Flip-Flops
Switching Seasons in Uruguay
and Buenos Aires
February 1 – 10, 2008

CONTRASTS AND REVERSALS

The world displays an infinite variety of contrasts, contradictions, and choices. People are always making decisions, only to change their mind and do something different than originally planned. What is common in one place may be considered a social aberration in another. Not only are the planet’s southern and northern hemispheres half a world away, they have completely opposites seasons from one another. Even beloved vacation spots may suddenly become passé when travelers collectively decide to go somewhere else.
     You might say the world is full of such flip-flops. In politics flip-flops can be career-ending, but in the world of travel a flip-flop might be as simple as getting fed up with winter and longing to escape to a warmer place. Flip-flops are also comfy footgear, and what better place to don them than on a sandy beach. Uruguay may not be the first place that comes to mind when people think of a winter escape, but this small South American country has beaches that can stand toe-to-toe (in flip-flops, of course) with some of the Caribbean’s best.
     Uruguay is one of South America’s smallest republics, only besting Suriname and French Guiana in square miles. Uruguay is bordered to the north by Brazil, to the southeast by the Atlantic, and is separated from Argentina in the west and south by the River Uruguay, which widens out into the Rio de la Plata estuary—the widest river in the world at some 120 miles across where the river meets the Atlantic. The landscape is made up of hilly meadows broken by streams and rivers.
     Uruguay is drawing increasingly more visitors each year, and for good reason. The country was a coveted port location, fought over by Portugal, Spain, England, and Argentina, and each country left something of itself behind over the course of more than 400 years. What draws most first-time visitors, however, is the 300 mile strip of fine sandy beaches on the Atlantic and the Río de la Plata. The most fashionable of these is Punta del Este, 90 miles from Montevideo, with two main beaches and plenty of outdoor activities including water-skiing, diving, fishing, surfing, yachting, and hiking.
     The capital city of Montevideo, the southernmost point of the nation, accommodates more than half of the population and is the country’s natural trading center. The city has nine major bathing beaches, and its architecture combines colonial, European and modern influences. The old inner city, known as the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) located on a small peninsula surrounded by the sea near the metropolitan port, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
     Colonia del Sacramento is a charming colonial town, dating back to the late 17th century, and another UNESCO site we visit on this tour. As an added bonus, the tour begins with three days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, just across the Rio de la Plata from Montevideo. In Buenos Aires we tour the city, enjoy the gay nightlife and spend a day at an exclusive “estancia” to experience the ways of the Argentine gaucho (cowboy).
     Escape winter’s wrath while strolling a balmy beach in Uruguay in a pair of flip-flops. Just like all the other diametrically opposed qualities of the world, Uruguay may be pint-sized, but it offers a huge amount of fun and is an exceptional winter vacation destination that is only now being discovered by Americans.

ITINERARY

Friday, February 1, 2008
Depart for Buenos Aires

Leave your home city today on flights bound to Buenos Aires (EZE Airport Code). Airlines serving Buenos Aires are American, Delta, Continental and United (in addition to several international carriers). Flights to Buenos Aires arrive tomorrow morning.

Saturday, February 2, 2008
Arrive In Buenos Aires / Tango Performance

Your flight arrives in Buenos Aires this morning. Toto Tours will provide one group transfer from the airport to our downtown hotel this morning, timed to accommodate the greatest number of arriving passengers. We will provide transportation recommendations for those who are unable to utilize this transfer.
     Hotel rooms are usually not be accessible until early afternoon, so we suggest that you check your bags with the bell captain and head out to explore the neighborhood find a restaurant for a late brunch. Once you have checked into your hotel room, the afternoon is at leisure to rest or explore on your own.
     This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner and Tango performance at the famous Esquina Carlos Gardel restaurant.     (Dinner Included)

Sunday, February 3, 2008
Gaucho Day

Enjoy a full day tour to Estancia El Ambu de Areco, located at San Antonio de Areco near Buenos Aires. The Estancia has been booked for our exclusive enjoyment. We explore the surroundings on horseback and enjoy a typical and delicious asado (barbecue) prepared by the gauchos for lunch. Returning to Buenos Aires, the remainder of the day is free.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Monday, February 4, 2008
Buenos Aires

