our delightful wine tasting, we return to our hotel to have free time to rest and walk around Mendoza.

Overnight Mendoza

After breakfast we take our flight to Santiago. We arrive in plenty of time to connect to US bound flights, or to other destinations in Chile.

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