URUGUAY VISTAS

Day 1 Arrive Montevideo

Arrive in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, and transfer 20 minutes out of the city to your peaceful, sophisticated and wonderfully welcoming estancia set in the rural countryside. Enjoy a long lazy lunch and a restorative siesta beside the swimming pool.

Overnight: Country house hotel

Day 2 Estancia Life

Enjoy a gentle day, wandering the sprawling estancia grounds. Unwind with a treatment or two in the spa, flop by the pool with a good book, enjoy some mouth-watering asado cooked over the barbecue and prepare yourself for a truly fabulous day's driving tomorrow.

Overnight: Country house hotel

Day 3 Panoramic Route 12

After breakfast, take delivery of your car and drive east to the fascinating and spectacular Hotel Casapueblo (a remarkable creation by the renowned Uruguayan artist Carlos Paez Vilaro), in time for lunch. With superb south facing views over the Atlantic and an exceptional menu, it is the ideal midday sojourn. After lunch and a stroll on the beach, continue driving along Route 12 to the province of Lavalleja.

Overnight: Estancia Balcon del Abra

Day 4 Estancia Balcon del Abra

Spend a full day in the heart of rural Uruguay, surrounded by the rolling hills of the Lavalleja province. The many activities on offer include trekking to the neighbouring hills, either by foot or on horseback, canoeing, golf, taking to the skies with some paragliding or simply relaxing, in and out of the natural biotop pool.

Overnight: Estancia Balcon del Abra

Day 5 Panoramic Route 109

Drive south-east along the winding and panoramic Route 109 towards the coastal wetlands of Laguna Rocha, in time for lunch. After lunch, try some canoeing in the lagoon, or a gentle ramble or bike ride towards La Paloma and La Pedrera. During the afternoon, continue your drive towards Punta del Diablo and the stunning seafront hotel of Posada La Viuda.

Overnight: Coastal hotel

Day 6 Green Hill & Santa Teresa National Park

Drive to the Santa Teresa National Park, where you'll meet your local guide. Spend the day trekking along the coast towards the Green Hill Protected Area, looking for green turtles and dolphins (November to March). Continue to the Santa Teresa National Park to discover the impressive Portuguese fortress. After an active day on foot, head back to the hotel and sink into an enormous bubbly jacuzzi bath, to revitalize before dinner.

Overnight: Coastal hotel

Day 7 The Ficus Forest, Black Lagoon and Palm Groves

Drive along Route 14 to the Ficus Forest, to see the incredible palm groves of Rocha. With up to 500 palm trees per hectare, it is considered the world's largest and possibly most fascinating palm grove. Wander about, explore the lagoon and shoreline before continuing the journey to Guardia de Monte.

Overnight: Estancia Guardia del Monte

Day 8 Estancia Wildlife

Enjoy a day of bird watching in the vast marshlands and wetlands surrounding Guardia. Teeming with more than 400 species of birds, otters, coypus and capybaras, it is a wildlife twitcher's paradise. Binoculars highly recommended; spot the graceful black-necked swan (the largest populations in the world are found here), the rare white goose and the pink flamingo (a species of flamingo with very bright pink pigment and quite common in Uruguay). After an active day, enjoy a delicious and well deserved dinner beside the fire.

Overnight: Estancia Guardia del Monte

Day 9 Colinas de Garzon, The ‘Uruguayan Tuscany'

A day of Olives and Vineyards Drive to Colinas de Garzon, home of the finest olive oil in Uruguay and spend a fabulous epicurean day enjoying some award-winning olive oils and outstanding local wines. After lunch drive back to Pueblo Garzon and the sublime Casa Anna for some downtime, stroll through the pretty gardens and enjoy a siesta by the pool.

Overnight: Casa Anna, Garzon

Day 10 Relaxing in Garzon

Garzon lays claim to a handful of Uruguay's best restaurants. Enjoy a day at leisure exploring, discovering, stopping and eating. Take your time over an exquisite lunch in one of Garzon's wonderful restaurants and simply soak it all up.

Overnight: Boutique hotel

Day 11 Montevideo

After breakfast drive to Montevideo, where you will say goodbye to your car. On arrival at the Alma Historica, head up to the roof terrace and sink into a deck chair with a glass of wine and enjoy the fabulous view of the energetic city life below.

Overnight: Alma Historica Boutique Hotel

Day 12 Exploring Montevideo

Enjoy a day of city culture with a morning's walking tour of the Old City of Montevideo. Experience the capital's historic and cultural landmarks, such as Palacio Salvo, the beautiful Solis Theatre and the pedestrian area of Sarandi and Baccacay. Montevideo is also home to a number of fascinating museums.

Overnight: Alma Historica Boutique Hotel

Day 13 Depart

Either depart from the international airport or take the high speed ferry to Buenos Aires, Argentina.