7 Days • 6 Nights
Uruguay Wine & Gastronomy
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Uruguay's bold Tannat wines
- Boutique family wineries and long lunches
- A wine lodge among the vines
- The Mercado del Puerto asado temple
- The art of the parrilla barbecue
- Artisan cheeses, olive oils and farm-to-table dining
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Montevideo, with a welcome dinner introducing Uruguayan beef and Tannat wine.
A guided food tour of Montevideo, the Mercado del Puerto, the temple of Uruguayan asado, the belle-epoque old town and the capital's growing culinary scene.
You travel to the Canelones wine region near Montevideo, settling into a wine lodge among the vines, with an afternoon tasting and a sunset over the vineyards.
A day touring boutique family wineries in Canelones, tasting bold Tannat and more, learning the art of the parrilla and enjoying a long vineyard lunch.
You travel west to the charming river town of Carmelo, a rising wine and relaxation destination, settling into a wine lodge or riverside hotel.
A day exploring Carmelo's boutique wineries and olive groves, with tastings and a vineyard lunch, and time to relax by the river, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport (or the ferry to Buenos Aires) for your onward journey, glass raised to Uruguay.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, an asado lunch and two winery lunches
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
- Ground transport or ferry as specified
- Entrance and winery fees as per itinerary
- a Montevideo food tour and guided winery tours with tastings in Canelones and Carmelo
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Uruguayan Peso; cards are widely accepted, and helpfully, tourists can often receive a tax refund on card payments for accommodation and restaurant meals. US Dollars are accepted in some tourist areas
- Seasons reversed: Uruguay is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to March) is warm and the peak beach season, especially in Punta del Este, while winter (June to August) is mild and quiet, ideal for the cities and wine country
- Getting around: Uruguay is small and easy to travel, with short drives linking Montevideo, Colonia, the wine country and the coast; a stylish ferry from Buenos Aires makes it an easy add-on to Argentina
- Beaches & Punta del Este: The glamorous resort of Punta del Este and the chic village of Jose Ignacio are liveliest and busiest in the December-to-February summer; outside this, the coast is peaceful and prices are lower
- Wine & food: Uruguay is a rising wine star, famous for its Tannat reds, and a land of superb beef and asado barbecue; wineries around Canelones and Carmelo welcome visitors for tastings and long lunches
- Safety & pace: Uruguay is one of South America's safest, most relaxed and progressive countries; the pace is unhurried, the people warm, and normal sensible precautions are all that is needed
- Health & power: No vaccinations are required, and tap water is generally safe in cities. Tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 220V with type C, F and L plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know about wine to enjoy this?
Not at all — Uruguay's boutique wineries are welcoming, family-run and unpretentious, and explain everything in an accessible way. Whether you are a serious enthusiast or simply enjoy good wine, food and a relaxed pace, you will love it.
How does wine touring work with transport?
We arrange guided winery tours with a driver so you can taste freely and safely. The wineries, tastings and long vineyard lunches are all built into your itinerary, at Uruguay's wonderfully unhurried pace.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner, a winery lunch or an asado barbecue. Uruguay's beef, wine and seafood are a highlight, so most other meals are left free with our recommendations.
Is Uruguay easy to combine with Argentina?
Very — a stylish ferry links Buenos Aires with Colonia and Montevideo in around one to three hours, making Uruguay a wonderful and easy add-on to an Argentina trip. We can seamlessly combine the two.
Do I need a visa for Uruguay?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to visit Uruguay?
Summer (December to March) is warm and the peak beach season, especially in Punta del Este, while spring and autumn are lovely and quieter for the cities and wine country. Winter is mild and peaceful. We advise on timing for your interests.
Is Uruguay safe?
Uruguay is one of South America's safest, most relaxed and progressive countries, with a warm, welcoming culture and an unhurried pace. Normal sensible precautions are all that is needed, and most visitors find it wonderfully easy and friendly.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, colonial towns, wine country and beach, add a Buenos Aires combination, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.
More Cultural Journeys
Cultural
Customizable
Uruguay Highlights: Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
Uruguay Highlights: Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
Uruguay
Cultural
Customizable
Argentina & Uruguay: Buenos Aires, Colonia & Punta del Este
Argentina & Uruguay: Buenos Aires, Colonia & Punta del Este
Uruguay
Cultural
Customizable
Grand Uruguay: Cities, Colonial Towns, Wine & Coast
Grand Uruguay: Cities, Colonial Towns, Wine & Coast
Uruguay