Day 1. The group will be met at Asunción airport by one of our tour guides, probably Estela de Bogado, a Paraguayan teacher of English who lived for many years in London with her husband José Felix Bogado, after having to flee for their lives under Stroessner’s persecution. Estela is a warm and lively person who will begin a tour after lunch to the sites in the capital that best tell the nation’s history, in chronological order. This tour will start on Friday afternoon and be completed on Saturday. It begins in the Cristo Rey church, where the story of the Jesuit saint, Roque Gonzalez, is commemorated and his heart is preserved, and continues to the Casa de Independencia, where independence was declared in 1811, and to the old railway station, which represents the era of Paraguay’s prosperity in the mid 19th century, before the country was destroyed in the 1865-70 War of the Triple Alliance. The Palacio López represents the last kick of nationalist pride by the President who led Paraguay into the war, and the Manzana de Rivera houses a museum which charts the history of the city. The tour finishes at the Monument to the Marzo Paraguayo, in memory of Paraguay’s most recent martyrs of March 1999. The first of two nights will be spent in a charming family pension near the centre.

Day 2. The tour of Asunción will continue, with a theme of arts and crafts. If wished, there may be a ride on the old steam railway, passing through traditional craft-producing towns. There will be the opportunity to shop for craft souvenirs, and in the afternoon a visit to the Museo del Barro (Museum of Mud), which has art works stretching from the Reductions up to the present day.

Day 3. Leaving Asunción, an hour’s journey leads to the first stop at Yaguarón, which has Paraguay’s most beautiful church, the best surviving example of a church from the Reductions (but from a Franciscan Reduction rather than a Jesuit one). After three more hours the group arrives in Santa María. Those not staying in the hotel itself will be taken to family homes by English-speaking locals who will translate for them as they meet the family and are shown their room.

Day 4. For early risers, a chance to learn to milk a cow by hand. Morning visit within Santa María to the museum and the sewing cooperative, to feed the monkeys in the square, to the Institute, the retreat house and to the historic spring of Ykuateja. In the evenings in Santa María there will be the possibility of brief and simple liturgies in the chapel of the hotel for those coming as a religious group, in which visitors can pray over the experiences of the day, with or without the participation of local Christian leaders. Some evenings there may be the opportunity for those keen to pray with campesinos to go out to one of the more remote rural communities for Mass. On Saturday afternoon, there may be the option of participating in a Christian base community meeting. On Sunday evening the group (if they wish) may be introduced to the congregation at the parish mass, which is always sung with guitar and harp accompaniment.

Day 5. Visit outside Santa María to the Reduction of San Ignacio, with its museum and the Casa de Víctimas. Lunch at Kandire in Tañarandy. Visits to monuments that record moments of history: the Sundial monument (the Reductions) and the Horses monument (the War of the Chaco). Return to Santa María.

Day 6. Day in Santa María. Visits within Santa María: to the Huerta Medicinal on the day when natural medicines are distilled, to the cooperative of fairtrade organic sugar, and to the cottage industry of nutritionally enriched flour. In the afternoon, campesino activities (e.g. a choice of folk dance, embroidery or Guaraní language class) or reading in library. Evening festival of folk dance on the esplanade in Santa María.

Day 7. Visit outside Santa María to the Reduction of Santiago and its museum, and to the Benedictine monastery of Tupãsy María deep in the countryside.

Day 8. Morning trip in oxcarts or horse carts or walking to the Cerro (hill) of Santa María, (where there is a traditional Good Friday pilgrimage). Stations of the Cross on the climb up the Cerro. On return, reading in library or a choice of campesino activities (e.g. harp playing, milling maize, carrying water-jugs on head, cooking chipa, or playing volleyball).

Day 9. Visit to the Reduction of Santa Rosa, which has an original bell tower, an original Oratory that serves as a small museum, and many original casas de indios flanking the square.

