Experience Argentina

June 22, 2016 – Buenos Aires

Airport transfer to Melia: 10:30 a.m.

2:00 p.m. City Tour with Recoleta's Cemetery (4 hours)

Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city that manifests at each step the influence of the numerous immigrant populations which helped form it. Your tour starts from what is the second and most definitive capital of the area named Plaza de Armas, in 1581 and today known as Plaza de Mayo, the historical, political and cultural center of the city. The Pyramid de Mayo, which is in the center, was the first national historical monument and was inaugurated in 1811. In its surrounding areas you can see Casa Rosada the actual seat of Executive Power (Presidential Palace), the Cabinet, and the first municipality of the city that dates back to 1754 and still maintains its colonial characteristics, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

From the Plaza, we’ll go down Avenida de Mayo, one of the most interesting urban developments of the city with its variety of architectural styles, wide avenues and spacious green areas which balance out the vertiginous rhythm of the city. A good example is Avenida 9 de Julio, with its eight lanes separated by lawns with ancient trees, and embellished by fountains and sculptures. From there you can see the symbol of the city, “The Obelisque.” We continue all the way to the neighborhood of San Telmo, one of the oldest in the city, settled at the end of the XIX century by aristocratic families. This neighborhood, in which every Sunday the antiques fair takes place around Plaza Dorrego, keeps expanding its great architectural heritage. The area is also very active at night as it is the center for most of the tango parlors, “tanguerias”, restaurants and bars.

Going further south we’ll arrive at the picturesque and colorful port neighborhood of La Boca, with its famous street “Caminito” whose buildings and customs reflect the influence of European settlers that arrived at its shores during the XIX century and left their imprint not only in the multicolor houses still being used today but also in the cuisine of the typical “cantinas,” small restaurants. Followed by this comes the modern neighborhood of Puerto Madero, with its old piers converted into offices, apartments, places for entertainment and elegant restaurants, and its view of Rio de la Plata, a residential neighborhood of Palermo with elegant mansions surrounded by spacious parks and finally arriving at La Recoleta. The cemetery of Recoleta surprises visitors with its rich architecture and with the important social and political personalities that are buried there, among whom is Eva Peron. Next to the cemetary is the church of Our Lady of Pilar, the former convent which today is part of the Cultural Center of Recoleta, the shopping area, Buenos Aires Design, and the exposition center, Palais de Glace.

Overnight: Melia

June 23, 2016 – Buenos Aires

10 a.m. Hotel Inspection of The Madero Hotel

Located in the modern waterfront district of Puerto Madero, this imposing art deco-style hotel is also a 14-minute walk from the Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires. Sleek rooms, many with balconies, have flat-screen TVs, WiFi access and minibars. Upgraded rooms and suites, some with hot tubs and private terraces, add sitting areas and access to the club lounge.

Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.

7:00 p.m. – PowerSolutions Argentina

This evening, join us as we bring Argentina’s top suppliers together in an intimate environment so you can spend some quality time with them, get to know their offerings and establish real relationships to help your travel business grow in South America.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Melia

June 24, 2016 – Buenos Aires

Get ready for an amazing day!

9:00 a.m. – Fiesta Gaucha at La Estancia Santa Susana (8 hours)

Spend the day in the country at Estancia Santa Susana. The estancia, owned by the Rossiter family since 1860, extends to 1200 hectares dedicated principally to agriculture, and to a lesser extent to cattle raising and horse breeding. Some years ago, the estancia began to receive visitors, adapting its buildings for them. It consists of a main house and a series of sheds that function as dining room, pub and grill. The tour begins in the pub where the visitor can enjoy meat empanadas and wine. Later, pass the dining room to taste authentic barbecue (roast beef, chicken, salads, dessert and coffee.)

Following lunch, a spectacle of dance and musical folklore is presented, a tango demonstration, and afterwards an exhibition of roping and rings games where gauchos display their horsemanship abilities. For those who want to participate more actively, the estancia has horse and carriages for freely enjoying the countryside. Toward the end of the afternoon, a light meal is served that consists of meat and sweet casseroles. After the meal, begin the return toward the city of Buenos Aires to arrive at the hotel.

