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A 5-Star Bites Of Argentina -- Multiple Departures

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    Sat, February 25, 2023 (Departure Date)

Cost: From $8269.00/person; Double Occupancy Based on 20 guests; Includes Domestic Argentina Flight Credit ($200 Coach); $1000.00 non-refundable deposit

Premier Tours & Travel is headed to Argentina and you won’t want to miss experiencing this exclusivebespoke, 5-star luxury tour. We will lead you on Argentinean cultural, viticultural, and culinary adventures throughout Buenos Aires and Mendoza, including renown wineries in the Maipú, Lujan de Cuyo, and Uco Valleys. Hand-selected luxury accommodations, such as The Vines Resort & Spa and Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires (or similar), as well as bespoke collaborative winery cooking experiences, wine blending and tasting, and the Siete Fuegos Experience will make this truly a Premier experience. 

February 25-March 4, 2023 (departing USA February 24, 2023) 

From $8110 per person; Double occupancy; 

Limited to 20 guests; Includes Domestic Argentina Flights Credit ($200 Coach)


February 24-March 2, 2024 (departing USA February 23, 2024) with Chef Bob Waggoner

November 2-9, 2024 (departing USA November 1, 2024) with Chef Bob Waggoner

From $8,310 per person; Double Occupancy; Based on a minimum of 14 guests; Includes Domestic Argentina Flight ($200 Airline Credit); $1000 deposit. Optional Extensions Available.


Optional Extension

2- or 3-Night Extension to Iguazú Falls, Argentina.

Pricing to be determined; other extension destinations can be customized


Highlights of Buenos Aires, Argentina (2 Nights)

Depart the United States.


Day 1: After an overnight flight, you will touch down in Buenos Aires — often referred to as the Paris of South America — where Premier Tours & Travel representatives will personally meet you and escort you to your private transportation.


The name, Buenos Aires, literally means "good airs" in Spanish. It is one of the largest cities in Latin America, with a wide range of cultural offers and stunning sights. Being the capital of the country makes it the starting point for most of the Argentinean experiences.


Enjoy a panoramic, guided visit in the northern barrios (neighborhoods) of Buenos Aires, including Palermo and La Recoleta. Palermo is the largest barrio best known for its large parks designed by celebrated landscape architects, such as the illustrious Charles Thays. It’s a hot destination whether you are a foodie, an art fan, a shopaholic or a plain old reveler. Visit La Recoleta well-known for its historical and architectural significant due to its Beaux-Arts architecture. Admire the celebrated Recoleta Cemetery, a true labyrinth of ornate mausoleums, and make a stop at Eva Peron’s grave, one of the country’s most recognizable icons. Enjoy lunch in the heart of Recoleta. Following your touring, check in for your two-nights in the 5-star luxury of Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires (or similar). The balance of your day will be at leisure.


Relax and enjoy the incredible amenities of your luxurious surroundings at leisure, 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; or visit the Ahín Wellness & Spa to immerse yourself in a sensorial journey of well-being at one of the most exclusive spas in Buenos Aires.


Should you choose to wander the area, Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires is located on Alvear Avenue, close to MALBA (The Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires) and Puerto Madero. Puerto Madero is the latest addition to the city’s barrios and has become the playground for the international jet set.


Day 2:

Your second day in Buenos Aires will include a half-day city tour focused other iconic areas and sites of the city. Buenos Aires is one of the most fascinating cities in both Latin America and the world — be it for its splendid and varied architecture, with its old colonial buildings, French palaces, and state-of-the-art skyscrapers; or for its vibrant nightlife and endless cultural options.


Visit Plaza de Mayo, the city’s foundational site and witness of our country’s political history and see the Pink House, our Presidential Palace, the Cabildo, our primitive town hall, and the Neoclassical-style Metropolitan Cathedral, the final home of Argentina’s founding father, José de San Martín. After visiting the impressive Plaza San Martín, where Jorge Luis Borges used to take his walks, we’ll stroll down Avenida Alvear, chosen by the world’s most distinguished brands to install their exclusive boutiques, looking up to see the many wonderful French-style palaces which nowadays house a number of embassies. Visit the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, one of the city’s oldest churches, which dates to the colonial era.


