|
Arrive in Buenos Aires
Arrival in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Overnight in Buenos Aires. Dinner if required.
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Transfer by hydrofoil (1.5 hours) across the Rio del Plata to Colonia del Sacramento, one of the Southern Cone's unappreciated gems. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese Manoel Lobo, it occupied a strategic position almost exactly opposite Buenos Aires across the Rio de la Plata, but its major importance was as a source of contraband, undercutting Spain's jealously defended mercantile trade monopoly. British goods made their way from Colonia into Buenos Aires and the interior through surreptitious exchange with the Portuguese in the Parana delta; for this reason, Spanish forces intermittently besieged Portugal's riverside outpost for decades.
The capital of its department, Colonia is a pleasant town of about 20,000, the streets of its historic colonial core are shaded by sycamores from the summer heat. In the course of the day, the town discloses its many aspects as sunlight strikes whitewashed colonial buildings and the river; the latter, living up to its name, is silvery in the morning , but turns brownish by midday.
Our walking tour of Colonia begins at the Puerta de Campo, the restored Calle Manoel Lobo entrance to the old city, which dates from the governorship of Vasconcellos in 1745. A thick, fortified wall runs south along the Paseo de San Miguel to the river. Later we visit Casa de Lavalleja, once the residence of General Lavalleja, and the ruins of the 17th century Convento de San Francisco and the 19th century Faro.
Overnight in Colonia del Sacramento. Breakfast and dinner.
Colonia del Sacramento - Montevideo
This morning we drive along the Uruguayan Littoral (coast) to Montevideo. The littoral is that portion of Uruguay that fronts the Rio de la Plata and the Rio Uruguay, opposite Argentine Mesopotamia. Originally Indian and Gaucho country, it has become the country's most important agricultural area, the wheat fields and gardens of which feed the growing population of the capital.
Upon arrival we embark upon a tour of Montevideo city. Our sightseeing today consists of the Mercado Del Puerto and the National Museum.
The national history museum actually consists of four different houses, most of them former residences of Uruguayan national heroes in the Cuidad Vieja. Built in the late 18th century, the Casa Lavalleja, Zabala 1469, was the home of General Lavalleja from 1830 until his death in 1853; in 1940, his heirs donated it to the state. The Casa Rivera, a 19th century building at Rincon 437, belonged to General Fructuoso Rivera, Uruguay's first president and founder of the Colorado party. The Casa Garibaldi, at 25 de Mayo, 314, belonged to the Italian patriot who commanded the Uruguayan navy from 1843 to 1851, and now contains many of his personal effects.
Overnight in Montevideo. Breakfast and dinner.
Montevideo, Uruguay - Asuncion, Paraguay
Today we fly from Montevideo to Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay.
On arrival we will have a guided tour of Asuncion, the capital and largest city of Paraguay. The city is built on unassuming hills above the east bank of the Rio Paraguay. Most of the city's key sights are found within an area bound by the riverfront. There are some excellent parks, such as the Jardin Botanico and the Museo del Barro, the city's foremost repository of modern art. Other city sites include the Case de Cultura Paraguaya, the 19th century Cathedral and its museum, and the Casa de la Independencia, Asuncion's oldest building (1772) and site of the Declaration of Independence.
NOTE: Ever changing flight schedules may necessitate having our Asuncion sightseeing tomorrow morning before departure for Encarnacion.
Overnight in Asuncion. Breakfast and dinner.
Asuncion - Encarnacion
We have a morning departure from Asuncion heading southeast towards Encarnacion, a total drive of around 368 km (230 miles). En route visit San Ignacio Guazu, a Jesuit mission founded in 1609, with a preserved cloister, excellent museum and clay portico walls with wooden beams.
We continue to Santa Maria de Fe, founded in 1647 but destroyed by fire in 1889. There is an excellent museum of several rooms each dedicated to a particular theme, such as Saint Ignacio and Saint Peter, filled with paintings and artifacts of those themes.
Overnight near Encarnacion. Breakfast and dinner.
Encarnacion - Trinidad, Paraguay - Iguaz™ Falls, Argentina
Early this morning we will visit Trinidad, founded by Indians coming from a Jesuit Mission located in Argentina. While never totally completed, it might have been one of the largest and most beautiful churches of all the missions. Trinidad was declared a World Heritage Site in 1993 by UNESCO.
We then drive through Encarnacion and cross over into Argentina at Posadas for short drive to San Ignacio Mini, one of the most prosperous of Jesuit Missions and partly restored by the Argentine government. We visit San Ignacio Mini and then drive north some 280 km (180 miles) to Iguaz™ Falls.
The Iguaz™ area is known as the "Hito de las Tres Fronteras" because at this point Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay converge. The national park here is home to more than 21,000 plant species and 400 bird species. The waterfalls disgorge 1700 m„ (1,853 cubic yards) of water per second from a height of 70 m (230 feet) in 275 different falls, most of which are in Argentina. On the frontier with Brazil there is a gully--La Garganta del Diablo (The Devil's Throat) which is 150 m (490 feet) wide and 700 m (2,290 feet) long.
This afternoon we will wander the paths which go along the upper and lower parts of the falls and the paths which go along the river from the observation point of the Bosetti falls to the quay. The plunging falls throw a fine drizzle up to 30 m (98 feet) into the air, weaving countless rainbows in the sun. Be sure to take rain-proof clothing.
Overnight at Iguaz™ Falls. Breakfast and dinner.
Iguaz™ Falls - Buenos Aires
This morning you have free time to explore these amazing falls. The United Nations has declared Iguaz™ Falls ("Iguacu" in Portuguese) to be a protected area of worldwide importance.
This afternoon we fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore this vibrant city.
Overnight in Buenos Aires. Breakfast and dinner.
Buenos Aires - Depart
We have most of the day to enjoy Buenos Aires. With the entire Metropolitan area spanning a gigantic 2915 km¾ ( 1121 sq miles) and having a population of approximately 10 million people -- a third of Argentinaís total, there is much to see in order to get a feel of this vibrant city. Buenos Aires began with the Plaza de Mayo, today a strikingly beautiful plaza with tall palm trees, flower gardens and a central monument set off by the surrounding colonial buildings. The most eye catching structure is the Casa Rosada (the Pink House), the seat of the Argentinean government with a small museum in the basement that contains antiques and objects identified with different Argentinean heroes.
The other historic buildings on the Plaza are the Cabildo (the Town Council) which has been on this site since the founding of the city in 1580 and the Metropolitan Cathedral completed in 1827. Browsing amongst these buildings and exploring the lively streets that lead off from the plaza will occupy the morning hours with the afternoon free to visit the barrio (district) of La Boca on the southern part of Buenos Aires. The barrio is famous for sheet-iron houses, some built from material taken from the interiors of abandoned ships now painted in bright colours and for its history as a residential area for Genoese sailors and dock workers in the 19th century.
This evening, after an early dinner, we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight homeward.
NOTE: Land only passengers may fly out earlier today and forfeit BA sightseeing or spend an extra night in BA at an added expense.
Breakfast and dinner.
