David Rubin is a member of GoTravelDaily’s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries he creates.
Day 1: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro
Meet your local guide at the Rio de Janeiro airport and transfer to your hotel, located on the Famous Copacabana Beach. During the transfer, your guide will provide you with some introductory information to the marvelous City of Rio de Janeiro. You will see the famous Tijuca Rainforest that hosts the Christ Redeemer statue.
Stay: Belmond Copacabana Palace
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro
Take a visit to the famous Sugar Loaf peak, where you can appreciate Rio’s unique landscape. Take the afternoon at leisure — we recommend you enjoy an afternoon walk along the famous Copacabana beach and a self-guided visit to the Copacabana Forte.
Stay: Belmond Copacabana Palace
Day 3: Rio de Janeiro
Take a morning visit to Rio de Janeiro’s Botanic Garden, one of the ten most important ecological sanctuaries in the entire world. The park lies at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain, far below the right arm of the statue of Christ the Redeemer and contains more than 6,000 different species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees, including 900 varieties of palm trees.
Stay: Belmond Copacabana Palace
Day 4: Rio de Janeiro
Spend the day at leisure, ideally on the famous Copacabana or Ipanema beaches.
Stay: Belmond Copacabana Palace
Day 5: Rio de Janeiro
On a full-day tour that’s equal parts informative and relaxing, visit the lovely Sitio Roberto Burle Marx Museum and then head to Grubari Beach. Here, settle into the soft sand or dive into the friendly waters. Enjoy lunch at Mirante da Prainha before a picturesque return journey to Rio.
Stay: Belmond Copacabana Palace
Day 6: Niterói and Rio de Janeiro
Across the bay of Guanabara lies Rio’s sister city Niterói. Visit the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of contemporary art in Brazil, and stop by some of the city’s municipal buildings, such as the Popular Theater of Niterói and the Memory Hall Roberto Silveira.
Stay: Belmond Copacabana Palace
Day 7: Rio de Janeiro
Take a walking tour of the newly redeveloped port area of Rio de Janeiro. This tour combines the historic highlights of downtown Rio with the modern attractions in the Porto Maravilha area. A quick visit to Rio’s Art Museum (MAR) will provide a panoramic view of the Porto Maravilha area, including the new Museum of Tomorrow. Enjoy the afternoon touring Santa Teresa Neighborhood, a bohemian area with sprawling views of the city. When you’re ready, return to your hotel and enjoy the Copacabana Palace Pool.
Stay: Belmond Copacabana Palace
Days 8-11: Ibitipoca
Depart from the hotel and transfer to Reserva do Ibitipoca, located in the state of Minas Gerais. Conceição do Ibitipoca is one of the oldest towns of Minas Gerais, very close to the entrance of Ibitipoca State Park. The Park protects more than 20 caves formed in quartzite, a very rare mineral, and its landscape is composed by rocks, caves, waterfalls, bromeliads and orchids. The property offers two daily guided walking tours included with your stay.
Stay: Reserva do Ibitipoca
Days 9-14: Trancoso
In the early morning, transfer back to Rio de Janeiro, where you will take your flight to Porto Seguro in the state of Bahia. You’re about to spend a relaxing week in one of Brazil’s best beach destinations, Trancoso, a quiet, charming, well-preserved village with a young, international vibe. The colorful houses that line the main square have been converted into bars, restaurants, stylish inns, craft shops and famous designer boutiques. This small former fishing village is surrounded by beautiful beaches and an exuberant nature with a mild climate all year round, making it a popular choice to visit.
Stay: UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa
Day 15: São Paulo
Head to the sprawling metropolis of São Paulo, arguably South America’s business and culture epicenter. São Paulo is the most dynamic economic center in Latin America. The city is filled with attractions ranging from cultural tours to shopping. Another important aspect is the city’s culinary scene — São Paulo is recognized as one of the largest and best gastronomic centers of the country. The nightlife is very lively and has a plethora of bars, restaurants, and nightclub options for all tastes.
Stay: Hotel Fasano
Day 16: São Paulo
Enjoy a half day city tour of São Paulo, visiting downtown sites, the “Japanese district” in Liberdade, busy Paulista avenue, and Ibirapuera Park. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
Stay: Hotel Fasano
Day 17: São Paulo
Spend the day at leisure before enjoying an evening out in São Paulo with your local guide for a taste of the Paulista nightlife.