Day 10. Morning in Santa María. Read, relax, or campesino activities. Barbecue lunch (asado). Leave Santa María in afternoon by tourist bus to visit the Reduction of San Cosme y Damian. Night at Encarnación.

Day 11. Visit to the World Heritage Sites at the former Reductions of Trinidad (morning) and Jesús (afternoon). In the late afternoon, cross border into Argentina and spend night at San Ignacio Mini, to see Son et Lumière (if operating).

Day 12. Visit ruins of the Reduction of San Ignacio Mini. In the afternoon travel by comfortable public bus to Puerto Iguazu. The first of 3 nights in the Hotel Lilian.

Day 13. Visit to Iguazu Falls on Brazilian side. These are one of the great wonders of the world, where a full day is required to visit the Falls on each side. The Brazilian side has the best overall view. Return to Hotel Lilian, Puerto Iguazu, for night.

Day 14. Visit to Iguazu Falls on Argentinian side, exploring the cliff walks, jungle treks and boat trips, and gazing at the multiple waterfalls with their cauldrons of foam and mist, including the Devil’s Throat (Garganto del Diablo).

Day 15. Fly back home from Foz do Iguaçu airport in Brazil.

Linguistic note: Iguazu in Spanish is Iguaçu in Portuguese and is often written Iguassu in English. However, this is actually a Guaraní word meaning “big water”, and in Guaraní it is correctly spelled Yguasu. The accent falls on the last syllable.

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THE THREE WEEK PROGRAMME

(The programme is subject to amendments where necessary. Rainy days may also alter the programme or the order of events.
Email us at info@santamariahotel.org for the price leaflet.)

As for Two Week Programme up to Day 10. Then as follows:

Day 11. Visit to the World Heritage Sites at the former Reductions of Trinidad (morning) and Jesús (afternoon). Second night at Encarnación.

Day 12. Travel by tourist bus across Argentina to São Miguel in Missões, Brazil, attending Son et Lumière in the ruins in the evening. First of four nights in Hostal beside ruins.

Day 13. Morning visit to ruins and museum of São Miguel. After Santa María, São Miguel is the best Reduction to visit, having ruins, a fine museum of Guaraní art, and a fully functioning, dramatic Son et Lumière. Afternoon visit to Reduction of São Joao Batista. Mass may be arranged in the ruins of São Miguel by prior arrangement.

Day 14. Day in Santo Angelo visiting museum of Reductions and craft shops.

Day 15. Morning visit to the small pilgrimage site of St Roque González’ martyrdom in Caaro, where mass may be arranged if wished. Afternoon visit to Reduction of São Lourenço.

Day 16. Travel by tourist bus to spend first of two nights at San Ignacio Mini in Misiones, Argentina. In evening see Son et Lumière (if operating).

Day 17. Morning visit to Reduction of Loreto. Afternoon visit to Reductions of Santa Ana and Santa María Mayor.

Day 18. Morning visit to ruins of San Ignacio Mini. Afternoon travel to Puerto Iguazu. The first of 4 nights in the Hotel Lilian.

Day 19. Visit to Iguazu Falls on Brazilian side. These are one of the great wonders of the world, where a full day is required to visit the Falls on each side. The Brazilian side has the best overall view. Return to Hotel Lilian, Puerto Iguazu, for night.

Day 20. Visit to Iguazu Falls on Argentinian side, exploring the cliff walks, jungle treks and boat trips, and gazing at the multiple waterfalls with their cauldrons of foam and mist, including the Devil’s Throat (Garganto del Diablo).

Day 21. Fly back home from Foz do Iguaçu airport in Brazil.

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ONE WEEK PROGRAMME

(The programme is subject to amendments where necessary. Rainy days may also alter the programme or the order of events.
Email us at info@santamariahotel.org for the price leaflet.)

