Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil Discovery
Experience Overview
Treat yourself to the finer things in life as you sip Copacabana Beach cocktails in Rio, shop the Tango District antique markets in Buenos Aires and unwind at a spa hotel, overlooking the mists of the Iguazu Falls in Argentina. In the vineyards of Juanico winery, stop to sample the flavors of Uruguay’s revered wine region. Cross the Rio de la Plata to explore the UNESCO World heritage city of Colonia del Sacramento, before journeying onwards to Iguassu Falls and on to Rio de Janeiro. Follow in the footsteps of your Local Expert for an exclusive guided tour of the Rio Botanical Garden, a precious collection of the world’s oldest trees and exotic orchids.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch with Wine (LW)
- 3 Lunch (L)
- 1 Dinner (D)
Choice Highlights
- Buenos Aires: Indulge your literary passions on a visit to Ateneo Bookstore, one of South America’s largest bookstores. Step inside this preserved, converted theater dating back to 1919 when it was the Teatro Grand Splendid designed by architects Pero and Torres Armengol. Today you can still admire the artfully designed former orchestra and mezzanine sections as well as the luxury boxes which offer secret-like reading nooks. If you can pull your nose out of your book, gaze at the gilded statues, marble columns, mural celebrating the end of World War I and the dome which was painted with frescoes by Nazareno Orlandi. In this bibliophile’s paradise housing around 120,000 tomes, you’ll surely find a special book and cozy corner to relax with your included coffee and pastry.
- Buenos Aires: Embark on a culinary journey starting with a stop at Guerrin Pizzeria. Learn how this world-famous pizzeria goes back to 1932. Argentinean pizza is known for being extra cheesy and you’ll want to be sure to try their specialty pizza with a soft, thick dough (pizza de molde) that is kneaded by hand and cooked in a wood-fired oven. Then indulge your sweet tooth at family-owned Cadore Italian ice cream parlor founded in 1957. Sample on of their famous flavors from pistachio and cardamom to hibiscus, Russian cream and sambayón, made with egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine.
Additional Included Highlights
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Authentic Dining
- Buenos Aires: Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and fellow guests for dinner and drinks.
- Buenos Aires: Delight in a 9-course Asado Tasting Menu where each dish is expertly grilled over an open flame, right before your eyes. This immersive culinary journey brings you closer to the essence of Argentine cooking. Complement your meal with handpicked Argentine wines. This adult-exclusive experience is a celebration of Asado, offering a unique blend of tradition and flavor.
- Montevideo: Visit a local olive oil farm in the countryside of Colonia Del Sacramento and enjoy a tour of their facilities with a local expert before sitting down for a farm to table lunch paired with local wines.
- Iguassu Falls: Your Highlight Dinner will be served at The Argentine Experience where you'll learn how to prepare your own wine-based cocktail, and your own empanadas. Afterword, savor an Argentinian picada and sample mate and Alfajores, Argentina's famous national sweet. To enhance your dining experience, your dishes will be complemented by Argentinian wine pairings.
- Rio de Janeiro: Enjoy a lunch with a classic Caipirinha cocktail at Casa Camolese, a contemporary restaurant situated next to the botanical garden.
- Rio de Janeiro: Dine at one of Rio’s most renowned rodízio-style grillhouses, located beside Guanabara Bay. At Assador Churrascaria, chefs prepare a variety of meats over open flame and serve them tableside, accompanied by traditional Brazilian sides. This is a classic local dining experience – a chance to relax, share stories and savor the flavors that define Brazilian hospitality.
Insight Choice
- Buenos Aires: Indulge your literary passions on a visit to Ateneo Bookstore, one of South America’s largest bookstores. Step inside this preserved, converted theater dating back to 1919 when it was the Teatro Grand Splendid designed by architects Pero and Torres Armengol. Today you can still admire the artfully designed former orchestra and mezzanine sections as well as the luxury boxes which offer secret-like reading nooks. If you can pull your nose out of your book, gaze at the gilded statues, marble columns, mural celebrating the end of World War I and the dome which was painted with frescoes by Nazareno Orlandi. In this bibliophile’s paradise housing around 120,000 tomes, you’ll surely find a special book and cozy corner to relax with your included coffee and pastry.
