Cost: $ 2700.00 per person, double occupancy, exclusive of airfare
5 Nights Superior Ensuite Lodging
All transfers
2 Cooking Lesson & Lunch
Asado Dinner with wine
Dinner in a private home
Punta Ballena & Casa Pueblo Tour
Lunch & visit to authentic gaucho ranch
Tour of Montevideo, Punta del Este, Maldonado
Visit Famous Beaches of Manantiales and La Berra
Tango Lessons & Dinner
Daily transport as per itinerary
ntrance fees and tips
5 breakfast, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Vagabond Gourmet brings the dream that is Punta
del Este closer to you with leafy stretches of pine trees, forty miles of pristine, lazy sand beaches, a thrilling nightlife and shopping scene, complete with casinos, prestigious shops as well as local crafts, trendy restaurants. It’s a virtual paradise and a destination for the most discerning traveler. Vagabond
Gourmet brings the dream of Punta del Este to you this October and serves up a unique vacation in a yet to be discovered destination. Come along and partake in our activities and cooking lessons designed to enrich your experience and appreciation for the Uruguayan tradition of hospitality and good food.
DAY 1 -
Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) in Montevideo, Uruguay to the city. Lunch in a typical Parrillada or Uruguayan barbecue in the renowned “Mercado del Puerto”, the city’s old covered market by the port, where local beef is King! This is a perfect time to experience one of Uruguay’s classic dishes called Chivitos , similar to a large open-faced grilled sirloin sandwich that has more toppings than you could ever have imagine, however not in the traditional sandwich sense. Sound interesting?
After lunch we drive in the historic city, to see the monuments, cathedral and grand square before departure for Punta del Este, less than 100 miles east, for arrival in the evening at the Hotel L’Auberge. Punta del Este, is called the Pearl of the Atlantic and is not only known for its glamorous mile long sandy peninsula but as a favorite South American port of call for luxury pampering and freshly caught seafood.
Welcome cocktail and dinner with wine served in the Auberge dining room.
DAY 2 -
Enjoy breakfast in L Auberge and a relaxing morning exploring the gardens and park like setting. After lunch experience a pastry class in the Auberges kitchen preparing the local specialties, Alfajor, Panqeques, and Empanadas by Laura
Neulat, from A World in a PAN.
Visit and explore unique Punta del Este after the class. Discover the heart of the town with its art galleries, exclusive shops, charming port, and sandy beaches.
Dinner and wine at “Lo de Tere”, a Punta del Este restaurant, where fresh fish and seafood are specialties of the house. After dinner enjoy dessert in one of the lively sidewalk cafes. Try dulce de leche a creamy concoction will trump any caramel type sauce you have tasted before in your life. There are many ways to use dulce de leche but the most popular we think is on, ice cream or cake.
DAY 3 -
After breakfast, we embark on scenic tour of the Atlantic coast to visit La Barra and Manantiales two of the most beautiful beaches in Uruguay. After a seaside picnic on the beach, then on to Jose Ignacio, once a typical fishers’ village that has become the place to be seen in. On the return we pass via San Carlos, home of the nandus, the South American ostrich.
Tonight we have a truly unique experience where we are invited into the home of a local resident also known as a fantastic cook and are treated to genuine Uruguayan hospitality.
DAY 4 -
After breakfast join Laura Neulat for a cooking class in the Auberge kitchen followed by lunch. Later you’ll visit another beautiful colonial city Maldonado and its historic landmarks, the Torre del Vigia, or Old Guard Tower and the cathedral by the sea.
Relax poolside or in the garden before we enjoy the must-have meat lovers banquet
being prepared for tonight’s dinner. Our “Asado” dinner is at “Lo de Ruben” a
typical local barbeque restaurant that specializes in beef that is cooked on
open grills stoked by natural wood charcoals. Served with the excellent wines
of the region this is one feast to remember.
DAY 5 -
After breakfast, scenic drive to Punta Ballena, a cliff that penetrates into the sea and looks from a distance like the back of a whale, displays dramatic scenery, an unforgettable seascape. In the right season, you may also catch a glimpse of the whales as they migrate along the coast. Our destination is the impressive white stucco Casa
Pueblo, museum, gallery home of famous Uruguayan artist Carlos
Paez Vilaro. The architecture of the museum, also created by Vilaro, is absolutely fabulous, rising out of the rocks in weird formations and curves. The view from this site is breathtaking.
Lunch in an historic estancia or ranch where gauchos display their horsemanship and give us tour of the estate. Later in the afternoon might be an excellent time to experience one of South America’s favorite addictions called Yerba Mate, a strong caffeine fueled drink meant to be consumed with friends.
A special dinner is being prepared for us tonight in L’ Auberge prior to “Tango Evening”. The dance floor transforms with a local group of tango dancers who teach us the world’s most sensual dance. After a few tango lessons feel the rhythms and of this passionate dance and take a few steps home to amaze your friends.
DAY 6 -
Farewell buffet brunch at the hotel, departure for Montevideo, lunch in Piriapolis, an old fashioned summer resort, arrival in Montevideo, visit of Carrasco Shopping Mall for last minute souvenir shopping.
Departure from Carrasco Airport.
About Laura Neulat of A World in a PAN
“Growing up in Uruguay and the US with a French grandmother
who taught me the basics of cooking, gave my style an international flavor from
the very beginning.
