Argentina & Uruguay: Insider Tango, Carnival & Gaucho Culture
Argentina & Uruguay: Insider Tango, Carnival & Gaucho Culture
A Journey to the Soul of South America!
This immersive 13-day adventure represents everything we believe in at CDV - genuine connections, authentic experiences, and the magic that happens when we open our hearts to new cultures. Argentina and Uruguay aren't just destinations; they're invitations into a way of life where family, food, and friendship create memories that will change you forever. This is our newest journey, and we can't wait to share it with our CDV family.
This Isn't Your Typical South American Tour
South American Carnival:
You aren't just watching from the crowd - You're backstage with the Murgas, painting faces and experiencing Carnival from the inside out
Authentic Gaucho Life:
You aren't visiting a tourist ranch - You're working alongside real gauchos, herding cattle and living ranch life with mud on your boots
Beyond The Tourist Shows:
You aren't having the commercial "Asado Experience" - You're learning beside Marcelo, building the fire from scratch and understanding every cut of meat
Living Tradition:
You don't just learn about Mate Culture - You cure your own mate, have your own bombilla, discover your favorite yerba, and become part of the ritual
Cooking with Locals:
You aren't just dining at restaurants - You're cooking traditional dishes in the homes of local families who've become friends
Tango Like a Local:
You aren't watching a tourist tango show - You're learning in Sol's living room before dancing at a real milonga where locals gather
This is CDV
You aren't just taking a tour - You're living like a local, welcomed into homes, families, and traditions that most visitors never experience
It's All About Passion, Family, Tango, Food & Wine...
This transformative journey will embrace an intimate group of no more than 18 people. It's a 13-day, 12-night all-inclusive experience that weaves together the vibrant pulse of Buenos Aires with the authentic heart of rural Uruguay, creating an adventure that goes far beyond typical tourism.
We'll immerse ourselves in the rhythm of tango, the celebration of carnival, the art of asado, and the warmth of South American hospitality across two remarkable countries. This isn't just a vacation... it's an invitation to become part of local families, to learn cherished culinary traditions passed down through generations, and to discover why Argentina and Uruguay capture hearts so completely. Most of all, it's about the laughter, connections, and those magical moments that happen when strangers become family around a shared table.
The Cooking Classes & Culinary Adventures
Hands-On Cooking Experiences Include:
- Sorrentinos with Graciela and Tony: Pasta invented by Italian immigrants in this region
- Empanadas with Gladys: Both savory meat and sweet dulce de leche versions
- Asado Techniques with Marcelo: Ancient grilling art from fire-building to meat selection
- Alfajores with Julia: Traditional Argentine cookies with local entrepreneur
- Chivitos: Uruguay's beloved street food sandwich
- Chajá Dessert: Traditional Uruguayan dessert with meringue and dulce de leche
All cooking classes take place in local family homes - genuine family gatherings, not tourist demonstrations.
We'll dive deep into South American cuisine with over four hands-on cooking experiences that showcase the soul of Argentine and Uruguayan cooking! From crafting delicate sorrentinos filled with fresh fish and ricotta-walnut combinations to mastering the ancient art of asado with Marcelo at his ranch, every class tells a story of tradition, family, and love expressed through food.
Our cooking experiences aren't demonstrations - they're genuine family gatherings where we roll up our sleeves and create magic together. We'll learn to make authentic empanadas (both savory meat and sweet dulce de leche versions) with Gladys, craft the beloved Uruguayan street food chivitos from scratch, and discover the secrets behind perfect alfajores with local entrepreneur Julia. Each session takes place in the homes and kitchens of our local friends, surrounded by the aromas, stories, and genuine warmth that make every meal unforgettable.
At Graciela and Tony's countryside chacra, we'll master the delicate art of making sorrentinos - a pasta shape invented by Italian immigrants in this very region - while surrounded by rolling hills and vineyard views. We'll create the traditional Uruguayan dessert Chajá (a heavenly combination of meringue, sponge cake, peaches, and dulce de leche), and learn why food here is so much more than sustenance - it's the language of love, community, and celebration.
Every cooking experience includes the stories behind the recipes, the techniques passed down through families, and the joy of sharing what we've created together. Whether we're gathered around Marcelo's fire pit learning the nuances of different meat cuts or standing in Julia's kitchen perfecting the perfect alfajor, these aren't just lessons - they're invitations into the heart of South American culture.
