Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday, February 5 - Depart Canada and fly to Buenos Aires (via Santiago, Chile)

Evening flight - 3 hour check in at 7:45 p.m. for 10:45 p.m. departure from Terminal 1 Pearson International Airport on AC 92A - AIR CANADA FLT:92 - ECONOMY LV TORONTO ON - 1145P EQP: B77ER - DEPART: TERMINAL 1 - (14HR 00MIN - time of flight)

Chile

Day 2 - Monday, February 6
- Arrive in Santiago - Valpariso (L, D)

Arrival at 10:30 a.m.in Santiago from Toronto. Breakfast on the plane. Debarkation - go through Customs - entry visa to Chile (pay individually upon arrival) then meet company rep. for Chile segment of tour. Travel to coastal region of Valparaiso where the group will do a tour of the city, some of the high points, the huge shipyards, etc. then check in to their seaside resort. In the late afternoon, we arrive at our hotel located on the rocks overlooking the ocean and the harbour of Valparaiso. As the lights come on over the hills, we toast our first night in South America with Chilean "sparkling" (the French won't let them call it champagne) and a welcome dinner special with seafood dinner from the cold waters of the Humboldt Current. Fall asleep to the sound of the waves on the rocks below. Overnight at the seaside resort of Reñaca at the HOTEL OCEANIC, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Day 3 - Tuesday, February 7
- Valpariso/Renaca - Curacavi Valley - Santa Cruz Region (B, L, D)

Today we travel into the Curacavi Valley region where the group will visit fruit and vegetable operations, a winery, etc. The Curacavi Valley is an historic region where we visit with small farmers who produce vegetables for the local markets. We have lunch in a typical Chilean roadside stop. When we arrive in Santa Cruz we will visit the local museum that tells the development and history of the region including the advancements of agriculture, military history, culture and arts. Overnight in Santa Cruz the centre of the Colchagua Valley, where we enjoy the feel, sights and sounds, immersed in a traditional Chilean country town in a rural region - surrounded by agriculture - staying the middle of this agrarian town at the HOTEL SANTA CRUZ PLAZA.

Day 4 - Wednesday, February 8
- Santa Cruz - Colchagua Valley - Santiago (B, L, D)

Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast, we start to head north into the Chilean heartland. This entire route consists of production areas for table grapes, apples, tender fruits wine grapes, vegetables. Formerly this region was livestock based agriculture, but this has changed due to higher value crops being able to be produced for domestic and export use. We visit a fruit grower and a seed producing company, as well as the Almaviva (or similar) vineyard, a producer of premium wine. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Santiago, the capital city of the country, for a two night stay stay at the Four Points by Sheraton in the centre of the city near restaurants, shopping and in a safe area..

Day 5 - Thursday, February 9
- Santiago (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we begin with a tour of the historical city center, which includes stops at the oldest mission church still standing and at La Moneda, the Presidential offices. We have a light lunch before continuing into the new economic and commercial centers in the Las Condes and Vitacura districts and then starting up the "hills" toward the high Andes for a spectacular view back over the city. This evening we will attend an evening dinner performance with typical Chilean BBQ Restaurant with cultural music, dancing and entertainment. Overnight in Santiago.

Day 6 - Friday, February 10
- Santiago - Buenos Aires (B)

EARLY Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast, we leave for the largest fruit and vegetable market in Chile - Mercado Lo Valledor, just south of the city. We then proceed a few kilometres to the Santiago airport, where we arrive at 10:30 for check in to the Air Canada flight to Buenos Aires. AIR CANADA FLT: AC 92 ECONOMY MEAL - LV SANTIAGO SCL 12:35 - EQP: B77ER - DEPART: INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL for Buenos Aires.

Argentina

Day 6 - Friday, February 10
- Buenos Aires (D)

Light meal on the flight. Arrive in Buenos Aires and travel into downtown where the group will check in to their hotel. Dinner in the hotel. Arrive in Buenos Aires from Chile - afternoon arrival at 3:00 p.m. Overnight will be at a hotel in downtown Buenos Aires. The airport is north-east of the city about an hour from downtown BA. Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Puerto Madero. Overnight downtown Buenos Aires in the Claridge Hotel. www.claridge.com.ar.

