Special 7: Samba, Falls & Tango

• Pickup at the airport and transfer to your comfortable Rio hotel. See our wonderful selection of recommended Rio de Janeiro Hotels.

• You will ride along the famous beaches of Rio to the Sugarloaf cable car. Ride first to the “Morro da Urca” mountain at 270 meters (886 feet) above sea level and then continue to the top of the Sugarloaf Mountain, 395 meters above sea level. After Sugarloaf, you will continue on with a city tour during which you will visit the cathedral, the Samba Stadium (Sambodromo), the historical center of Rio, and the Maracana football stadium.
• After a delicious lunch, you will ascend the 2,460ft mountain peak of Corcovado (Hunchback), famous for the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and Rio's most famous landmark. A train ride through the forest will lead you to the top of the Corcovado Mountain.
• After descending by train, the tour continues through the "Rebouzas" to Barra da Tijuca, Rio’s most recently developed beach area. The tour returns via the beaches of Sao Conrado, Vidigal, Leblon and Ipanema to Copacabana.
• See our Rio de Janeiro Guide that includes recommended Rio Restaurants, for more information about this Brazilian gem.

• Transfer to the airport in Rio.
• Pickup at the Iguazu airport and transfer to your comfortable hotel.

• Today you will tour of the Argentine side of the Iguazu Falls, including an ecological train ride to the Devil's Throat. During this tour to the Argentinean National Park, you will pass the Iguazu River. Trails through the 55.500 hectare reserve provide a different, complete view of the falls, especially the biggest one, the Devil's Throat. Lower and upper walkways permit a closer look at the spectacular waterfalls.

• Transfer to the airport in Iguazu.
• Pickup at the airport and transfer to your comfortable Buenos Aires hotel. Learn more about the delightful Buenos Aires hotels we recommend.

• The Buenos Aires City tour is recommended to every traveler arriving in Buenos Aires to get an initial idea of the highlights of the city. You will first pass by the impressive National Congress (The Parliament), the civic center including the Plaza de Mayo (May Square) surrounded by the Government House (Casa Rosada), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (City Hall during the Spanish colonial period). Along 9th of July Avenue, you will see the famous Colon Theatre, considered one of the best Opera Houses in the world for it acoustic properties which makes it the cultural pride of the city.
• You will then head to the traditional San Telmo neighborhood in which you will be taken back in history (on Sunday visits there’s some free time to visit the Flea Market). South, it is one of the oldest neighborhoods, La Boca, settlement for the first Italian immigrants, where you will have time to enjoy the colorful particular architecture. The tour will continue through Puerto Madero and Retiro on the way to Palermo, the largest residential area of the city where you will find the enjoyable Palermo Parks, City Zoo and Planetarium. Your last spot is the elegant Recoleta, famous for its cemetery, boutiques, gourmet restaurants and sidewalk cafes under ficus and jacaranda trees.

• You will be taken to enjoy a “porteña” musical evening in one of the most exclusive tango houses in Buenos Aires, Esquina Carlos Gardel. The place is located in Abasto, neighborhood where Carlos Gardel spent several years of his life. During dinner, the Orchestra will play the most known tango’s repertoire while several couples will amaze you dancing this sensual music style. From several tango houses, our company made its selection based on the quality of the food, atmosphere and show provided in a perfect relation with our prices. Shall you prefer any other recommended place such as Señor Tango, El Viejo Almacén, La Ventana, El Querandí among others, just let us know.

• Transfer to the airport.

Hotel prices during Reveillon (Brazil’s New Year’s Eve festivities) and Carnival increase. Please ask a Travel Advisor how prices for your Brazil Vacation may differ during this time.

• 6 nights at comfortable hotels based on US standards.
• Guided visits with English speaking tour guides.
• All transfers and entrance fees.
• All breakfasts. 4-star and up hotels offer breakfast buffets.

PLEASE NOTE:

A tourist visa is required upon entry to Brazil for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Travelers not within this group are advised to check with the Brazilian consulate where they reside for visa requirements and inquiries. For more information on obtaining a Brazil tourist visa, please visit our Latin America For Less Travel Blog.

