Argentina´s heart and its treasures (Fly & Drive)

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN CÓRODOBA, THE HIDDEN GEM OF ARGENTINA.

Upon arrival at the Córdoba airport, you will be greeted by one of our guides and transferred to Hotel Azur Real.
After check in we start a 2 1⁄2 hours walking tour. We will visit the Jesuit Block. It contains the core buildings of the capital of the former Jesuit Province of Paraguay: the church, the Jesuit priests’ residence, the university, and the Colegio Convictorio de Montserrat. Then we go to Paseo del Buen Pastor, a place with some interesting architectural nuances and interesting sculpture by local artist.
Your guide will introduce you into the tradition of having mate, one of the most importat cultural features in Argentina.

Evening at your leisure to explore the city and try the local cuisine, an interesting mixture of different backgrounds.

Night at Azur Real Hotel Boutique.

DAY 2 DRIVE FROM CORDOBA TO JESUS MARIA

After breakfast you will get your car assisted by one of our representatives. Briefing.

Leave the city in north direction along national route 9. You will go to a region full of history, culture and local traditions. Features of the mixture of local habitants, Italian inmigrants and Spanish colonialism will be seen on every corner. The Jesuit estancias were devoted to agricultural and livestock activities. They had camp tender stations, pens and pasturelands for cattle, sheep, mules and horses, as well as orchards, fields to grow wheat and corn, ponds and irrigation ditches to water the crops and operate the mills.

The location of Estancia in Jesus Maria, is not random. The Royal Road to the capital of the viceroyalty used to go through this area. In 1618, the Jesuits acquired the twenty thousand grape varieties, the mill, 250 cows, 25 oxen and 30 pigs of the land then known as Chacra de Guanusacate -a name given by the Sanaviron natives for eight thousand Pesos.

By 1620, when it had already been given its present Christian name, this second productive undertaking of the Company of Jesus would concentrate salaried natives and approximately three hundred slaves who had been bought at the port of Buenos Aires and were in charge of the heaviest tasks. As it was to be expected, Latin, Spanish and Italian, as well as native American and African tongues were spoken at the estate.

Then continue your trip visiting Estancia Jesuit de Caroya. This huge colonial grand house is surrounded by tree groves and vines at the foot of the mountain range known as Little Hills (Sierras Chicas).

By 1661, it had been sold to the founder of Monserrat College, Priest Ignacio Duarte Quiróz, who succeeded in transforming it into a prodigious land producing corn and wheat, fruit, wine, honey and carob trees. Later on, in 1867, Duarte donated it to the College so that it would be used as a summer yard by its students. Pupils like Juan José Paso, Nicolás Avellaneda and viceroy Liniers’ children spent their well-deserved holidays there.

After a interesting dosis of local history, it ́s time to explore another side of the region: winemaking. You have 3 different options in the area. La Caroyense is a traditional wineyard with long tradition in the industry. Di Candi is a family run wine business so every little detail has a personal touch. Terra Camiare is defined as a gourmet wineyard with about 100 years of tradition.

Continue your trip to Estancia La Paz and overnight there.

Total driving distance 80km
Night at Estancia La Paz

DAY 3. ESTANCIA LA PAZ

Morning at you leisure at Estancia La Paz. This is the best alternative for enjoying the rural spirit, with the comfort and services offered by modern properties.Take your time to discover by your own the amazing property.

The hotel has 14 rooms nestled in the heart of a historic park designed by the architect Carlos Thays. It was Argentina ́s President summer house in the nineteenth century. The place offer the thrill of enjoying a unique landscape and bedrooms overlooking the lake on the park, the golf course and the hills.

Very close to Estancia La Paz, 20 km away, you will find Estancia Santa Catalina (UNESCO heritage site), the largest Estancia in the Jesuit Order. As a result of the scarce water, the first great works done by the Jesuits was a set of underground pipes that carried the water coming to the estate from Ongamira, located several kilometers away, in the mountains. This water was stored in a large pond. Thus, Santa Catalina became the great center of cattle raising with thousands of cow, sheep and mule heads. Besides, items were woven in the loom, and tack was produced, as well as blacksmith and carpentry works. There also were two mills.

But beyond this huge productive undertaking, Santa Catalina is widely known for its church, featuring the typical Argentinian colonial Baroque style, visibly influenced by Central European architecture of the same style. Over once century after acquiring this estancia in 1754, the Jesuit missionaries finished the church works. Its imposing façade, lined by two towers and a curved portal, boasts slender lines and ornaments, with curved pediments and pilasters. Inside, the harmony of proportions is fascinating. Only one nave in the shape of a Latin cross
ends in the circular dome with windows on the vault. The great altarpiece of the main altar has been carved in wood and gold. A piece of canvas representing the patron saint of the estancia, a dressed image of the Lord of Humbleness and Patience as well as the polychrome carved image of crucified Christ stand out.

Make sure to try the best Empanadas in Argentina at Mariita ́s place, 50 meters away from Santa Catalina Church.

Total driving distance 40km.

Night at Estancia La Paz.

DAY 4 – ESTANCIA LA PAZ TO CORDOBA

After breakfast take you car and drive to El Manzano (estancia El Rosal). Our rerpesentative will be waiting for you to enjoy a horseback riding to explore the area and then you will enjoy an authentic asado (BBQ).

Then visit Candonga church which is a beautiful construction located in a small valley surrounded by green hills. It was built in the 18th century and has become in a national historical monument.

Drive to Cordoba and car dropp off.

Night at Hotel Azur Real.
Total driving distance 76km

DAY 5 CORDOBA TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION.

Transfer out without guide to airport to catch you next flight.