Authentic Argentina: Tango, Gauchos & Vino

The trip officially starts tomorrow, October 17, 2025, but if you're flying to Argentina overnight, consider arriving a day early to rest, relax, and adjust to the local time zone. You can purchase the Arrive 1 Day Early option in the Add-ons section when you book.

Our hotel is in the Recoleta neighborhood - a charming and elegant area with several restaurants and bars within walking distance. Take a little time to get into the Buenos Aires frame of mind. Book time in the spa and take a stroll around the neighborhood.

Note: The time in Buenos Aires is two hours ahead of EST in the US, so even though the flight is long, the time change is gentle.

Welcome to Buenos Aires! Whether you arrive today or a day early, your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals lounge, ready to whisk you off to the 5-star Hotel Palladio. 

In the early afternoon, we'll stretch our legs as we explore the neighborhood with a private guide. We'll visit the El Ateneo Grand Splendid Bookstore, considered the world's most beautiful bookstore by National Geographic, and the eerily beautiful  Recoleta Cemetery, Eva Peron' 's burial ground. Then, it's on to the Plaza Francia, the Floralis Generica sculpture, and Callao Avenue, known for its belle époque architecture and fascinating history.

After a walking tour, take time to refresh and check into your hotel room before we meet at 6:00 pm for drinks at the world-famous Presidente Bar (listed as one of the top 50 bars in the world), followed by dinner at Fervor, a Michelin recommended brasserie with classic Argentinian grilled steaks (as well as fish), both menu highlights.

After a hearty breakfast, we'll meet our guide for our "Inspiring Women of Argentina" tour. The city awaits us. First, we'll learn about the founder of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a heartbreaking and captivating story. We'll also learn about the female captain who fought for Argentina's independence. 

We'll make a pit stop to refuel at the Gran Café Totoni, the well-known 1858 French art-nouveau café, for a coffee or hot chocolate and churros.

No important ladies' tour would be complete without Eva Perón, the first lady of Argentina, and the political leaders who came after her, such as Estela Martinez de Perón, the country's first woman president. We'll explore the city's historical center and its barrios (neighborhoods), like San Telmo, La Boca, and Puerto Madero, as we learn about these inspiring women, 

We'll be ready for a break, so we'll have lunch at El Gran Paradiso, an Italian favorite in the colorful La Boca neighborhood. Our restaurant is in an 1890 tenement house. It feels like taking a step back in time.

After a quick refresh at the hotel, we'll enjoy a unique Argentinian dinner and show at Gala Tango in the San Telmo neighborhood. We'll linger over a three-course meal with drinks and wine, then appreciate a spectacular tango show. You can even enjoy a tango lesson before the show begins.

Today, we'll tour Buenos Aires' northern neighborhoods, including Retiro and Recoleta. We'll also explore the city's green lungs; the Palermo forests, the Rosedal Garden, and the Botanical Garden. The roses promise to be in full bloom at this time.

Our private guided experience will continue through Palermo's colorful and modern neighborhood, an open-air art gallery with cobblestone passages. 

Instead of lunch, we'll enjoy a multi-course tasting of Argentine classics and wines that pair perfectly with iconic dishes like spicy humita and empanadas, ending with a maté tasting. Maté tea is made from an evergreen shrub and is perhaps Argentina's most iconic beverage

Tonight, you'll be treated to a show at the iconic Teatro Colon, considered one of the world's most important Opera Houses. We'll enjoy ballet, opera or theatre depending on what's playing. 

Before we take our seats, we'll have a quick bite locally at Million – Tapas, and a cocktail won't be too heavy before the show.   

Today, we are headed out of town to the Estancia El Ombú de Areco to learn all about the gaucho culture. We’ll stop en route for a coffee or maté as the drive is one and a half hours long. Bring your swimsuit. You'll have a chance to take a dip in the pool this afternoon. At the estancia (Argentine ranch), we’ll take a horse-drawn carriage ride to explore the vast property, learn about the crops and animals they raise, and enjoy an authentic asado (South American BBQ). Enjoy the music, dancing, and time to relax. 

Learning about the gaucho lifestyle is essential for understanding Argentina. The tradition reflects the country’s rich history and national identity, rooted in the skills of horsemanship, livestock management, and the spirit of freedom associated with the gaucho, these iconic cowboys of the Pampas.

You’ll likely be full of all the savory and sweet treats you’ve enjoyed today, so have dinner or a snack alone or with friends tonight. 

After checking out of the hotel, we’ll meet the driver in the lobby for a transfer to BA’s domestic airport in time for the 9 am flight* to Mendoza.

We’ll arrive in Mendoza by 11 am and head out for a visit and tasting at Viña Cobos, approximately a 45-minute drive. Paul Hobbs, the legendary winemaker from California named by Forbes as the “Steve Jobs of Wine,” launched this winery in the late 1990s. A tour and tasting here is the start of discovering all that Mendoza wine country offers.

Next, we’ll drive 15 minutes around the bend to the historic Bodegas Lagarde winery, which began just over 100 years before Cobos and is now run by two young sisters. Here, we’ll take our time over lunch and a tasting. The winery produces many award-winning wines, from the quintessential malbecs to cabernet sauvignons and even sparkling wines.

After a big day, we’ll check into the boutique hotel Lares de Chacras with time to relax before savoring a light dinner on the premises.