After breakfast this morning take a full day city sightseeing tour, visiting the most interesting districts such as La Boca with the colorful Caminito Street, San Telmo, Plaza de Mayo, and Recoleta, including the cemetery where Evita Peron is buried. The Colon Theater is probably the most important opera house in Latin America. Although it is currently undergoing extensive renovation, with grand opening scheduled for June 2008, we hope to be able to get an inside tour. This is possible, but subject to approval of the management. Lunch is included during the tour. Returning to our hotel, the evening is free.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Colonia del Sacramento

After an early wake-up call and breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to the port to board a high-speed hydrofoil across the Rio de la Plata from Argentina to Uruguay. We disembark at the port of Colonia del Sacramento, the oldest town in the country. It was founded by the Portuguese in 1680.
     Its prime location at the mid point of the Rio de la Plata’s northern shore made it a coveted treasure, and it changed hands many times between Portugal, Spain, England, and Argentina. UNESCO has named the town’s old center, with its winding, terrain-hugging cobblestones streets and closely packed buildings, a World Heritage Site. We spend a few hours here to tour the old town and enjoy free time for lunch (on your own).
     Continue eastward via motorcoach to our beachfront destination at Punta del Este. After hotel check-in, enjoy free time to get familiar with our new surroundings and the amenities of our resort. Dinner is included tonight at our hotel.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Punta del Este

First settled by the Spanish in the early 16th century, this area is now a prime vacation spot due to its warm weather and sunny beaches. The entire day is free with no planned activities, but there are plenty of optional adventures. You can hike, fish, windsurf, take boat trips to fish or visit large colonies of sea lions, play golf, and horseback ride. For those who just want to relax and people-watch, there is a gay nude beach a few miles from the center of town.
     Aside from its natural beauty and tranquility, people are drawn to Punta del Este for its vibrant nightlife. There are many clubs and discos to choose from which stay open until the morning. There is a small gay dance bar called Mercury open every night.     (Breakfast)

Thursday, February 7, 2008
Beach Day

Today is another entirely free day to do as you please. Punta del Este sits on a peninsula, extending like a hand towards the ocean, with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Rio de la Plata to the east. Rio de la Plata is the widest river in the world and separates Argentina from Uruguay. It is 120 miles wide at the point where it joins the Atlantic in Punta del Este. The peninsula offers wide, beautiful, white sand beaches on both sides, but the waters on the river side, “ La Mansa”, are calm. The Atlantic side, “La Brava”, offers exciting surf.
     People traditionally enjoy the waves in the morning and the calm riverside in the later afternoon because of its beautiful sunsets. The peninsula has areas of forest through which has been created a beautiful residential community with the wide beaches undulating on either side. Many fascinating day trips are also easily accessible from Punta del Este to visit Uruguay’s quiet beaches and beautiful mountains. If the group wishes, your tour leader can organize an optional excursion that everyone can enjoy today.     (Breakfast)

Friday, February 8, 2008
Montevideo

After breakfast, enjoy a couple more hours at the beach before it is time to check out of our hotel and transfer by motorcoach to Uruguay’s capital city, Montevideo, just 90 minutes away. Montevideo is more than 500 years old, dating back to an early native dwelling, then as a minor Spanish settlement, and eventually a fort. The city is now considered one of the most important harbor ports in all of the Americas. Upon arrival, we check in at our hotel, then proceed to lunch.
     Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Montevideo’s key tourist sights this afternoon , including the Viejo Cuidad, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its colonial architecture and sense of history. The evening is free to explore on your own. Montevideo has a surprising gay scene, as Uruguay’s attraction for gay travelers continues to grow each year. We have two nights here to enjoy the city and its nightlife.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Saturday, February 9, 2008
Free Day / Farewell Dinner

The morning and afternoon are completely at leisure to do as you please, whether it may be additional sightseeing around town or just relaxing at the hotel. Our group gathers at the hotel bar this evening for cocktails, before preceding to a nearby restaurant for our Farewell Dinner. Enjoy one more opportunity tonight to experience Montevideo’s gay scene.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Sunday, February 10, 2008
Homeward Bound

The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. Toto Tours provides one group transfer from our hotel to the airport timed to accommodate the greatest number of departing participants. Others will be responsible for making their own way to the airport. Arrange your international flight home for any convenient time today.     (Breakfast)