Puerto Madero, the latest addition to the city’s barrios, will be among the stops today. In 1991, its huge warehouses and silos were remodeled and redesigned, to finally integrate the river to the city and to create a new corporative, residential, hotel and gastronomically district. Then head for San Telmo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Thanks to its amazing architecture and hip atmosphere, this ancient neighborhood is really blooming. Walk its cobbled streets, where the city’s colonial past seems to come back to life, making a stop at Plaza Dorrego, best known for its traditional antiques fair, held every Sunday.


Leaving San Telmo behind, continue southwards to La Boca, one of the city’s most authentic and charming neighborhoods. It is a working-class district, heavily shaped by Italian immigrants who came to Argentina in large numbers during the last quarter of the 19th century. Enjoy a special visit to the mythical Caminito Street, which sums up everything that gives La Boca its distinctive spirit: the strong passion for soccer, the heavy presence of art and color, and the Tango-esque atmosphere. Lunch and the balance of your day will be at leisure to explore Buenos Aires. Reconnect with the group tonight to enjoy a quintessential Argentinean Tango show and dinner at one of the most traditional cafes in Buenos Aires — Café de los Angelitos.


Highlights of Mendoza, Argentina (5 Nights)

Day 3: Private transfers will take you from the hotel to the Domestic Airport (AEP) this morning.* After a brief domestic flight (a $200 airline credit included) from Buenos Aires, touch down in the beautiful city of Mendoza to enjoy a guided, panoramic tour.


*Domestic (Argentina) airfare is non-changeable, nonrefundable. For the domestic flight, one checked luggage (33 pounds) per person plus a carry-on item per person is allowed. If your luggage exceeds 33 pounds, it will be your responsibility to pay the excess baggage fees (e.g., a 50-pound bag will incur a fee of $18 each way).


Mendoza is the capital city of the region, and is surrounded by the largest wine-producing area in Latin America. As one of nine cities worldwide in the network of Great Capitals of Wine, Mendoza offers the perfect destination to enjoy the best Argentinean wine while exploring a few of the hundred wineries and dazzling landscapes of this region.


Enjoy a panoramic tour and see such places as 'La Alameda' (a pedestrian road), the Foundational Area (Pedro del Castillo Square), the Aquarium, the 'Serpentario' (snakes' exhibition), the main avenues downtown, the Independencia Square, the Civic neighborhood and Emilio Civit Avenue, which leads to San Martin Park, one of the most important and impressive green urban areas of the city. At the park, the top of 'Cerro de la Gloria' (Glory's Hill) where we will see a monument to the Liberating Army. Near here, the Amphitheatre Frank Romero Day, where the traditional Harvest Festival is held every year, complements the trip and gives the tourist a general idea of what the capital of Mendoza has to offer.


Your introduction into Mendoza will be a wine-paired lunch at to Zuccardi Winery’s Bodega Santa Julia in Maipu Valley. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience learning about the family of wines of the #1 Winery in the World, and the soils, the Andes mountains, and their winemaking techniques. Enjoy a custom, regional menu with hand-selected Zuccardi wine pairings. Following your world-class lunch, depart for luxury accommodations: The Vines Resort & Spa, #2 hotel in the world according to Travel + Leisure.


Enjoy plenty of leisure time during your stay at this 5* breathtaking boutique wine and culinary resort set among 1,500 acres of private vineyards. Reservations are recommended in advance for activities, such as the spa and horseback riding.


After checking in, be awed by a Welcome Dinner at Siete Fuegos and 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. 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 4:

Venture to the Uco Valley to explore this beautiful region by way of Finca Sophenia for a winery tour and premium tastings, and Andeluna Winery for a private cooking lesson with the winery chef. Both of these wineries are excellent properties to begin your immersion into Argentinean wines.

Finca Sophenia began to make its wines in 2002 and is currently valued by consumers in more than 25 countries. The wines have already been praised by the world press, including Wine SpectatorDecanter, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits, Jancis Robinson, and many others. The winery is located in Tupungato, a place recognized by the world press as one of the best wine-growing regions in Argentina. It is located at the foot of the Andes, at an elevation of 1200 meters represents the perfect environment for vineyards capable of generating complex and high-quality wines. Enjoy a visit and a wine tasting at this iconic winery.