*The schedule may change based on flight times that have not yet been released for next October. 

Another Day, Another Winery – Life is Good! 

After breakfast, we are headed to Bodegas Andeluna for a cooking class – and a wine tasting (of course!) at this family-run winery. As well as Cabernet France and Malbecs, here you can sample a rosé, a white Semillon, a Chardonnay, and a Sauvignon Blanc – all made with organically grown grapes alongside the six-course lunch we have helped create.

After a day of learning and tasting, we’ll return to the hotel. Enjoy time at the pool, hop into the jacuzzi, read a book, or enjoy a massage*.

After a relaxing afternoon, we’ll take a petite tour of Chacras de Coria, the small town where we are staying. We’ll stop at the town square, a beautiful church, an art bookstore, and various other charming shops before ending at Zappa for a light farm-to-table meal of local Mendoza-produced food.

*Massage at own cost 

Today, we’ll start our morning at Susana Balbo’s place. She was the first female winemaker in Mendoza. We have a treat for you. You can make your own wine blend as part of Balbo’s wine blending experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will help you to appreciate the wine-making process. 

Next, we’ll head over to Chandon, owned by LVMH, the sparkling wine pioneer in the region, opening the cellar in 1959 and winning best sparkling in 2023. Why? Well, because their chief winemaker is female - Paula Bartolucci – of course! We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds before our tour and tasting. 

After rest and a refresh at the hotel - we’ve reserved one of the world’s top 50 restaurants for our farewell dinner. Casa Vigil, a recent Michelin Star winner, is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The restaurant inside the winery invites us to experience gastronomy, nature, art, and literature fused into an otherworldly experience. Tonight, over wine and cultural appreciation, we’ll toast to the delightful days we’ve enjoyed together and the friendships we’ve made.

After breakfast, we’ll check out and head to the airport around midday for our extension trip to Chile. This flight is not included in the cost because some ladies will fly on to Santiago, Chile. Others may want to depart via Santiago for home as it’s quicker. You can take the same flight as those on the extension, which leaves at 12:50 pm and costs under $100. Still others may want to return to BA to fly home on a mid-day flight. We can offer advice. 

We’ll part ways with cherished memories and new friendships to last a lifetime. For those continuing on the extension to Chile, see you in Santiago! 

Note: If you elect to go back via BA, please know that there are two airports in Buenos Aires, and as you return to the domestic, you’ll have to take a 1-hour taxi ride to the international airport. Another reason why booking a one-way flight to Buenos Aires and returning home via Santiago, Chile, is preferable. 

We’ll arrive at the Santiago airport at 1:45 pm. If you are joining us for the extension, lunch is not included. We suggest you pick up something to eat at the airport in Mendoza (several restaurants and cafes) or ask the hotel for a boxed lunch.

We’ll drop our bags at the 5-star Hotel Magnolia before touring the Lastarria neighborhood, a hip area full of restaurants, shops, and street vendors. After looking around, we’ll stop in for tea and a sweet bite at the Wonderland Café, where you’ll feel like you wandered down the rabbit hole. Stop at Alice’s Corner and explore the vintage finds. If time allows, you can stop by the Bellas Artes museum on your own time as it’s close to our hotel.

This evening, we’ll walk around the corner to wine bar Bocanariz, situated in an old, restored house, for our fill of small bites paired with Chilean wine. This is an opportunity to taste the unique qualities of the wine produced in both great South American countries, Chile and Argentina.

Today, we’ll rise early and depart for Valparaiso, the tremendous seaside city and former home to Nobel prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. We’ll wander the colorful Valparaiso neighborhood of Cerro Alegre, up in the hills, making many a stop in unique artistic shops, coffee places, and streetside to view the plethora of street art. This may be the world’s largest, most impressive example of street art. You won’t want to leave this Bohemian-rich neighborhood. 

Lunch comes with a view at Mar Alegre. Next, we’ll venture up to see a stunning view via the historic funicular. 

Finally, slightly out of town, we’ll find Isla Negra and Pablo Neruda’s seaside home made famous by its representation in the film Il Postino. The small compound where the poet spent his best hours writing and entertaining is a receptacle for his prodigious art collections from around the world. He collected everything from found objects to discarded boats, antiques, and vintage items. The seaside location is breathtaking, as is the view - you’ll feel his spirit come alive here.

Our final stop is at Vina Casa Marin, a boutique winery begun by Chile’s first female winemaker, María Luz Marín. The setting and the wine are sublime.

A relaxed meal on the rooftop back at our hotel is just what you’ll want tonight, coupled with a pisco sour, Peru’s and Chile’s favorite cocktail.  

As most flights back to the US and Canada depart late in the evening, we’ll have almost a full day to tour Santiago. Our guide will take us on an exploration of the city center, including the Plaza des Armes, Constitution Square, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, telling stories along the way. Next, we’ll stop at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. It covers the entire span of indigenous history throughout the Latin American world and is undoubtedly one of the world’s most impressive collections.

We’ll end our tour today at the art-forward market, Persa Victor Manuel, where we’ll enjoy a bite to eat. Then, we’ll visit the art galleries and flea market stalls that carpet this former shoe and leather factory. Before heading to the airport, we’ll enjoy the best town view at the Sky Costanera Center, the highest building in South America.

Your guide and driver will take the group to the airport around 7 pm for your return flight home.