The South American Tapestry ARTour weaves together such diverse highlights as the Andes, Lakes District Crossing, and the incredible Iguazu Falls with the more traditional appeal of Santiago, Chile's exciting capital, and Buenos Aires, Argentina's alluring capital. The tour is scheduled for Jan. 11-25.

Travelers depart Raleigh on Jan. 11 for an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile. Once in Santiago, day trips will feature the colorful wooden houses of Valparaiso, a one-time fishing village, and wine tasting at Concha y Toro Winery, one of Chile's top wine producers.

Travelers will fly to Puerto Montt, the gateway to Chile's Lake District for tours of fishing enclaves and local artisan markets. Two nights will be spent at Cabanas del Lago, a first-class hotel on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, from which the architecture and museums of the Lake District will be explored.

Crossing from Chile to Argentina, travelers will experience the stunning views of the Andes peaks, narrow mountain passes, dense forests, and scenes of rural life on their way to Bariloche. Two nights will be spent at the Hotel Edelweiss, located on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The Llao Llao peninsula and Lopez Bay will be explored, including a chairlift ride to the top of Campanario Hill for spectacular, panoramic views.

Buenos Aires is the next stop on the tour where travelers will spend three nights at the Hotel Emperador. The first night will feature an evening meal at the legendary, art nouveau Esquina Carlos Gardel, one of the city's premier tango houses, where the show promises to be as memorable as the meal.

While in Buenos Aires, travelers will explore the elegant mansions and lovely parks and gardens of Palermo; the colorful bohemian districts of La Boca and San Telmo; elegant Recoleta, with its cemetery of elaborate mausoleums; and the historic Government House. Along the way, travelers will learn about European immigration to Argentina, Argentine politics, music, and theater. Before departing Buenos Aires, a day trip to Tigre is planned that will feature a catamaran tour of the vast delta of the Paran River with its colorful houses on stilts.

The final tour destination is Iguazu Falls. This spectacle of nature comprises some 275 cascades and waterfalls crashing 269 feet into the gorge. The Argentine side of Iguazu will be explored on a jungle adventure, including a boat ride for a close-up view of the falls.

Travelers depart Buenos Aires on Jan. 24 for the overnight return flight to Raleigh.

The cost of this tour is $4,700 per person, double occupancy, and $5,900 per person, single occupancy. The price includes round-trip airfare and other flights within the itinerary, airport transfers, an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director, 12 nights accommodations, all breakfasts, four lunches and 10 dinners, porterage for one bag, gratuities for local guides and drivers, and entry fees for all excursions and events. Airline taxes and departure fees of approximately $297 will be billed separately and are subject to change.

For more information about the South American ARTour, call the arts council's ARTour director, Katherine MacRae, at 910-692-4356.