- Buenos Aires: Embark on a culinary journey starting with a stop at Guerrin Pizzeria. Learn how this world-famous pizzeria goes back to 1932. Argentinean pizza is known for being extra cheesy and you’ll want to be sure to try their specialty pizza with a soft, thick dough (pizza de molde) that is kneaded by hand and cooked in a wood-fired oven. Then indulge your sweet tooth at family-owned Cadore Italian ice cream parlor founded in 1957. Sample on of their famous flavors from pistachio and cardamom to hibiscus, Russian cream and sambayón, made with egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine.
Insight Experiences
- Buenos Aires: Witness a private demonstration and performance by professional tango dancers and musicians at an authentic “conventillo” in La Boca, where you will be introduced to this passionate dance and upbeat music.
- Rio de Janeiro: Conclude the day with a cable car ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic views of the Guanabara Bay and Rio's mountainous coastline.
Make Travel Matter
- Rio de Janeiro: Join a local botanist for an exclusive guided visit to Rio’s Botanical Garden, a research and preservation site for a rare collection of bromeliads and orchids, as well as old trees and exotic plants.
Top Rated Highlights
- Buenos Aires: Start your first full day in Buenos Aires with a city tour of Argentina's cosmopolitan capital. Take in the gorgeous local sights, including the Palacio Barolo, Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo.
- Colonia Del Sacramento: Visit the city of Colonia del Sacramento, with its charming cobbled streets and historic buildings. Now a UNESCO World heritage site, this colorful destination was originally founded by the Portuguese in the 1600s.
- Montevideo: Sip and savor the wines of Juanicó winery, a 1000-acre vineyard that has been harvesting grapes since 1835. On your tour, learn about the privileged soil and micro-climate of the Juanicó Region that has turned this area into a renowned viticulture site.
- Iguassu Falls: Take in breathtaking views of the jungle and falls, before heading out with a Local Expert to explore the Argentinian side of the park.
- Iguassu Falls: Walk a shorter but sweeping trail along the Brazilian side of the falls, where panoramic viewing platforms offer a full perspective of the entire cascade system. With your Local Expert, take in views across the Iguazú River to San Martin Island and the Argentinian falls beyond. This vantage point reveals the scale and structure of this natural wonder in one frame.
- Rio de Janeiro: From colonial-era lanes to coastal viewpoints, join a Local Expert to discover the contrasts between Rio’s historic heart and its dazzling modern spirit.
- Rio de Janeiro: In the morning, take a tour of Tijuca Forest National Park, where you’ll find Mount Corcovado, home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
Well-being
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Trip Details
Product Code: 35177
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 430.1102A
Starts: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Finishes: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $9,978 ($907 /day)
Itinerary
Nicknamed the “Paris of South America”, this glamorous destination really does live up to its European counterpart. Neoclassical, Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings line its streets, attracting equally sophisticated travelers. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your luxury hotel. Relax and unwind before meeting your Travel Director and fellow guests for a three-course Welcome Dinner with wine.
Accommodation: MGallery Palladio, Buenos Aires
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Start your first full day in Buenos Aires with a city tour. Take in the capital's key sights including the Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo. Witness a private demonstration and performance by professional tango dancers in El Viejo Almacén, which is one of the oldest Tango venues in Buenos Aires. Here you will be introduced to this passionate dance and upbeat music. Later, enjoy a unique fireside dining experience at El Fogón Asado.
Accommodation: MGallery Palladio, Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Travel by ferry across the Rio de la Plata, otherwise known as the River Plate. Visit the city of Colonia del Sacramento with its cobbled streets and historic buildings. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this colorful destination was originally founded by the Portuguese in the 1600s. Enjoy lunch with wine at a local olive farm, Viñedos y Olivares del Quintón, known for their characteristic terrain and thermal air, the perfect setting for vineyards and olive groves. In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour of the protected old city and its 16th century buildings before arriving in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo.
