Uruguay highlights

Day 1 - Colonia  

Your private transfer will welcome you at the port of Colonia (ferries arriving/departing to/from Buenos Aires) and transport you to the selected hotel.  You will then check in and the rest of the day will be at your leisure to rest or walk around this quaint town, so full of history.  

Day 2 - Colonia  

Today you will be picked up from your hotel to join the Regular Colonia Walking Tour.  This walk will take you around the Old District of Colonia (known as Colonia del Sacramento), a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1680 by the Portuguese.  The walk starts at the old city gates, and continues toward the “Street of Sighs” which dates back to 1720.  Next, a stop at the Main Square, then the ruins of the San Francisco Church (the oldest ruins in Uruguay), the Lighthouse, Governor’s House, the Sacramento Basilica and other attractive sites and buildings along the way. This is an educating walk through a tranquil area, which will provide visitors with knowledge on the city’s history and the reason for it to be named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO back in 1995.   Upon completion of the Regular Colonia Walking Tour, passengers are free to continue on their own.  

Day 3 – Colonia to Estancia Finca Piedra  

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and you will be transferred in a private transport with a guide over to Estancia Finca Piedra located in the province of San José, about 2 hrs drive from Montevideo and only 1 hour from the city of Colonia (or its Port).               
ESTANCIA FINCA PIEDRA is known as an authentic ecotourism ranch; an ideal place that combines its natural beauty, with horseback and cart rides through the huge “seas” of rocky boulders found in the Mahoma Hills.  In this natural reserve you may spot foxes, rabbits, lizards, anteaters and for sure see a variety of beautiful birds.   Your palate will be fully satisfied with its excellent home made foods; the traditional “parrillas” (barbeques) will offer their best selection of 100% natural meats, and you’ll be delighted tasting select vintages of their property.  While riding with a friendly “gaucho” (cowboy), you will learn about the agriculture of this 1000-hectare ranch, as well as the history, culture and lifestyle of the country.   Estancia Finca Piedra has a beautiful swimming pool overlooking the vineyards, a boutique offering traditional Uruguayan items and souvenirs, a spa, a game room, a large arena for rodeo events and typical rural infrastructure for breeding cattle.              

 All meals included.  (Beverages not included (except water and/or any beverages stated in the description)  Bird Watching  Walks - Trekking  Horse-Cart rides  Equestrian Tourism  Vineyard Tours            

Day 04 – Estancia Finca Piedra to Montevideo  

After breakfast, check out from Estancia Finca Piedra and take a private transfer with a guide to the city of Montevideo.   Check in at your selected hotel and take the rest of the day at your leisure.  

Day 5 - Montevideo  

You will be picked up from your hotel for a Regular Montevideo City Tour.  
This tour will let you enjoy Montevideo’s monuments, parks and gardens. The main points of interest are the Old City, Constitution Square, Cathedral and Colonial Town Hall, Solis Theatre, Independence Square (at which center stands a monument and the mausoleum for the country’s national hero, José Gervasio Artigas). Facing the square, is the     
Government House (Museum of the Presidents) and the main downtown shopping street 18 de Julio lined with shops, cafés and office buildings. Next is a photo stop at the Parliament Building.  (A visit to the inside is optional and for an access fee). This immense structure is the pride of Uruguay. It was constructed between 1908 and 1925 with 12 types of wood and local marble of 52 colours.  The tour continues driving to Batlle & Ordoñez Park, passing by the Obelisk, La Carreta (Covered Wagon) monument and the “Centenario” Soccer Stadium.   The tour will continue driving towards the             
residential area of Carrasco, and stop at Plaza Virgilio to view the monument dedicated to the Fallen Navy Soldiers and for a perfect opportunity to photograph an excellent view of the city.
The tour will return to the city center driving along the coastal beaches.   

Day 6 – Montevideo to Punta del Este  

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and you will be transported via private transfer to the Main Bus Station to take a regular bus departure to the seaside resort of Punta del Este.  A private transfer will be waiting for you at the Punta del Este Bus Station to take you to your chosen Hotel.  Check in and rest of the day at leisure for resting or walking around this lovely seaside resort.   

Day 7 – Punta del Este  

Pick up from your hotel’s lobby to go on a Regular Punta del Este City Tour.             
The drive will take you through the city's residential districts. This famous seaside resort is a playground for the regional and international jet set and a world renowned location for film festivals and international conferences. Often referred to as “the St. Tropez of Uruguay”, this popular resort area, with its miles of pristine beaches, is a regional and international favourite.     
An interesting feature of Punta del Este is that visitors can actually see the sunrise and sunset in the same waters given it is located on a peninsula that extends into the ocean. Your tour will first take you along the magnificent beach areas of Playa Mansa and Playa Brava and then through the tree-lined residential districts of San Rafael, Cantegril and Beverly Hills, where you will see some of the most beautiful mansions as well as well-tended private gardens. Your route will also 
 take you by the Tudor-styled San Rafael Hotel & Casino.  A brief photo stop will be made at Punta Ballena for a panoramic view of the coast including Casapueblo, the Moroccan style atelier and home of renowned Uruguayan Artist Carlos Páez Vilaró (entrance fee is not included). The bus will return you to your selected hotel.      

Day 8 – Punta del Este to Montevideo  

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and a private transfer will take you to take the bus station, to take the regular service to the Montevideo Airport.      

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