The late Carlos Páez Vilaró was one of the most iconic Uruguayan artists and his works as a sculptor, painter, muralist, potter, writer and composer are famous all over the world. His home and atelier in Punta Ballena, the enormous whitewashed cement compound Casapueblo, is one of his greatest creations that he called a "livable sculpture". Today, it houses a hotel as well as a museum that exhibits numerous of Páez Vilaro's pieces and is among the leading tourist destinations in Uruguay. 
For special groups (minimum 8 participants), Casapueblo organizes exclusive visits to the private atelier where Paéz Vilaró created art until his death in February 2014 at the age of 90. On the way to the atelier, which is located in the highest dome of the complex, the visit starts with a VIP tour of the museum. Across Casapueblo's different levels in a maze of hallways and rooms, countless paintings, ceramics and sculptures cover the walls and floor. Finally, entering the atelier, which is closed to the general public, is like stepping into a manifestation of Paéz Vilarós's creative mind. Carefully preserved and maintained, the space is filled with art pieces, paints and work instruments. The tour finishes on a private terrace overlooking the ocean, where a glass of wine or champagne can be enjoyed with a selection of cheeses and cold cuts. If the tour is planned for the late afternoon, a "ceremony of the sun" is hosted on the private terrace at sunset, which includes a recording of Paéz Vilaró reading a poem dedicated to the sun.
For details and travel ideas including this exclusive visit, please contact us!

Have you ever wondered what it is like to visit a museum after hours and how the precious exhibition pieces are maintained or restored? MALI, the Art Museum of Lima, has the answers. It is located inside the Palacio de la Exposición (Exhibition Palace), a magnificent neo-renaissance building from 1870. It was built for the first ever public exhibition held in Peru, the "Great Exhibition of Arts, Sciences and Industries" and served various purposes until burning down in 1923. It wasn't until 1955 that the palace went back into the hands of the Patronage of the Arts and restauration works started. In 1961, the Art Museum of Lima was inaugurated. The permanent collection includes 3000 years of history and displays art from the pre-Columbian period to today. During the "Behind the Scenes" visit, you have the unique opportunity to explore the exhibition after hours, without other visitors. Afterwards, you visit the conservation and restoration workshop, which is closed to regular museum goers. Here, you can admire pieces that are not currently exhibited while they are being worked on. As one of the main restauration centers in the country, it is an important contributor to the preservation of Peruvian cultural heritage. After gaining insight into the fascinating and meticulous work of art restauration, the evening ends with a cocktail in one of the exclusive rooms filled with antique furniture and historic paintings. A special night at the museum indeed!
Please contact us for more information and proposals to incorporate this visit into your Lima tours.

Attending a tango show is definitely a must while visiting Buenos Aires. Opened in 1969, El Viejo Almacén is one of the most traditional tango houses in the city. The corner in San Telmo where the show house is located used to be a country store (almacén) back in 1760, which is where El Viejo Almacén (the old store) received its name. The performance itself takes guests back to the beginnings of Argentinean tango at the end of the last century and highlights the development of this passionate dance through the ages. But what happens before the curtain goes up? Long before the other guests arrive, you have the chance to attend a rehearsal and witness how the performers transform themselves from regular people to the glamorous dancers from times long past, complete with dramatic makeup and beautiful costumes. You can listen to the director's instructions for the upcoming show and if there is enough time, you can chat and take pictures with the dancers and musicians. Who knows, maybe you can even give the iconic "bandoneón" a try, a type of accordion that gives tango its distinctive sound. After this backstage experience, you enjoy a delicious 3-course-dinner before attending the nightly show. 
If you like to offer this unique experience to your clients, please contact our team for more information.

Iche is not only a restaurant, it is also a cooking school and a food laboratory. Located at Ecuador's Pacific coast in the province of Manabí, Iche was born of the desire to establish this region as a culinary destination. The majority of Manabí's economy revolves around food production, including coffee, cacao, bananas, corn, various tropical fruits, cattle breeding and seafood. The availability and diversity in fresh ingredients is also reflected in Manabí's cuisine, which is colorful and full of flavor. The team of Iche wanted to create a space where chefs, producers and food lovers could meet, exchange ideas and create a new way of experiencing food. Head chef Valentina Álvarez specializes in ancestral Manabí cuisine while executive chef Felipe Salas and head chef Angel De Sousa bring international influences to create the unique dishes that make Iche special. They are supported by a team of students of the School of Food and Hospitality, who are also the ones that accompany you during this cooking experience. Together, you start by harvesting the ingredients needed for the planned dishes. Then, you get a first-row seat at a cooking demonstration that highlights the combination of tradition and innovation that goes into the food. Finally, you get to experience the flavors of Manabí cuisine yourself! For those who want more, the restaurant also offers a 6-course tasting menu.
Request travel ideas including the interactive garden-to-plate experience of Iche Restaurant here!

Have you ever dreamed of creating your very own wine blend? If so, Viña Santa Rita is the place for you! The winery is located in the Maipo Valley just outside of Santiago de Chile and was founded in 1880. Together with a team of French winemakers, the local businessman Don Domingo Fernández Concha cultivated the finest French grape varieties and introduced techniques that were new to Chile at the time. The valley's rich soil was ideal for the foreign grapes, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, and Santa Rita's Chilean wines began to win awards and receive international recognition. Today, the restaurant La Casona de Doña Paula and the 16-room Hotel Casa Real, located in the former summerhouse of the winery’s founder, are also part of the estate. Santa Rita's "Winemaker Experience" offers guests the special opportunity to slip into the role of a winemaker for a day. You start by tasting the different varieties Santa Rita produces. Then it is time to mix your very own signature wine using top-of-the-notch enology equipment and design your personal label. After bottling, corking, labeling and varnishing your creation, a very unique souvenir is ready to travel home with you. 
Curious to learn more about the Winemaker Experience? Just contact us with your questions!
Picture credit: Viña Santa Rita

Take a deep dive into the the world of Candombe, the soundtrack of Uruguay's Carnival celebrations! Candombe is a drum-based rhythm which originated from Angola and the Congo and was brought to South America by African slaves in the 17th and 18th century. It was a means to express their culture, history and religion in the form of music and dance. After slavery was abolished with Uruguay's Independence, Candombe remained present in Uruguay's culture and has become not only very popular but also an important link for the different ethnicities. Fernando "Lobo" Núñez is a famous Afro-Uruguayan musician, luthier and drum maker. He started learning the craft of drum making in 1974 and 10 years later, he opened his own workshop "El Power" in his house in Montevideo. He started receiving great respect for his tradition and work at "El Power" and is regarded as Uruguay's most important drum maker. His drums are shipped all over the world, including Argentina, the United States, Denmark, Australia and Japan. During the visit to "El Power", you will be introduced to the work of a traditional drum maker and learn what is needed to make a drum that is in high demand around the world.
Please enquire here to include "El Power" in your Uruguay programs!
Picture credit: www.candombe.com