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Chile |
Day 1 – Departure from the UK. Day 3 - After breakfast, transfer to San Fernando - 140 km / 87 miles south of Santiago. Board the wine train ‘Tren del Vino.’ It was built in the last century, an old steam engine which was one of the last models constructed in Chile in 1913. The Wine Train will travels through the vineyards of Colchagua Valley. On board, enjoy a wine tasting with great colchaguino appetizers, accompanied by Chilean folklore and popular songs. After 90 minutes, arrive at the railway station in Santa Cruz. Visit a vineyard of the Colchagua Valley and wine tasting with opportunity to savour excellent Chilean wines. Information about the cultivation, production and art of tasting. Afterwards, lunch at the beautiful colonial style hotel at which you will also stay for two nights. Later, visit the museum Museo de Colchagua located in front of the hotel. It is in an old colonial building and one of South Americas biggest private museums. The exhibition is largely of pre- Columbian art of Chile, Peru and Colombia as well as archaeological collections. Overnight at the hotel.(B,L) Day 4 - Enjoy the famous Colchagua Valley, home to Chile's new boutique wineries. Colchagua combines the best of country traditions, hospitality and modern winery, setting new standards in wine production as well as an example in local development and integration through cooperation at all levels. Today visit three different and unique vineyards. The fertile soils make it possible to produce red wine varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chile's emblematic Carmenère. Lunch will be served at a pleasant restaurant in the valley. Return to hotel for overnight. (B,L) Day 5 - Transfer from Santa Cruz to Talca in the Maule Wine Valley, the wine growing region with the largest extension of vineyards totaling over 46,000 ha / 113.670 acres under cultivation. Most vineyards here produce red wines like Carménère, Malbec, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Spend two nights in a small and exclusive boutique-style vineyard hotel near the city of Talca. Enjoy the winery, its excellent wines and food. (B) Day 6 - Explore the wine route and visit two distinguished vineyards. All vineyards are experts in the art of producing finest wine and have a long wine-making tradition dating back to the times of the Spanish colonization. Lunch will be served at the Villa Cultural Huiquilemo, at 10 km / 6 mi from Talca. Its building dates back to 1850 and was declared a National Monument in 1986. In this museum you can see paintings and objects of religious art and typical regional handcrafts. The beautiful building is exemplary for the colonial style of architecture. Return to hotel for overnight. (B,L) Day 7 - Transfer back to your hotel in Santiago Airport for a further two nights stay. (B) Day 9 - Early departure for a full-day excursion to the Pacific coast, passing through the fertile Curacavi and Casablanca valleys. Arrival in the picturesque and important port of Valparaiso, known as ‘Valpo’, with its winding streets and houses built perilously on the steep hills. Further along the coast is the international resort of Vina del Mar, renowned for its fine climate, casino and immaculately kept public gardens. The tour continues along the attractive coastal road via Renaca, Cochoa and Con Con before heading back to Santiago in the late afternoon. (B) Day 11- Arrival in the UK Includes: International flights in economy class with pre-payable departure taxes, 9 nights accommodation with breakfast, meals as stated, transfers and guided tours on a shared basis (except day 9 where private). English-speaking guide B = Breakfast |
