Montevideo is the very lively capital of Uruguay. It is a stylish city with a strong European feel to it. The city was founded in 1726 on a promontory between the Rio del Plata and an inner bay; this area is still known as the Ciudad Vieja and is the area of main interest for visitors.
The heart of the old city beats on the Plaza de la Constitucion. On one site is the Catedral with the historic Cabildo, opposite is the Museo Historico Nacional.
Few resorts in South America rival Punta del Este for glamour. It might be geographically located in Uruguay, but it´s where the gliterrati and elite of Buenos Aires make their homes for the summer.
Punta del Este and its surrounding towns have over 50km (31 miles) of waterfront, stretching along both coasts. The majority of the city´s major hotels are on the calmer river side.
Farther along Ruta 10 is the very exclusive Jose Ignacio, a small quiet community that´s even more expensive than La Barra. Many celebrities keep second homes here.
Arriving in Carmelo is an inspiring experience. The air is fresh and clear, fragrant with pine and eucalyptus; the climate is temperate year-round and the landscape is dominated by the majestic Rio de la Plata, one of the widest rivers in the world. Adjacent to pristine woodland and expansive savannah, Four Seasons Resort Carmelo, Uruguay, is several minutes away from the quiet village of Carmelo, and just one hour from the charming town of Colonia, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Wineries in Carmelo: Uruguayan wineries produce about 800,000 bottles of wine each year. The wineries feature Tannat, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mistela grapes, as well as some sparkling wines. The wine is exported to France, Italy and Germany. Three wineries are within a 40-kilometre (25-mile) radius of the Resort. The largest in the area is the Cerros de San Juan winery, which employs 300 people during the harvesting months and is well known for its Ca´ del Sacramento Franciacorta wine. A smaller winery in the area, Irurtia and Zubizarreta, offer authentic ambience.
This gem of a city (population 30,000), with its charming South American ambience, is located on the Río de la Plata, a one-hour drive from Four Seasons Resort Carmelo. A driver and guide can be arranged to take you to this lovely city, which attracts thousands of tourists year-round. Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, it was captured by Spain in 1763. The city features a number of small museums housed in original 18th-century homes, white-washed colonial buildings, a bevy of old cars, authentic restaurants and artisan´s workshops. Colonia has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site by the United Nations. Outside the city is a Jesuit monastery which is in the process of being preserved by World Heritage and is well worth visiting.