Wine & Other South American Flavors
Wine & Drink Experiences Include:
- Uruguay's Tannat: The country's signature grape producing distinctive South American wines
- Argentine Malbec: World-renowned wines from passionate winemaking families
- Family Wineries: Meet owners at intimate family-run wineries with vineyard lunches
- Mate Culture: Learn the complete ritual of Uruguay's beloved social drink
We'll discover the incredible wines of both countries, including Uruguay's signature tannat grape that produces some of the most distinctive wines in South America. At intimate family-run wineries, we'll meet the owners themselves, learning about their passionate dedication to winemaking while enjoying lunch surrounded by their own vineyards.
Food is the universal language here, and we speak it fluently! From the bustling energy of San Telmo's Sunday Market to the colorful vibrancy of La Boca's street food scene, we'll taste our way through authentic choripán, bondiola, and milanesas. We'll visit traditional parrillas where the art of grilling reaches perfection, and discover why Argentine beef has earned its legendary reputation.
The wine flows naturally with every meal, perfectly paired with regional specialties. We'll learn the difference between Argentine Malbec and Uruguayan tannat, discover small-batch wines that never make it beyond these borders, and understand why a shared bottle creates the perfect backdrop for storytelling, laughter, and those deep conversations that last until the early hours.
But it's not just about what we eat and drink - it's about how we experience it. Every meal becomes a celebration, every glass of wine a toast to new friendships, and every bite a connection to the passionate people who pour their hearts into sharing their culture with us.
We'll also master the ritual of mate - Uruguay's beloved social drink - learning the proper way to prepare, serve, and share this symbol of friendship and community. By the end of our journey, you'll not only know how to make the perfect mate, but you'll understand its deeper meaning as a bridge between hearts.
Authentic Cultural Immersion
Authentic Cultural Experiences:
- Tango Lessons: Learn in Sol's home, then dance at real milongas with locals
- Carnival Participation: Join murga group from rehearsal to performance
- Gaucho Ranch Life: Work alongside real gauchos on Jorgito's ranch
- Asado Mastery: Learn fire-building and meat techniques with Marcelo
- Mate Ritual: Master Uruguay's social drink tradition
This journey takes us far beyond the tourist trail into the authentic heart of South American life. We'll learn tango in Sol's intimate home setting (not a tourist show!), then put our new skills to the test at a real milonga where locals gather to dance. We'll experience Uruguay's incredible Carnaval tradition with a murga group, joining them behind the scenes from rehearsal to face-painting before experiencing their live performance.
At Jorgito's working ranch, we'll experience gaucho life firsthand - horseback riding across the pampas, tending sheep and cattle, and yes, even learning to bathe chickens (seriously!). This is real ranch life, complete with mud on your boots and stories around the fire. We'll witness the ancient tradition of cordero a la cruz (lamb roasted on a cross) while the sun sets over endless grasslands.
We'll explore the sophisticated elegance of Buenos Aires' Recoleta district and the bohemian charm of San Telmo, discover the exclusive beaches of Punta del Este, and experience the sunset magic at Casapueblo. In historic Colonia del Sacramento, we'll walk cobblestone streets that whisper stories of Portuguese and Spanish colonial times.
Every experience connects us to the people who call these places home. Whether we're sharing empanadas and wine while learning tango moves, creating street art in Palermo, or gathered around Marcelo's asado fire sharing stories late into the night, we become part of the fabric of local life rather than observers of it.
Living Like Family, Not Tourists
Our Local Family & Friends:
- Maria Julia Historian who makes local history come alive
- Sol: Tango instructor who welcomes you into her Buenos Aires home
- Jorgito: Working gaucho sharing authentic ranch life
- Graciela & Tony: Countryside chacra owners teaching sorrentinos and Chajá
- Marcelo: Ranch owner and asado master with generations of knowledge
- Gladys: Home cook specializing in traditional empanadas
- Julia: Local entrepreneur crafting perfect alfajores
- Claudia: Buenos Aires guide sharing her city through local eyes
What makes this journey extraordinary isn't just where we go, but how we experience it. We'll be welcomed into the homes of Sol, Graciela and Tony, Marcelo, Jorgito, Gladys, and Julia - not as customers, but as extended family. These aren't tourist experiences; they're genuine invitations into real lives, where recipes come with stories, meals stretch for hours, and every gathering feels like a celebration.
Our local guide Claudia will share Buenos Aires through the eyes of someone who loves her city deeply, taking us to Plaza de Mayo where history unfolds daily, through the vibrant energy of local markets, and into neighborhoods where authentic life happens away from guidebook recommendations.
