Compare 5-Star Bites of Argentina: A Chef-Led Tour of Food & Wine by Premier Tours & Travel vs Premium Chile & Argentina by Intrepid Travel

Highlights of Buenos Aires, Argentina (3 Nights)

Day 1:

After an overnight flight, you will touch down 18 in Buenos Aires—often referred to as the Paris of the South—where Premier Tours & Travel representatives will personally meet you and escort you to your private transportation. You will then enjoy a half-day, private guided city tour. This panoramic tour will highlight La Boca with its popular colorful houses and San Telmo, the oldest barrio of Buenos Aires with its well-preserved historical, colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. It will also introduce you to May Square in the barrio of Monserrat, which has been the scene of the most momentous events in Argentine history, as well as Teatro Colon, Casa Rosada, and 9 de Julio Avenue—the major thoroughfare in the city center of Buenos Aires named for Argentina's Independence Day, July 9, 1816.

Following a traditional Argentinean lunch with Chef Bob Waggoner, you will check in for your first three nights in the 5-star luxury of Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires—named to Condé Nast Traveler’s “The 78 Best Hotels in the World: The Gold List 2019.

Relax and enjoy the incredible amenities of your luxurious surroundings, including perusing the hotel’s art gallery housing an impressive collection of contemporary Ibero-American art (arrange an Art Ambassador to assist you in a private tour); arrange a wine and cheese tasting in the Duhau Restaurante & Vinoteca—the ideal place to taste the best Argentine wines, from Malbec to Torrontes, with their selection of more than 40 varieties of artisanal cheeses; or visit the Ahín Wellness & Spa to immerse and yourself in a sensorial journey of well-being at one of the most exclusive spas in Buenos Aires.

Day 2:

Your second day in Buenos Aires, will include a half-day guided tour focused on La Recoleta, the area in which your hotel is located as well as an area of great historical and architectural interest due to its Beaux-Arts architecture and the distinguished Recoleta Cemetery; as well as Palermo Gardens and Palermo Soho. The day would not be complete without guided culinary walking tour—a Parrilla tour—during which you will experience an Empanada, Choripan (chorizo sandwich) with Chimichurri sauce, two kinds of Argentinean beef, and Dulce de Leche for dessert. In the evening, consider experiencing the hotel’s infamous Five O’clock Tea in Los Salones del Piano Nobile for a lighter dinner at leisure.

Day 3:

Your third and final day in Buenos Aires, will be at leisure during which you can choose which of the city’s amazing sites you can explore in more depth, such as Casa Rosada or one of the many national museums, or choose an optional (not included) Delta tour—which will take you through the Belgrano, Nuñez, Vicente Lopez, and Olivos San Isidro neighborhoods before arriving in Tigre where you will embark on a boat ride that navigates the different rivers of the delta to see how islanders live and porteños spend their weekends (4 hours; $55/person); or a Gaucho tour— to see the Argentinean cowboys or Gauchos, ride horses and see a little bit of the Pampas (grasslands) (7 hours; $155/person). Your stay in Buenos Aires will not be complete without a dinner and tango show and you will be attending the finest at famed Rojo Tango.

Highlights of Mendoza (6 Nights)

Day 4:

After a brief domestic flight (included) from Buenos Aires on, you will touch down in cosmopolitan Mendoza to enjoy a guided half-day city tour with time for lunch at leisure in the renowned Central Market before moving on to The Vines Resort & Spa—named #25 on the coveted Top 100 Hotels in the World" list and #2 of the "Top 10 Resort Hotels in South America" for 2019 Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" awards, and also a Leading Hotels of the World—for a 6-night stay.

You will have plenty of leisure time to schedule your own personal activities (not included) during this stay at this breathtaking boutique wine and culinary resort set among 1,500 acres of private vineyards. Partake in a wine blending session or visit the nearby Winemaker’s Village, enjoy a guided sunrise or sunset horseback riding adventure, indulge in their exceptional array of spa treatments, ride bicycles around the property, take a morning yoga class, or to simply gaze at the Andes Mountains on the not-so-distant horizon while you relax by the pool.

After checking in, you will be awed by a Welcome Dinner at Siete Fuegos at which you will experience “acclaimed Chef Francis Mallmann’s honed collection of open-flame cooking techniques, inspired by Argentine gauchos and European migrations, and refined through hundreds of years of history. You will savor the rustic, fiery flavors of specialties like 9-hour slow-grilled rib eye, cast-iron baked salt-encrusted salmon, grilled seasonal fruits, and more, paired with award-winning boutique wines.”

