Holiday Tango
Buenos Aires, Iguacu Falls & Rio
December 23, 2008 – January 3, 2009
THE DANCE OF PASSION
The lights dim and partners move toward each other across a dance floor.
As the first wheezing chords emanate from the accordian-like bandoneon,
an arm wraps around a waist like a snake, and a hand grabs the nape
of a neck. A violin and guitar add their mournful voices, as a leg rises
sinuously to rest upon a hip and the curve of a back arches dangerously
towards the floor.
This is the tango, a private exchange
of agression, trust and surrender between two people inspired by the
tempestuous music. Born of the cultural melting pot that is Argentina,
the tango, much like the samba or bossa nova from neighboring Brazil,
has come to represent the passion, color, music and vitality of South
America. Toto Tours takes you on a tempting Tango this Holiday season,
pairing the two vibrant countries of Argentina and Brazil plus a visit
to Iguacu Falls!
Argentina, the world’s eighth largest
country, possesses some of the world’s tallest mountains, expansive
deserts and impressive waterfalls, with the diversity of the land ranging
from wild, remote areas in the south to the bustling capital in the
north. Buenos Aires is a complex, energetic and seductive port city,
which has no dominating monument or natural monolith that serves as
its focal point. Instead, it is comprised of many small places and intimate
details, each with a slightly different shade, shape and character.
The dramatic cataracts, inlets and drops
of Iguacu Falls form a horseshoe-shaped rim between Argentina and Brazil.
Argentina offers the ultimate close-up experience, where one can walk
out on catwalks built a few feet above the river at the very edge of
the falls. The best overall view, however, is from the Brazilian side,
where trails cut into the side of the riverbank offer a grand panorama
of the main section of the falls. Boats take visitors to the crashing
waters at the bottom of the falls and to more tranquil nearby pools
for swimming.
Covering almost half the continent, Brazil
is the fifth largest country in the world, behind Russia, Canada, China
and the U.S., with an area of nearly five million square miles. Known
to Brazilians as “Cidade Maravilhosa” (wonderful city),
Rio De Janeiro is nestled between rainforest-clad cliffs and the sea.
Always brimming with sound, rhythm, and joy, the city has all the colors
of the world here, with a thousand shades of Amazon green, the gold
of afternoon sunlight, the vibrant blue of a tropical sea, and the multitudinous
hues of sun-tanned flesh.
It is believed that the word “tango”
is derived from the Latin “tangere,” meaning “to touch.”
It is an appropriate appellation, as no visit to a faraway spot can
include absolutely everything it has to offer. This holiday season,
Toto Tours will “touch” upon the most sparkling highlights
of Buenos Aires, Iguacu Falls and Rio de Janeiro, as we embrace the
culture, history and spectacle with a passion rivaled only by the furious
coupling of the tango.
ITINERARY
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Depart for Buenos Aires
Leave your home city today on flights bound to Buenos Aires (EZE Airport
Code). US-based airlines serving Buenos Aires are American, Delta, Continental
and United (in addition to several international carriers). Flights
to Buenos Aires usually arrive the following day. We will be happy to
arrange an extra night at a hotel for those who wish to arrive today.
We recommend this option, as the tour gets an early start in the morning!
The price for an additional hotel night is $115 per person in double
occupancy, or $200 per person in single. Those booking our TAM group
flight will arrive at 11:50pm tonight. We will automatically add the
charge for one extra night to your invoice. One group hotel transfer
is provided for those arriving on the TAM flight. Others arriving at
different times on other airlines can order a private transfer for $25.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Arrival / Traditional Estancia Christmas Eve
This morning those who arrived yesterday will be collected at 7:30am
from the hotel and proceed to the airport to pick-up passengers arriving
on American Airlines Flight # 909 at 8:05am. If you cannot be at the
airport in Buenos Aires by that time, you need to plan to arrive one
day early. Following the airport pick-up, the entire group journeys
to the Estancia Santa Rita to enjoy Christmas Eve festivities.
