From the desk of Bob Todd, World Class Travel:

Patagonia is one of the best family trips ever. If I never get to heaven at least I felt close in Argentine Patagonia.

The following was a synopsis of our 10 day itinerary:

Day 1: arrival in Buenos Aires airport and private transfer to the Urban Suites Hotel. Located in Recoleta, a thriving upscale area of Buenos Aires with cafes and restaurants lining the streets, the modern apartment hotel is an excellent choice where good food, entertainment and sightseeing are close by. Overnight at Urban Suites Recoleta

Day 2: Begin the day with a morning walk through "la Caminto" in the historic and brightly colored district of Boca. In the afternoon I suggest a visit to the famous cemetery where Evita is buried. One of the highlights in Buenos Aires is the Tango show Esquina Carlos Gardel.
Though not a big fan of Tango, the show which had an extraordinary 8 piece band with 3 accordian players and the dancers were sensational and at the end of the performance it may make you cry like me.
Overnight at the Urban Suites.

Day 3: Transfer to the airport for flight to Ushuaia, the southern most city in the world.
In Ushuaia we suggest you stay at a small and intimate bed and breakfast, the Tierra de Leyendas on the outskirts of town with great views of the bay on one side and the snowcapped mountains on the other.

Sebastian, the owner, was the chef and his wife Maria oversees things. We found them on trip advisor which rates them as the best place to stay in Ushuaia and that rating is well deserved. The food was scrumptious and the staff is excellent.

The half day boat trip to the Beagle Channel to see the Magellan Penguins, sea lions, seals and Cormorants is a great way to spend the afternoon.
Overnight Hosteria Tierra de Leyendas B&B.

Day 4: In the morning we rented a Hertz rental car and drove to the ski lift up from Ushuaia and from the top of the lift walked to the Martial Glacier and walked back down to the car where we stopped at the Casa de Te and had the best tea and local bread and cheeses.

In the afternoon we drove across the Tierra del Fuego National Park, hiking to waterfalls, walking along the shore looking the "Rotundo Island" offshore and driving amidst the white peaks seeing many varieties hawks, eagles, rabbits along the way.

Other more adventurous options for day 4 include 4X4 full day tour to lakes Escondido and Fagnano or guided trekking and canoeing in Tierra del Fuego Park.
Overnight in Hosteria de Leyendas

Day 5: In the morning we shopped the streets of Ushuaia and found some beautiful reasonably priced leather goods.
Then we returned the car at the airport for the 1 hour flight to El Calafate.

From the air you will an arid of landscape bordered by glaciers and mountains covered with snow. The town of El Calafate is bustling with street vendors and has some great restaurants like El Buho for the best empanadas and pizza in an eclectic atmosphere and El Pichon for great steaks and lamb.

I highly recommend the 5 star lodge La Cantera which has a great wine selection, an excellent restaurant and luxurious accommodations.

Day 6: Transfer from the lodge to Puerto Bandaras for the All Glaciers full day boat tour in VIP service.
The experience of seeing three glaciers close up with irredecent blue icebergs floating is an experience you will never forget.

Sitting upstairs next to the captain is the way to go and all your drinks and snacks are included for those upstairs in the Captains Club. The tour has you back to your hotel about 5:30pm. That evening pick up your rental car.
Overnight at Hotel La Cantera

Day 7: Drive 1.5 hours south to the Glacier National Park and about .5 hour driving through the beautiful park you reach Puerto Moreno where you can visit Perito Moreno Glacier also by Fernandez Campbell 200 passenger deluxe tour boat for the one hour tour that takes you to the oldest and most stable of the glaciers.

Drive back to El Calafate and have lunch at El Buho.
Drive 3 hours on to El Chalten along the Patagonian pampas, you may see guanacos along the way. As you near El Chalten look up and see the Condors circle the skies. Check in to El Kalenshen lodge where you are greated warmly with a cup of mate.

Enjoy the indoor heated swimming pool with grand views or Torre Cerro. I suggest a light dinner at El Bosque which is walking distance.
Overnight Hosteria Kalenshen

Day 8: The pueblo of El Chalten is only 23 years old and has only 2000 residents that stay the year round and has a bohemian atmosphere with artisans and cafes full of young and vibrant personalities good music and food.

After exploring the streets which should all be paved soon head to "El Chorrito" waterfall which is a short walk from the gravel road. Continue along the road to the Parque de Glaciers Norte and see wild horses and around the cutback 10 miles further you find spectacular views or Mount Fitzroy from the road.
In the cedar trees keep a look out for the red crested woodpeckers.

Once back in El Chalten I recommend lunch at the Bodegon where they make some great beer and have pizza and pasta that will warm your stomach and soul. That afternoon I would recommend another tour boat to yet another glacier, the Lake Viedma which is the largest ice mass of all the glaciers which starts in Chile and ends in Viedma Lake.

The winds often whip off the glacier across lake at up to 100 mph, hold on to your hat.
Overnight at Hosteria Kalenshen

Day 9: Take some time in the morning to get to know El Chalten as this pueblo is an interesting frontier boom town.
Check out Aluap artesanias for exquisite hand blown glass which make great gifts.

In the afternoon drive back to El Calafate and turn in the rental car.
I recommend dinner at La Cantera Lodge as the food there is gourmet.
Overnight in La Cantera

Day 10: Transfer to El Calafate airport for morning flight to Buenos Aires. Transfer to Urban Suites.

Afternoon, I would suggest a visit to the Palermo Viejo neighborhood which is a historical district famous for its Sunday market but worth a visit any day of the week with its upscale boutiques and sidewalk cafes.
Overnight at Urban Suites

Day 11: transfer to the International airport

Pricing 2199 USD per person based on sharing double.

Including:
accommodations as specified, hotel taxes.
Breakfast daily
Transfers mentioned in the itinerary
Deluxe cruise tours

Not including:
Flights
Car rentals
Airport taxes
Meals except for breakfast

contact: Bob@GoWithClass.com
1-800-771-3100         1-352-371-3100