Full
day Punta del Este including visit to
Ralli Museum and/or Casapueblo.
Tour duration: Approx. 8-9 hs.
Leaving
Montevideo through the residential areas
of Montevideo, you will be driven 85 miles
to Punta del Este, one of the finest resorts
in South America, gateway for the jet
set. First stop at Portezuelo and Punta
Ballena for Sweeping views up and down
the coast (great spots for photographers),
inside visit to Casapueblo, home and atelier
of famous artist Carlos Paez Vilaro. The
Dazzling white complex, resembling Spanish-Moroccan
architecture, is situated on a rocky bluff
overlooking the ocean. Vilaro built it
in 1958 with his own hands, using only
traditional tools. Narrow steps lead to
a maze of rooms scattered on different
levels and filled with the artist´s
works.
Continue the drive to Punta del Este,
visit to the residential areas with its
elegant homes of the most sophisticated
architecture such as San Rafael, Cantegril,
Parque Golf and Beverly Hills. A visit
will be made to Fundación Ralli.
This private museum of Contemporary Latin
American Art houses an impressive collection
of sculptures and paintings, including
works by Salvador Dali (Mondays closed).
Next we will visit La Barra and its unique
hanging bridges. Along the wide variety
of fine sandy beaches such as Playa Brava,
San Rafael, El Emir, to downtown area,
main Avenue (Avenida Gorlero) and the
port. Lunch will be served at Blue Cheese
Restaurant (or similar), with some free
time afterwards for shopping or exploring
on your own.
Full
day tour to Colonia del Sacramento.
Tour duration: Min. 9 hs.
Departure
from pier upon arrival. Approx 2:30 hrs.
drive towards the west (180 km. Distance
from Montevideo). Colonia is a small city
founded by the Portuguese in 1680, at
a time when Spain and Portugal werw in
the midst of confrontations. For over
a hundred years both Empires fought over
it, until finally the Treaty of Saint
Ildefonso awared it to Spain. Today the
Old City has a los to say about its colonial
past. Visit the picturesque streets of
Colonia del Sacramento, the eldest city
in the country, recently declared World
Heritage by UNESCO. The streets of Santa
Rita, San Gabriel, the Matriz Church,
San Pedro road, the Bastion del Carmen,
the famous “Calle de los Suspiros”
(Street of Sighs) used so often as a scenary
for historical films, Puerta del Campo,
Plaza Mayor 25 de Mayo.
The past can still be felt, in the city´s
cobblestone streets and stone walls. Colonia
complements its archeological values with
natural beauty, the permanent company
of the Rio de la Plata and the emblematic
monuments that stand out on the horizon,
such as the cathedral and the lighthouse,
and very nearby, the Real de San Carlos
bullring.
Lunch at a typical restaurant. After lunch
back to Montevideo.
Montevideo
City Tour.
Tour duration: Aprox. 3:30 hs.
Complete
tour of 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
the center of which stands a monument
dedicated to national hero, José
Gervasio Artigas and his Mausoleum. Facing
the street Government House (museum of
the Presidents). Main commercial street
18 de Julio lined with shops, cafés
and office buildings. Congress Building:
This immense building is the pride of
Uruguay. It was constructed between 1908
and 1925 with local marble of 52 colours
and 12 types of wood. Inside visits are
only possible on week days (weekends and
holidays closed), depending on Parliament
activities. Drive past Prado neighbourhood,
one of the oldest parks in the city which
hosts the famous sculpture La Diligencia
/The Stage Coach), Monument to the Last
Charruas Indians, the Rose Garden and
offers you the chance of spending some
minutes around the Prado Hotel. Batlle
& Ordoñez Park, passing by
the Obelisk, La Carreta (Covered Wagon)
monument and the Soccer Stadium, Residential
area of Carrasco. Then will stop at Plaza
Virgilio with the Monument dedicated to
the Fallen Soldiers of the Navy, and from
which an excellent view of the city will
offer a great spot for photographers.
Return along the coast and its beaches
back to the port.
