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Save on South America with Air and Hotel Deals to Big Cities, Small Vineyards or Both

The southern most regions of South America are areas rich in variety and natural attractions from the cosmopolitan cities of Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires to the glaciers of Patagonia, the desert range of Atacama and the shadow of the mighty Andes.

The southern most regions of South America are areas rich in variety and natural attractions from the cosmopolitan cities of Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires to the glaciers of Patagonia, the desert range of Atacama and the shadow of the mighty Andes. Both Chile and Argentina are known for their diverse landscapes, timeless beauty and remoteness. It is currently winter down south and as a result prices for some packages to Chile and Argentina are lower -- except of course the ski trips which are in peak season, despite what has so far been a year of lack luster snowfall. There are also some great deals to the region during the southern hemisphere spring -- September to early December.

Latin Destinations (tel. 866/645-2846; www.latindestinations.com) is currently offering a "Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls" trip with $300 off the regular price for travel between August and November, 2006. The package includes round-trip airfare to Buenos Aires, three nights' hotel accommodations in Buenos Aires, two nights in Iguazu, domestic flights and hotel taxes. The lowest fares are available for travel between Thursdays and Mondays. Sample prices for departures in 2006 are:

  • Miami: $845
  • New York: $965
  • Los Angeles: $1,155
  • Chicago: $1,275
  • Houston: $1,393

The "Best of Argentina" tour visits Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Bariloche with prices starting from $1,349 per person. The package includes round-trip airfare, four nights' hotel accommodations in Buenos Aires, domestic flights from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls, and from Buenos Aires to Bariloche, two nights in Iguazu Falls and two nights in Bariloche, daily breakfast and hotel taxes. Prices start from:

  • Miami: $1,349
  • New York: $1,528
  • Washington, D.C.: $1,634
  • Los Angeles: $1,672
  • Atlanta: $1,675

Their "Buenos Aires and Ushuaia" trip includes round-trip airfare, three nights' hotel accommodations in Buenos Aires, domestic flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, two nights in Ushuaia, breakfast daily and hotel taxes. Sample prices are:

  • Miami: $979
  • New York: $1,094
  • Los Angeles: $1,238
  • Chicago: $1,461
  • Houston: $1,600

Latin Escapes (tel. 800/878-9986; www.victorytravel.com) has a super-low priced five-night package with airfare from $579 from Miami, $649 from New York and $759 from Los Angeles during the winter and spring seasons. These prices include round-trip airfare, five nights' accommodations at the Regis Hotel in Buenos Aires, a half-day guided city tour of Buenos Aires, tango show with dinner, transfers, daily breakfast, a lunch at Viejo Almacen Restaurante, entrance to the floating casino, a shopping discount booklet and English-speaking guides.

South American for Wine Lovers

Oenophiles beware or be overjoyed. Chile and Argentina are the producers of some of the finest wines in the world. The most important wine-producing valleys in Chile are the Aconcagua, Casablanca, Maipo, Colchagua and Curicó and in Argentina, the Mendoza area is synonymous with the nectar of the gods. Organized wine tours, whether they be by international or locally based companies tend to be rather expensive, but you can rent a car and do them on your own at your own pace and take advantage of small haciendas and accommodation options en route. There are however a few affordable package options.

Escorted South America Tours (tel. 800/942-3301; www.escortedsouthamericatours.com) has an eight-day "Vineyards and Lakes of Chile" from $2,599 per person. Tour highlights are Santiago, Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, Colchagua Valley (Bisquertt and Viu Manent wineries), Puerto Montt, Angelmo Cove Chiloé Island, Ancud and Puerto Varas. It includes round-trip airfare from Miami, domestic flights, transfers, six nights' accommodations (Plaza San Francisco in Santiago, Cabañas del Lago in Puerto Varas, and Hosteria Ancud on Chiloé Island) breakfast daily, three lunches and wine tastings. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Santiago, full day excursions to Viña del Mar and Valparaiso, the Colchagua Valley, the archaeological site at Monteverde, a ferry to Chiloé Island observing sea birds and dolphins, and the fishing port of Ancud. Departure dates in 2006 are October 19, 24 & 31; November 7 & 14; and December 5. In 2007, departures between January and March are priced from $2,699. This tour is provided in conjunction with AARP.

Pan American Tours (tel. 800/364-4359; www.panamtours.com) offers two special nine-day "Harvest Tours of Chile" on February 17 and March 17, 2007. These land-only trips include airport transfers, seven-nights accommodation (four at the five-star Plaza San Francisco Hotel in Santiago and two at the four-star Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza in Santa Cruz), breakfast and lunch daily (including lunches at vineyards), three dinners (one with a show), vineyard touring and sightseeing. Enjoy a guided city tour of Santiago, a visit to Los Dominicos, the coastal towns of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, Reñaca beach, the quaint town of Santa Cruz and Curicó.

Visit wineries like Veramonte vineyard (the largest in Chile) -- known for its Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons, the Maipo Valley, the Concha y Toro vineyard, the Santa Rita winery, the Colchagua Valley's Viu Manent vineyard, the boutique vineyards of the Colchagua Valley -- Viña Santa Laura (known for Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot) and Viña Bisquert (voted best Merlot in the world in 2002), Viña La Fortuna organic winery, Miguel Torres winery and Viña De Martino of Isla de Maipo. The price for this special package is $1,920 per person based on double occupancy, not including airfare. The single supplement is $398.

Go-Today (tel. 800/227-3235; www.go-today.com) offers "The Wines of Chile and Argentina" tour with departures from August 16 to December 9, 2006 starting from $1,979. The package includes round-trip flights from Miami or New York, four nights at the Hotel Regal Pacific in Santiago de Chile, domestic flights, two nights at the Park Suites Apartments in Mendoza, transfers, tours, breakfast daily, hotel taxes and airline fuel surcharges. In Chile, visit San Cristobal Hill, Concha y Toro vineyards in Pirque, the Undurraga vineyard, the Colchagua Wine valley, the Curacaví and Casablanca valleys, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, and in Argentina, three vineyards in Valle de Uco -- La Rural winery and wine museum, Bodega Familia Zuccardi, and Bodega Lopez. Add $15 from Boston, Baltimore or Philadelphia, $1,754 from Los Angeles or San Francisco, $185 from Atlanta, Orlando or Dallas and $240 from Chicago.

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