As of 1 January 2010, an entrance fee (Reciprocity Fee) is chargeable for citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia visiting Argentina. For further details, please read this article on the Latin America For Less Travel Blog.

This tour begins with a stroll along the beautiful beaches of Rio. Afterwards, enjoy a spectacular Brazilian samba show and experience the rhythm that pulses through the veins of Brazilians. Samba, like the country where it originated, has its roots in African and European rhythms. The music and dance are now synonymous with Brazil’s world famous Carnival celebrations.

Take a beautiful trip to Petropolis climbing the "Orgaos" Mountains. Each curve will bring you different spectacular sight of lush subtropical vegetation and mountain views. In Petropolis, the famed summer resort city, you will visit the former Palace of the Emperor, Dom Pedro II, today the Imperial Museum. There you will be able to admire the beauty of the antique furniture, jewelry and tapestries of an age of splendor. After this visit, we will see the best example of Gothic Cathedral called Sao Pedro de Alcantara, built in honor of the Emperor of Brazil, where you will be able to see the tombs of the Imperial Family. Our lunch will be served at the Quitandinha Palace that was opened in 1944 to be the gambling capital of the country and had its glamour as a Hotel and Casino until 1946 when gambling was prohibited in Brazil. It is now a Convention and Tourist Center, keeping the old architecture with ballrooms, galleries, theater, convention center, balconies, etc.

This trip has been acclaimed as one of the most charming attractions in the entire Rio area. Drive by 1 1/2 hour through numerous fields, banana plantations and villages along the way to the small fishing village of Itacurussa. Embark on a "Saveiro" (schooner from the northeast of Brazil) for a leisure cruise in the calm waters of the Sepetiba Bay. Stop for swim on a deserted island, and then continue to a private island to enjoy a tantalizing buffet luncheon served in a tranquil and rustic atmosphere. After the meal, guests will be free to explore the island's charm by strolling along the beach, swimming or just working on their Rio tan. Special features can be arranged to enhance the day even more: treasure hunt, beach Olympic games, snorkeling, water skiing, etc. The return cruise to Itacurussa is refreshing and allows guests to appreciate the view of the bay and mountains at sunset.

On this tour you will visit the Iguazu National Park, covering 185.000 hectares of subtropical forest. After crossing the International Bridge “Tancredo Never” you will follow the walkways that border the canyon of the Iguazu River. It is possible to observe hundreds of small waterfalls including the last and most impressive; Floriano Falls. Here, a complete view of the four falls that belong to Brazil and view of the “Devil's Throat.”

** This tour can be booked as a private or group service. It can also be combined with the optional Macuco Safari; minimum two persons.

This dinner features a self-service buffet with a wide variety of salads, hot and cold dishes, and desserts which includes an ice cream bar. While you dine, you can enjoy a live show featuring different musicians and dancers presenting authentic folk songs and dances from Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.

This tour begins in the back of a decommissioned military vehicle which takes you down the rugged Iguazu jungle path to the docks at the river. The ‘open’ back truck allows a great vantage point to see the many parakeets, parrots, macaws, toucans, and many other birds. You can also spot lizards, monkeys and myriad of butterflies, as well as 85 species of orchids, bromeliads, and guembes that call this jungle area home. After exploring these lush forests you will arrive at the docks where you will board river boats that will take you breathtakingly close to the Iguazu falls before arriving at another dock further upstream. From here, there is an optional free trip to the nearby island of San Martin.

** This tour is not recommended for pregnant women or those who suffer from a heart condition.

The tour begins at Wanda Stone Mines located some 40 kilometers from Iguazu Misiones. Accompanied by a local guide, you will visit and view these semi-precious stone mines at ground level. These mines produce stones such as topaz, amethyst, rock crystal and agate, among others. Before you leave, you will be able to visit the shop where these stones are carved into beautiful shapes.

