Colonia

Ultimate Uruguay The Best of Uruguay 14 Days

Jose Ignacio

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Saturday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Saturday - Arrive Montevideo
Meeting upon arrival Montevideo and transfer to your hotel, the lovely Belmont House for a three night stay.

Sunday - Montevideo
Morning tour of Uruguay´s capital city includes Independece Square, 18 de Julio Main Av,   Legislative Palace, a 1920´s lavish piece of architecture. The city features an incredible contrast between the old well-preserved buildings, with European atmosphere and the modern ones. Green parks, wide avenues, residential areas, modern shopping centers and sport clubs are of high standards and easily available. Visit lovely parks, monuments and residential areas, along the famed riverfront beaches of Montevideo. Stop at the Port Market, the most typical place in the city to enjoy an excellent barbecue for lunch ( cost of lunch not included ). In the afternoon explore the quaint charm of the Old Town, walking along its narrow streets and admiring the development of architecture and arts in the 19th and 20th centuries. Museo de Artes Decorativas, Taranco Palace or alternative museum. Plaza Zabala, the Cabildo (former Town Hall from 1804) and  Cathedral(1790-Spanish Neoclassical), Solis Theatre (1842) recently restored to its old glitter, this impressive building is today the centre of Montevideo’s artistic  activities. (B)

Monday - Montevideo
Full day tour to the Winery Bouza, located in the source of the Melilla Stream, at only 15 km from Montevideo.  The winery is surrounded by vines and native woods. Bouza Winery was built using the basic structure of an old winery functioning in the area since 1942. It was restored maintaining the original idea. Wine varieties : Albariño (white wine), Chardonnay, Merlot, Tannat-Merlot, etc..  Visit  the vineyards and its installations, in addition to enjoying the wide diversification of fauna and flora and a collection of antique cars like a Ford T 1926. Ford A, Citroen 1950, 1980, Alfa Romeo Spider 1960, or 1926 train wagons among others. Enjoy a visit to the cave for a wine tasting of the different varieties and lunch, with afternoon return back to your hotel. (B/L)

Tuesday - Montevideo - Punta del Este
Morning drive to Punta del Este, 130 km east of Montevideo, on the Atlantic Ocean with long strings of beaches and crystalline sea. Famous all around the world as the meeting place for the jet set and incomparable nightlife during the summer season, it is sophistication, fashion, superb parties given by magnates, casinos, exquisite restaurants, mega-shows, dozens of pubs and discos and a varied cultural life and sports clubs and facilities (golf courses, polo courses, and all water sports).  Its unique mix of fabulous architecture and nature, sea and woods, culture and sports, makes it different from other world centers of tourist attraction. In a nutshell, Punta del Este looks just like Punta del Este. Stop at Casapueblo, atelier of internationally renowned artist, Carlos Paez Vilaró, for a visit to the atelier and an educational video on his very colorful life. Then continue on to your hotel, the Hotel-Art Las Cumbres for a two night stay. Afternoon at lesiure to enjoy the facilities of your hotel. (B)

Wednesday - Punta del Este
Today you will spend the day exploring Punta del Este including scenic drive through its most fashionable and impressive neighborhoods: residential areas of Cantegril, San Rafael, Parque Golf and La Barra de Maldonado, known for its unique hanging bridges. Continue along the wide variety of fine sandy beaches such as Playa Brava, San Rafael, El Emir, to downtown area, main Avenue ( Avenida Gorlero ) and the port. Lunch willl be served at Lo de Tere  Restaurant, with some free time afterwards for shopping or exploring on your own. Then continue to La Pataia for afternoon tea and crepes. (B/L)
            NOTE: Between December and April, a stop will be made at the Ralli Museum of Contemporary Art with its fine collection of paintings and sculptures by noted Latin American artists,
            and several pieces by Salvador Dali on permanent display. The attractive modern building is located in the Beverly Hills district.  The museum is closed from April to December,
            and also Mondays during high season.