9 p.m. - Midnight – Dinner and Tango Show at "El Querandi"

The tango is the outstanding music of Buenos Aires. It originated in the 1880 ghettos which were populated by Italian and Spanish immigrants, Africans and gauchos. From this intersection rose the “Compadritos” whose songs, lyrics, and dances reflect “el duelo de cuchilleros, ” or knife fights characteristic of the social ambience. The tango rose from a mix of Cuban and Spanish rhythms, some polka, and according to some, also a bit of African music. Its lyrics, difficult to understand and impossible to translate, are profoundly poetic. Each song has a story to tell about the city, its history and its people. In spite of its humble origins in the ghettos and brothels, in the 1920’s, the tango rose to the salons of the upper classes. In 1920, this old colonial house was converted into the traditional bar, ”El Querandi,” with its Art Deco facade, its boisserie of dark wood and its salmon colored columns. In 1980 it was at the point of being demolished but was destined to have a more promising future: today, this symbolic corner of Buenos Aires has been converted into one of those magical areas of the city where the spirit of the past returns and exists for its inhabitants and those who visit. It’s the ideal place to enjoy an excellent dinner and a very traditional show. And strange as it seems, it’s not considered to be only for tourists and is exactly what the visitor will find at “El Querandi” bar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Melia

June 25, 2016 – Transfer from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls

Domestic airfare is not included in the cost of this itinerary but will be purchased together as a group once participants are finalized. Estimated cost is $175 per person.

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Panoramic Iguazu

June 26, 2016 – Iguazu Falls

Excursion to the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls

Depart from the hotel to visit the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls, located within the Iguazu National Park. With an extension of 67,000 hectares it was one of the first protected areas in the Americas and in 1984 was declared a Natural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. The Falls comprise 275 waterfalls with an average height of seventy meters.

During your visit to this part of sub-tropical jungle it is possible to observe a great variety of ferns, orchids, begonias, birds and butterflies; as well as a diversity of species native to the park. After entering the park through the access gate continue to the “Central Station” where you can choose to take the train to “Falls Station” or to “Devil’s Throat Station”.

From this point you can take several different excursions:

Paseo Superior an 800-meter walk on elevated footbridges that allow an unobstructed passage of the fauna. During the walk, you’ll observe the waterfalls from the upper part of the Two Sisters, Bosetti, Bernabé Méndez, M´Bigua Falls, among others. The one-hour walk has a low level of difficulty without stairs to climb.

Paseo Inferior a 1,600 meters walk on elevated footbridges, where you can see the Two Sisters, Alvar Nuñez, San Martín, and Bosetti falls and the Rock de la Bella Vista. Also get a panoramic view of Devil’s Throat and the Iguazú River’s Lower Canyon. The two-hour excursion has a moderate level of difficulty, which includes climbing stairs. This circuit (on private services) offers the option to visit San Martín Island and take “La Gran Aventura” excursion.

Devil’s Throat: depart by train from the “Falls Station” for an 18-minute ride to “Devil’s Throat Station". The walk along the footbridges has an extension of about 1,200 meters up to the main overlook, where you enjoy the sight of the most spectacular and remarkable waterfall: the “Devil’s Throat.” The two-hour excursion has a low level of difficulty without stairs to climb. Return by train back to the Visitors Center.

After the tour return to the hotel. Lunch is not included but available for purchase at the park. Entrance Fee Not Included

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Panorama Iguazu

June 27, 2016 – Iguazu Falls to Buenos Aires

Hotel site inspection at the Grand Iguazu Hotel

The Iguazu Grand is the only full-service resort and casino on either side of the Falls. The hotel is located just ten minutes away from the Iguazu Falls National Park, which straddles the borders of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.

The hotel sits on fifteen acres of semitropical vegetation with three multilevel outdoor swimming pools and beautifully man-made cascades.

Stop is Puerto Iguaza

Airport transfer for departure to Buenos Aires

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Melia, Buenos Aires

June 28, 2016– Buenos Aires

10 a.m. Cruise the Rio de la Plata

Navigate the Rio de la Plata and get the best panoramic views of the City of Buenos Aires! This tour departs from Puerto Madero neighborhood and combines the views of green areas such as the Ecological Reserve and the skyscrapers while sailing the Rio de la Plata. Duration of this tour: 45 minutes.

11 a.m. Hotel Tour – Faena Hotel

This ritzy hotel in a converted warehouse in posh Puerto Madero features a Philippe Starck-designed interior. It's an 8-minute walk from both the Rio de la Plata and the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur.

Elegant rooms and suites feature personal concierge service, leather furnishings and marble bathrooms, plus flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. Some add chandeliers, theater systems and whirlpool tubs, and many have river, park or skyline views.

There's a sleek bistro, a library bar and a cabaret venue with tango shows. Other amenities include an outdoor pool with a bar, a spa with a hammam, an elegant ballroom and an attached arts center.

7 p.m. Wine Tasting with Dinner at Mi Coleccion de Vinos

Celebrate your last day in Buenos Aires with a fantastic wine tasting and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Hotel: Melia

June 29, 2016 – Buenos Aires to the US

Airport transfers