Romantic Getaway to South America Tour: Stunning Landscapes to Intimate Excursions

Santiago is a city of cosmopolitan chic set against the backdrop of the snowcapped Andes Mountains. Skyscrapers imitate the mountaintops, soaring into the air above the city streets. The coastal range spreads west to the Pacific Ocean and highlights the city’s bustling neighborhoods and relaxed suburban parks touching the Mapocho River. Your flight lands at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, where your private transfer greets you upon arrival. The hill of Cerro Santa Lucia contains a steep stone stairway leading to the lookout at Torre Mirador. An assortment of churches spread along the hillside.

The historic center shimmers with buildings harkening back to the Spanish arrival in the 16th century, rising in the Plaza de Armas. Palm trees cast shade over the cobbled walkways. The cathedral was erected in the 18th century. The tripartite doorway leads to an impressive interior that contains the aromas of frankincense and myrrh. The candlelight flickering off the tiled floor guides visitors’ eyes to the dramatic marble and lapis lazuli altar, glowing against the vaulted ceiling. The neighborhood known as Paris-Londres was named after the main streets swathed in European charm, paved with pebbles, and shaded by blossoming trees set against the lining structures reminiscent of a hidden romantic lane in Paris.

The city’s culture emanates from the metro stations through the decorative murals capturing the beauty of the people by remembering the history from Spanish settlement to the Pinochet regime. From the platform in the station connected to the Universidad de Chile, you can view the Art Deco mural created in 1996, offering fragments of the country’s past. Students, artists, philosophers, and locals often stand on the platform listening to the trains pass as they take in the impressive colors and textures covering the walls like curtains.

In the morning, fishermen make their way to the Mercado Central to display the fresh catches from the ocean that morning. Trendy seafood restaurants fill the heart of the market set beneath the bright natural light filtering in through the vaulted ceilings. Mollusks and bass offer a glimpse into the vast array of seafood locals search for while wandering the lanes of the marketplace. Across the river, vendors set up their stalls to display bright produce grown around Chile and Argentina, offering stunning colors of orange, yellow, red, and green. The sweet scent of passion fruit easily makes your mouth water.

After breakfast, your guide meets you in the hotel lobby and escorts you to Maipo Valley, the wine region outside of Santiago celebrated for its varietals, scenery, and climate. Vineyards overtake the valley landscape leading to the edges of the foothills in the distance. The scent of rich earth sweeps through the air and blends with the enticing aromas of slow-cooking meat drifting upwards from the open plains of various ranches. The blend of snowcapped peaks towering over the edges of the lush vineyards and collection of cypress trees creates a romantic atmosphere for you and your partner to enjoy. The scenery is reminiscent of the French countryside with vines taken from the old country more than 150 years ago.

After visiting a selection of vineyards, you make your way to the unique winery located at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The vines frame the drive leading to the farmhouse set beneath the looming mountain ridges. In summer, the vineyard glows emerald. In winter, the sky shimmers with blankets of snow spreading over the mountains. The grapes absorb the unique properties of the soil characterized by the rocks and nearly 2,300-foot high altitude, encompassing less than 45 acres. After wandering along the vines and through the cellars in which you find an oaky aroma drifting from the stacked barrels, you enter into the tasting room. Your guide pours a sample of the Cabernet Sauvignon, which offers seductive aromas of cassis, red pepper, and fresh red fruits drifting upwards from the glass.

In the morning, the charming cafes of the Brasil neighborhood fill the streets with the aromas of freshly roasted coffee and delicate, buttery pastries. The architecture has maintained its original integrity, showcasing embellishments dating back to the 1920s. Murals decorating the exterior walls add to the youthful ambiance filling the neighborhood, accentuated by the students and young professionals lingering in the cafes to watch passersby. After breakfast, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you and your partner to the airport for your flight south to Puerto Varas.

The lakeside location offers views of the cobalt waters of Lake Llanquihu and the picturesque snowcapped peaks of the volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco. Your flight lands at El Tepual Airport and your private transfer leads you to a remarkable hotel overlooking the shoreline. The streets fill with small town charm, from the red-tile spires of the church to the preserved German culture brought from émigrés and displayed in the local love of beer and production of divine chocolates. The aroma of rich melted chocolate blends with the freshwater scent of the lake.

