Travel-Learn Program

When: March 10, 2010 - March 20, 2010 (iCal)

Description

Buenos Aires summons images of the fiery tango, stately colonial architecture and grand squares. Join us to experience the history and culture of this cosmopolitan capital and explore the city and its environs. Discover the many treasures of Plaza de Mayo, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the famous Casa Rosada. Visit a working ranch in the Pampas grasslands, and learn about the gaucho, the romanticized symbol of the country. Journey to the magnificent Iguazú Falls and feel the spray of the water as we watch the falls thunder into a tumultuous basalt cauldron. Explore the bucolic countryside of Mendoza and the area’s proud heritage of wine production. Then, travel to Chile on a scenic drive through the majestic Andes Mountains. Santiago, Chile’s capital city, renowned for its cultural and historic wealth, its distinctive barrios, lively Central Market, and the old colonial area awaits us. From vibrant cities to peaceful countryside, this custom-designed journey will introduce us to the best of Argentina and Chile.

Cost

From $3,395, includes Early Booking Savings of $250

Contact

For more information, contact Usha Nand Sellers, Program Director, in the Office of Alumni Relations at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 1-800-THE-ALUM (1-800-843-2586) or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart U.S. for Argentina

Depart your gateway city for Buenos Aires, Argentina, aboard scheduled jet service. (Transfer provided for Air Program participants only.)

Day 2 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upon arrival, transfer to the Amerian Buenos Aires Park Hotel.Then we’ll join our Campus Director for a walking tour of Buenos Aires’ Microcenter before gathering for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 3 - Buenos Aires

Today, we’ll explore sophisticated Buenos Aires. See the city’s elegant turn-of-the-century districts, admire the architecture of San Telmo and the Plaza de Mayo, dominated by the Casa Rosada, Cathedral and the original Parliament House, and visit Recoleta Cemetery, final resting place of Eva Perón.

Lunch is served at the Café Tortoni, one of the city’s oldest coffee houses where local writers and musicians have gathered for decades. This afternoon, learn the basic steps of Argentina’s national dance, the Tango.

Day 4 – Argentine Pampas

This morning, visit an estancia, one of the traditional ranches in the Argentine Pampas where the work and play of gauchos is steeped in generations of tradition. After a traditional grilled lunch at the ranch, we’ll experience the traditional folk singing and dancing of the gauchos.

Day 5 - Iguazú Falls

This morning, fly to Iguazú Falls and the Amerian Portal del Iguazú Hotel just 110 yards away from the confluence of the Igauzú and Paraná rivers and the point where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet.

Discover Iguazú, a series of “saltos” or waterfalls that form part of the border between Brazil and Argentina. View the spectacular beauty and feel the power of the rushing water as we cross the catwalks built directly above the falls.

Day 6 - Mendoza

Today, our excursion will focus on exploring contemporary Argentina. Take an afternoon flight to Mendoza, heart of Argentina’s wine country, and the Executive Hotel Park Suites. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.

Day 7 - El Caminos del Vino

Travel the wine roads of Mendoza where 70% of Argentine wine is produced. The snowcapped Andes are the backdrop to the fertile valleys we’ll explore today. Lunch is served during the excursion. Visit an esteemed bodega for a guided winery tour and a wine tasting.

Day 8 – Buenos Aires

Today is at leisure to relax or see the sights on our own.

Day 9 – Santiago, Chile

Today, our excursion takes us to the magnificent Andes Mountains during a scenic drive to Santiago and the Radisson Plaza Santiago Hotel. Admire views of Mount Aconcagua, the tallest peak outside of Asia.

This evening, we’ll attend a Farewell Dinner.

Day 10 - Santiago

See the highlights of Chile’s political and cultural capital on today’s excursion. This evening, transfer to the airport for return flights home. (Transfer provided for Air Program participants only.)

Note: Itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions. Excursions in this program may involve an element of walking, as some of the finest attractions are located in areas not closely accessible by motorcoach.