A memorable week-long journey highlighting Uruguay’s vibrant capital, the historic charm of Carmelo & Colonia del Sacramento, and personalized experiences at several of the country’s top wineries.
A memorable week-long journey highlighting Uruguay’s vibrant capital, the historic charm of Carmelo & Colonia del Sacramento, and personalized experiences at several of the country’s top wineries.
Montevideo’s Mercado del Puerto
Day 1: Arrival to Montevideo
Welcome to Uruguay! Your guide will meet you at the airport or seaport and transfer you to your hotel. After some time to freshen up at your hotel, your guide will meet you to begin a guided tour of the city.
Montevideo is Uruguay’s energetic capital city, rich with culture and locals eager to share it with you. Uruguay has the most writers, musicians, poets, and artists per capita than most countries, and this creativity contributes to the thriving theater, arts, and nightclub scenes that characterize Montevideo today. The city is filled with colorful cafes, cozy tango bars, and trendy restaurants with international influences. You will enjoy lunch in Montevideo’s famous Mercado del Puerto.
Meals Included: Lunch
Day 2: Wine Tasting
Your guide will meet you this morning for a day of wine tastings near the capital. Your first visit is to Bodega J. Carrau, which counts nine consecutive generations of winemakers since the founding of its original vineyard in Catalonia, Spain, in 1752. The Carrau family has mastered cultivation of the finest grapes as well as a keen understanding of what makes wine truly outstanding. You will enjoy a tour of the vineyards and winery as well as a tasting of some of Carrau’s fine wines.
Next, you will visit Bodega H. Stagnari for a private tour of the winery and vineyards. Winery owner and winemaker Hector Stagnari’s Tannat has won the most prizes for the variety in all of Uruguay. All of Stagnari’s wines are made exclusively with grapes from their own vineyards, which enjoys privileged terroir along the banks of the Río Uruguay.
Following your visit, your guide will accompany you back to your hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3: Wine Tasting, and Gourmet Lunch
Your guide will meet you this morning and you will head to Bodega Pizzorno for a special wine and cheese tasting. Italian immigrant and visionary Don Próspero José Pizzorno founded the winery in 1910, and today his grandson Carlos continues the tradition of passion and respect for the unique terroir. Next, you will visit Bodega Bouza for a winery tour, tasting, and special gourmet lunch. Bodega Bouza is a boutique winery which focuses on small scale production of high quality wines.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Identification of assemblage wine in Bodega Bouza
Day 4: City Tour Colonia and Transfer to Carmelo
This morning you will head north out of Montevideo, along the coast to historic Colonia del Sacramento. Considered to be the oldest town in Uruguay, Colonia has somewhat of a “tumultuous” history. The city changed between the Portuguese and Spanish crowns several times over the course of about 150 years, even being incorporated in Brazil for a few years in the early 1800s. Since finally “finding” its identity as part of an independent Uruguay, Colonia del Sacramento has grown in size and population, but its original Historic Quarter, built by the Portuguese (and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) still forms the heart of old Colonia. Your guide will lead you in a tour of the city, visiting the historic and cultural highlights. As you stroll along the winding streets during your private tour, note the difference between the Portuguese- and Spanish-inspired sectors.
After enjoying lunch in one of Colonia’s local restaurants (drinks not included), you will be transferred to your hotel in the charming town of Carmelo.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Wine Tasting in Carmelo
Your guide will meet you this morning in the lobby of your hotel to head out on your day’s excursions. You’ll start with a tour and wine tasting at Bodega Irurtia, a family-run winery whose first vintage dates back to 1913. During the second half of the 20th-century, family patriarch Dante Irurtia grew the winery in size and reputation, combining the latest technology with the traditional “art” of winemaking to yield excellent results. The winery enjoys a special micro-climate created by the convergence of two rivers – the Uruguay and the Paraná – and is now the largest winery in Uruguay.
Next, you’ll visit Finca Narbona Winery, located just outside of Carmelo. Owned by successful Argentine businessman Eduardo “Pacha” Canton, ths historic Narbona winery dates back to the late 19th century and produces primarily Tannat wine, with some Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Following your visit, you will enjoy a delicious lunch in the charming Casa Chic hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Free Day in Carmelo
Enjoy the day at leisure in historic Carmelo.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7: Transfer to Montevideo
Following breakfast, your guide will meet you to transfer you back to Montevideo in time to catch your departing flight or ferry.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Recommended Trip Combinations:
Charming Finca Narbona
This tour is available to begin every day, all year round.
We recommend October thru April as the best time of year to visit.
Price per Person (US$):
*based on a minimum of 2 travelers
*Price valid through August 31st, 2013. Please inquire for new prices.
A beautiful view to the sea in Colonia del Sacramento
Price Includes:
Price Does Not Include:
Hotel Sheraton
Cala di Volpe
Four Seasons Carmelo
Casa Chic
More information to come soon! In the meantime, ask your Santiago Adventures Travel Specialist for hotel details.