Sol y Mar (Sun and Sea)

Includes: Lodging 5 nights at Bed and Breakfast in Valdense 2 nights hotel in balneario (resort village) 2 nights hotel in Montevideo Land transportation Breakfast every day 10 Meals (lunch/dinner) Tour of Montevideo, including all entrance fees Tour of Colonia del Sacramento Tour of the "Colonias" villages Visit to balneario (ocean resort)

Sample Itinerary

The itinerary outlined is only a sample. We many change the order of events or revise activities based on the interests of participants, weather, or if we believe that it would be advisable for any reason.

Visit charming colonial country towns and enjoy a variety of activities. Enjoy typical home cooked meals at the Alloutte Bed and Breakfast.

Depending on the preferences of the group, activities may include:

• Visit Colonial Valdense, which was founded in 1957 by Pedro Valdes after leaving Europe after years of religious persecution. Visit the Valdense Museum to learn more about the fascinating history of this community.
• Tour Colonia Suiza, which was founded in 1862 by Swiss settlers and became Uruguay’s first interior agricultural colony. It still retains a distinctive European ambiance today. Optional: enjoy Swiss fondue at a fine dining Chalet Swiss restaurant in the evening.
• Ride in an old 1940’s Ford to see the sites reminiscent of yesteryear: plazas, cemeteries, impressive country cathedrals, the convent, etc.
• Have afternoon tea with the residents of the Hogar de Ancianos or the Hogar Sarandi, which are indicative of the values of the Uruguayan people of this region.
• Visit the Puento Negro, a historic wooden bridge known for granting a long and happy life together to those that seal their love with a kiss while standing on the "bridge of love".
• View the the beauty of the Uruguayan vegetation while enjoying a relaxing river boat tour along the Cordoba River
• Go for a canoe trip from the Club Nautico (Nautical Club) on the Cordoba River followed by a swim in the gentle river with the locals
• Go to the coast to enjoy the gentle waves and the golden beach along the Rio de la Plata – watch the sun set over the water in the evening.
• Visit local queseria, a farm where cheese is made, a specialty of the region (try samples!)
• Visit dulce de leche factory and enjoy authentic dulce de leche (caramel), a local specialty that has been only recently made popular in the United States by Haagen Daz.

• Enjoy a typical countryside asado (barbeque) - meat slowly grilled on the parrilla (iron grill) over wooden ashes. Try Uruguayan wine with this meal!

Visit the beaches along the Rio de la Plata for swimming, taking walks along the coast, playing soccer or volleyball on the beach, or just relaxing in the sun.

Colonia Del Sacramento (1 day)

Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, this colonial town is known for its narrow cobblestone streets shaded by sycamores and colorful houses reminiscent of old Lisbon. A former fortress and contraband port, which is now protected as a historical site by UNESCO, Colonia has maintained much of its colonial architecture and streets. We will take a walk down the "Rambla de los Argentinos" in the old Barrio Historico (Historic Neighborhood) and have lunch at a typical restaurant.

Tour the fortress walls which remain since colonial times, the lighthouse, the Museo Municipal (Municipal Museum), the historical museums (Museo Espanol, Museo Portugues), and the oldest church in Uruguay, the Iglesia Matriz del Santisimo Sacramento, which dates from 1699. Visit the only remaining Bullfight Ring in Uruguay (bullfighting was abolished shortly after the ring was built). And take note of the daily yerba mate ritual - it's quite a spectacle to see so many people imbibing the herbal tea-like drink in the late afternoon. Shop or browse at the native "Feria de la Ciudad" where you will find wonderful Uruguayan artesania (handcrafts).

Visit the Estancia y Calera de las Huerfanas, the remains of an "estancia" or cattle-ranch where at one time, up to two thousand indians lived and worked regularly. Because of their missionary and cultural efforts, and especially for their way of organizing the work of the Indians, the Jesuits played a key role in South American history. The "Estancia de las Vacas" - as it was then called, covered about one hundred and forty thousand hectares, all property of the Jesuit community. There were many activities on the "estancia", mainly cattle-breeding, but there was also a limestone quarry, established in 1741, and later fruit trees and grapevines were first cultivated. In 1767, the Jesuits were expulsed from the American continent. Ten years later, the Sisters of Charity moved there from Buenos Aires and established a shelter for orphaned girls - thus its present name, Estancia y Calera de las Huérfanas. The Chapel, which is being restored, still stands and has been declared a Historical National Monument.