Later on, my French husband, children and I had the incredible
opportunity to live and travel in faraway lands. From the fragrant Indian spices,
to the rich flavorsome French gourmet dishes, and the hot colorful South American
treats, nowadays I regularly teach classes that take my pupils on a sensory culinary
adventure across the oceans and seas so they can take a little piece of my travels
into their own pots and pans.”
The Cuisine
Uruguay's food is characterized by some main unique meals and flavors which are typical of the Uruguayan culture. The main Uruguayan meal and maybe the most worldwide known Uruguay food is the "asado". The Uruguayan "asado" consists on a specific variety of meats cooked over fire wood in special ovens locally called "parrillero" and typical in Uruguay. This Uruguayan food owes its magic not only due to the meal itself, but to the way Uruguayans use to meet, cook it and eat it together.
Uruguayans probably consume more beef than any other people in the world. Churrasco (grilled steak) is said to be the national dish. Parrillada is a beef platter and considered another national dish. Chivitos are also popular; they are hot steak sandwiches topped with bacon, eggs, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. To taste Uruguayan traditions one must attend a barbeque with an open pit fire.
Uruguayans also serve traditional Spanish food. Puchero is a meat stew considered a delicacy. And of course the large Italian influence yields a myriad of pasta dishes, lasagna and pizza being Uruguayan favorites. Sausages, meat filled pastries and delicious snacks are popular in the afternoons especially jam filled cakes and anything doused in dulce le leche, the decadent caramel.
Seafood is amazing here with a bounty of mussels, fresh and saltwater fish. Thanks to the strong Spanish influence we can savor “paellas” and many spicy flavorful seafood stews and perfect grilled fish on the ever popular open flame hearths.
Sweet tooth’s will not be disappointed, Uruguayans love sweets and some standouts are flavored with coconut, anise and tropical fruits.
About the Region
Discover Punta del Este, the “Pearl of the Atlantic”, the Hamptons of South America and an oasis destination on the lovely Uruguayan coast.
This glamorous mile-long sandy peninsula bathed by the South Atlantic Ocean is known to the sailing lovers as a port of call for luxury sailboats on round-the-world adventures, nestled next to Argentina with Brazil only a short flight away.
South America’s favorite upscale vacation resort displays a wide array of tempting restaurants boasting freshly caught fish or Uruguayan style barbecues, all with a dramatic backdrop of the warm south American sun setting over the azure waters, or small cobblestone lanes leading to a typical arts and crafts open air late night market.
La Punta, as the initiated call it, offers the curious traveler an array of unmatched contrasts, a magic blend of traditional countryside and frivolous cosmopolitan life, a buzzing nightlife and unspoilt sandy beaches. Activities to discover the area are a plenty whether one wants to sail around the coast to watch sea lions bask in the sun, or take a horse ride inland and take in the smell of the pine trees.
Avenida Gorlero, in the heart of the town, with its scattered palm trees and outdoor cafes, also features art galleries, restaurants, and fancy stores, to satisfy the most demanding shopper, without resembling a metropolis of skyscrapers but rather keeping an old time charm with colonial style buildings.
Montevideo
The capital of Uruguay, the second-smallest country in South America, Montevideo is located on the Rio de la Plata in the southern part of the country. The city was founded around 1680 by the Spanish, and Uruguay was established over a century later, in 1828, as a buffer state between Argentina and Brazil. Modern-day Montevideo is known for its picturesque architecture, impressive buildings, white sandy beaches and its fabulous beach resorts along the Atlantic Coast.
Maldonado
The city of Maldonado is other of the most interesting spots tourists would find in this department. This city was founded around the year 1757 by Joaquin de Viana, being called Maldonado first but named San Fernando de Maldonado later. In this city, visitors could meet several attractions, such as for example the Puente de la Barra, the Cathedral de San Fernando de Maldonado, the Torre del Vigia, and the Cuartel de Dragones.
Optional one day tour:
Departure for Santa Teresa Fortress early in the morning. Located on a strategic hill, the Portuguese build the fortress in 1762. Captured by the Spanish in 1763, before it was finished, the fortress changed hands constantly. In 1828 Uruguay became independent, marking thus an end to the need of this fortress. It is now a museum. On the way, we will stop at several resorts, Cabo Polonio, la Paloma, Aguas Dulces; we will watch ñandús, the South American ostrich, the palm groves of Rocha, and more. Picnic on the grounds of the fortress, on the Brazilian border.
Optional half day tour: “Isla de Lobos”, in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Punta del Este
coast, is shelter to one of the largest South American sea
lions & fur seals colony. You’ll be transferred to
the boat dock after breakfast, to board the boat for a half-day excursion to
Isla de Lobos, natural reserve with more than 250,000 sea wolfs. Seabirds such
as Great Grebe, Black-browed Albatross, Yellow-nosed Albatross, Cape Petrel,
Southern Giant Petrel, Olivaceus Cormorant, American Oystercatcher, South American
Stilt, Greater Yellowlegs, White–rumped Sandpiper, Snowy Sheatbill, Black Skimmer,
Kelp Gull, Brown-hooded Gull, Snowy-crowned Tern, Yellow-billed Tern, and Royal
Terncan be watched.
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