Day 5:

You will have the morning and lunch at leisure to soak up The Vines as you choose, such as biking the vineyards. Mid-day, you will be transferred to the Maipú Valley for a tour and tasting of the award-winning wines of Casa El Enemigo Vigil followed by a bespoke Chef’s dinner at which Chef Bob Waggoner will collaborate with Casa El Enemigo Vigil’s Executive Chef. You will have the opportunity to help (or simply watch) as you please during these winery cooking collaborations.

Day 6:

Will be fully at leisure for you to enjoy the spa and/or other not-to-be-missed activities offered by The Vines Resort & Spa. In the evening, you will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime Chef’s dinner featuring the exclusive collaboration between The Vines Resort & Spa’s Executive Chef Matias Mansilla and Chef Bob Waggoner.

Day 7:

You will be transferred to the beautiful Lujan de Cuyo Valley mid-morning where you will have time to explore the village of Chacras de Coria and its acclaimed Espacio Contemporáneo de Arte, art galleries, and shops before visiting Bodega Largarde Winery—one of the oldest wineries in the Mendoza region with Malbec vines over 100 years old. You will partake in a tour and tasting of Lagarde’s infamous organic wines, and experience incredible collaborative lunch experience with Bodega Largarde’s Executive Chef and Chef Bob Waggoner. The remainder of your afternoon and evening will be at leisure. Perhaps considering reserving a romantic vineyard dinner through the hotel.

Day 8:

You will be venturing to the Uco Valley on to explore this beautiful region by way of the Clos de los Siete—with its 2,100 acres of vines at the foot of the Andes Mountains and four bodegas run by four passionate Bordeaux families. You will have the opportunity to experience a tour and tasting at one of the bodegas, Cuvelier de Los Andes, beforepartaking in a collaborative cooking experience and tasting with Chef Bob Waggoner at Bodega DiamAndes.

Day 9:

On your last full day in Mendoza, bask in the comforts of The Vines Resort & Spa before returning to the Maipú Valley to visit boutique bodega La Cave de Karim Mussi, enjoy an olive oil tasting, and finish off the experience with a tour, tasting and collaborative dinner experience with Chef Bob Waggoner at one of the oldest wine brands in Argentina—Trapiche Argentina.

Day 10:

Will be your final morning at The Vines Resort & Spa where you will be at leisure until your private transfer to the airport in Mendoza for your return flights to Buenos Aires and the United States and completion of this incredible cultural, viticultural and culinary experience with Chef Bob Waggoner and Premier Tours & Travel.

Day 1 Santiago

Welcome to Santiago, Chile. Set within a circle of snow-capped mountains, Santiago is vibrant, artistic and gourmet. On arrival, take an included transfer to the hotel where your adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two evenings is the fabulous Altiplanico Bellas Artes. Converted from a historical house built in 1909, the hotel focuses on stylish architecture and creative interior design while retaining the welcoming spirit of the home it once was. The hotel’s enviable location serves as a perfect base for your first explorations of Santiago. If you arrive early, perhaps head out and explore the delightful Parque Forestal that’s just steps from your front door. After your meeting, it’s time to get acquainted with Santiago’s fantastic food scene during a welcome dinner with your leader and group. From baked casserole to razor clams cooked in parmesan cheese, Chilean food is hearty, fresh and most of all, delicious.

Day 2 Santiago

Get to know the city on a tour with a local guide who’s an expert on all things Santiago. Your guide will peel back the many layers of the city’s history, beginning at the main square of Plaza de Armas where you’ll hear the tales of the foundation of Santiago and its turbulent past. Continue to La Moneda Palace, the home of Chile’s presidential office, where your guide will fill you in on the country’s complicated political history. From here take the short drive to Parque Bicentenario, created in 2011 to commemorate 200 years of independence. Walk through the gorgeous grounds and discuss the cultural identity of Chileans today. Today’s lunch will be a celebration of Santiago’s finest produce. Stop by a local eatery and sample some excellent cheese, ham and wine – a taste of which will take you straight to the heart of Chilean culture. The rest of the day is free for your own explorations.

