Central Holidays
Uruguay / Independent

HIGHLIGHTS & TASTES OF URUGUAY

10 Days - 9 Nights

Immigrants introduced both cheese and wine to Uruguay hundreds of years ago and nowadays the country is rich in vineyards, wineries, artisan cheese producers and olive oil plants. Discover the touristic highlights of Uruguay always combined with a culinary highlight. Be ready to be surprised by a variety of exquisite tastes!

“Colonia Del Sacramento” was a former colony of Portugal founded in 1680. It has changed hands between Spain and Portugal multiple times, until it was incorporated to Uruguay in 1828. Arrival and transfer to your hotel located in the old part of the city. Immediate departure for your walking city tour along the cobbled streets of the historic area. Visit to the old buildings, forts and Spanish and Portuguese Museums and the most important spots of this colonial city declared Patrimony of Mankind by the UNESCO. Afternoon visit to the winery “Los Cerros de San Juan” with tasting. Taste the Tannat: Uruguay's signature wine. The Tannat grapes are originally from southwestern France. They were brought to Uruguay almost 250 years ago by a French Basque immigrant and the varieties of Tannats are characterized by their softer tannins when compared with the "old vines" from France.

After breakfast, transfer with guide towards the area of Carmelo. The tour starts with the visit of La Calera de las Huerfanas Jesuit Ruins where the Uruguayan history of wine begins and where we can still see the Zubizarreta vineyards in the same location where the first vines were planted. Continue to the El Legado winery where you may be able to see the harvest (January and February), or grape manual selection. After a wine tasting, we head towards Bodegas Cordano winery where we learn about the production, process and history of the vineyard. We then continue towards Finca Narbona Wine Lodge where we enjoy dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Morning at leisure. Picnic lunch in the vineyards and late afternoon wine and cheese pairing tasting in the cellar guided by the winemaker of Finca Narbona (includes three different Narbona wines and seven choices of cheese). (B, L)

After breakfast depart to Montevideo, without guide. On arrival, enjoy lunch at the vibrant port market. Take a walking tour of the Ciudad Vieja: the colonial historic neighborhood, and visit several museums and the Solis Theatre, built in 1856. (B, L)

Morning pick up for a short panoramic city tour. Following visit one winery in the region of Montevideo. Afterwards, private transfer without guide to Estancia Charabon, where you will enjoy the last hours of the day – relax by the swimming pool with a glass of wine or why not enjoy a ride through the pampas! Dinner and overnight at the Estancia. (B, L, D

After breakfast, transfer to the small village of Barra de Valizas, where a local guide meets us to start an unforgettable tour to “Cabo Polonio” Village. After a short walk around the town, start the trekking along the coastline that leads to the incredible shifting sand dunes. Later, trek up the “Buena Vista Hill” from there we appreciate a fantastic view of the ocean. Continue down towards Cabo Polonio (4 hours trek). After a delicious seafood lunch at a local seaside restaurant, we visit the light house and sea lions reserve (one of the biggest in the world!). Afternoon 4x4 truck drive towards the main entrance of Cabo Polonio where a private transfer takes us back to Estancia Charabon. (B, L, D)

Enjoy a visit of the Colinas de Garzon Extra Virgin Olive Oil Boutique Plant. See the production facilities followed by a tasting of their award-winning olive oil accompanied by a selection of cheeses and Garzon Wines. Afternoon visit the close by Pueblo Garzon, a small, picturesque village where time seems to have stood still: Enjoy a relaxing stroll around the central square – the meeting point of this small city. Transfer without guide to Posada Mosaico or one of the other small posadas in the area. (B)

Today you will get to “Punta del Este Gourmet”. Visit the Altos de la Ballena winery, one of the newest wineries of Uruguay and one of the few in the area of Punta del Este. After a rich wine tasting, our next stop is at the artisan cheese farm Nonno Antonio. Here you observe the cheese production and enjoy the homemade cheeses. Following a drive along Punta del Este’s coastline leads us to the beach of Jose Ignacio, where you will spend the night. (B)

After breakfast, transfer without guide to Estancia Anastasio. Today you have a hands-on cooking class led by one of our professional chefs who will share with you some great recipes using the best local products. Lunch and afternoon enjoying the lagoon with one of the activities offered: canoeing, horseback riding or standup- paddle. Afternoon transfer back to your hotel where you will spend the last night. (B,L)

After breakfast, private transfer without guide to Montevideo airport or port. (B)

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