Tour Overview
What Uruguay lacks in size, variety and dramatic landscapes it compensates for in hospitality. Knowing that their scenery and cultural attractions can't really compete with those of their neighbors, Brazil and Argentina, Uruguayans have focused their tourism efforts on establishing memorable small hotels and resorts. The result is a surprising variety of accommodations, ranging from swanky beach hideaways to rustic ranch retreats. The people of Uruguay, almost entirely of Spanish and Italian ancestry, are unique in South America in that they are mostly middle class - there aren't the extremes of wealth and poverty that plague the rest of the continent (a legacy of the country's progressive social services). As a result, the nation enjoys a relatively high standard of living and literacy.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Montevideo, UruguayArrive Montevideo airport. You are met in the arrival hall and transferred to your hotel.
With a prime location in the heart of Montevideo's financial and commercial district, the spectacular Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel offers the kind of warm hospitality, inviting atmosphere and topnotch services sure to please business and leisure travelers alike. The nation's capital, Montevideo, is one of South America's more attractive capitals, even if its once grand colonial architecture could use a little sprucing up. Home to more than a third of the country's 3.3 million people, it's a city of beaches, plazas, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and casinos. This afternoon, enjoy a guided city tour. To know Montevideo, you should first be know its origins. The city was founded as a military settlement, a small fortress, on a peninsula surrounded by the sea, used as shelter for the first inhabitants of the area in 1724. The Ciudad Vieja (old city), the Ciudad Nueva (new city) and the Ciudad Abierta (open city) are included in this tour. La Ciudad Vieja (the old city): this tour introduces us to the history through the Puerta de la Ciudadela, ancient remains of the outer walls of Montevideo, original entrance to the citadel. Called the Ciudad Vieja, in the old town of Montevideo still remain many colonial buildings, which nowadays house different companies, banks, museums, antique shops and art galleries. Sarandí Street leads us from the Puerta de la Ciudadela to the Plaza Matriz (Main Square), officially called Plaza Constitución, where the Catedral de Montevideo and the Cabildo are located. The tour continues through the Ciudad Vieja visiting the romantic Plaza Zabala and el Mercado Del Puerto (Port Market) with its typical Parrilladas. La Ciudad Nueva (the new city): unlike the old city, the new city was planned with wide and tree lined streets, with magnificent stores and residences. From the Teatro Solís (1856), we can admire the Plaza Independencia in all its splendour. This square is surrounded by buildings of different heights and styles, which clearly define it as a city facing the future. The mortal remains of our national hero Don José Artigas rest in a mausoleum under his monument on this square. The main avenue 18 de Julio, starts here. A few blocs away, we can find the Plaza Fabini or "del Entrevero", with a magnificent sculpture of a horse battle between the first Spanish settlers and the native inhabitants, masterpiece of the Uruguayan artist José Belloni. From this spot we have a clear view of the Palacio Legislativo (Congress) a multicoloured marble building, one of the most sumptuous of Latin America. La Ciudad Abierta (the open city): a hundred years in the restless hands of constant development of town planners and visionary people, have gradually changed the history of the city and its surroundings, into an open city. We will also visit some of the many green parks of the city and its famous monuments, from the Palacio Legislativo to the residential area of El Prado, la Casa de Gobierno (The house of Government), Parque Batlle, Estadio Centenario (Sports centre), Monumento a la Carreta, Hospital de Clínicas and the residential area of Carrasco. Return along the rambla costanera, unusual privilege of a Capital City with more than 20 Km. of white sandy beaches. Radisson Hotel Day 02: Colonia del Sacramento