Stay: Hotel Fasano
Day 18: Buenos Aires
Fly into Buenos Aires. Elegant, old-worldly, with a touch of Paris here and a touch of London there, a dash of New York cosmopolitanism and a big splash of Italian exuberance, the city also has a strong Latin American personality. Here, everything is grand, on a scale fit for kings: tourists photograph vast steaks at restaurants, Nueve de Julio Avenue ranks as the world’s widest, and the entire city fronts onto the world’s widest river.
Stay: Faena Hotel
Day 19: Buenos Aires
Take a private sightseeing tour of the northern area of Buenos Aires, including the beautiful palaces of Palermo Chico, the trendy, globalized Palermo Viejo neighborhood, the craft fairs of Plazoleta Cortéz, and the Buenos Aires Museum of Latin American Art. Afterwards, visit Nuestra Señora del Pilar church and Recoleta Cemetery and the Colon Theatre opera house.
In the evening, a special group wine tasting and dining experience awaits at Casa Coupage, a closed-door supper club that plays with senses, smells, tastes, colors, memories, and experiences.
Stay: Faena Hotel
Day 20: Buenos Aires
Enjoy a full day visit to Estancia Los Patos, a working estate, with a tour of the farm and traditional countryside activities. On hot days, cool off in the outdoor swimming pool. A warm welcome awaits with empanadas to savor before tucking into a criollo-style barbecue.
Stay: Faena Hotel
Day 21: Buenos Aires
Take a historical tour of Buenos Aires, starting Plaza de Mayo square, the site of the founding of the city in 1580. Take a private visit to El Zanjón, a beautifully-restored 1830s house in San Telmo, before visiting an open-air antiques market and the port barrio of La Boca. In the evening, head to Rojo Tango for a cultural experience, including dinner and a tango show at a cabaret designed by Philippe Starck.
Stay: Faena Hotel
Day 22: Buenos Aires
Enjoy a full day tour to Tigre and the Paraná River Delta, with lunch and a guided tour at Isla El Descanso, and a visit to the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires, including Olivos, San Isidro and Acasuso, among the most elegant neighborhoods in Argentina.
Stay: Faena Hotel
Days 23-24: Buenos Aires
Day at leisure to explore the city on your own.
Stay: Faena Hotel
Day 25: El Calafate
Fly to El Calafate, in Santa Cruz. A charming village on the banks of Lake Argentino, El Calafate is an oasis in the middle of the barren Patagonian landscape. It is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, an area of lakes, mountains, and glaciers, with astounding scenery that is best seen from various boat tour options available. Perito Moreno Glacier is the area’s main attraction.
Stay: Xelena Hotel
Day 26: El Calafate
Visit the Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers with a Glaciers Gourmet Experience. Starting at Paraje Punta Bandera, take a boat northwest on Lake Argentino, crossing Punta Avellaneda and Boca del Diablo. Lunch will be served amidst stunning glacier scenery. Towards the afternoon, the boat will arrive at Puesto de Las Vacas, where passengers can enjoy a guided walk.
Stay: Xelena Hotel
Day 27: El Calafate
Take a full-day excursion to see Perito Moreno glacier, traveling across the Patagonian steppe and the Patagonian Andean Forest. The glacier grinds its way down the mountains into an arm of Lake Argentino. A two-hour circuit introduces you to the fascinating glacier landscape, including streams, lagoons, and incredible ice formations.
Stay: Xelena Hotel
Day 28: Ushuaia
Fly into Ushuaia. Referred to as “the end of the world,” Ushuaia was once a penal colony — now, it’s a busy port and the capital of Tierra del Fuego. Check in at your hotel and enjoy a city trek to admire stunning views, stroll along scenic paths, and hear local stories.
Stay: Arakur Hotel
Day 29: Ushuaia
Enjoy a full-day visit to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, which offers trekking and canoeing. Here, mountains meet the sea, and freshwater rivers and lakes combine with coastal forests. Walk around the park and canoe down rivers to reach Lapataia Bay.
