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Holiday Tango
Buenos Aires, Iguacu Falls & Rio
December 23, 2008 – Jan 3, 2009
($3,995 plus Airfare)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This tour is at peak travel season, with thousands of tourists booking flights out of Rio on January 2nd every year. If you do not take our group flights on TAM, you need to book your airfare immediately on your preferred airline, as the seats will sell out quickly. This tour is a guaranteed departure, but rooms at our hotels are limited and at a premium. Special deposit and refund policies are in effect for this tour, and are spelled out in “The Bottom Line.” We encourage you to book early

The Dance of Passion

The lights dim and partners move toward each other across a dance floor. As the first wheezing chords emanate from the accordian-like bandoneon, an arm wraps around a waist like a snake, and a hand grabs the nape of a neck. A violin and guitar add their mournful voices, as a leg rises sinuously to rest upon a hip and the curve of a back arches dangerously towards the floor.
     This is the tango, a private exchange of agression, trust and surrender between two people inspired by the tempestuous music. Born of the cultural melting pot that is Argentina, the tango, much like the samba or bossa nova from neighboring Brazil, has come to represent the passion, color, music and vitality of South America. Toto Tours takes you on a tempting Tango this Holiday season, pairing the two vibrant countries of Argentina and Brazil plus a visit to Iguacu Falls!
     Argentina, the world’s eighth largest country, possesses some of the world’s tallest mountains, expansive deserts and impressive waterfalls, with the diversity of the land ranging from wild, remote areas in the south to the bustling capital in the north. Buenos Aires is a complex, energetic and seductive port city, which has no dominating monument or natural monolith that serves as its focal point. Instead, it is comprised of many small places and intimate details, each with a slightly different shade, shape and character.
     The dramatic cataracts, inlets and drops of Iguacu Falls form a horseshoe-shaped rim between Argentina and Brazil. Argentina offers the ultimate close-up experience, where one can walk out on catwalks built a few feet above the river at the very edge of the falls. The best overall view, however, is from the Brazilian side, where trails cut into the side of the riverbank offer a grand panorama of the main section of the falls. Boats take visitors to the crashing waters at the bottom of the falls and to more tranquil nearby pools for swimming.
     Covering almost half the continent, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, behind Russia, Canada, China and the U.S., with an area of nearly five million square miles. Known to Brazilians as “Cidade Maravilhosa” (wonderful city), Rio De Janeiro is nestled between rainforest-clad cliffs and the sea. Always brimming with sound, rhythm, and joy, the city has all the colors of the world here, with a thousand shades of Amazon green, the gold of afternoon sunlight, the vibrant blue of a tropical sea, and the multitudinous hues of sun-tanned flesh.
     It is believed that the word “tango” is derived from the Latin “tangere,” meaning “to touch.” It is an appropriate appellation, as no visit to a faraway spot can include absolutely everything it has to offer. This holiday season, Toto Tours will “touch” upon the most sparkling highlights of Buenos Aires, Iguacu Falls and Rio de Janeiro, as we embrace the culture, history and spectacle with a passion rivaled only by the furious coupling of the tango.

Click here to view itinerary

2008 Holiday Tango Information

ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click property name to read description)

Christmas Eve: Estancia Santa Rita

Buenos Aires: Hotel Mansion Dandi Royal

Iguacu Falls: Tropical Hotel das Cataratas

Rio de Janeiro: Windsor Hotel Excelsior Copacabana

TOUR PREPARATION

Argentina Entry: Citizens of the U.S. and Canada do not need visas to visit Argentina. Upon arrival all non-visa visitors must obtain a free tourist card, good for 90 days and renewable for 90 more. Once in your possession you should not toss your card away; however, losing it is no major catastrophe. At most exit points, immigration officials will provide an immediate replacement for no charge.

Brazil Entry: For citizens of the United States and Canada, both a valid passport and a visa for travel to Brazil are required. Visas must be obtained through a Brazilian embassy or consulate here in the U.S. prior to departure. Detailed instructions for your visa application will be provided upon receipt of your deposit. The process can take 3 to 4 weeks, so please don’t wait until the last minute to book!

Recommended Immunizations: The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has detailed recommendations for vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for when traveling in Argentina and Brazil. The links to this detailed information are as follows:

Argentina: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationArgentina.aspx
Brazil: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationBrazil.aspx

We strongly recommend that you consult with your personal physician or a travel medicine clinic well in advance of departure in order to determine which vaccinations and medications are right for you. As with any tour, it is important to insure yourself for health and cancellation/interruption (see the link to AIG Travel Guard at the bottom of this page).

Exit Requirements: You must pay a departure tax of $18.00 at the Buenos Aires airport upon departure from Argentina, which may be paid in U.S. or Argentine currency. At this time there are no departure taxes in Brazil.

Suggested Viewing:

The Official Story (1985) filmed in Buenos Aires
The Mission (1986) filmed at Iguacu Falls
Black Orpheus (1959) filmed in Rio
Bossa Nova (2000) filmed in Rio

WHAT TO BRING

To avoid lugging around huge pieces of heavy luggage, try to pack clothing which can be worn repeatedly or put together in mix-’n’-match fashion. It is unwise to flaunt personal wealth here, so we recommend that you leave expensive clothing and jewelry at home. Daily high and low temperatures will range between 60 and 80 degrees F in Buenos Aires, 70 and 86 at Iguacu Falls, and 70 and 90 in Rio.