Head to Andeluna Winery for a private cooking lesson with the winery chef. Step off the beaten path and discover Mendoza through its food! Eating like a local is an important aspect of getting an accurate look at a culture. What is perhaps even more rewarding than eating like a local is understanding the ingredients and care that goes into the preparation of our traditional cuisine. Enjoy a hands-on cooking class Chef of Andeluna Winery. Their cuisine philosophy is constantly changing. It combines the freshness of the products of each season and the delights typical of the country. Savor the flavors of Argentina’s seven regions. Return to The Vines for the balance of your day at leisure.**


Please note: The exclusive cooking lessons offered on this tour are about much more than the list of ingredients in a recipe and how to cook them. The lessons have been custom-designed for our group — lovers of fine food and wine. Learn to cook regional food consisting of fresh products that you can easily recreate at home. Savor what you make and learn from acclaimed Argentinean Chefs (as well as Argentinean winemakers and sommeliers) about Argentine style, flavors and aromas.


Day 5: Your day will be at leisure to enjoy the spa and/or other activities offered by The Vines Resort & Spa.*** Reconnect with the group late afternoon for a winetasting session at The Vines before departing for a group dinner in the Uco Valley.


***Activities at The Vines will need to be scheduled at least one month in advance of your stay in high season.


Day 6: Today, experience an exclusive wine blending workshop and cooking experience at Lamadrid Estates Wines, created especially for our group. Located at Agrelo in Lujan de Cuyo — considered the cradle of the Argentinean Malbec — it has a unique climate and excellent sun exposure due to its height between 900 and 1000 meters above sea level, where the bunches slowly ripen until reaching fullness thanks to this cool microclimate. The winemakers who accompany this adventure are the infamous winemaker, Héctor Durigutti, and his brother Pablo, who from the first day knew the vineyards and the winery, and became an extension of the Lamadrid family due to their commitment and work philosophy. Lamadrid is home to numerous 90+ (and the first 100) rated wines by Wine Enthusiast, James Suckling, and Wine Spectator, including a Top 100 Wine of the Year by Wine Enthusiast (’16) — Lamadrid Cabernet France Single Vineyard Reserva.

Learn about the process of combining different grape varietals to create a wine that presents the best characteristics of each. Blending is both a science and an art, which not many have mastered and is the key to some of the finest wines in the world. Understanding the ABCs of growing, harvesting, and making wine, as well as of blending, will position you to create your own custom, delicious bottle of wine. Your creation will be branded and given to you as a parting gift.

A bespoke cooking lesson with the winery Chef of Lamadrid Estate Wines will follow, including lunch — another exclusive experience created for our group. Enjoy exploring the village of Chacras de Coria and its acclaimed Espacio Contemporáneo de Arte, art galleries, and shops before returning to The Vines for the balance of your day at leisure.


Day 7:

Our final day will include two of the crown jewels of Mendoza vineyards: Catena Zapata Winery and Casa Vigil El Enemigo — listed as #7 and #24, respectively, in the World’s Best Vineyards.

“You don’t know Argentinian Malbec until you’ve tasted Catena Zapata. Owing to the higher altitudes, theirs is floral, pretty and surprisingly light in colour. The estate also produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and a set of indigenous grape varieties, some in a natural style.” World’s Best Vineyards.


The story of Catena is the story of Argentine wine. Founded in 1902, Argentina’s Catena Zapata Winery is renown for its pioneering role in resurrecting Malbec and in discovering extreme high-altitude terroirs in the Andean foothills of Mendoza. The family’s Adrianna Vineyard at almost 5,000 feet elevation has been called the “Grand Cru of South America.” Enjoy visiting the Catena winery and tasting its exceptional wines.


Head to Casa Vigil El Enemigo. El Enemigo is the passion project of two Argentinian friends that has earned a cult following. Alejandro Vigil is a soil expert and celebrated winemaker who for years has headed operations at Bodega Catena Zapata, the estate owned by Adrianna Catena’s father, the legendary Nicolás. El Enemigo – the enemy – was created to produce a wine that would respect history and traditions whilst simultaneously rejecting the status quo. Alejandro is still linked to his commitment to the Catena family and is responsible for the enology of Catena Zapata, as well as winemaker at Casa El Enemigo. He and his wife have opened their home for us to enjoy the wines of El Enemigo with a delicious meal with their wines.


Day 8: Say Adios to The Vines Resort & Spa this morning. 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 Premier Tours & Travel. Private transfers await in Buenos Aires to the international airport. Return flights to the USA are typically late in the evening.


Detailed Rate Information 

Please see below regarding the package rates for the comprehensive tour based on double occupancy. These rates include a Park Deluxe King/Park Deluxe room at the Palacio Duhau—Park Hyatt Buenos Aires. Pricing subject to change. 2024 rates will be published later in 2023.


