A Luxe Three-Week Latin American Extravaganza: Argentina and Chile

Day 1

For most of us, we'd be flying west into Buenos Aires enjoying the benefits of extra daylight and minimizing the feeling of jet lag.

In this more nature-focused Latin American experience, the city encounters grab the very best opportunities to absorb the most within the city before escaping into the bush.

Day 1 means you hit the ground running with a booking at the Faena Hotel's El Cabaret for the viewing of the highly acclaimed Rojo Tango. This is an unparalleled experience of luxury food and wine and Argentina’s most evocative dance, hosted in the radically elegant ballroom designed by Philippe Starck.

For starters, choose between octopus carpaccio, mushroom truffle ragout-filled crispy philo or burrata. The gastronomical feast continues with a choice of braised fall-apart lamb, grilled salmon or fresh pasta and ends on a high note with sweet delights of either a three-milk flan, New York cheesecake or a delectable dark chocolate delight. This is all paired with a boutique wine selection and, of course, the live music, mesmerizing footwork and costume design of the legendary Rojo Tango show.

Also in house are live performances by locally and internationally acclaimed DJs and musicians in The Library Lounge, so you can continue to party the night away after the show or head on back to your luxury accommodation for some beauty sleep to be fresh and ready for the adventure that awaits.

Day 2

If you're lucky enough to travel November to December, it's highly recommended that you take time today to visit the rose garden in Palermo in full bloom. You may also want to attend the Argentina Polo Cup, also hosted in Palermo in November. If the timing is off, never fear — food, culture, dancing, cemetery and museum explorations and some of the best shopping in the world are sure to provide enough options for this buffer day.

Worth noting: If eating well is on your priority list, world-famous chef Francis Mallmann makes open-fire cooking a must-do, at Patagonia Sur in La Boca, Buenos Aires.

Sharon's accommodation choice

Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt: The property is perfectly located in Recoleta. Stay in one of the 23 exclusive palace rooms, the most opulent of which are the suites. The Alvear covers 120 square meters of evocative floor space reminiscent of the glory days of Recoleta, complete with a fireplace, stately décor, original artwork and Persian rugs.

Less than two hours from Buenos Aires on a number of local airlines gets you easily to the Argentine side of the Iguazú Falls, the memorable backdrop to the 1986 film "The Mission." The breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises no less than 275 separate waterfalls spanning a wide horse-shoe shaped gorge on the Iguazú River.

Sharon's accommodation choice

Although they don't offer a view of the falls, the Awasi villas — built on stilts to minimize environmental impact — are nestled in the jungle, creating the perfect mix of privacy and an opportunity to socialize at the bar and restaurant, which become central meeting points and hives of activity when one chooses.

The Awasi experience is unique in that each villa receives its own private guide and 4X4 vehicle to explore the upper reaches of the Paraná River, the Puerto Peninsula Provincial Park and the triple border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
The personalized exploration is also handy when discovering crystal-clear pools only reachable by boat, jungle trails home to endangered trees and endemic birds, archaeological Jesuit ruins and more.

So much to love:

• Nature-centric lodge

• 14 carbon-neutral villas, surrounded by Atlantic rainforest

• Relais & Châteaux restaurant for guests only

• Private guide & 4WD per room

• Meals, open bar and transfers included

Four nights is my recommendation to fully immerse yourself in, explore and absorb all that this property and its surroundings have to offer.

Access this barren and dry (driest place on earth) landscape by taking a local flight from the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls to Calama airport near Atacama. This will yield spectacular experiences that have made The Atacama renowned as the "Astronomy Capital of the World," among other things.

Sharon's accommodation choice

Nayara Alto Atacama: Choose the Suite Tilo, with vistas of the Salt Mountain Range and the Andean hills and embellished with handwoven throws and macrame hangings. An outdoor rain shower under the stars elevates the wilderness experience and adds to the privacy.

So much to love:

• Out of town, no lights, no traffic, only the stars

• Luxury all-inclusive accommodation with private guides and daily tailored experiences

Four nights here is my suggested minimum.

Take a two-hour flight from Calama, Atacama to Santiago and proceed onward directly (a two-hour drive) to VIK Chile for some necessary wine time and luxuriating — there is no better place in Latin America to do this.

The architectural masterpiece, hotel and winery is located at the top of a hill in the middle of the valley, taking advantage of the panoramic views of the Andes Mountains, the VIK Winery and vineyards and their surroundings.

This is the perfect location for some chill-out time between epic explorations and adventuring.

Sharon's accommodation choice at VIK Chile

Choose one of the seven luxurious Puro VIK Bungalows with 360-degree panoramic views and private hot tubs.

So much to love:

• The floating, structural roof of titanium and bronze

• Andes Mountain setting

• Within a 4,450-hectare nature reserve

• One-of-a-kind destination

My recommendation is two days of wine, spa and relaxation, before returning to Santiago for an onward flight south to Patagonia.

Described by many travel writers, bloggers and explorers as the best views on earth, Patagonia is a truly peak experience for any nature-loving, adventure-seeking traveler.

While some of the best lodgings and individualized service in Patagonia are located on the Chilean side (notably, Torres del Paine) most of Patagonia is located on the Argentine side of the Andes. The most well-photographed and easily accessible Perito Moreno Glacier stands out as a must see for many.

So here goes on my plan of attack to get the best of both, keeping in mind the vast travel distances required in these southern regions. Transfers between properties offer an opportunity to absorb this once-in-a-lifetime experience to the max, but they do take time — at least a three- to four-hour road transfer. You also have the option of sticking to one property and taking 3.5-hour flights in and out of Puerto Natales, on the Chilean side, from Santiago.

Or, for the more adventurous who want to maximize on Patagonia time, add in the inter-resort transfer and move between my suggested properties below, crossing over the border from Torres del Paine in Chile into Argentina, experiencing all that this part of Patagonia has to offer before flying out to Buenos Aires from El Calafate.

Sharon's Chile accommodation choice

Tierra Patagonia - Torres Del Paine

With Tierra Patagonia as luxury base, explore all four regions of Torres del Paine National Park and witness soaring, snow-covered granite spires, glaciers calving into turquoise lakes and native wildlife in its natural habitat. Discover the region’s untamed beauty via a wide range of guided excursions on two feet, bike, horseback or take to the water on a thrilling cruise.

Choose the luxury suite designed over two spacious levels, inviting in floor-to-double-volume-ceiling views that are second to few.

Four nights here is my suggested minimum.

So much to love:

• All-inclusive meals and bar

• Daily explorations and excursions with knowledgeable guides

• Spa and heated pools

• Quiet areas

• Modern facilities

• State-of-the-art architecture

Capitalize on the best of the Argentine Patagonia with access to Los Glaciers National Park, where The Upsala, Onelli and Perito Moreno Glaciers calve into the icy and milky waters of the huge Lake Argentino.

Sharon's Argentina accommodation choice

Eolo, Patagonia's Spirit (accommodation here books out fast)

Four nights here is my suggested minimum.

Fly into El Calafate from Buenos Aires (3 hours and 20 minutes) on a local commercial airline. There is also a slightly shorter option with a helicopter transfer between Puerto Natales and El Calafate (with mandatory border crossing).