Our encounters with locals will leave lasting impressions on everyone involved. They genuinely love sharing their culture, their homes, and their stories with our guests. The warmth and authenticity you'll experience from the moment you arrive until our heartfelt goodbyes is what transforms a vacation into a life-changing adventure.
Where We Rest Our Heads Each Night
Three Distinctive Accommodations:
- Buenos Aires - Hotel Mio (Recoleta): Elegant winemaking family heritage in prestigious neighborhood
- Montevideo - Hotel Carrasco: Historic Belle Époque masterpiece and national landmark since 1921
- Paysandú - Hotel Casagrande: Intimate family-style charm in authentic gaucho country
We'll stay in three distinctly different accommodations, each chosen to reflect the unique character of its place. In Buenos Aires, the elegant sophistication of Hotel Mio in Recoleta captures the refined passion of a Mendoza winemaking family who brought their vineyard heritage to the city's most prestigious neighborhood. In Montevideo, the historic grandeur of Hotel Carrasco - a Belle Époque masterpiece and national landmark since 1921 - offers luxurious sophistication along the stunning coastal Rambla. And in rural Paysandú, the simple and intimate charm of Hotel Casagrande provides exactly the kind of warmth that feels more like staying with friends than checking into a hotel.
Each location becomes our temporary home, a base for creating memories rather than just a place to sleep. Whether we're sipping wine from Mio's family vineyard in their elegant Buenos Aires setting, watching sunrise over the Río de la Plata from Carrasco's historic terrace, or settling into the cozy familiarity of Casagrande after a day on the ranch, every accommodation tells part of our story and deepens our connection to these incredible places.
The Places...
Buenos Aires Highlights:
- Accommodation: Hotel Mio in elegant Recoleta district
- Tango Experience: Learn in Sol's home, dance at real milongas
- Historic Sites: Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo Sunday Market
- Neighborhoods: Palermo street art, La Boca colorful houses
- Cultural Guide: Claudia shares her beloved city
Buenos Aires pulses with a sophistication and passion that captures hearts instantly. We'll base ourselves in elegant Recoleta, where French-style mansions and tree-lined avenues tell stories of Argentina's golden age, and where staying feels like living in the most beautiful neighborhood of Paris.
Our Buenos Aires adventure begins with tango in Sol's intimate home, where we'll learn this passionate dance surrounded by wine, empanadas, and laughter before heading to a real milonga to dance with locals. We'll explore historic Plaza de Mayo, the beating heart of Argentine politics and social movements, and lose ourselves in the colorful magic of San Telmo's Sunday Market - a weekly celebration where antiques, street food, and spontaneous tango performances create pure joy.
In trendy Palermo, we'll discover incredible street art and try our hand at creating our own, while La Boca's vibrant houses and authentic street food scene will show us the immigrant soul that built this incredible city. Every neighborhood tells a different story, and we'll experience them all through the eyes of people who call Buenos Aires home.
Uruguay feels like South America's best-kept secret - sophisticated yet unpretentious, beautiful yet authentic. We'll enter through historic Colonia del Sacramento, where Portuguese and Spanish colonial architecture creates one of the continent's most romantic settings, perfect for our gentle introduction to Uruguayan culture.
Montevideo Highlights:
- Accommodation: Historic Hotel Carrasco (Belle Époque landmark since 1921)
- Carnival Experience: Behind-the-scenes with murga group
- Mate Culture: Master the social ritual of Uruguay's beloved drink
- Wine Tasting: Family-run winery with tannat wines
- Food Culture: Mercado del Puerto asado experience
Montevideo reveals itself as a city where real life happens without pretense. We'll experience the world's longest Carnaval through the eyes of a murga group, joining them from rehearsal to performance in a behind-the-scenes adventure that captures the soul of Uruguayan celebration. The rhythm of the tamboril and the energy of painted faces and satirical songs will stay with you forever.
We'll master the art of mate preparation throughout our journey, learning not just the technique but the beautiful social ritual that makes strangers into friends. At a family-run winery, we'll discover Uruguay's exceptional tannat wines.
At exclusive Punta del Este, we'll experience Uruguay's sophisticated coastal culture against the backdrop of stunning Atlantic beaches.
The magical sunset at Casapueblo - an iconic white clifftop complex created by a local artist - provides the perfect setting for toasting our new friendships with aperitivos and the most incredible sunset views in South America. This is Uruguay at its most spectacular and serene.