After settling into the hotel, you and your partner step out into the countryside to tour the captivating scenery at the northern end of Chilean Patagonia. Kayakers paddle across the lake to enjoy the scenery from the seclusion at the center of the water. The crisp air and pine scents provide the perfect romantic getaway to view the towering peak of Osorno Volcano, reaching a height of more than 8,700 feet above sea level, and perfectly visible from the lakeshores.

In the morning, locals and visitors alike venture to the bustling Angelmo Fish Market in search of the freshest catch. The two-story structure wraps around the water’s edges near Port Montt in a sectional formation. Before entering the market, vendors set out stalls showcasing handcrafts and artisan goods made from the unique knowledge of the surrounding region, including small statues crafted from Alerce trees, which grow only around Chile’s Lakes Region. The market reaches out into the water, supported on stilts, and filled with the vibrant scene of locals bargaining for the fish caught that morning.

After breakfast, you and your partner step aboard a ferry to reach the shores of Chiloe, an island less than 120 miles in length and 40 miles in width. The Spanish arrived on the island in the 16th century and imitated the ways the natives navigated the treacherous waters of the archipelago. Wood shingles decorate the houses, and you and your partner notice the homes spreading across the water’s edge, lifted on stilts. There are 16 wood churches preserved on the island that maintains UNESCO World Heritage status.

The aroma of seafood stew drifts out of the local restaurants embodying the history of the island’s celebrated seafaring culture. A rich sense of mythology blends into the landscape and sea, with the locals eager to share stories of ghost ships and forest gnomes, welcoming you and your partner into the culture both connected, and yet removed from mainland Chile. The 18th-century Jesuit church of Iglesia Santa Maria de Loreto adorns the south side of Plaza de Armas in the town of Achao. You marvel at the tower, which reaches a height of more than 80 feet above the surrounding square. Wood pegs hold together the roof shingles, and you easily notice the juxtaposition of the new wood and the restored old wood.

In the morning, you and your partner enjoy sipping a fresh hot chocolate and basking in the view of the calm lake reflecting the peak of Osorno Volcano. Angelmo Market once again fills with locals eager for a deal and a fresh look at the local fare. After breakfast, your guide meets you in the hotel lobby ready to lead you across the Chilean border into Argentina. The majestic scenery takes you between the undulating snowcapped peaks of Parque Nacional Puyehue. The park encompasses 412 square miles of lush landscape, powerful rivers, cedar, and pine trees, leading upwards into the stretch of peaks connected to the longest mountain range in the world. The scent of fresh water lingers cool and crisp in the air. The breeze nips at your cheeks as you view the stunning whitewater leading to Petrohue Waterfalls.

Step onto a catamaran taking you across the glassy turquoise waters of the Blest Branch of Nahuel Huapi Lake. The alpine atmosphere brings you and your partner closer, snuggling for warmth as you enjoy the majestic surroundings. You arrive in Bariloche and easily settle into your luxurious hotel overlooking the shores of the Lago Nahuel Huapi. The scent of chocolate fills the center of the city emanating from a small collection of chocolateries. The historic steam train continues to run along the tracks, first erected in the early 1900s and the white stone of San Carlos de Bariloche cathedral mirrors the graceful snow lingering on the distant mountains.

In the morning, the scent of melting chocolate returns to the streets of the town. The stunning clean lines of the cathedral rise above the trees with a gray-tiled steeple. Microbreweries run alongside the lakeshores having been founded mostly after German immigrants arrived in the region. The herbaceous aroma of roasting hops drifts out of a craft beer house and pub located inside a historical cabin. Locals and visitors enjoy the vibrant life in the heart of the city, where art shows linger between the restaurants amidst the outdoor tables and chairs. Vendors showcase handmade souvenirs, and street performers offer an unforgettable soundtrack to the day.