Day 7 - Saturday, February 11
- Buenos Aires (B, L, D)

Breakfast in the hotel. Tour of the city. We will visit the Palermo and Barrio Norte districts, with the expensive houses and classic architecture; La Boca and San Telmo, the old part of the city, with its flea markets; the recycled area of Puerto Madero, old warehouses which were converted into fancy offices, restaurants and cinemas; Recoleta, including the cemetery to see Eva Peron's mausoleum; the Plaza de Mayo to take a look at the Cabildo (municipal building during the colonies and now a museum), the Casa Rosada (home of the Executive). This square is where Eva and Juan Peron used to address the crowds during their political rallies, and where the Madres e Plaza de Mayo, relatives of the people who disappeared during the last military government, gathered to claim for their missing. Stop for lunch in one of B.A.'s fine restaurants. Overnight downtown Buenos Aires in the Claridge Hotel. www.claridge.com.ar.

Day 8 - Sunday, February 12
- Buenos Aires - Melincue (B, L, D)

Depart from the hotel NW into Argentina's grain belt, making a stop in San Antonio de Areco to visit the Guiraldes Gaucho museum. San Antonio de Areco is the Gaucho Tradition Capital of Argentina, due to the fact that Ricardo Guiraldes, the author of an iconic Gaucho book "Don Segundo Sombra" lived in the area and based his book on the characters he got to know in his ranch. Short visit to the museum and lunch in town restaurant. We later continue to Melincue, where we check into the Melincue Casino Resort for 2 nights. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurants.

Day 9 - Monday, February 13
- Melincue and region (B, L)

Breakfast, Depart from the hotel, located in Argentina's grain belt to visit a farm dedicated to the production of corn, soybeans and wheat in no till agriculture and also full cycle cattle operation. The cattle operation is a way to rotate the crops, and the aim is to sell commercial Angus Bulls, fattening the rest on alfalfa based pastures. Meeting with the manager who will discuss with us the farming practices, crop rotation, fertilization and herbicide management, commercial and financial aspects of the operation. We will of course have some time to inspect the crops. Visit to Alejandro's Calderon machinery shed in town, to get an idea of the type of technology which is used in the area, where most farmers don't own large equipment, but hire the heavy labour. If time allows, we will also make a stop at a local grain elevator to get an insight into Argentina's grain handling. Return to Melincue in the afternoon. www.casinomelincue.com

Day 10 - Tuesday, February 14
- Melincue-Rosario (B, L)

We go to the area of Venado Tuerto, province of Santa Fe to visit a large mixed production farm, which is a family owned corporation. We will discuss decision making, inheritance and also farming practices while exploring the property. Later, we have lunch in a small farm, where three generations are doing their best to keep the land in the family. This small property is devoted to crops, has also a Hampshire down ram operation, and receives groups for events such as weddings and parties. We will also tour the facilities with one of the owners, who will tell us about his family and farm history, after a homemade meal. Later, we travel to Rosario, second largest city and largest grain port area in the country. Rosario is the second largest city in Argentina, with a total population of approx. 5 million. Located 500 km away from the Ocean, it has become the largest grain port due to its location, in the heart of the grain belt of Argentina. Check into Presidente Hotel in Rosario www.solans.com/presidente. Valentine's Dinner is provided in the hotel restaurant tonight.

Day 11 - Wednesday, February 15
- Rosario - Buenos Aires (B, L, D)

Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning, travel by boat up the Parana River to see the immense grain handling facilities on a riverboat cruise. We have lunch before returning to Buenos Aires, where we check into our hotel. Evening dinner and Tango show in the old part of town. Return to the hotel after midnight. Overnight downtown Buenos Aires in the Claridge Hotel. www.claridge.com.ar.

Day 12 - Thursday, February 16
- Buenos Aires - Iguassu Falls (B, D)

Morning breakfast and flight from domestic airport to Iguassu Falls. We check out and transfer to the airport to fly to Iguassu Falls, located in a Sub-tropical forest, in the border of Argentina and Brazil. Arrival and check into our hotel, in the town of Puerto Iguazu, 20 km. Away from the National Park. Overnight in Iguassu area near the Falls. Check in and overnight in Iguassu, Argentina area near the Falls. Hotel Esturion www.hotelesturion.com

Day 13 - Friday, February 17
- Iguassu Falls (B, L)

Full day visit to Iguazu National Park, in Argentina including lunch in the park. We will take the train to visit the Devil's Throat and also have the chance to walk on top and under some of the falls. Return to the hotel in the evening, for dinner on your own and overnight - free time to enjoy the pool, bar and resort facilities.