Enjoy a full-day visit to Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia del Sacramento is living testimony of the history of colonization of America. This city was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, the story of this city shows the continuous dispute between the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal. More than a hundred years of confrontation have left unmistakeable traces in this city. Every time Colonia changed hands, many things were destroyed. We leave Montevideo driving west. The palm tree line at both sides of the road indicates that we are arriving to our destination: the city of Colonia del Sacramento. Walking through the Portón de Campo, original entrance to the city through the thick walls, we start a visit to the past, a tour of the city that was bastion of the Portuguese colonization of XVII century. The first part is the walking tour of the old town with its romantic paving stoned streets, crowned with typical street lamps and Portuguese and Spanish houses well distinguished. We visit the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the remains of the Convento de San Francisco with its lighthouse, the museums that surround the square (fee not included), the famous calle de los Suspiros (Sights street) and the Basílica Del Santísimo Sacramento (the holly church) located at the Plaza de Armas Manuel Lobo. The second part of the tour will take us to the industrial area and surroundings. We follow the coastline from where a series of islands can be seen and in good weather conditions we can also see the city of Buenos Aires. We will visit the Complejo Mihanovich, (nowadays Universidad Politécnica de Valencia) the hotel, the sports court, the generators, the pier and the Real de San Carlos (bullring). We will also visit the San Benito chapel on the way back, along the bay viewing the residential neighbourhoods. Late afternoon return to Montevideo. Breakfast, Lunch
Radisson Hotel
Day 03: Montevideo - Punta del Este
Transfer to Punta Del Este. Check-in to your hotel and day at leisure. Punta del Este, you can literally leave your hotel room and find yourself in the middle of the shopping mall at the Peninsula, do your shopping at the exclusive shops and galleries or walk two blocks and be at the beach with the cleanest sand in the world.
Breakfast
Conrad Hotel Day 04: Punta del Este
Punta del Este is the leading seaside resort of the República Oriental del Uruguay, highly appreciated by the international jet set. Tourist capital of the Mercosur, Punta Del Este is a peninsula surrounded by the Río de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches are the main attraction, smoothly melting into great natural forests, sumptuous residential areas and offering a wide supply of services. We head to Punta Ballena, a small peninsula bearing the shape of a whale plunging into the sea. There, at different levels down to the beach, lie white-painted houses (Mediterranean style) that belong to Casapueblo (the home-sculpture-atelier of the local artist Carlos Páez Vilaró). The beaches of Portezuelo, Las Grutas and Chiringo lead us into the quietness and mystery of the calm coast of La Mansa. Turning right into “La Punta” (the southern end of the peninsula) the landscape suddenly develops into beaches beaten by rough waves. Along La Brava we can appreciate many luxurious residential areas: El Emir, la Olla, San Rafael, el Club de Golf y Beverly Hills. Going east, we will arrive to La Barra de Maldonado, where the Río de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean blend together under the slopping bridge of La Barra.
Return to downtown Punta Del Este and spare time for lunch, to enjoy shopping in Gorlero (Main Avenue), the yacht port, the craft fair or even to go to the beach. Breakfast
Conrad Hotel
Day 05: Punta del Este
Enjoy a full day excursion to the Ombues Forest, unique in the world and the most important ecological reserve of Rio de la Plata. Board a boat at Cabo Polonio to get to the “Ombues” reserve. Experienced guides will take you through this impressive forest. On the way back, board 4-wheel drive vehicles to cross some spectacular dunes and ecological reserves.
Breakfast, Lunch
Conrad Hote Day 06: Punta del Este
Morning transfer to the boat dock. Board the boat Calypso for a half-day excursion to Isla de Lobos, natural reserve with more than 250,000 sea wolfs. Spend the balance of the day at the beach enjoying one of many water sports (yachting, swimming, surfing, deep-sea fishing and waterskiing). Relax in the afternoon with a traditional British high tea (tea and scones) at one of the tea rooms in town. The wonderfully surreal Casa Pueblo is a good place for a break from the sun: The Moorish-style fortress, once the home of painter Carlos Paez Vilaro, is now an art gallery and hotel. Punta also has great golf courses, tennis courts and a vibrant night life.
Breakfast
Hotel Conrad Day 07: Punta del Este - Montevideo - Depart Departure transfer to the Montevideo airport to board your international flight to USA.
Breakfast
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