Uruguay is best known for its beaches, and is often considered the French Riviera of South America and is most well know as a favorite vacation destination by its neighboring countries and Europeans. Uruguay, one of the smallest countries in South America, sits wedged between the Atlantic coastlines of Brazil and Argentina, and has more than 200 mi/320 km of Atlantic beaches of its own. Uruguayans have focused their tourism efforts on establishing memorable small hotels and resorts.

We will visit the balneario "Cuchilla Alta", a small community that boasts beautiful, clean beaches with decent waves. Cuchilla Alta is a community of summer beach homes and features quaint, friendly shops (grocery, bread shop, ice cream shop, etc.) and restaurants and everything you will need within walking distance.

The capital of Uruguay is a feast for lovers of culture.
Museums, theatres, exhibitions, shows, popular feasts... there are activities all year round.  The city itself is a collection of art and history.

Montevideo, is one of South America's more attractive capitals with remnants of grand colonial architecture. A mecca for students of architecture, the Uruguayan capital conserves examples from different times, styles and currents of this major art, which can be seen in very few other places. Montevideo, an open garden-city, where the scent of flowers lingers, also has many important museums. Home to more than a third of the country's 3.3 million people, it's a city of beaches, plazas, restaurants, cafes, and theatres.

As part of your guided tour of Montevideo, we will visit the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) and the newer downtown area, walk along the Rambla, the avenue running along the beach, visit the harbor to see ships coming in and enjoy a beautiful sunset from the pier. In the afternoon, relax and enjoy pastries and coffee for merienda at one of the many pleasant cafés. In the evening, the city abounds with good restaurants, bars and discos; places for listening to all kinds of music, from tango to candombe, from salsa to rock... There is also good theatre in Montevideo.

Based on the interests of the groups, we will visit some of the following places:

• The 11th-story terrace of the Palacio Municipal, located on the main street to enjoy the view of the entire city.
• The old Spanish fort
• The rose garden (more than 850 varieties) in El Prado Park
• La Carreta, a covered-wagon monument dedicated to its early pioneers
• Palacio Taranco (18th-century European-style mansion)
• Casa Garibaldi (once the home of Italian freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi)
• Solis Theater
• The pleasant outdoor cafes in Plaza Entrevero and/or Plaza Constitucion
• Plaza Independencia
• Museo Torres Garcia, to see works by Uruguayan artist Joaquin Torres Garcia, a pioneer of modern art and Constructivism. Visit the permanent collection of "Men, Heroes and Monsters"
• National Museum of Fine Arts
• Museum of Natural History
• the Legislative Palace, with its impressive mosaic floors and stained-glass windows
• The El Museo del Gaucho, which houses an impressive display of artifacts from Uruguay’s gaucho (cowboy) past
• The impressive Banco de la Republica building, to visit El Museo de la Moneda (the Money Museum)
• Montevideo’s interesting outdoor markets, including an artisan market.
• Mercado del Puerto (Port Market) in the Ciudad Vieja (Old City). Inside this ornate building (it was once a train station), market stalls have been converted into parrillas (grills) and a few bars.
• Centenario Stadium, home of the 1st World Cup in 1930, that has been declared World Football (Soccer) Monument by the F.I.F.A.
  

Enjoy the morning on the beach. After lunch, transfer to hotel in Montevideo. Tour downtown Montevideo in the afternoon.

Day 9

Tour of Montevideo. Highlights include: the "old city", Independence and Constitution Squares, the Artigas monument, the rose garden of El Prado, and the famous La Carreta (covered wagon) monument, the Museo Historico Nacional, and the Museo del Gaucho y de la Moneda which houses an impressive display of artifacts from Uruguay’s gaucho (cowboy) past.

In the afternoon you will have time to do shopping at the Mercados (markets) or Ferias (Craft Fairs). In the evening, you may wish to attend a theatre event at the famous Teatro Cirular.

Day 10

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure for last minute shopping or sight seeing. Transfer to airport.