Suggested Packing List:

____ Proof of citizenship. Passport and Brazilian Tourist Visa required.

____ Comfy walking shoes for day tours and walks.

____ Polo shirts / T-shirts.

____ Shorts.

____ Lightweight long pants for dinners.

____ Cool sleepwear.

____ Sunscreen / lip balm / bug spray.

____ Sunglasses / sun hat with tie-on (for power boat safari).

____ Windbreaker or water repellant jacket.

____ Personal toiletries (Bring an anti-diarrheal remedy just in case!)

____ Swimsuits.

____ Camera & plenty of film or digital memory / extra batteries.

____ Ziploc Bags (sandwich size for documents, gallon size for wet items or toiletries).

____ A good book for the long flights.

MONEY MATTERS

Until recently, Argentina was an extremely expensive country to visit, but the devaluation of the Argentine peso (ARS) makes Argentina much more affordable for foreign travelers than once it was. As of January 10, 2008, the interbank exchange rate was 3.13 ARS to the U.S. $1. Brazilian currency is the Real (code BRL, and pronounced as “hey-ow”). The plural of Real is Reais (“hey-ice”). As of January 10, 2008, the interbank exchange rate was 1.77 BRL to the U.S. $1.00. ATMs are almost everywhere, so obtaining local currency with your bank card will not be difficult

Tipping: Workers in most services are tipped 10%, and they make the minimum wage (not enough to live on) so you can be sure they need the money. In restaurants a 10% tip is customary, but it might be included in the bill. Look for a service charge. Most people round taxi fares up to the nearest even amount, but tipping is not expected. We will present a group tip to drivers and guides before departing each destination, and guidelines for this amount will be provided prior to departure. Budget between $20-$40 U.S. each day for miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by October 7, 2008). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the form and your deposit check.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.

LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS

Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All tour participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. This tour is a guaranteed departure.

THE TOTO SPIRIT

Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even encourages) you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified by certain traits. They are:

fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate the positive;
good natured realists who are willing to accept situations as they exist;
undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad weather;
willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for granted;
eager to try new things & test limits;
punctual;
not whiners!

Dance into the New Year with Toto Tours doing a Tango between two of the most ravishing cities in South America: Buenos Aires and Rio. This will be the best Holiday celebration of your life! If you have any questions, please call toll-free: 800-565-1241.

THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)

Special Deposit Requirement and Refund Policy: This statement applies to this tour only, and superscedes all other refund policies published by Toto Tours. Prior to July 1, 2008, you may secure a place on this tour with a $500 deposit. $250 of that amount is refundable if you cancel prior to July 1, 2008. On July 1, 2008, the hotel in Rio is requiring full pre-payment, necessitating a second deposit of $1,000 due to Toto Tours no later than July 1, 2008. All payments made to the Rio hotel are non-refundable. After July 1, 2008, your $1,500 total deposit to Toto Tours becomes non-refundable in its entirety. It is important that you protect yourself with cancellation insurance for this particular tour. The hotel in Rio has extended its 2007 rates to us as a courtesy through July 1, 2008. After that date, all new reservations will be subject to the increased hotel rates for 2008. To avoid a potential increase in the tour price, you must book this tour and submit $1,500 in deposits prior to July 1, 2008.

Price: $3,995 double occupancy (airfare not included). This price is only guaranteed until July 1, 2008. The hotel in Rio is raising its rates on that date.

Private Room: $1,500 extra, if available. (Paying a single supplement is not required. Toto Tours can match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to share a room.) This rate is also guaranteed only through July 1, 2008, and is subject to increase after that time.

Deposit: $500 (Due at time of registration for the tour, if before July 1, 2008. $500 total may be paid with a credit card.)

Second Deposit: $1,000 due on July 1, 2008. At that time, all deposits become 100% non-refundable. New bookings after that date require a non-refundable deposit of $1,500.

Remaining Balance: $2,495 double / $3,995 single
(Assumes a total of $1,500 has already been paid in deposits)

Remaining Balance Due: October 7, 2008
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included: One group airport transfer at the beginning and end of the tour, all ground transportation for included tour activities within Argentina and Brazil; all excursions except those listed as “optional”; meals and accommodations as listed in the itinerary. This is a fully guided and escorted tour.

Not included: Round-trip air transportation to Buenos Aires, Argentina and returning from Rio de Janiero, Brazil; two internal flights (Buenos Aires to Iguacu Falls, Iguacu Falls to Rio); airport departure taxes; Brazil tourist visa; meals and other items not specifically covered in the itinerary; insurance; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers / guides are not included.

Airfare: These airline prices are subject to availability at the time you book the tour, and the price could increase if the least expensive seats are no longer available. Airline seats departing Rio on January 2nd are very much in demand. We cannot urge you strongly enough to book this tour quickly to lock in your air rates, and to guarantee that you have a seat for our scheduled departure. Here are your options:

TAM Group Air Price: $1,630 for all flight segments from Miami (we are holding only 15 seats for the international flights, and 20 seats for the two flights during the tour).
American Airlines Published Price (for comparison purposes): $1,578.30 international.
Plus: $130 Buenos Aires to Iguacu and $270 Iguacu to Rio, totals: $1,978.30.
We can offer the American international flights at a slightly discounted rate from current published fares.
Book Your Own International Air: You still need to purchase our group flights from Buenos Aires to Iguacu, and from Iguacu to Rio at a total price of $400.

We will put you into direct contact with our airline suppliers immediately after your reservation is received so that you can select the airline package appropriate for your needs. You can use a credit card to purchase your airline tickets.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow the link below or call us for more information.