The tour continues as you head on Route 12, enjoying the landscape of the region and passing by quaint towns and plantations. Your destination is the San Ignacio Ruins. Constructed in the XVII century by Jesuit missionaries who settled in the region, these ruins are quite fascinating. Your guide will explain in detail the life and customs of the Guarani natives, as well as the influence the Jesuits had over them.

* This tour is only offered on Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays. Ask your travel advisor for details when planning your Buenos Aires vacation. Please note that the tour leaves in the morning.

At only 120 kilometers from the city of Buenos Aires, we invite you to experience tradition and history combined with the finest style. La Alameda offers much more than a day in the country, a special day at a peaceful place by the Chascomús lagoon. The two centuries house encloses the past, the luxurious saloon with air conditioning and heating is ready to shelter all those wishing to experience old country traditions and many recreation and entertainment activities. Arriving at La Alameda you will enjoy a different day in the country. Every detail and every proposal is thought to make you comfortable and pleasant. La Alameda fulfills the Argentine true tradition by offering the visitors a singular typical show and delicious gaucho style lunch.

Discover Tigre, just 30km from Buenos Aires, where there rests the only live delta in the world that ­ows into a river. To discover the people and the particular way they live between rivers and channels. You will be able to approach a unique ecosystem in its kind, only 30 minutes away from Buenos Aires. Before every descent, the bus turns itself into a cinema in which video clips of approximately 4 minutes are projected. You will recall with images in 3D facts that might have changed the history Argentina: today our language could be English and we would not be tango dancers. Return to the hotel.

Cross the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to Uruguay, and experience a little of the 'charrua' style of life in Colonia del Sacramento.

Colonia
9.45 am Hotel pick up. Transfer to the pier.
10.45 am Check in/immigration.
11.45 am Departure by ferry to the UNESCO Human Heritage town of Colonia del Sacramento.
12.45 am Arrival in Colonia and transfer to the restaurant, Lo de Renata, for a full Buffet Lunch. Sightseeing with a City Tour: historical neighborhoods and museum. Drive along the riverside to visit the Real de San Carlos Bullring.
7.00 pm Transfer to the pier.
8.00 pm Departure to Buenos Aires.
9.00 pm Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to hotel.

Cross the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to Uruguay, and experience a little of the 'charrua' style of life in Montevideo.

Montevideo
6.00 am Hotel pick up. Transfer to the pier.
7.00 am Check in/immigration.
8.00 am Departure by ferry to the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.
11.00 am Arrival and transfer to the historical center.
1.00 am Lunch.
2.00 pm Sightseeing with City Tour.
5.00 pm Visit de shopping center.
6.00 pm Transfer to the pier.
7:15 pm Departure to Buenos Aires.
10:15 pm Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

These four sightseeing tour routes include traditional Buenos Aires city sights as well as offbeat excursions, such as visits to traditional estancias and to the Tigre Delta. These bike tours are great alternatives to the regular sightseeing tours, allowing unique perspective into local culture, history, architecture and urban folklore, and our guides are passionate about sharing their extensive cultural knowledge of this vast city with travelers.

All guided cycling tours include bike rental, helmet and refreshments including traditional mate. All you need to bring is comfortable clothing and a thirst to explore the unknown.

The South
Discover the city’s historical, social and architectural contrasts.
Embark on a 4 hour tour of Puerto Madero, an ecological reserve, La Boca, San Telmo, Plaza de Mayo.
Includes: Bike, helmet, tour guide, mate, alfajor, bottled water, and traveler’s insurance.
Level of Difficulty: Low. This tour is easy-going and relaxing and you do not need to be in top physical shape.
Only in the event of pouring rain will biking trips be canceled or delayed.

