A Perfect Wine Tour of Argentina & Chile: Mendoza, Maipo Valley & San Antonio Valley

Santiago and his team are consummate professionals: I can recommend them unreservedly. Santiago put together a great 16-day itinerary that allowed us to visit some amazing destinations in Chile and Argentina. Planning of the trip was excellent and Santiago proved very accessible and prompt in his responses. Indeed, during the trip itself, we were able to connect very easily with Santiago for any further queries. It was also lovely to catch up with Santiago in his office when we visited BA. Whilst we appreciated the very competitive pricing offered, we really valued Santiago’s great enthusiasm and genuine focus on customer care and satisfaction.

The final itinerary proved excellent. This evolved over a period of time in response to our requests. It allowed us to see a lot of the countries in a short space of time. Although we visited in August during the low season, when the weather was cold, it was stunning. Indeed, we felt very lucky to visit at this time as tourist numbers were low. I also have to thank Santiago for his great suggestions for activities to celebrate my partner’s birthday: this proved a memorable day.

All transfers, internal flights, day trips, and excursions proceeded very smoothly and we had no worries about any of the logistics, including crossing from Chile to Argentina. The guides provided were friendly and informative, and we had some great excursions, including in Santiago, Valparaiso, Frutillar, the Torres del Paine National Park, El Calafate, the Glacier Perito Moreno, Buenos Aires, and Iguazu Falls. We greatly enjoyed seeing the stunning scenery and wildlife, meeting very friendly people, and enjoying some wonderful cuisine and refreshments.

Finally, we would love to return and will certainly look to Santiago to put together a new itinerary for our next visit. Many thanks to him and his team for providing a hassle-free experience and some great memories! Thank you.

OUR TRIP WAS AMAZING!  WE VISITED ARGENTINA AND CHILE FOR TWO WEEKS AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE. BOTH COUNTRIES ARE BEAUTIFUL AND ARE QUITE DISTINCT.  WE STARTED IN BUENOS AIRES AND OUR TOUR GUIDE AND DRIVER WERE EXCELLENT.  

OUR GUIDE WAS EXCEPTIONAL AND WELL VERSED IN HISTORY/ART HISTORY WHICH REALLY ADDED TO OUR TRIP.  THE MALBA WAS OUTSTANDING WHERE SHE OFFERED GREAT INSIGHTS ESPECIALLY AT THE MUSEO EVITA DEVOTED TO THE LEGACY OF EVA PERON.  SHE TOOK US TO THE BOCA JRS STADIUM AND THEN TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF BOCA AND SAN TELMO WHICH WERE NICE.  THE NEXT DAY OUR GUIDE TOOK US THROUGH RECOLETA AND PALERMO WHICH WERE GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS.  WE VISITED THE EVA PERON GRAVE SITE IN AN INCREDIBLE CEMETARY.   OUR DRIVER WAS REALLY AWESOME AND OFFERED HIS INSIGHTS AS WELL.   OUR TOUR SPECIALIST NAILED IT ON ALL THE RESTAURANTS.  A LATIN RESTAURANT WAS THE BEST ONE FOR US AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!   

OUR GUIDE IN MENDOZA WAS GREAT, FUN AND HELPFUL.  THE WINERIES WE VISITED WERE SUPERB AND OUR HIKE TO THE QUEBRADA DEL CONDOR WAS AMAZING. WE HAD THE BEST DRIVER AND GUIDE TO TAKE US TO AN INCREDIBLE LOCATION.  THE RESORT IS EXCELLENT AND THEIR RESTAURANT OFFERED GREAT FOOD!  HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE RESORT IN MENDOZA!  IF HIKING, ASK FOR THEIR GUIDE- HE KNOWS HIS STUFF.  