Day 3 Valparaiso

Enjoy a free morning in Santiago. Perhaps make a visit to the Mercado Central, Santiago’s celebrated fish market. Begin the journey to Valparaiso, stopping off for a wine tasting on the way in the Casablanca Valley. Sitting on a coastal plain between the capital and Valparaiso, Casablanca Valley is Chile’s fastest growing wine region, with rich soil and a perfect climate for chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Visit a vineyard that is focused on sustainable and organic viticulture, as well as producing outstanding wines. Continue to the colourful Valparaiso, notable for its brightly hued houses spread across a series of hills overlooking the ocean. Your hotel for the next two nights has been delighting guests since 1885 and sits in the historic heart of the city. Enjoy an introduction to pisco atop its marvellous rooftop and take in unbeatable views of Valparaiso. Afterwards, perhaps head out and find yourself a place to sip some ancho reyes alongside locals for the evening.

Day 4 Valparaiso

Listed as a World Heritage centre in 2003, Valparaiso used to be South America’s busiest port before the opening of the Panama Canal. It has since transformed itself into Chile’s most creative city which you'll learn more about on the walking tour today with a local guide. The ramshackle streets have long been home to artists, writers and musicians so there is no shortage on visual inspiration to prompt some questions about its background. The hills of Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre are dotted with kaleidoscopically coloured houses, with cobbled streets weaving sharply uphill and concealing all manner of galleries, restaurants and shops. Later on, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a beautiful art nouveau chalet. Dinner this evening will be on your own. Perhaps visit an iconic local restaurant credited with the invention of chorrillana. This legendary Chilean dish is made up of french fries topped with beef, eggs and fried onions, and there’s no better spot to try it than at its birthplace.

Day 5 Mendoza

Depart Valparaiso and head back to Santiago to catch a flight to Mendoza. As your plane crosses the Andes, you might catch a glimpse of Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas at 6962 metres above sea level. In Mendoza, get to know the lively city with a gentle stroll around its wide, lively streets with your local leader. Technically a desert city, the extensive irrigation system here means Mendoza is remarkably green. Check out the city’s lush tree-lined spaces – from the sprawling Parque San Martin to petite Plaza Espana – and get a taste of local life along the bustling pedestrianised street, Peatonal Sarmiento. Head South towards wine country, and your countryside boutique hotel.

Day 6 Mendoza

Mendoza is Argentina's most prolific and significant grape-growing region, producing nearly three-quarters of the country's wine. The climate produces an excellent variety of grapes, with the region's signature being Malbec. Today you will get to experience this internationally renowned wine at its source during tours and tastings at three world-class and innovative wineries, each with its own distinct style and flavour. Meet with a local wine expert and gain inside knowledge on the varieties of grapes and different production methods used at each winery, and sample award winning bottles just as spectacular as the surrounding Andes mountain landscape. After the tastings, settle in for a special closed-door gourmet lunch at one of the wineries. Enjoy several courses paired with wines carefully selected to bring out the flavours in the wonderful food. In the evening, perhaps test your palate by attempting to pair the perfect wine with an authentic Argentine asado (barbecue-style food).

Day 7 Buenos Aires

This morning fly from Mendoza to Buenos Aires, then transfer to your impressive boutique accommodation. Built in 1913, the historic hotel is located in the centre of the city with spectacular Art Nouveau charm. In the afternoon, soak up the Argentinean capital’s irrepressible mix of European and Latin culture on an orientation walk with your leader. Visit Florida Street, National Congress and the presidential palace of the Casa Rosada (Pink House) in the Plaza de Mayo. If there is time, your group may get to visit the Obelisk as well. The evening is free to explore. Be seduced by the world's most passionate dance at a tango bar, attend a raucous football match, or gorge yourself on the city's sophisticated culture and food.

Day 8 Buenos Aires

Today you will head north of Buenos Aires to explore the city of Tigre and its surrounding delta region. First, do as the locals do and catch the subway to San Martin square, then set off on a bicycle tour around Puerto Maldero and the Buenos Aires Ecological Reserve – where inhabitants of the city come for a peaceful escape and fresh air. Hop on a train to Tigre and get to know the city during a walking tour. Visit the local fruit market, follow the river along the stunning Paseo Victorica street and stop by the Tigre Art Museum to admire the European inspired building. Next, take a private boat through the third-largest river delta in the world, watching local life play out on the water as you go, then stop off on an island to enjoy a delightful homemade lunch. Take some time to swim, kayak or just sit back and soak in the beautiful island surroundings. Transfer back to Buenos Aires and spend an evening at leisure.

Day 9 Buenos Aires

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you're planning to stay on in Buenos Aires we can assist you in booking extra accommodation ahead of time (subject to availability).