Accommodation: Costanero MGallery, Montevideo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Explore Montevideo on a city tour. Just north of Montevideo sits Juanicó winery, one of the leading wineries of the country. You’ll be welcomed with a tour of the vineyards, state-of-the-art facilities, and the wine cellar built in 1840. After learning how the past and present blend to create wines that receive gold medals and international recognition, sit down to a leisurely lunch. A sip of one of their Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Sauvignon Gris or flagship full-bodied red will leave you with a new appreciation for Uruguayan wines.
Accommodation: Costanero MGallery, Montevideo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a leisurely morning before your transfer to the ferry escorting you back to Buenos Aires. Curate your afternoon with Insight Choice. Select from two insightful walking tours tailored for the curious traveler. In the city with one of the highest number of bookstores per person in the world, visit the ritzy Recoleta neighborhood's Ateneo Bookstore. Discover its history as the former Teatro Grand Splendid theater when it hosted performances by the famous tango singers Carlos Gardel and Ignacio Corsini. Or, delight your palate on a walking tour to Avenida Corrientes, including stops at the nearly 100-year-old Guerrin pizzeria and world-famous Cadore ice cream store known for its sculpted, decadent ice cream made fresh daily. With another evening in this vibrant city, seize the opportunity to watch a tango performance or ask your Travel Director where to enjoy a relaxing dinner of the region's famous steak.
Accommodation: MGallery Palladio, Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast
With over 270 waterfalls, rare flora and fauna, and lush rainforest, your destination really is as impressive as the photos suggest. Meaning “big water” in the Guaraní language, the stunning falls land in both Argentina and Brazil. Stay on the Argentinian side of the National Park for two nights, at the luxurious Gran Melia hotel. With two outdoor pools, a modern spa and a stylish interior, you’ll be able to relax and rejuvenate in a fitting manner. Have a night at leisure as you take in your beautiful surroundings.
Accommodation: Gran Meliá, Iguazú National Park
Meals: Breakfast
Take in breathtaking views of the jungle and falls, before heading out with a Local Expert to explore the Argentinian side of the park. Take an optional Gran Aventura boat ride to Devil’s Throat, the largest and perhaps most famous water cascade in the park. This u-shaped waterfall contains 14 falls in total and is more than 262 feet (80 meters) high. Your dinner will be served at The Argentine Experience where you'll learn how to prepare your own wine based cocktail, and your own empanadas. Afterwords, savor an Argentinian picada and sample mate and Alfajores, Argentina's famous national sweet. To enhance your dining experience, your dishes will be complemented by Argentinian wines.
Accommodation: Gran Meliá, Iguazú National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Wake up inside the National Park and enjoy breakfast with a tropical view at your hotel. Today you’ll take a guided visit to the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls. While the walk around the Brazilian side is shorter, it's no less impressive. The falls are further away which allows you take in all of them at once with a unique vantage point. Your Local Expert will show you panoramic views of San Martin Island, before you head to the airport for your flight to Rio. Move on to the capital of samba and the home of iconic Copacabana Beach, famous for its stretch of golden sand. Located by Copacabana Beach, your hotel is the perfect place to relax. Take a dip in the rooftop pool, sit back and watch the sunset, or explore the bars and restaurants on your doorstep.
Accommodation: Hilton Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, visit a local produce market and sample some of Brazil's unique fruits. Afterwards, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a local botanist for a special guided visit to Rio’s Botanical Garden, a preservation site for a rare collection of bromeliads and orchids (seasonal exhibit), as well as old trees and exotic plants. Made up of museums, research and cultural centers, the park showcases over 6500 different species of plants, both local and foreign. Enjoy lunch sipping on a classic caipirinha cocktail at Casa Camolese, a contemporary restaurant situated next to the garden. Conclude your day with a cable car ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain.