WE FLEW TO SANTIAGO AND MET OUR GUIDE AND OUR DRIVER.  THEY WERE AN AWESOME PAIR.   WE STOPPED AT A WINERY ON OUR WAY TO VALPARAISO WHICH IS EXCELLENT-GREAT LUNCH THERE!   WE MADE IT TO VALPARAISO.   OUR GUIDE TOOK US ON AN INCREDIBLE TOUR OF VALPARAISO WHERE WE GOT TO SEE AMAZING WALL ART THAT IS PROMINENTLY FEATURED IN SEVERAL NEIGHBORHOODS.  OUR GUIDE WAS EXCELLENT AS SHE KNEW SEVERAL OF THE ARTISITS AND OFFERED GREAT INSIGHTS.   WE VISITED PLAZA SOTOMAYOR WHICH IS REALLY NICE AND THERE WE MET OUR COOKING CLASS CHEF.   WE VISITED THE LOCAL MARKET WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE AND BOUGHT OUR SUPLLIES FOR THE CLASS.  THE CLASS WAS A LOT OF FUN AND INTRODUCED US TO PISCO SOURS!   BE CAREFUL AS THEY ARE SMOOTH!   THE CLASS WAS A TON OF FUN AND WE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT CHILEAN FOOD.   HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO HER COOKING CLASS!  

NEXT STOP WAS THE CHILE RESORT IN MILLAHUE VALLEY WHICH IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!  OUR DRIVER WAS EXCELLENT AND STOPPED AT ANOTHER RESORT WITH A GREAT VIEW. THE SUITES AT THE RESORT IN MILLAHUE VALLEY ARE EXCELLENT AND YOU HAVE A GREAT LIST OF ACTIVITIES TO DO WHILE THERE. THE WINERY TOUR AND STARGAZING EXPERIENCE WERE EXCELLENT BUT THE BEST PART WAS THE VINOTHERAPY MASSAGE- IT WAS AMAZING AND RELAXING!   THE FOOD AT THE RESORT WAS INCREDIBLE AND JUST THE RIGHT SIZE PORTIONS AND ALWAYS PAIRED WITH GREAT WINES. HIGHLY RECOMMEND STAYING THERE IF YOU WANT TO GET AWAY FROM EVERYTHING.

OUR DRIVER TOOK US TO SANTIAGO WHERE WE STAYED AT A GREAT HOTEL AND EXCELLENT SERVICE.   WE RECONNECTED WITH OUR GUIDES AND HAD AN AMAZING TOUR OF THE LOCAL MARKETS, MUSEUMS, THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AND A GREAT PARK WHERE WE HAD SOME DELICIOUS SNACKS.  OUR GUIDE REALLY KNOWS THE CITY WELL AND HAD SOME GREAT STORIES TO SHARE ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CHILE.  IF VISITING CHILE- ASK FOR A GUIDE FROM THIS TRAVEL COMPANY AS SHE IS AN AWESOME GUIDE.    WE HAD DINNER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT WHICH I RECOMMEND AS THEY HAVE AN INCREDIBLE WINE LIST!  OUR LAST DAY WAS A WINERY TOUR DAY AND ONCE AGAIN OUR GUIDE HAD GREAT INSIGHTS (SHE'S A SOMMELIER AS WELL!)  AND WE VISITED SEVERAL GREAT WINERIES WITH HER AND ANOTHER GUIDE.  ALL OF OUR FOOD IN CHILE WAS EXCELELNT AS WELL!

SAD TO BE HEADING HOME BUT AN UNFORGETTABLE TRIP!  OUR DRIVER GOT US TO THE AIRPORT EASILY AND WE FLEW HOME.   THE ZICASSO TEAM WERE THE BEST AND TRULY EASY TO WORK WITH.  THEY ACCOMMODATED ALL OUR REQUESTS AND PROVIDED US WITH REGULAR UPDATES. OUR TRAVEL SPECIALIST WAS ALWAYS AVAILABLE IF WE NEEDED ANYTHING AND ENJOYED ALUNCH WITH HER.   IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT A TRIP TO ARGENTIN AND CHILE, CALL THE ZICASSO TEAM!  

