Find out more For suggested itineraries and practicalinformation about travel in Uruguay, pleasevisit our website.www.audleytravel.comInteractive maps and features, further suggested itineraries,accommodation, climate informationand articles written by our specialists.Discuss your plans with our Uruguayspecialists 01993 838 600?Colonia del SacramentoStep back in time to the sleepy former smugglingtown of Colonia del Sacramento, founded by the Portuguese in 1680. Its cobbled streets,picture-perfect Spanish and Portuguese houses,quaint art galleries, cafes and leafy parks make itan atmospheric place for a day trip by ferry fromBuenos Aires or for a couple of nights' stay.Lapped on three sides by the brown waters ofthe River Plate, its colonial centre, a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, has some fascinatingattractions. Among them are the woodendrawbridge leading to the original city gate, thePortuguese museum with its maps andparaphernalia from the time of Colonia'soccupation and Uruguay's oldest church, datingfrom 1695. The luxury Four Seasons hotel ofCarmelo is one hour's drive up the road, and iseasily combined with a trip to Colonia.MontevideoMontevideo is an intriguing capital city, perched on the banks of the River Plate. Reminiscent of aEuropean city in appearance, it lives at a morerelaxed pace than its Argentine neighbour BuenosAires. Its historic old town in the centre is acharming area dotted with plazas, rivers, parkswith bike trails, and some wonderful restaurants.The city's historic port area has been spruced upand its famed market, particularly lively on aSaturday, has taken place in the same spot since1868. Full of colour and life, it is a delightful placefor people-watching and exploring its labyrinthinealleys teeming with stalls, entertainers and buskers.Here you'll also taste some of the city's fineststeak and seafood from a number of excellentbistros or by grabbing a chivito (Uruguayan specialsteak sandwich) from one of the many busy stalls.Punta del Este and aroundA couple of hours' drive east of Montevideo liesPunta del Este, Uruguay's (and possibly SouthAmerica's) most glamorous beach resort. A longstretch of white sandy beach with glitzy bars,restaurants and yacht clubs where people go tosee and be seen, the town's pine-fringed beachesare split between those at the mouth of the RiverPlate and those that are lapped by the Atlantic.Busiest during the summer months fromDecember to February, visitors are drawn toPunta del Este's exclusive outdoor lifestyle andcosmopolitan atmosphere. It also makes a greatbase from which to head out and explore thesleepy fishing village of San José and the sanddunes of Cabo Polonio or a great beach break at the end of a trip in either Uruguay itself orArgentina. If you prefer a quieter beach stay thenyou might prefer the little town of José Ignacio,just a twenty minute drive east of Punta del Este.Uruguay79Audley in UruguayOne of South America's lesser visited nations,Uruguay is most frequently combined withtime in Argentina, either in the form of a visitacross the River Plate from Buenos Aires toColonia del Sacramento or Montevideo, orby ending a trip around Argentina with abeach stay on the Uruguayan coast.However, for those with an interest in theoutdoors, in particular birds, ranches andriding plus good food and drink, Uruguayeasily offers enough to fill a week or eventwo. Our local drivers and guides provide afascinating insight into a country of which they are immensely proud whilst our ownspecialists know and love Uruguay and areable to offer the most up to date informationand tailor every trip into an adventure.PracticalitiesThe best time to travel to Uruguay, andparticularly to its coastal areas, is during itssummer months, between November andFebruary, but travel is possible all year round. There are international airports inMontevideo and Punta del Este making access to the country quick and easy. Thecountry's infrastructure is good and travellingoverland is the best way to explore. Uruguay's history of extensive agriculture is reflected today in the numerous ranches or estancias which have opened their doorsto visitors seeking a taste of the life of theUruguayan cowboy or looking forsomewhere to spend a few days relaxing in the countryside with home-cooked foodand good wine. Our favourite estancias are dotted throughout the country, andinclude Finca Piedra, El Charabón andGuardia del Monte. Estancias aren't the onlyoption for accommodation in Uruguay, ourspecialists have travelled across the countrysearching out properties to suit most tastesand budgets.Inland in UruguayTravelling into the little explored interior will give a great insight into the real Uruguay, includingits culture of fine wine and cheese. Uruguay'swine heritage goes back to the first Spanish andItalian immigrants who brought the grapevinehere some 250 years ago. Today the 'Tannat'grape produces dark, dense red wines, enjoyedacross the country. There are a number ofwineries that also offer charming accommodationto visitors and are perfect for those looking forthe complete wine experience. One of ourfavourites is La Vigna, in the eastern part of theprovince of Colonia. For those looking forsomething a little more active, Uruguay is anexcellent choice for horse riders, with beautifulcriollo horses and terrain ranging from sand dunes to marshes, pine forests and palm groves.For bird lovers, Uruguay offers a wide variety of ecosystems and the chance to see most ofSouth America's temperate bird species, fromhummingbirds to rhea, in a single trip.Gauchos at Finca Piedra, near MontevideoColonia del Sacramento

volcanoes and emerald waters of the Lake District to lush wineries, from cactus-spiked gorges to penguin-filled shores.But Argentina has much more to offer thanits natural beauty, it is also a place of itspeople: the gauchos working with speed andskill as they herd their cattle in the pampas,couples entwined in a heartfelt tango in the smoky bars of Buenos Aires and theWelsh-speaking communities of northernPatagonia. It is the home of world-famousicons including Che, the heartthrobrevolutionary, Evita the political diva, andMaradona the controversial footballing hero.Fiercely proud, patriotic and partisan, thepeople of Argentina are equally warm, openand welcoming, a key part of the appeal oftheir vast, beautiful and unique country. Vibrant, diverse and intoxicating,Argentina succeeds in beingquintessentially Latin, surprisinglycosmopolitan and completely individual - a truly incomparable place. Containedwithin its vast boundaries are a heady arrayof landscapes and sights, from windsweptPatagonian steppe to the tumbling waters of Iguazú Falls, through the snow-capped80Argentina