Wines of the World: Santiago to Sydney

In walking distance of legendary sites including Pablo Neruda's house, Parque Metropolitano Zoo, San Cristobal Hill, the district's best shopping, restaurants, and pubs, Sheraton Santiago Hotel and Convention Centre is also just 12 minutes from the airport and an easy drive from Vina del Mar, world-class ski centers, lakes and mountains.

Santiago de Chile was founded in 1541 by the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia who was sent by the conqueror of the Incas, Pizzaro, to establish a new capital in the fast growing Spanish Empire in the New World. Much of the core layout as designed by the master builder Pedro de Gamboa remains to this day. During the Half day city tour you will visit key locations where the rich history of the city played out.

The tour starts with a visit to "Forestal Park", which runs along Mapocho River - water that penetrates the land. The river itself flows from the Andes and cuts the city of Santiago in two. It is then onto Santa Lucia Hill, the actual spot on where the city was founded. A geographical high point of the area the hill is now adorned with wonderful facades, fountains and stairways, including "Neptuno Terrace" at the summit. Neptuno Terrace is reminiscent of the Trevi fountain and its surrounds are now a public park located alongside the National Library. You then travel to the heart of the city and Plaza de Armas the spot from where the city has grown throughout the centuries. Each Latin city has a plaza de Armas as when cities were founded the center was also were the armory and military base was established - hence the name Plaza de Armas (Plaza of Arms). Visit some of the more important buildings such as the Cathedral, the City Council, the Central Post Office and the National Historical Museum. Continue to the Presidential Palace "La Moneda"; the current seat of the government. You will wander the streets that were once elegant at the beginning of the 19th century and now are a commercial center. Pass by Dieciocho Street that has been deemed as "typical" example of architecture from the period as well as the Cousino Palace built around 1870 and the Basilica de los Sacramentinos, a blatant imitation of the Sacred Heart Church of Montmartre in Paris. Finally reach Bernardo O'Higgins Avenue better known as "Alameda", which is the main street of the city where the tour concludes with a visit only to the San Francisco Church, located in the heart of Santiago, built between 1586 and 1628 by the Franciscan order and is the oldest colonial era building in the country.

Your will be transferred from your hotel in Santiago, Valparaiso or from the cruise port in Valparaiso to the Matetic Vineyard and La Casona.

On arrival you enjoy a welcome cocktail before enjoying a presentation on the Rosario Valley by an expert guide at El Emporio. El Emporio at Matetic Vineyards is the wine shop and tasting room. Here is an opportunity to purchase some of the renowned wines you will be immersing yourself in over the next few days.

Tonight enjoy a sumptuous locally prepared Chilean dinner accompanied by some of the famous red or white wine from the vineyard.

After breakfast there is a choice of one of the following activities to explore the vineyard grounds - horseback riding, cycling, trekking or driving tour in van.

A special lunch is prepared and paired with the main Premium and Ultra-Premium wines of the vineyard.

An afternoon tour the vineyards wine cellar with a courtesy tasting of 4 Ultra-Premium wines of the EQ line and then an afternoon cocktail to top off the day.

Tonight you sit down for another sampling of Chilean cuisine accompanied by wine.

This morning there is a choice of one of the following activities to explore the vineyard grounds - horseback riding, cycling, trekking or driving tour in van.

After lunch you will be transferred to Santiago, Valparaiso or the cruise port in Valparaiso.

Sleek, contemporary design and a remarkable location make this hotel a perfect choice for your next visit to Santiago, Chile. Guests can literally walk to the airport terminal. You will enjoy peace and quiet when you stay here. Award-winning service is matched by updated amenities and recreational facilities with an indoor pool, sauna and a Fitness Center. Savor International cuisine in our restaurant and a cocktail in the Business Center. Experience the best!

A beautiful hotel with a stunning 1800's sandstone facade, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is an intimate, boutique-style property. Once home to the Fairfax newspaper empire and the prestigious Bank of New South Wales, this accommodation offers a location near Sydney Opera House and major shopping precincts. There is a wide array of upscale facilities, including on-site dining at the recently refurbished restaurant and a modern health club. The staff ensures that your stay at this accommodation in Sydney is both comfortable and unforgettable.

Depart your hotel for an unforgettable Panoramic Sydney half day city sights tour. On tour you'll visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, QVB, Centre point.

Visit Sydney's trendy new district Oxford Street. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the superb coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte.

Travel on to famous Bondi Beach. Visit the beachfront promenade, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at own cost). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers and Sydney's best panoramic view at Dover Heights.

Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross and Mrs Macquarie's Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour before returning to the city centre.

Passengers can join our optional harbour lunch cruises, seaplane tours or return directly to their hotels.

The designated harbour lunch cruise drop-off point is Darling Harbour (adjacent to the aquarium).