You and your partner have the day at leisure to experience the adventures of Argentina’s Lakes Region or bask in the romance of the scenery. For a remarkable journey amongst the landscape, you and your partner set out on the Small Circuit. Rose bushes blossom near the growing plumpness of blackberries and raspberries. Cycle along the trails leading to Campanaria Hill, which rises to nearly 3,445 feet above sea level. A chairlift takes you to the summit, offering a stunning panorama of the countryside, from the turquoise waters of the lakes glinting in the sunlight to the endless stretch of mountains rolling across the horizon.

Buenos Aires is a city of passion and wonderment, history and culture accentuated with a European atmosphere. In the morning, you and your partner have a private transfer to San Carlos de Bariloche Airport for your flight north to the capital of Argentina. You fly over the mountains and the famous Patagonia steppe before landing in the stunning, enchanting city filled with the vibrant rhythms of tango and charming café culture overlooking cobblestone streets.

The neighborhood of Chacarita stands adjacently south to the popular, chic district known as Palermo Hollywood, and has overtaken the latter’s exciting ambiance with a series of restaurants, bars, and enchanting galleries, adding to the layers of beauty for which the city is known. The aroma of freshly crafted and fried churros lingers in the air. The alternative theater and concert hall at Santos 4040 provides porteños, local Argentinians, a place to indulge in the hybridity of contemporary art, culture, life, and ping-pong. The rosy hues of the Casa Rosada, the government palace, shimmers against the crowds of passersby wandering through the main square of Plaza de Mayo.

After settling into your luxurious hotel in the historic district of Recoleta, you make your way to a private dance class in which you and your partner learn the importance of passion in a dance built on fanning the flames of ardor. Your instructor has you hold your partner close, explaining that the embrace of tango is as important as the steps. You lean closer to one another, finding the aroma of roses drifting through the studio. The music thumps against the walls. Your instructor claps her hands with vigor. You and your partner step in time, looking into each other’s eyes while crossing the room to the seductive rhythm.

In the morning, the doors of El Ateneo Grand Splendid open to the streets of Recoleta. The former lavish theater turned bookshop lines the circular walls with shelves promoting books from around the world, covering various disciplines. The scent of freshly baked pastries and roasted coffee emanates from the café situated atop the stage, framed by velvet curtains. After breakfast, you and your partner step out into the city with a private guide, eager to immerse yourselves in the beauty of the diverse neighborhoods. Vibrantly elegant window displays line the cobblestone walkways of pedestrian-friendly Calle Florida. Upscale and avant-garde boutique stores overtake the popular reaches of the Palermo Viejo neighborhood. Your guide leads you to San Telmo, a charming district of cobbled streets and colonial mansions situated near Plaza de Mayo.

The charm of Plaza Dorega calls to you. The city’s second oldest plaza, formed in the 18th century, once acted as a stop for caravans bringing supplies from around the country. Cafes and restaurants open their windows to allow the cool breeze to float over the tables, adding an extra layer of grace to the vintage style. The original ceilings continue to decorate the wrought-iron interior of the San Telmo Market. Grocers offer fresh produce and butchers display various types of meat popular with porteños. Antique stalls showcase the old treasures of Argentina and hidden gems brought by émigrés from around the world, lined along the periphery of the market.

In the morning, the scent of buttery cookies blends with the caramel aroma of dulce de leche drifting out of the cafes of the city. Los Violetas has curved glass doors and marble tabletops, harkening back to the elegance of the city’s bygone era in which the café first opened. With over 125 years of history, the café remains popular due to its rich coffee, delicious pastries, and persevering resistance to change. Natural light spills through the windows and glints against the silver platters decorated with arrays of cakes.

Savory empanadas provide a decadent aroma of sautéed mushrooms and garlic. Tango dancers take to the cobblestone streets in the La Boca neighborhood, framed by the colorful corrugated houses. The thrills and passion of the city have overtaken you and your partner. Soon your private transfer will meet you at the hotel ready to take you to Ministro Pistarini International Airport for your flight home; instead, you could extend your romantic stay in South America by continuing onward to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil or Cuzco in Peru.