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Monday
Departing Santiago in the morning we will head toward west to the San Antonio valley the nearest valley to the Pacific coast. Its cool climate is excellent for producing white wines, pinot noirs and cool climate syrahs. Casa Marin is the story of a dream by Maria Luz Marin, who was the first female winemaker in Chile to have her own winery. Returning inland we pass through the lower Maipo valley and will visit the Chocalan winery where Chilean winemaker Patrick Valette has developed some delicious Cabernets, Malbecs and Syrahs.
 Here we will be welcomed and invited to discover the winemaking process and taste the result of this unique terroir. Here immersed in nature a traditional Chilean style BBQ wil. take place.
After lunch we will drive south and arrive in the late afternoon to the Residencia Historica a fabulous country house, that dates back to the 18th century and has been transformed into a wonderful boutique hotel. Dinner is on own.
 Tuesday
A relaxing day at the Residencia Historica. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings relaxing in their extensive gardens, lounging by their pool or delighting in their spa services. For the more active types there is horseback riding, mountain biking in local vineyards or trekking. In the evening a wine tasting in their wine cellar of top wines from other wine valleys not visited.
Wednesday
 The Colchagua Valley is emerging as the new king of Chilean reds and today’s winery visits will no doubt demonstrate the quality of new wines coming from Colchagua, particularly of the Carmenere, Syrah and Malbec varieties. Our first stop will be Montes one of Chile´s most internationally recognized wineries. Aurelio Montes started the winery with three other Chileans in the late 1980s and their success as quality wine producers is now world famous. Next will be to the boutique winery Neyen which produces Bordeaux style blends from their 115 year old vines. Finally, we will visit the Clos de Aplata winery the crown jewel of the Apalta region with its six story gravity fed winery used exclusively for producing Casa Lapostolle’s premium wine Clos Apalta. We will enjoy a private lunch at the winery.
 Thursday
After a relaxing morning at the Residencia Historica we will drive toward the Pacific coast and the town of Pichilemu, Chile's most popular surfing beach. You will have the afternoon to explore the town and the beach before a late afternoon wine tasting of coastal valley wines from the Leyda, Casablanca and San Antonio valleys. We will watch the sunset and enjoy a delicious seafood dinner overlooking the ocean.
Friday
An exciting winery experience is in store for today as we visit Vina Estampa, a winery that produces only blended wines. After a brief look at the facilities we will participate in a “winemaker for a day” blending session where you will become the enologist. Each team will create their own blend, learn how different taste components merge to create the best possible product, and develop a label and marketing strategy for their new creation. May the best team win!
 Lunch is on your own in the town of Santa Cruz where you can explore some of the local cuisine based on our recommendations of the best spots. After lunch some time to explore the town or visit the Colchagua Museum, the impressive private collection of Carlos Cardoen.
Tonight a special farewell dinner at the hotel.
Saturday
In the afternoon we will return to the Santiago International Airport for your flights home or you are welcome to extend your stay in South America.
Pre Trip Extension – Santiago
$850.00 – 2 nights w/meals & tours
Saturday - Santiago
Santiago is the smart and stunningly beautiful capital city of Chile. Following your arrival we will set off on a walking tour of the capital starting at the Plaza de Armas. Here we explore the historic significance of the location and the surrounding buildings. We continue past the ex-National Congress to arrive at the Plaza de la Constitucion and the infamous Palacio La Moneda,Chile's presidential palace and site of the coup d’etat on 1973.
We will enjoy a light lunch at a local restaurant and then continue through the cobble-stoned streets of Barrio Paris-Londres and arrive at Iglesia San Francisco, the oldest church in Santiago, dating back to the early 1600s. We tour the interior of the church and learn of its history. Then we drive the Alameda Blvd. and observe many additional historic sights in Santiago on our way to the artistic and colorful barrio of Bellavista. Here we will ride the funicular to the top of Cerro San Cristobal for a scenic vista of Santiago. Leaving the top, we will drive down through Parque Metropolitana, Santiago’s largest and most interesting park.
Late this afternoon we will check in to the delightful Hotel Rugendas, a boutique hotel in the Las Condes area of Santiago.
Dinner tonight is on your own. We will of course be available for restaurant recommendations.
Sunday
Following breakfast at the hotel today we offer three half-day optional tours to either the Cousiño Mansion, the home of one of Chile’s wealthiest families during the 19th century; the La Chascona Museum, the former home of Pablo Neruda, Chile’s most famous literary artist and a Nobel laureate; or to the Museo Precolombino. You will have the remainder of the afternoon free and dinner tonight again, is on your own.
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