Accommodation: Hilton Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, board a cogwheel train through the Tijuca Forest to the top of Corcovado Mountain, home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. After descent, enjoy a scenic drive past some of the most beautiful beaches in Rio before arriving at your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Spend the afternoon soaking up the sun on Copacabana Beach or ask your Travel Director for the best spot to grab a Brazilian coffee. In the evening, commemorate your holiday as you join your new friends for a memorable dinner at a traditional Brazilian barbecue, known as a churrascaria, offering views of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Accommodation: Hilton Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Take our organized transfer to Rio de Janeiro's Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Excellent and keep up the good work. Put together very well excellent. Not to be missed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
Excellent organization by the Company. Clear and easy to follow instructions. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Insight’s service is wonderful and rates a 10. We loved the hotels, chosen restaurants and activities and appreciated the free time as well. Our Tour Director Fernanda Gabba was fabulous.. Local guides were excellent as well. We were able to see a lot during the tour, and it was excellent. The only downside was the trip back to Buenos Aires for 1 night to make the connecting flight and it was bit of a rush and inconvenience. Two nights would be better. The other suggestion would be to leave out Uruguay and replace it with Mendoza. It was included in the last I believe and we went there on our own. It was more interesting and the ferry rides and customs/immigration to/from Uruguay were a bit annoying.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/09/2024
Joan D. - Traveled, October 2024
I am going to write a letter of complaint as to how we were treated.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2024
William K. - Traveled, October 2024
The service and responsiveness leading up to the trip was excellent. We always received warm hearted and Accurate responses to our questions. In general, the itinerary was excellent. However, I would recommend some rearrangements of the schedule so that late night dinners aren't followed by early morning departures. A lack of sleep detracts from the activities of the next day.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Had difficulty accessing the Portal. Our AAA rep was great. Sight seeing was good. No stops for lunch unless it was included. I have been traveling for many years and a lunch time was always provided. Too many domestic flights and the trip was jerky, disorganized. Good info. from local tour guides. Amount of time given for stops was not generous. Never had free time or time to get gifts to take home. Tour guides expected us to get back to the hotel easily if they dropped us off somewhere. These are big cities and we were disoriented. Too much late eating. We should leave the hotel no later than 6 and not get home at 10:30 or 11 to be on a bus by 8. Really poor planning.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Service was focused on providing a wonderful travel experience, which included focus on individual traveler’s needs, good organization, and providing interesting information on culture, history, and cuisine of our destinations. Safety of travelers was always a priority. Wonderful destinations, excursions, and hotels. Our Tour Director Fernanda was phenomenal. She was knowledgeable, organized, and attentive to our needs.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2024
Estella C. - Traveled, October 2024
Always on the go but it was a fun trip and very well organized. The main reason for this trip was to visit Christ the Redeemer but we loved Buenos Aires, Argentina, and everything about Argentina. The Iguazu Falls were amazing and the resort we stayed in was truly incredible. The optional tour on the ferry boat was more harm than fun, due to the stairs. I personally had trouble coming back up because I am short and the steps were too high for me and there is no rail to help you pull up, therefore caused me to slow down afterwards. Brazil was not what I expected but the fact that I was able to visit Christ the Redeemer was incredible. I am not a meat type of person so I did not care for all the beef and meat as much but I could deal with it. Crossing the borders was an experience for sure. And the best part was our Director. He truly loves what she does and goes out of her way to please the group regardless at what cost. It was a pleasure to have her as our guide and she always had an open communication even though she was dealing with different personalities and older individuals that maybe should not have been on this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2024
Paul B. - Traveled, April 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Our tour director, was delightful and had everything under control. We were a small group of 14 travellers, which made it an ideal number for moving around. The guides/ local experts were terrific. Israel in Iguazú park was very knowledgeable. in Uruguay was lovely and Gio in Brazil was so much fun and passionate about her country. Uruguay really surprised us. Not sure what we were expecting but it was beautiful. Would happily go there again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/09/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
It is very busy, no free time... but amazing trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2024
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