Argentina's Wine Region

The best is to stroll around this friendly, leafy city enjoying the quiet, safe atmosphere and good food (mainly Italian). Also, visit the bodegas in town and a winery outside the city. The high mountains and ski hills are within a few hours drive west. The central park is modeled after the Bois du Boulogne in Paris.

Quick Tips:

Take the overnight bus from Buenos Aires (12-14 hours), arriving mid to late morning in Mendoza. Walk the pietonal or pedestrain mall on Saturdays when there is great street entertainment.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking is great in Mendoza with wide, clean boulevards and streets. Local buses go out to the wineries surrounding the city.

This is a very home-like small hotel on a very quiet sidestreet but very central and also close to the main bus terminal. Rates (lower now since the peso devaluation) included taxes and breakfast ay any hour. Polite and accommodating staff with small but comfortable, clean rooms.

This is a family-owned Italian cafe and restaurant with homemade pasta and sweets and a nice seelection of local wines, both white and red. Nothing fancy, but a wonderful meal at low prices and a place to meet the locals without any pretentions.

This is a classy upscale Italian restaurant with an excellent reputation in the centre of downtown Mendoza. The service and presentation is formal but very friendly in the European style. Portions are large and the dining commences only about 9 p.m. - typical in Argentina even in conservative Mendoza. One feels most welcome and even though I was with locals, I don't think it would have been different if alone. Excellent value.

One of the most beautiful nature trips in Argentina is from the city of Mendoza up to the heights of Parque Aconcagua at the Chilean border with stops along the way to admire the scenery, ancient Inca natural-stone bridge and breathe the cool crisp air. This is ski-country but in mid-late spring, most of the snow had melted down below. I went with the Aymara Tour Agency in a comfortable van. Even though the explanation was in Spanish, I understood most and the scenery itself was worthwhile. There are no urban areas en route so the sky is a crytal-clear blue against the snow-capped Andes. Take a good sunscreen.

Of all the wineries near Mendoza, this was the most recommended for a day visit and I was not disappointed. It is called "Bodega La Rural" started many years ago by the Rutini family from Italy in the fertile Maipu Valley, near the city of Mendoza. Express bus #170 from the centre brings you to the Piazza Rutini in the countryside and from there a short walk brings you to the entrance of "La Rural" - a complex of winery, vineyards and wine museum with complimentary daily guided tours and tastings. My guide Ignacio was most gracious and informative in English and the grounds are beautiful. Call ahead to make sure of hours at: (261) 497-2013 or e-mail them: larural@infovia.com.ar This is a great way to spend the day and visit the Argentinian countryside and taste some good wines. Disfruta (Enjoy)!