Stay: Arakur Hotel
Day 30: M/V Ventus Australis Cruise
Board the M/V Ventus Australis; the ship departs for one of the most remote corners of the planet. During the night we traverse the Beagle Channel and cross from Argentine into Chilean territorial waters.
Stay: M/V Ventus Australis
Day 31: Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay
By early morning, Ventus Australis will cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn. Then, anchor at fabled Wulaia Bay, once the site of major Yámana settlements. After visiting the museum, passengers can choose from three hikes to explore the region.
Stay: M/V Ventus Australis
Day 32: Pia Glacier and Garibaldi Glacier
Casting off from Wulaia Bay, we retrace our route to the Beagle Channel and sail westward into a section of Alberto de Agostini National Park called Glacier Alley. After disembarking, we hike to gain a panoramic view of Pia Glacier. Later, we anchor near Garibaldi Glacier for another shore excursion.
Stay: M/V Ventus Australis
Day 33: Agostini Sound, Águila Glacier, and Cóndor Glacier
Early in the morning, we will sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound. From there, it is possible to see glaciers that reach the water. Get up close on a Zodiac expedition to the glaciers.
Stay: M/V Ventus Australis
Days 34-36: Puerto Natales
Transfer to Puerto Natales and enjoy three full days of activities and amenities provided by The Singular Patagonia, your accommodation for this leg of the journey. The hotel offers a wide range of excursions in Torres del Paine National Park or nearby attractions.
Stay: The Singular Patagonia
Days 37-40: Torres del Paine National Park
Transfer to Explora Patagonia lodge. With over 40 explorations available, Explora Patagonia covers all areas in the Park through various modes of transport including hiking, horseback riding, or by van. Activities are guided and take place in small groups to ensure an intimate experience.
Stay: Explora Patagonia Hotel Salto Chico
Day 41: Santiago
Fly to Santiago. Upon arriving, you will be met by a guide for your transfer to the W Santiago hotel located in the dynamic El Golf district, surrounded by skyscrapers and world-class restaurants.
Stay: W Santiago
Day 42: Valparaiso and Viña del Mar
Chile’s Pacific Coast hosts two contrasting cities: Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. A city tour of Valparaiso highlights both its old and new towns. Just 10 minutes north lies Viña del Mar, renowned for its fabulous beaches. On the return, make a stop at Casas del Bosque Winery for a tour and wine tasting.
Stay: W Santiago
Day 43: Maipo Valley
Embark on a trip into the foothills of the Andes Mountains, a popular weekend getaway characterized by almond and cherry plantations. The valley’s excellent soil and climate make it ideal for red wine production, and you’ll have a chance to taste regional varieties.
Stay: W Santiago
Day 44: Pedro de Atacama
Fly from Santiago to Calama, then transfer to Pedro de Atacama.
Stay: Alto Atacama
Day 45: Pedro de Atacama
Experience the awe-inspiring Atacama Desert. In this new glamping expedition, dine under the stars beside a crackling fire, enjoying fine Chilean wine and delicious food, while marveling at the twinkling sky overhead.
Stay: Glamping by Alto Atacama
Days 46-47: Pedro de Atacama
Alto Atacama offers excursions designed for nature enthusiasts. Your local guide will provide a detailed briefing on options available tailored to your interests.
Stay: Alto Atacama
Day 48: Santiago
Fly back to Santiago for transfer to Easter Island.
Stay: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport
Days 49-55: Easter Island
Upon arrival at Easter Island, you’ll meet the staff from Explora Rapa Nui, who will take you to the hotel. Enjoy six full days on the island with various expeditions including cultural tours, hikes, and boat trips to explore pristine waters.
Stay: Explora Rapa Nui
Day 56: Santiago
Fly back to Santiago for transfer to Ponta Dos Ganchos.
Stay: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport
Days 57-63: Ponta Dos Ganchos
Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort, located in the north of Santa Catarina state, offers stunning views of three islands and a sandy bay. The resort has 25 sophisticated bungalows situated around a private peninsula, providing an excellent array of leisure activities including fishing and canoeing.
Stay: Ponta dos Ganchos Resort
Day 64: Depart from Florianópolis
A personal driver will provide transfer service to the Florianópolis airport for your departing flight to São Paulo.