Day 1. The group will be met at Asunción airport and taken to one or two historic sites in the capital, probably the Cristo Rey church, where the story of the Jesuit saint, Roque Gonzalez, is commemorated and his heart is preserved, and the Monument to the Marzo Paraguayo, in memory of Paraguay’s most recent martyrs of March 1999. There will be a stop at one of the best shops for craft souvenirs. A four-hour bus journey will then take them to Santa María. Those not staying in the hotel itself will be accompanied to family homes by English-speaking locals who will translate for them as they meet the family and are shown their room. Four nights will be spent in Santa María.

Day 2. For early risers, a chance to learn to milk a cow by hand. Morning visit within Santa María to the museum and the sewing cooperative, to feed the monkeys in the square, to the Institute, the retreat house and to the historic spring of Ykuateja. In the evenings in Santa María there will be the possibility of brief and simple liturgies in the chapel of the hotel for those coming as a religious group, in which visitors can pray over the experiences of the day, with or without the participation of local Christian leaders. Some evenings there may be the opportunity for those keen to pray with campesinos to go out to one of the more remote rural communities for Mass. On Saturday afternoon, there may be the option of participating in a Christian base community meeting. On Sunday evening the group (if they wish) may be introduced to the congregation at the parish mass, which is always sung with guitar and harp accompaniment.

Day 3. Visit outside Santa María to the Reduction of San Ignacio, with its museum and the Casa de Víctimas. Lunch at Kandire in Tañarandy. In the afternoon, visit to the Reduction of Santa Rosa, which has an original bell tower, an original Oratory that serves as a small museum, and many original casas de indios flanking the square. Return to Santa María.

Day 4. Day in Santa María. Visits within Santa María: to the Huerta Medicinal on the day when natural medicines are distilled, to the cooperative of fairtrade organic sugar, and to the cottage industry of nutritionally enriched flour. In the afternoon, reading in library or campesino activities (e.g. a choice of folk dance, embroidery or Guaraní language class, harp playing, milling maize, carrying water-jugs on head, cooking chipa, or playing volleyball). Evening festival of folk dance on the esplanade in Santa María.

Day 5. Visit to the World Heritage Site of the Reduction of Trinidad. In the afternoon, cross border into Argentina and spend night at San Ignacio Mini, to see Son et Lumière (if operating).

Day 6. Visit ruins of the Reduction of San Ignacio Mini. In the afternoon travel to Puerto Iguazu. The first of 2 nights in the Hotel Lilian.

Day 7. Visit to Iguazu Falls on Argentinian side, exploring the cliff walks, jungle treks and boat trips, and gazing at the multiple waterfalls with their cauldrons of foam and mist, including the Devil’s Throat (Garganto del Diablo).

Day 8. Fly back home from Foz do Iguaçu airport in Brazil.

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ONE DAY AT A TIME:
FOR VISITORS NOT DOING TOUR PROGRAMMES

Those wishing to stay a few days in Santa María on the basis of the daily rate, may choose from among the five days on the programme for Santa María, i.e. Days 4 to 9 of the Two Week Programme.

Those wishing to spend a day in Santa María, but not stay overnight, may follow all or part of the following suggested programme. (Note it may be difficult to arrange all of this if we do not have prior notification, but we will always arrange what we can at the last minute.)

10.30	arrive and have light refreshments
11.00	guided visit to museum
12.00	lunch at the hotel, with live harp and guitar music
1.00	tour of square including foundational cross, monument to Bonpland, feeding monkeys
2.00	visit to sewing cooperative next door to hotel. Opportunity to purchase craft
3.00	visit to one of the following: retreat house and little Calvary, Institute of Tertiary Education for the poor, and historic spring of Ykuateja, cooperative of fairtrade organic sugar, garden of natural remedies, cottage industries of nutritionally enriched flour and/or soap production.
4.00	light refreshments
4.30	visit to a second site from the above list, or study of materials in the library on the Reductions or the Agrarian Leagues, or campesino activities such as dance, embroidery, Guarani language class, learning to make terere, harp-playing, milling maize, carrying water-jug on head, cooking chipa in traditional oven, riding in an ox cart volleyball.
5.30	departure.

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