The North
Aristocracy, greenery and Palermo Soho
Embark on a 4 hour tour of Retiro, Barrio Parque, Palermo Woods, Palermo Soho and Recoleta.
Includes: Bike, helmet, tour guide, mate, alfajor, bottled water and traveler’s insurance.
Level of Difficulty: Low. This tour is easy-going and relaxing and you do not need to be in top physical shape.
Only in the event of pouring rain will biking trips be canceled or delayed

Porteño Nightlife
Discover the many faces of the porteño nightlife.
Buenos Aires is well known for its lively nightlife and no visit to this great metropolis would be complete without a bike tour of the city at night. Experience the different atmospheres and flavors of Buenos Aires after dark on an exciting journey through the streets and green spaces of Puerto Madero, Recoleta, San Telmo and more. This bike tour is sure to bring you closer to the essence of the Buenos Aires urban experience.
Bike touring through different neighborhoods is the best way to appreciate the contrasts among different areas and local hangouts. This 3.5-4 hour nighttime excursion is a unique option here in Buenos Aires - an original urban tour with a twist that offers another point of view. You will cruise through the newest part of town, Puerto Madero, and along the boulevards to Costanera Sur, a very picturesque and beautiful spot that is somewhat concealed from other urban tour circuits. Ride through ritzy Recoleta and the classic quarter of San Telmo, once home to the affluent families of Buenos Aires, and enjoy an urban tour to remember.
Includes: Bike, helmet, tour guide, bottled water, lights and traveler's insurance.
Level of Difficulty: Low. This tour is easy-going and relaxing and you do not need to be in top physical shape.
Only in the event of pouring rain will biking trips be canceled or delayed.

Tigre full-day cycling tour
Bike Trip to northern suburbs of Buenos Aires, and Delta kayaking.
Less than an hour away from the city of Buenos Aires, Tigre and the delta of the Paraná River are a wonderful gateway into nature. This 8 hour cycling tour of the northern suburbs, arguably the nicest area of all of Buenos Aires, Tigre and the delta area offers a wide range of possibilities to combine sport and culture in a beautiful setting. The region is easily accessed by train - part of the way - and then biking across the northern suburbs until reaching Tigre and its nearby islands. Once in Tigre, you will embark on a one-and-a-half-hour kayak adventure in the azure delta waters. The town of Tigre and the islands of the Paraná River are an oasis of natural landscapes and beautiful scenery.
Includes: Bike, helmet, tour guide, kayaking, lunch, mate & alfajor, bottled water, train tickets and traveler's insurance.
Level of Difficulty: Low. This is the most “sporty” of the biking tours, but this tour is still peaceful and relaxing.
Only in the event of pouring rain will biking trips be canceled or delayed.

“Paris of South America” Walking Tour
This 2.5 hour walk, beginning at 10:00 am, focuses on the areas of Retiro and Recoleta, where Buenos Aires most clearly expresses its Parisian character, acquired in the early 20th century through its architectural styles and urban design. Plaza San Martín is one of the best examples of the belle époque, being the place where the upper class families settled and built their impressive residences at the turn of the century. We also visit other spots which evidently follow the French pattern: Alvear Avenue and Pellegrini square.

“From Aldea to Metropolis” Walking Tour
This 2.5 hour walking tour offers the chance to observe four hundred years of history in fifteen blocks. The 10:00 am starting point is Plaza de Mayo, the core around which the city developed. The walk continues along Montserrat and San Telmo; traditionally residential areas until the end of the 1800s and now the seat of the most important religious orders. Our walk takes in monumental public buildings, antique residences, colonial churches and examples of utilitarian architecture, telling the tale of a remote village that was meant to be a colonial capital but inevitably became a modern metropolis.

Jewish Buenos Aires Walking Tour
The Buenos Aires Jewish community is one of the largest in the world and its heritage remains very much preserved. Specialists guide this comprehensive, 3 hour walking tour that introduces us into the unique features of the Buenos Aires Jewish culture. Starting at 10:00 am, you explore the traditional Jewish neighborhood, “Once”, the new AMIA building and the institute of Jewish studies. You will also visit the outstanding Ashkenazi and Sephardic temples as well as the site where the Israel Embassy once stood before the 1992 attack.

*Availability of walking tour is subject to season/day of week. Ask your travel advisor for details when planning your Buenos Aires vacation.