Paysandú Gaucho Experiences:
- Accommodation: Hotel Casagrande (intimate family-style charm)
- Jorgito's Ranch: Work alongside real gauchos, horseback riding, cattle herding
- Marcelo's Ranch: Master asado techniques from fire-building to meat selection
- Cordero a la Cruz: Lamb roasted on wooden cross celebration
- Ranch Activities: Even helping bathe chickens (seriously!)
Paysandú takes us into the heart of gaucho culture, where endless grasslands stretch to every horizon and life moves to the rhythm of ranch work and family traditions. This is where we'll experience the Uruguay that few visitors ever see - authentic, unhurried, and completely magical.
At Jorgito's working ranch, we'll live like real gauchos for a day - horseback riding across the pampas, herding sheep and cattle, and learning ranch skills that have been passed down for generations. We'll even help bathe the chickens (trust us, it's more fun than it sounds!) and experience what daily life is really like on a working Uruguayan farm.
Marcelo's ranch becomes our classroom for mastering the ancient art of asado - from building the perfect fire to understanding every cut of meat and timing every element of this sacred meal. We'll make our own empanadas de dulce de leche while the fire works its magic, and share stories with extended family and friends who gather for these legendary feasts.
Our final celebration features the spectacular cordero a la cruz - a whole lamb slowly roasted on a wooden cross over an open fire as the sun sets over the endless grasslands. It's a sight, an aroma, and an experience that captures everything beautiful about Uruguayan ranch culture in one unforgettable evening of music, wine, and celebration under a canopy of stars.
Beyond Tourism: The Art of Cultural Exchange
Let's get real...
Most people visit Argentina and Uruguay to see the sights, have some great steak and drink wonderful wine. We understand the appeal - both countries offer remarkable experiences for those who want to check boxes and collect memories.
But we're after something that matters more. We're interested in the stories behind the empanadas, not just their flavor. We want to understand why mate is so integral to a culture, not just learn how to drink it. We're curious about the immigrant experiences that shaped Buenos Aires neighborhoods, the family traditions that survive in rural Uruguay, the way history lives on in daily rituals.
Real understanding happens between people, not between tourists and attractions. When Marcelo teaches us about asado, he's sharing generations of knowledge about patience, community, and what it means to gather people around fire. When the murga group paints our faces, we're not just getting ready for a show - we're being invited into a form of cultural expression that speaks to identity, resistance, and joy.
Our local friends don't just show us their world; they genuinely want to understand ours. These exchanges change perspectives on both sides. They ask about our families, our traditions, our way of life. We share stories over long meals, compare cultural differences with genuine curiosity, and discover that despite different languages and customs, the things that matter most are surprisingly universal.
We return home with more than photographs and recipes. We carry a deeper understanding of how other people live, love, celebrate, and find meaning. Our world becomes larger, our assumptions softer, our empathy broader. This is the kind of experience that shapes how we see everything that comes after.
Argentina and Uruguay are ready to welcome you into something meaningful.
Because travel should matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
This isn't a typical tourist tour. You'll learn tango in Sol's living room, participate in carnival with a real murga group, work alongside gauchos on authentic ranches, and cook with local families in their homes. These are genuine cultural exchanges, not performances for tourists.
Maximum 18 guests. This intimate group size ensures authentic family experiences and genuine connections with locals who welcome us into their homes and traditions.
Over four hands-on cooking experiences including making sorrentinos with Graciela and Tony, empanadas with Gladys, learning asado techniques with Marcelo, creating alfajores with Julia, and crafting traditional chivitos. All classes take place in local family homes.
Yes! You'll learn tango in Sol's intimate home setting before dancing at a real milonga with locals. You'll join a murga group from rehearsal to performance, painting faces and experiencing Uruguay's famous carnival from the inside out.
At Jorgito's working ranch, you'll live like real gauchos - horseback riding across the pampas, herding sheep and cattle, and even helping bathe chickens. This is authentic ranch life with mud on your boots and stories around the fire.
Everything: Luxury accommodations, all meals featuring local cuisine, premium wines including tannat and malbec, all cultural experiences with families, cooking classes, tango lessons, carnival participation, ranch activities, and transportation between cities.
March offers ideal weather with warm temperatures and the end of carnival season. It's autumn in South America, providing comfortable conditions for both city exploration and ranch activities.
Absolutely. Our local guides and family friends provide cultural context and support throughout the journey. The intimate group size ensures personalized attention and genuine welcome into local communities.