If your tour includes the Brazil - Amazon Eco-Adventure please skip ahead...

Day 14 - Saturday, February 18
- Iguassu Falls - Buenos Aires (B, L)

Breakfast in the hotel. Those returning to Canada take Flight Aerolineas 1725 at 10:15 a.m. to BA. Lunch in Buenos Aires with host company representative. Transfer from domestic to International Airport for evening flight on AC 93 at 6:05 p.m. to Canada. A dinner is served on the plane.

Day 15 - Sunday, February 19
- Toronto - To Other Provinces if from out of Province

AR TORONTO AT 06:10AM - NON-STOP - ARRIVE: TERMINAL 1. Arrival early in the morning in Toronto, Ontario. Non-Ontario Residents proceed to transfer areas for flights to home provinces.

Brazil - Amazon Eco-Adventure - Add-on Option

Day 14 - February 18
- Iguassu Falls - Manaus, Amazonia (L)

Today, those going to the Amazon, depart in the morning by motor coach from Argentina, across the border to Foz do Iguassu, Brazil. Tour and lunch at Iguassu Falls, Brazil. Flight TAM 3886 to Brasilia at 3:40 p.m. Transfer to the International Airport and fly to Brasilia via Curitiba, then Brasilia to Manaus on TAM flight 3542 departing at 8:55 p.m. and arriving at 9:55 p.m. in Manaus. Transfer to the hotel and check in to our hotel. Dinner will be on the flight. Overnight in Manaus at the Park Suites Hotel.

Day 15 - February 19
- Manaus (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. We take a Manaus Sightseeing tour in the morning and you will learn about the history of this very important cultural centre in the middle of the Amazon. Your first adventure - Piranha Fishing and Cayman Spotting by night cruise in the Rio Negro - no sense wasting any time! Dinner will follow, we promise, you won't be dinner for those Cayman's or Piranha! Overnight at Tiwa Eco Resort.

Day 16 - February 20
- Manaus (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel - Full Day Meeting of Waters - this day will have you experience the size and power of the Amazon River. Lunch along the way. View the meeting of two rivers (Rio Negro and Solimoes) effluents of Amazon where they meet but because of the speed and volume of each river, the two different coloured waters, not actually begin to mix for several miles ahead - the colour difference is amazing. Dinner - Overnight at Tiwa Eco Resort.

Day 17 - February 21
- Manaus (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we visit the famous Rubber Museum from the Amazon Rubber Boom, learn about the secrets of the Amazon forests. Lunch. In the afternoon you will gain a knowledge of the Amazon History, cultures of the aboriginals and much more. Dinner - Overnight at Tiwa Eco Resort.

Day 18 - February 22
- Manaus (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Soft adventure today with a Guided Jungle Trek - watch for the multi-coloured birds, monkeys, wild-life that is unique to the Amazon River area. Lunch - unique lunch in the jungle. Visit the Caboclo's house - learn how the locals live (indigenous people) and also how they make their manioc flour, a staple food in their diet. Dinner. Overnight at Tiwa Eco Resort.

Day 19 - February 23
- Manaus - Sao Paulo - Toronto (B, on flights --> L, D)

We check out of the hotel and transfer back to Manaus. Light lunch if you wish on your own in Manaus at the airport before departure. Light meal will also be served on our 2:45 p.m. flight Varig-GOL 1641 direct to Sao Paulo. Arrival in Sao Paulo at 8:30 p.m. (lose an hour - different time zone) Light dinner on your own at Sao Paulo Airport, time permitting - usually a dinner on the flight back to Canada. Flight to Canada at 10:25 p.m. - Air Canada flight 91 - direct to Toronto.

Day 20 - February 24
- Manaus - Sao Paulo - Flight to Canada (B)

Early arrival in Toronto - flight is at 05:35 a.m. Continue home from the airport by your own transportation.