The Estancia provides a luxurious taste of
ranching life over more than 200 years, with the main house, a chapel
and other
buildings set in a gorgeous, wooded landscape. We explore the surroundings
on horseback or by carriage, and have a
typical
and
delicious
asado
(barbecue) prepared by the gauchos
for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the activities
at the Estancia. This evening, our Welcome Dinner will be a Christmas
Feast with champagne. We join with the host family in their traditional
Christmas celebrations. (Lunch /
Dinner included)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Return To Buenos Aires
Continue to relax and enjoy the delightful atmosphere at the Estancia
through lunchtime today. Return to Buenos Aires after lunch and check
into our beautiful hotel, the Mansion Dandi Royal. Take time to settle
into your room and freshen up before attending a special Christmas dinner
at Spettus Restaurant. Overnight in Buenos Aires. (All
Meals)
Friday, December 26, 2008
Buenos Aires Tour / Tango Lesson / Tango Show
After breakfast this morning take a city sightseeing tour, visiting
the most interesting districts of Buenos Aires 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. Sightseeing
will take 5-hours, with a break to give you time to grab a bite for
lunch. This afternoon, test your abilities as a dancer with an 1½
- 2 hour tango lesson. We have arranged for local male dancers to be
our partners. This evening enjoy dinner and an exciting Tango performance
at our hotel. After the show the hotel presents a Milonga,
a traditional Tango dance party. We have arranged for our male dance
partners from our lessons earlier in the day to return and dance with
us. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Buenos Aires to Iguacu Falls
After a late breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to the
airport. Our flight for Iguacu Falls leaves Buenos Aires at 11:40am
and arrives at 1:25pm. Lunch will be served on the plane. Upon arrival
a guide meets our group and accompanies us on a tour of the Falls from
the Argentinian side. Afterwards, we continue to the Tropical Hotel,
a gorgeous property inside the National Park and directly in front of
the falls on the Brazilian side. The remainder of the day is free to
enjoy the amenities of the hotel and the spectacular views of the Falls. (Breakfast)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Brazilian Falls / Macuco Safari
This morning we tour the Brazilian side of Iguacu Falls. Neither words
nor photographs do these falls justice—they must be seen and heard!
Lunch will be at a restaurant beside the Falls. Our afternoon adventure
is named for the Macuco Trail in the Brazilian National Park, just three
kilometers from Iguacu Falls. We ride in an open-air wagon pulled by
a jeep through this lush, subtropical ecosystem then board a powerboat
for a thrilling ride through rapids directly below the thundering Falls.
Prepare to get wet! (Breakfast / Lunch)
Monday, December 29, 2008
Flight to Rio / Sugar Loaf
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport.
Our flight to Rio de Janeiro departs at 9:50am, arriving at 11:45am.
Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel, check in to our rooms, and enjoy
some free time at the gorgeous beach across the street.
In late afternoon, we head toward dramatic
Sugar Loaf Mountain, passing through Rio’s most famous beaches
(Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon) to the base of the Mountain. We
take the first of two cable cars to the smaller of the mountains, strolling
around the flowered walkways while enjoying the magnificent view and
looking for little monkeys called “Sagui.” Continue via
another cable car to the summit of the second mountain. The view of
the city of Rio from this peak at sunset is breathtaking. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Corcovado Mountain
Corcovado Mountain with its Christ Statue is one of the “must
see ” places to visit when in Rio, especially now that it has
been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World! This morning we
travel through downtown Rio to the base of Corcovado Mountain. There
we board a cog rail train that takes us through the Tijuca Rainforest
to the top of the mountain. At the top stands the famous 125ft statue
with its arms outstretched over the city. The views of the ocean, city
and lagoon are spectacular from this vantage point. After our tour,
the remainder of the day is free to enjoy the beach and Rio’s
exciting nightlife. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year’s Eve
This morning, you can take breakfast at your regular time or sleep
in late to rest up for tonight’s festivities. The entire day is
free to enjoy the beach, go souvenir shopping, or explore on your own.
Our group has special reservations at our hotel for New Year’s
Eve, complete with a late dinner at 9:00pm and fireworks at midnight. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year’s Day
Today is completely free to do as you please, relaxing and enjoying
one more day in fabulous Rio de Janiero. New Year’s Resolutions
will just have to wait! (Breakfast)
Friday, January 2, 2009
Farewell Lunch / Departure
After breakfast, the morning is at your leisure. This afternoon we
check out of the hotel, load our luggage into the motorcoach and head
out to enjoy a delicious Farewell Lunch at Marius Crustaceos Restaurant.
We’ll remember special moments we shared during our Tango adventure
across Argentina and Brazil. Afterwards, we go to the airport for the
return flights to the US. Our group flight on TAM departs at 8:05pm.
We are required to be at the airport three hours before departure time. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Return Home
Your international flight will travel through the night, and return
you to the United States today. Our group flight arrives in Miami at
4:55am. You should not make any ongoing reservations before 8:00am in
order to allow sufficient time to clear immigration and customs, re-check
your bags, and go through security once more.
ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click property name to read description)
Christmas Eve: Estancia
Santa Rita
Buenos Aires: Hotel
Mansion Dandi Royal
Iguacu Falls: Tropical
Hotel das Cataratas
Rio de Janeiro: Windsor
Hotel Excelsior Copacabana
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