ARGENTINA: WINERIES TO PATAGONIAHOSTED BY MERIT TRAVEL EXPERT COURTNEY KUHN

$2,399* p.p.

12 days Departs May 5, 2015

Discover Argentinean culture and beautiful Andean landscapes on this 12-day trip. Wander through both traditional and modern neighbourhoods in the cosmopolitan capital city of Buenos Aires. Delight yourself with a delicious dinner at a famous Tango show. Transfer to Mendoza and go on a Winery Tour through endless vineyards, where you will learn about winemaking. Then, leave for your Aconcagua Valley day trip during which you can admire superb mountain sceneries filled with a variety of colours, and visit historic villages. Take a night bus to the alpine town of Bariloche, surrounded by stunning mountains and clear lakes. Two day trips are organised to get a taste of Patagonian landscape, viewing magnificent lakes, waterfalls, unique glaciers and forests.

*US$ pp dbl occ. Land only. Single supplement is based on availability, contact us for information. ON-4499356/4499372 | BC-34799 | QC-7002238 | Canadian owned

• 11 nights’ accommodation in 3-star hotels• eleven breakfasts and three dinners• bus station transfers• all tours/activities as per itinerary• English speaking guide during tours• transportation between cities & during tours

INCLUDES:

Merit Travel Halifax | 5552 Kaye Street | 902.482.8000 ext.2306 | CKuhn@MeritTravel.com | MeritTravel.com

COURTNEY KUHNCourtney is currently based in Halifax, but is originally from rural Nova Scotia. She believes that discovering a destination is the best education. She has a passion for nature, cuisine, wine and architecture and loves to search for these while travelling. Courtney is looking forward to touring different wineries and tasting what each new region has to offer. Join her on this amazing journey next spring 2015.

Day 1 | May 5, 2015 BUENOS AIRES

Arrive in Buenos Aires and catch one of the regular transfers from Ezeiza International Airport with the Hotel Shuttle, then check into your hotel. As travellers will be arriving at various times, there are no planned activities. Your day is at leisure.

Day 2 | May 6, 2015BUENOS AIRES (B)

9:00 a.m. city tour: Discover the beauty of Buenos Aires, admire the National Congress and the Metropolitan Cathedral next to the Government House in May Square area. Visit the Colon Theater, one of the most important opera houses in Latin America and San Telmo. Enjoy Palermo, an area that combines its architecture and history with entertainment in its green spaces.

Free afternoon.

Day 3 | May 7, 2015 BUENOS AIRES (B, D)

Free day. In the evening (8:00 p.m.), Tango Show with dinner in La Ventana, in the very heart of San Telmo neighbourhood. The show consists of several parts in which you can appreciate two tango orchestras, a folkloric group, dancers and singers.

Day 4 | May 8, 2015BUENOS AIRES – MENDOZA (B, D)

Check out at 11:00 a.m. In the evening you will depart to Mendoza by night bus.

Day 5 | May 9, 2015MENDOZA (B)

Arrive in Mendoza. Transfer to your hotel and check in. This afternoon take part in a half day winery tour. This tour runs among vineyards in the areas of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu. You will visit two wineries, one with traditional organic methods and the other that uses the latest technology.

Day 6 | May 10, 2015 MENDOZA (B)

At 7:00 a.m. depart to Aconcagua Valley (Alta Montaña): The tour offers a variety of colours and sceneries. Early in the morning, get a view of the majestic mountain range called Cordon del Plata and the Potrerillos dam. Your next visit will be Uspallata, pre-Hispanic settlement of Huarpes indians and the southern last point of the Inca Empire.

You will visit the villages of Picheuta, Polvareda, Punta de Vacas and Los Penitentes ski resort. You will have free time to jump on a chair lift to enjoy beautiful panoramic views. Finally, reach your last destination, Las Cuevas.

Day 7 | May 11, 2015MENDOZA (B, D)

Today you have the choice between two activities: a full day winery tour of one of the many wineries in Mendoza, or you can chose to take a half day winery bike tour.

Day 8 | May 12, 2015 MENDOZA – BARILOCHE (B)

Check out at 11:00 a.m. In the evening you will transfer to the bus station to take the night bus to Bariloche.

Day 9 | May 13, 2015BARILOCHE (B)

Arrive in Bariloche in the evening. Take a transfer to your accommodation and check in.

Day 10 | May 14, 2015 BARILOCHE (B)

Today is a Mount Campanario and Circuito Chico half-day excursion. Start in Bariloche along Bustillo Avenue with an amazing view of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Later, you will arrive at the bottom of Mt. Campanario. There is a chairlift to get to the 1500mts of the hill, with a terrace at the top where you can admire one of the most complete views of northern Patagonia. You will then reach Villa Llao Llao, the site of the San Eduardo Chapel, and the famous Panoramic Point, where you can appreciate the landscape of Lake Moreno and Llao Llao Peninsula.

Day 11 | May 15, 2015 BARILOCHE (B)

Today you have the option between two excursions:

• Tronador Multitrek Excursion:Starts from Bariloche around 9:00 a.m. Heading south along route 40 through lakes Gutierrez and Mascardi to the southern part of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. First stop is Laguna Los Moscos for some hiking. You will reach Lake Los Moscos, then continue your route with mini bus for the second hike to Caesars waterfall. We will continue along to Mount Tronador with glaciers descending down its slopes. We stop at Pampa Linda for lunch (not included) and then continue to the only Black Glacier in Patagonia. Return to Bariloche at 7:30 p.m.

• Isla Victoria and Arrayanes Forest Boat Excursion:This is a traditional excursion of Nahuel Huapi National Park. You will sail from Puerto Pañuelo to Quetrihue Peninsula, where you will view the magnificence of the only Arrayanes forest in the world. Then go sailing to Victoria Island on a 40 min. trip, and arrive at Puerto Anchorena. Visit Playa del Toro, a volcanic sand beach.

Day 12 | May 16, 2015 BARILOCHE (B)

Check out. Airport or Bus Station drop-off.