Mendoza - home of wine in Argentina
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2008
1
12
16
Trip End
Jun 11, 2008
Where I stayed
Mendoza, Argentina
Thursday, February 14, 2008
I spent my last hours with Lorena and Andrea at Casa Palermitano (my second home) in BA - did some washing (badly needed), burned photos onto CD, freshened up and said my goodbyes. I was catching the bus at 9 pm in Retiro, so Lorena got me a taxi at about 8 pm.
Hints and tips on BA
Palermo is a very safe place to stay and I could highly recommend my B&B. I used the local buses and metro most of the time - no problems and very cheap - 1 peso each time - you must have lots of coins! Get the help of a cicerone - www.cicerones.org.ar - for local tour of any area. There is also a man who did The Real Buenos Aires tours but at the moment he is not available, so there is no point giving you details. Go to see a tango or milonga at Ideal - the tourist tango shows are staged and not so authentic. Walk as much as possible, as you will find places you did not expect. Do not bother with Cafe Tortoni - it is a tourist trap and a rip-off. Your B&B is the best place to get info and guidance.
Well, to continue with my journey ......
I travelled with a company called CATA (they have excellent buses, really luxurious) to Mendoza. It was a 12 hour drive - well worth paying out 190 pesos for a full flat bed with blanket and pillow - also dinner with wine and champagne were served on board. When I arrived in Mendoza I got a taxi to my B&B - another gem of a place. I had a beautiful bedroom with bathroom (take a look at my picture of it). It was just perfect. That afternoon Tito (the owner) organised a guided city tour for me for AR$35. This is the best way to start in any city as you get an overview and then can decide what to do in your own time.
Mendoza has lots of beautiful squares, because of the earthquake zone, to combat the effect of this problem. Every street has irrigation channels, as water is released from the dams on a strictly controlled basis. I also visited the central market, which was built in 1853. It has a lot of character and many interesting stalls. I spent another day doing a tour of the wine region - 4 vineyards in total and a 5-course lunch at one of them. I tasted some really good Malbec (Argentine´s most important grape variety) and Cab Sauv. I also met some really nice Texans - yes, there are some about!! Ony joking Mark, Jim, Sandra and Dee Dee!! I would recommend this tour - it cost US$112 including the wonderful lunch with wines to match each course - glad I was not driving!!
I left my wonderful hosts on Friday morning to get another bus to Santiago - now that is another story!!!!!