Your informative and knowledgeable guide will collect you from your Sydney hotel. Departing from the city, we travel north over the Sydney Harbour Bridge via the Gore Hill Freeway to join the Pacific Highway and then the F3 freeway. We will travel directly to the Hunter Valley, which is nestled in the lee of the Great Dividing Range. En route we will stop for a short restroom visit.

180 years young, this is Australia's oldest and best-known wine region and is soaked in history. It's a dynamic and fascinating area that brims with over 150 top-class wineries, 65 indulgent restaurants as well as gourmet produce and boutique breweries. Our first visit is to a 5-star winery nestled in the Mount View region of the Hunter Valley, a well-renowned viticulture area. Sample exquisite wines in your own private area.

From here we continue onto Leogate Estate. This opulent cellar door is the perfect place to enjoy that unique taste which only the Hunter Valley and their award-winning wines can provide. All wines are produced from the great vines of one of the most highly regarded vineyards in Australia. Here we will enjoy a selection of wines followed by a tour of the onsite winery to learn of the winemaking process.

On the conclusion of the tour, we enjoy a relaxing 2-course lunch (selection of platters, followed by a dessert of choice) accompanied by a glass of wine. Further beverages can be purchased at own expense.

Our final stop today is at Tulloch Wines. For over 122 years, the Tulloch family has been passionate about producing handcrafted, premium wines made to enjoy. At Tulloch you don't just do a wine tasting, you have a wine experience. Here we will enjoy a delightful Wine & Chocolate Experience, a foray into the world of "degustation" that is easy to reproduce at home or with friends. You will experience the indulgence of Hunter Valley made artisan chocolate as you partner each one with the mouth-watering flavours of Tulloch Wines.

From here we commence our return to Sydney to arrive back at your hotels approximately 5 - 5.30pm.

The Blue Mountains National Park is one of seven national parks that make up the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. This wonderland of sandstone outcrops, deep ravines and hazy blue eucalypt forests boasts luxury retreats and stunning views. Today your guide will take you off the beaten track to visit remote lookout locations and discuss the history, flora and fauna of this magnificent region.

7.00- 7.30AM Depart from the hotel with AEA Luxury Tours. Our first stop of the day is at Calmsley Hill a working farm also home to Kangaroo, Emu, Wombat and Koala. Enjoy morning tea and time to wander at leisure.

From Calmsley Hill we continue to ascend the Blue Mountains via the highway. We will visit one of a range of stunning outlooks of the Jamison Valley seeing beautiful vistas. Where possible this will be away from the crowds of tours that visit the mountains each day with other operators, thus our guests will enjoy a stress and hurry free environment taking in the views and information imparted by their guide.

Continuing on we arrive at Eaglehawk Lookout, a remote lookout point away from the crowds for views of the famous 3 Sisters. Whilst the Blue Mountains features so much more than this natural attraction you can't help but admire the unquestionable beauty of this amazing rock formation. The character of the Three Sisters changes throughout the day and throughout the seasons as the sunlight brings out the magnificent colours. Here your guide will discuss the legends behind this famous rock formation and time available for you to take some great photos.

From here, we arrive at your hotel accommodation approximately 11.00-11.30am with the remainder of the day at leisure to explore at your own pace. (Lunch own cost today).

A leisurely morning to relax in the Blue Mountains. You are collected from your hotel accommodation approximately 11.00 - 11.30am to re-join the tour group. We then make our way around the mountain towards the village of Blackheath and our lunch venue Boiler House Cafe at the Hydro Majestic. Here in this relaxed venue with stunning views. We enjoy a 2-course lunch with tea/coffee. All diets are catered for (excluding Kosher Meals). Beverages can be purchased at your own expense from the Bar.

The afternoon is spent visiting a selection of lookouts. Once you clap your eyes on the view from Govetts Leap you'll know why it's one of the most famous lookouts in Australia. The magnificent waterfall drops a whopping 180m to the base of the cliff. If you're not mesmerized by the dancing waves of water spray, you'll be transfixed by the sweeping views down the valley to the Grose Wilderness. We then stop briefly to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice at the delightful Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens our last stop, where we enjoy the sweeping views across to Sydney before travelling down the Bells Line of Road to arrive back at your hotel approximately 4.30 - 5.00pm.

A beautiful hotel with a stunning 1800's sandstone facade, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney is an intimate, boutique-style property. Once home to the Fairfax newspaper empire and the prestigious Bank of New South Wales, this accommodation offers a location near Sydney Opera House and major shopping precincts. There is a wide array of upscale facilities, including on-site dining at the recently refurbished restaurant and a modern health club. The staff ensures that your stay at this accommodation in Sydney is both comfortable and unforgettable.

Begin your day with a sensational morning tea cruise. A unique, Sydney Harbour Highlights two-hour cruise experience. Enjoy the company of a small group aboard a 52-foot motor yacht. Your personal captain and host will share the rich history of Sydney Harbour and its foreshore as you take in the sites of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the bays and coves of Sydney Harbour. Enjoy a light morning tea with coffee, tea, juice, water and 5-star service.