Accommodation

Tour Rate (Based on Double Occupancy)

One Bedroom Villa

$8269/person

One Bedroom Villa (Garden View)

$8,886/person

One Bedroom (Lake View)

$9,452/person

Two Bedroom (Garden View)

$8,110/person*

Two Bedroom (Lake View)

$8,595/person*


*Pricing for the two-bedroom options at The Vines must be booked with 4 passengers (2 bedrooms at double occupancy). Upgrades at Palacio-Duhau are available upon request.


Optional Pre- and Post-Tour in Buenos Aires

We would be happy to arrange a pre- or post-tour extension in Buenos Aires upon request.


Highlights of the Iguazú Falls, Argentina Extension (Optional)

While in Argentina, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the largest waterfall in the world: Iguazú Falls. Iguazú Falls or Iguaçu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. The Falls are some 70 feet higher than Niagara Falls and the largest waterfall system in the world based on volume.

Your Relais & Chateaux accommodation (located just 20 minutes from the Falls) is the all-inclusive 14-room lodgeAwasi Iguazú— which is situated on the banks of the River Iguazú, surrounded by the Atlantic Rainforest. Your villa will be assigned with a Reservations Assistant who will be in charge of coordinating the details of your trip that take into account your personal interests and expectations. Also includes private guide and 4WD, allowing you to explore at your own pace, visiting where you want, in your own time. Your program includes meals at Awasi’s Relais & Chateaux restaurant, which highlights local flavors and ingredients. It also includes open bar of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including an exquisite selection of Argentinian wines. Pricing to be determined at the time of booking.


About Chef Bob Waggoner

  

A California native, Chef Bob Waggoner received his formal training with Michael Roberts at Trumps in Los Angeles from 1981 to 1983, and later in France at a constellation of Michelin-rated restaurants with chefs Jacques Lameloise, Charles Barrier, Pierre Gagnaire, Gerard Boyer and Mark Meneau. At 23, he took on his first chef position at the private club “Members” in Caracas, Venezuela. Chef Bob Waggoner returned to France at age 24 to become chef of the Hotel de la Poste in Avallon for three years. Then, in 1988 at age 26, in the town of Moneteau in Burgundy, he became the first American chef to own his own restaurant in France, the much acclaimed Le Monte Cristo. He is one of the few Americans to be Knighted with the “l’Odre du Mérite Agricole” from the Government of France.


In 1991, Waggoner was offered the opportunity of Chef de Cuisine with Chef Jean-Pierre Silva, the two-star Michelin, at Le Vieux Moulin in Beaune, France. After 11 years in France, he returned to the States in 1993 to cook at the award-winning Turnberry Isle in Florida, before joining The Wild Boar in Nashville, where he earned the restaurant a coveted AAA Five-Diamond Award and the Grand Award from Wine Spectator.


He finally found his way to Charleston where he was Executive Chef of Charleston Grill at Charleston Place for a dozen years. Every year Chef Bob was at the Charleston Grill, it was awarded AAA Four-Diamond and the Mobile Four-Star award, and in 2001 he was nominated four times for The Beard Foundation "Best Chef Southeast" award. He is the author of the Charleston Grill at Charleston Place: French Influenced Lowcountry Cuisine cookbook. Always well regarded as a media-savvy chef, he won an Emmy for his television show “Off the Menu” with Turner South, and was the host of the PBS series "U Cook with Chef Bob" and "U Travel with Chef Bob." He is currently working with top country musicians in Nashville on the hit show "Sing for Your Supper."


Now Chef Bob is moving on from his restaurant past, but he is certainly not leaving the kitchen. Drawing from the wealth of artisans in the Charleston area, from woodworkers to artists and cabinet makers, Chef Bob has created a stunning demonstration kitchen in downtown Charleston with reclaimed wood floors, a u-shaped marble countertop and even a Grand player piano. Despite the sophisticated surroundings, Chef Bob's cooking classes are relaxed and casual, and with his easygoing nature he can teach anyone the culinary tips and techniques for "how it's done" in the finest restaurants.

Tags

  • Argentina
  • Mendoza
  • Buenos Aires
  • Maipu Valley
  • Lujan de Cuyo Valley
  • Uco Valley
  • Wine tour
  • Culinary Tour
  • Chef-Led Tour

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