Our trip started on November 7, 19 with our first stop at Santiago del Chile.  Our guide (from a local agency) spent two wonderful days with us. Even though our visit at Valparaiso had to be cancelled due to some street riots, the travel specialist has secured a visit at a winery in Casablanca Valley, as well as a winery where we had a tour, vine testing and a very good lunch.

Our next stop was at Puntas Arenas, from which a minivan had taken us to the Hotel in the Las Torres Del Paine .  The hotel and the staff were wonderful, very attentive and provided all services with big smiles.  Our first hike to Las Torres took us a whole day but what a view we did experience ... we will never forget the Las Torres view and excellent guides hotel had provided.

From Las Torres the minivan had taken us to El Calafate where next morning we were met by our guide - a wonderful lady, very experience and knowledgable tourist guide - we highly recommend her services. We spent a day visiting Glaciar Perito Moreno.  We spent two night at a Boutique Hotel, a very classy yet modern hotel.

From El Calafate we took a short flight to Ushuaia, where we stayed at a hotel.  Our trip to see the penguins and other water animals was very well organized (the captain of the boat could wear a more professional cloths but then he was a captain......).

From Ushuaia we traveled to Iguazu via Buenos Aires.  The Suites Hotel was spectacular; it was situated literary in the middle of jungle with lavish green vegetation in front of our balcony.  The Iquazu Falls are impossible to describe, one needs to see them from both Argentinian and Brazilian sides. Our private guide was superb - extremely intelligent, knowledgable, resourceful and very helpful - we highly recommend his services.

Our last stop was at Buenos Aires where we met our guide, a very educated city guide.  We had a wonderful time with her and  highly recommend her services as well.  The Tango Show was superb, not to mentioned a very tasteful meal.

We, Peter and I have planed this trip for a long time and with your help it was the trip we will never forget.

In Buenos Aires we met with our travel planner from this travel company; she was interested in our comments and suggestions with regards to provided itinerary. It is always better to provide more details rather than less or information which is  not quantifiable.  For example: "At appropriate time."..... rather than around 3 pm the van (it is important also to specify what van?) will pick you up from the airport.  This example is for the Puntas Arenas airport where nobody was waiting for us......

Overall, our trip was fantastic and we will always remember it.  Thank you for making it happen.

I have already reached out to your office for the itinerary for our next trip to Japan in September 2020. 

The trip destinations were very well selected so that we saw beautiful areas of both countries and saw variety in both.  With the exception of our arrival in Santiago, when the driver was not there to meet us, all connections happened on time and the drivers and guides were courteous and adequately (and sometimes well) prepared.  The places selected for us to stay were uniformly good--the location of our hotel in Santiago was excellent and gave us the opportunity to explore the downtown without going too far, and in addition there were many restaurant choices.  The Mendoza and Bariloche lodging choices were a distance from the city centers, but that was a good choice because in those two places we had a rental car.  In Puerto Varas, where we again did not have a rental car, we were in the heart of the town, and that gave us many restaurant options.   The one weakness in the trip planning was that the travel agency that our agency subcontracted with in Santiago was disappointing.  As I noted, the driver did not meet us at the airport, and we ended up taking a cab and paying almost $100.  The company reimbursed us without delay, but it was an anxious time for us as we navigated at the airport and made our way to our hotel.  This company also provided a half day tour of the city (where we spent most of the time crawling through traffic rather than seeing sights), followed by a full day tour that did not take us to two sights that were described as part of the tour:  one of the houses of Pablo Neruda, and a museum in Valparaiso.  When I asked about the Neruda museum, the guide acted as if there had never been the thought of including that.  There was also to be a stop where we "tasted the signature wine" of a vineyard.  The implication was that this was to be a tasting; however, the stop was actually a bathroom stop/gift shop for tour buses, with 100 wine glasses filled with a taste of a wine but no description or explanation whatsoever of what the wine was, the process used to make it, or what made the wine significant.  The third day with this subcontracted travel agency was much better:  it was a day long tour (with tasting) at two wineries.  Both tours were excellent and at one of them we had the chance to have lunch there; it was also excellent.  But overall the Santiago subcontractor consistently underperformed.