WINELANDS OF URUGUAY

Overnight flight to Montevideo.

Note: There are currently no direct flights between the UK and Uruguay. The quickest and most direct route is via Madrid with Iberia or Air Europa.

You will arrive into Montevideo in the morning, where you will be met and driven 2 hours west, to the charming town of Colonia del Sacremento.

Colonia is the perfect place to start a trip to Uruguay. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for it’s relaxed pace of life, cobbled streets, forts and fascinating history (it was once a strong hold for both the Portuguese and Spanish empires).

After lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the Rio de la Plata, your local guide will take you on a walking tour of the historic town, visiting the old-town, the lighthouse and with a stop to enjoy the local herbal drink, maté.

Stay: One night at Charco Hotel – bed & breakfast

To the west of Colonia is one of the country’s most famous wine growing regions, Carmelo.

After breakfast on day three your guide will drive you to the beautiful Cordano wine estate, which is where your journey into Uruguay’s wine lands really begins.

Depending on the season you will either be able to see the harvest, bottling or grape selection, before enjoying a delicious tasting.

From Cordano your journey continues to the celebrated El Legado winery, a boutique family-owned vineyard and the perfect spot for a traditional barbeque lunch (vegetarian options are available!)

You will then continue to your home for the next two nights, the much revered Narbona Wine Lodge. Dating back to 1740 and now part of the Relais & Chateaux group, you truly feel like you are stepping back in time when you arrive. Over the next two days you will enjoy a tasting of Narbona’s famous Pinto Noir, Tannat, Syrah and Petit Verdot and will also have chance to wander their extensive vineyard, relax by their refreshing pool and visit other wineries in the local area. Narbona is also famous for making its own cheese and dulce de leche, so make sure you have space in your suitcase to bring some home with you.

Stay: Two nights at Narbona Wine Lodge – bed & breakfast

After breakfast on day 4 you will be driven to the nation’s capital, Montevideo.

The journey takes approximately 3 hours and on arrival you will have a delicious lunch in the vibrant port market (famous for it’s mouth-watering asado). Your guide will then take you on a walking tour of Ciudad Vieja (the colonial historic neighbourhood), where you’ll be able to see the beautiful art deco architecture and the impressive Plaza de la Independencia.

The following day you will see a different side to the city, the modern and vibrant part of the Capital.

With your guide you will visit the Carnival Museum and discover the Spanish tradition and African roots of the Uruguayan Carnival. Afterwards you will have an exclusive visit to the studio of a Candombe drums luthier: “Lobo Nuñez”. As low profile and approachable as only he can be, Lobo Nunez is a very renowned personality in the music world. Together he’ll share with you his fantastic stories about growing up in Uruguay and he will even give you a lesson on how to play his homemade drums.

Stay: Two nights at the Alma Historica Boutique Hotel – bed & breakfast

After breakfast on day 7, you will be transferred to the Province of Lavalleja, also known as the “Alps of Uruguay”.

When Charles Darwin traveled to the region of Maldonado in 1832 he discovered a different landscape compared to the rest of Uruguay. “An inhabitant of the Pampas would see in it an alpine region,” he wrote. In fact amidst the hills and valleys with outstanding views of western sunrises, this region has its own charm.

The journey takes you through a magnificent range of hills, before arriving at your home for the next two nights, Sacramonte. A landscape hotel that invites to relax, meditate and drink wine on top of the hill, Sacramonte truly is one of a kind.

In the afternoon you can explore the vineyards on foot, explore the trails within the grounds or even go for a swim in the rivers which run through the property. In the evening you’re invited to a sunset tasting and dinner at one of the hotel’s stunning view points, overlooking the hills of the “Sierras de Caracoles”. Here you will be introduced to some of the wines which come from the Pueblo Eden region.

On your second day at Sacromonte you will walk (or can be driven) to the Lote 8 Olive Oil Boutique Plant. Olive oil is one of Uruguay’s most famous exports and you will have chance to see how it is produced at one of the country’s finest refineries. After learning how it is made and a tasting, you will continue to Viña Eden Winery to enjoy lunch. During the afternoon, we suggest an optional YOGA class overlooking the vineyards in the privacy of your refuge or we you can simply relax in your private plunge pool and enjoy the scenery.

In the evening a private Dinner at “La Casona” in Pueblo Eden hosted by Sacromonte is included.

Stay: Two nights at Sacromonte – full board

Your final stop in Uruguay is the chic beach resort of José Ignacio. Home to windswept beaches, beautiful hotels and some excellent low-kay restaurants.

The journey from Pueblo Edén takes roughly 1 hour, but en route you will stop at Casa Pueblo, a strange and attractive construction designed by the renowned Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. After a visit to the museum, continue onto Punta del Este along the Mansa and Brava Beaches, before arriving at José Ignacio.

The final two days of your holiday are for you to relax. Your hotel is one of the finest in José Ignacio and is right on the beach front. You can relax here by the swimming pool or explore the sleepy town of José Ignacio. For those who want to squeeze in a final winery, a short drive from José Ignacio is the famous Garzón Winery. A 240 hectare wine estate, with beautiful views of the surrounding hills and coast.

Stay: Three nights at Bahia VIK – bed & breakfast

After breakfast on day 11 you will driven back to Montevideo where you will board your overnight international flight home.