1.PARANÁ RIVER DELTA & RIVER PLATE: A SIGHT TO REMEMBER

This tour has it all: an overview of Argentine history during the last two centuries, through the visit of the traditional aristocratic retreat of San Isidro; a sample of the country’s excellent cuisine, which we’ll taste at lunchtime at the exclusive Villa Julia restaurant; and the unique opportunity to sail across two of South America’s largest rivers –Paraná and River Plate–, enjoying on board a rather uncommon sight of Buenos Aires.

In San Isidro, we visit its elegant and well-preserved historical quarters, where we see the Neogothical San Isidro Labrador Cathedral, built between 1895 and 1898. It houses many important pieces of art and relics, among them the uncorrupted bone of St. Isidore, sent as a present by the King of Spain in 1929. Around the Cathedral, we admire the mansions that in Argentina’s Golden Era were the weekend resort of the Buenos Aires élite, such as the Anchorena House, which now houses the very exclusive San Juan el Precursor High School, or the Pueyrredón House, a Pompeyan style mansion built in 1790, presently a museum. Finally, we climb down to the River Plate Viewpoint, where we realize the true dimension of the river.

Next we travel to the city of Tigre, a 14.000 square kilometre natural wonder. It encompasses thousands of luscious green islands filled with autochthonous species. There we visit the elegant Paseo Victorica, where the Tigre Club & Casino is located. This splendid building, recently renovated and restored, presently houses the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts. Before we get back in town, we make a stop at Villa Julia, an exclusive boutique hotel located at the former summer residence of Mr. Maschwitz, designed by him in 1913 and presently remodelled keeping the original structure. The hotel restaurant, commanded by Russian Oleg Poustovalov, offers ethereal delicacies such as chicken petals in lemon sauce and baked rice croquettes (a true house hit), or the pollack and salmon symphony in caper sauce, a strange but very effective combination. There we will have a superb lunch by the river in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

Ending our journey, we board an exclusive yacht to sail back to Buenos Aires across the Paraná River Delta, where we’ll be amazed at the lushness of the scenery at such short distance from Buenos Aires. We follow the Delta to the River Plate, and before we get back on land at the Northern Riverside Path, we enjoy the unique opportunity to see the whole city viewed from the river.

Approximate Duration: 7 hours.
Included Services:
• Bilingual tour guide, expert in history, arts, architecture and travel & tourism.
• Transportation from and to hotel in a top of the line vehicle. Uniformed driver.
• Boat ride across the Delta & the River Plate (2 hours sail time).
• Lunch at Villa Julia (Appetizer / Main Course / Dessert & Coffee / Water or Soda / Glass of Wine).
• Entry tickets to the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts and guided visit.
• Brochure with extended information of the tour and Delta postcard.

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2. SAN ANTONIO DE ARECO: GAUCHO TOUR & DAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AT EL OMBÚ DE ARECO.

Argentina has traditionally been a cattle-raising country. From the beginning, not only has it been the national source of income, but also a source of cultural representations: the Caudillo, charismatic leader, an expert in equally taming horses and people, is a constant presence in Argentinian politics since the beginnings of our history; and the Gaucho, its complementary figure, is still one of the greatest icons of our country.

This tour will take us to San Antonio de Areco, a city traditionally associated to the Gauchos, and to discover the Argentine countryside at an exclusive Estancia.

110 kilometres away from Buenos Aires lay San Antonio de Areco, a Colonial town that in the 19th was the last civilized outpost before entering the land of the Indians. There we’ll visit the Draghi Cultural Center & Workshop, located at a beautiful early 20th century house opposite Ruiz de Arellano Square, and home to a beautiful silverwork collection from the 19th and 20th centuries. Next, we’ll see the Ricardo Güiraldes, devoted to Areco’s prodigal son, and author of Don Segundo Sombra, one of the most important works in Gaucho literature. Naturally, the Museum is located at a ranch, and has an imitation Pulpería, the local stores where gauchos used to gather, and displays knives, books, paintings, clothing and utensils that will help us picture how life was in the countryside.

The rest of the day will pass at the peace and quiet of El Ombú de Areco, an exclusive ranch of the humid pampas. It’s an estate that originally belonged to Pablo Richieri. The main building, built in 1880, is surrounded by lofty galleries with lanterns, and has a beautiful four hectare park, full of oak trees, araucarias, palms, casuarinas, magnolias, and the huge ombu tree that gives the place its name. There, we’ll enjoy a succulent country grill and the best Argentine wines, or a superb international menu. During the summer, lunch will be held below the namesake ombu tree.

At the Estancia, we’ll be able to enjoy the pool and the solarium, go trekking or bird watching, or take part of the many rural activities performed there. And as a corollary to this exciting day, we’ll go horseback riding to see the Estancia, on one of their splendid –and tame– animals.

Approximate duration: 9 hours.
Included Services:
• Bilingual tour guide, expert in history, arts, architecture and travel & tourism.
• Transportation from and to hotel in a top of the line vehicle. Uniformed driver.
• Guided visit around town, the Ricardo Güiraldes Museum and visit to a silversmith.
• Leisure time at El Ombú de Areco. Reception with empanadas and wine. Grilled meat. Mate and local pastries at tea time.
• Brochure with extended information of the tour and Gaucho postcard.

Option: You can choose to extend the journey, and go shopping for regional articles.

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3. VISIT TO COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO

Visiting Colonia del Sacramento means travelling back to Colonial times, when Spain, England and Portugal fought over this outpost, strategically located on the River Plate, just opposite Buenos Aires. Its incredible state of preservation, which makes it seem as though time had indeed stopped in this small city, has earned earned it the status of UNESCO World Heritage in 1995. We start our journey at the Puerta de Campo, opposite Plaza Mayor. We then walk across the famous Calle de los Suspiros (Whisper Road), a narrow street with no sidewalks, paved with wedge stones, and a true icon of the fortified city. Next, we admire the San Francisco Convent, one of the oldest buildings in Colonia del Sacramento. Next to it stands the Old Lighthouse, which lights the whole bay. We also visit the Iglesia Matriz, the first church in town, built in 1680, and successively destroyed and rebuilt many times. Its walls pay silent witness of the different stages in the city’s history. Later we visit two Portuguese style houses, the Nacarello House and the Viceroy’s House; the name of the latter is enigmatic, because Colonia was never a part of any viceroyalty. After seeing the imposing Bastión del Carmen, ancient contention wall from the Spanish colonial era, we head for the Plaza de Toros (Bull Ring), a spectacular Moorish building, opened in 1910. Its lifetime was very brief indeed: in 1912 the national government banned bullfights, and this splendid building ceased to work as a bull ring.

Some places visited: Puerta de Campo – Calle de los Suspiros – Old Lighthouse – San Francisco Convent – Iglesia Matriz – Bastión del Carmen – Plaza de Toros

Approximate duration: Full day.
Included Services:
• Bilingual guide, expert in history, arts, architecture and travel & tourism.
• Transfers to/from port.
• Boat to Colonia.
• Lunch at Colonia Yacht Club (appetizer / main course / dessert / coffee / mineral water or soda / glass of wine).
• Guided tour around town and to the Colonial Historical Museum.
• Brochure with extended information of the tour and Colonia postcard.

Note: We strongly suggest you to spend the night and the following day at Colonia, for a better enjoyment of this wonderful experience.

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> isfg2009@ontheway.com.ar