Thursday - Punta del Este - Pueblo Garzon
Morning drive to Jose Ignacio Village, located 42 km East of Punta del Este. It used to be a quiet and small town of picturesque local people, fishermen and divers, cut off from civilization by two wonderful lagoons without a bridge, supplied with rain water and by water carrier pushed by horse, lighted by lanterns and Aladdin lamps, besides its emblematic lighthouse. Today it has been discovered and has become the meeeting point for regional jetsetters, stars, models and millionaires looking for a quiet and isolated vacation.  Jose Ignacio has worked hard to keep the harmony of this privileged spot by nature and preserving the beaches, rocks, dunes, lagoons, the forest. At the entrance to the village there is a big sign indicating Max Speed 35 Km “Here, only the wind runs”. The famous Argentine chef Francis Mallman has the Los Negros  restaurant at the edge of the beach and reservations have been made for lunch (cost of lunch not included to give you complete freedom of choice). You'll have time to enjoy the beach, explore and have lunch before continuing on to Pueblo Garzon, a scenic drive of about an hour. This small village, founded in 1892 and today home to about 600 people devoted to rural work, is centered around the symmetrical square designed with old palm trees which frame the chapel and social club. On one side of the square is Garzon Hotel & Restaurant and your overnight accommodations. (B)

Friday - Pueblo Garzon - Estancia San Pedro de Timote, Florida
Morning departure for a scenic three hour journey through the countryside to San Pedro de Timote, one of the first and most important “estancias” in Uruguay founded in 1854 by Pedro Jose Jackson, for a two night stay.The great Spanish colonial main homestead was declared National Historical Monument in 1997. You can still appreciate details that remind us of the history of the place such as the Church and the wonderful Patio decorated with Spanish majolica. This Handsome Period House has been totally refurbished to reflect the most elegant Colonial Era in the country. The cuisine is a delightful symphony of flavors, aromas, and colors that emphasize the local dishes of the traditional Uruguayan cuisine During your stay enjoy all meals and the facilities and activities as offered by the estancia, including 2 Swimming pools, Closed Heated Swimming Pool with Jacuzzi, ping-pong, tennis court, basketball and professional fronton, mountain bike, horse rides, strolls in carts, walking tours around the area, “Photographic Safaris”. (B/L/D)

Saturday - Estancia San Pedro de Timote
A day at leisure to relax, enjoy the estancia's facilities and activities. (B/L/D)

Sunday - Estancia San Pedro de Timote - Colonia
This morning enjoy another scenic drive through the lush greencountryside to the small, charming town of Colonia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Accommodations at Hotel Plaza Mayor, in the heart of the historic district. (B)

Monday - Colonia - Carmelo
This morning visit this small city founded by the portuguese in 1680, at a time when Spain and Portugal were in the midst of confrontations. For over a hundred years both Empires fought over it, until finally the Treaty of Saint Ildefonso awarded it to Spain. Today the Old City has a lot to say about its Colonial past. Visit the picturesque streets of Colonia del Sacramento, the eldest city in the country, recently declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The streets of Santa Rita, San Gabriel, the Matriz  Church, San Pedro road, the Bastion del Carmen, the famous “ Calle de los Suspiros “ (Street of Sighs)  used so often as a scenary for historical films, Puerta del Campo, Plaza Mayor 25 de Mayo. The past can still be felt, in the city’s cobblestone streets and stone walls. Colonia complements its archaeological values with natural beauty, the permanent company of the Uruguay River and the emblematic monuments that stand out on the horizon, such as the cathedral and the lighthouse, and very nearby, the Real de San Carlos bullring. Time to explore the historic district and have lunch (cost not included) before afternoon transfer to Carmelo, a drive of 100 km, taking about 1 hour. Here you will spend 4 nights at the Four Seasons Carmelo, with accommodations in a Riverview Bungalow . (B)

Tuesday - Carmelo
At leisure to enjoy as you wish.

Wednesday - Carmelo
Another day to enjoy this fabulous resort.

Thursday - Carmelo
One more day to relax and unwind. 

Friday - Depart Carmelo
Today there are a variety of options for departure, such as small plane service to Buenos Aires to connect to international flights, overland transfer to Colonia and hydrofoil service to Buenos Aires or overland transfer to Montevideo's international airport, a drive of three hours.

RATES and DETAILS: