Argentina Itinerary help/comment
Dec 21, 2004, 9:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 472
Argentina Itinerary help/comment
Had such a great time on our first visit to Argentina in October, that the Mrs. and I are going back in March/April. Last time we went to BA with a 3-day side trip to Peninsula Valdes and a day trip to Colonia. This time, we're thinking of BA with a side trip to Mendoza, another visit to Colonia (we really liked it there), and perhaps an estancia outside of BA.
How I put this all in order depends on some feedback from those in the know. For instance, is it better to visit Mendoza on weekdays or weekends? We're thinking of staying at La Finca Adalgisa for three or four nights and hiring drivers, not only to take us to/from the airport, but also to take us to the wineries so we can drink all we like and not worry about driving.
Based upon access to wineries, getting restaurant reservations, and crowds, is it better to arrive on a Thursday evening and leave on a Sunday evening, or arrive on a Friday evening and return on either Monday or Tuesday? Does anyone have recommendations on how to hire a driver and car for 3 people?
I also could use a recommendation on an estancia near BA to stay at for 2 nights. Would prefer one that does not have bus and van loads of people coming for day visits. Quality food/cooking is very important. Comfortable accomodations, too. While I'm not looking for the highest end stuff, I'd say probably higher end, rather than lower end.
My thought is we arrive at EZE at noon on a Tuesday. We can then spend 2 nights at this estancia. Then get a driver to take us to the ferry to Colonia. Spend Thursday night in Colonia. Then catch a Friday evening flight from AEP to Mendoza. Then back to AEP on Monday or Tuesday. Spend the next 4 or 5 nights in BA and returning to US from EZE on Saturday night.
I think I've managed to keep my transit/transfer times to a minimum based on the places we want to go (and knowing we want to finish in BA). Going right from arrival at EZE to the estancia means just one car ride. Estancia to Colonia means a car ride and a ferry (and no rush to get there). Getting from Colonia to AEP for an evening flight bound for Mendoza should be a relative breeze. Then back to AEP for transfer to our hotel in BA.
What do you all think? Am I missing anything here? Are weekends good or bad times to be visiting vineyards in Mendoza? Any estancia recommendations?
Muchas gracias, amigos.
How I put this all in order depends on some feedback from those in the know. For instance, is it better to visit Mendoza on weekdays or weekends? We're thinking of staying at La Finca Adalgisa for three or four nights and hiring drivers, not only to take us to/from the airport, but also to take us to the wineries so we can drink all we like and not worry about driving.
Based upon access to wineries, getting restaurant reservations, and crowds, is it better to arrive on a Thursday evening and leave on a Sunday evening, or arrive on a Friday evening and return on either Monday or Tuesday? Does anyone have recommendations on how to hire a driver and car for 3 people?
I also could use a recommendation on an estancia near BA to stay at for 2 nights. Would prefer one that does not have bus and van loads of people coming for day visits. Quality food/cooking is very important. Comfortable accomodations, too. While I'm not looking for the highest end stuff, I'd say probably higher end, rather than lower end.
My thought is we arrive at EZE at noon on a Tuesday. We can then spend 2 nights at this estancia. Then get a driver to take us to the ferry to Colonia. Spend Thursday night in Colonia. Then catch a Friday evening flight from AEP to Mendoza. Then back to AEP on Monday or Tuesday. Spend the next 4 or 5 nights in BA and returning to US from EZE on Saturday night.
I think I've managed to keep my transit/transfer times to a minimum based on the places we want to go (and knowing we want to finish in BA). Going right from arrival at EZE to the estancia means just one car ride. Estancia to Colonia means a car ride and a ferry (and no rush to get there). Getting from Colonia to AEP for an evening flight bound for Mendoza should be a relative breeze. Then back to AEP for transfer to our hotel in BA.
What do you all think? Am I missing anything here? Are weekends good or bad times to be visiting vineyards in Mendoza? Any estancia recommendations?
Muchas gracias, amigos.
Dec 21, 2004, 10:31 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Monterey, CA, USA
Posts: 115
Argentina Itinerary
[QUOTE=syzygy8]Had such a great time on our first visit to Argentina in October, that the Mrs. and I are going back in March/April. Last time we went to BA with a 3-day side trip to Peninsula Valdes and a day trip to Colonia. This time, we're thinking of BA with a side trip to Mendoza, another visit to Colonia (we really liked it there), and perhaps an estancia outside of BA.
How I put this all in order depends on some feedback from those in the know. For instance, is it better to visit Mendoza on weekdays or weekends? We're thinking of staying at La Finca Adalgisa for three or four nights and hiring drivers, not only to take us to/from the airport, but also to take us to the wineries so we can drink all we like and not worry about driving.
Based upon access to wineries, getting restaurant reservations, and crowds, is it better to arrive on a Thursday evening and leave on a Sunday evening, or arrive on a Friday evening and return on either Monday or Tuesday? Does anyone have recommendations on how to hire a driver and car for 3 people?
I also could use a recommendation on an estancia near BA to stay at for 2 nights. Would prefer one that does not have bus and van loads of people coming for day visits. Quality food/cooking is very important. Comfortable accomodations, too. While I'm not looking for the highest end stuff, I'd say probably higher end, rather than lower end.
My thought is we arrive at EZE at noon on a Tuesday. We can then spend 2 nights at this estancia. Then get a driver to take us to the ferry to Colonia. Spend Thursday night in Colonia. Then catch a Friday evening flight from AEP to Mendoza. Then back to AEP on Monday or Tuesday. Spend the next 4 or 5 nights in BA and returning to US from EZE on Saturday night.
I think I've managed to keep my transit/transfer times to a minimum based on the places we want to go (and knowing we want to finish in BA). Going right from arrival at EZE to the estancia means just one car ride. Estancia to Colonia means a car ride and a ferry (and no rush to get there). Getting from Colonia to AEP for an evening flight bound for Mendoza should be a relative breeze. Then back to AEP for transfer to our hotel in BA.
What do you all think? Am I missing anything here? Are weekends good or bad times to be visiting vineyards in Mendoza? Any estancia recommendations?
Muchas gracias, amigos.[/QUOT
Regarding Mendoza, I can wholeheartedly recommend Finca Adalgisa. Have stayed there and the owner/manager Gabriela Furlotti has very good connections with local wineries and was able to get us an appointment to visit Catena Zapata on very short order (2 hours). The ambience is great and much better than staying in downtown Mendoza apart from the fact that you are closer to most of the wineries.
Although we rented a car and drove getting a car and driver is probably the way to go if you plan to visit a number of wineries and consume their products in liberal quantities.
Recommendations for wineries: We really enjoyed visiting Zuccardi. Although not a real premium winery it is a fabulous place for lunch in their restaurant which is in the midst of their vineyards. It is strictly table d' hote but features a great asado and of course their wines. Dolium is another winery that is unusual and made even more so by its owner Don Mario Giadorou who often escorts visitors through this undergound winery. Catena Zapata is an extravagant replica of a Mayan pyramid and can be compared to Robert Mondavi here in Cali. Domaine Chandon is also quite interesting. There are many others but you also want to take some time to explore Mendoz and its beautiful park as well as driving up to the Chilean border (Puente del Inca is interesting) and on a clear day you can see Aconcagua the highest peak in the western hemisphere.
As far as an estancia close to Buenos Aires I can recommend La Bamba which is located close to San Antonio de Areco about an hour and a half from Buenos Aires. It is small, not over run by tourists and the food is quite good (at least it was a year ago). Dinner is at a communal table so you get to meet some interesting people.
If you need more information, let me know. Hope this has been helpful
How I put this all in order depends on some feedback from those in the know. For instance, is it better to visit Mendoza on weekdays or weekends? We're thinking of staying at La Finca Adalgisa for three or four nights and hiring drivers, not only to take us to/from the airport, but also to take us to the wineries so we can drink all we like and not worry about driving.
Based upon access to wineries, getting restaurant reservations, and crowds, is it better to arrive on a Thursday evening and leave on a Sunday evening, or arrive on a Friday evening and return on either Monday or Tuesday? Does anyone have recommendations on how to hire a driver and car for 3 people?
I also could use a recommendation on an estancia near BA to stay at for 2 nights. Would prefer one that does not have bus and van loads of people coming for day visits. Quality food/cooking is very important. Comfortable accomodations, too. While I'm not looking for the highest end stuff, I'd say probably higher end, rather than lower end.
My thought is we arrive at EZE at noon on a Tuesday. We can then spend 2 nights at this estancia. Then get a driver to take us to the ferry to Colonia. Spend Thursday night in Colonia. Then catch a Friday evening flight from AEP to Mendoza. Then back to AEP on Monday or Tuesday. Spend the next 4 or 5 nights in BA and returning to US from EZE on Saturday night.
I think I've managed to keep my transit/transfer times to a minimum based on the places we want to go (and knowing we want to finish in BA). Going right from arrival at EZE to the estancia means just one car ride. Estancia to Colonia means a car ride and a ferry (and no rush to get there). Getting from Colonia to AEP for an evening flight bound for Mendoza should be a relative breeze. Then back to AEP for transfer to our hotel in BA.
What do you all think? Am I missing anything here? Are weekends good or bad times to be visiting vineyards in Mendoza? Any estancia recommendations?
Muchas gracias, amigos.[/QUOT
Regarding Mendoza, I can wholeheartedly recommend Finca Adalgisa. Have stayed there and the owner/manager Gabriela Furlotti has very good connections with local wineries and was able to get us an appointment to visit Catena Zapata on very short order (2 hours). The ambience is great and much better than staying in downtown Mendoza apart from the fact that you are closer to most of the wineries.
Although we rented a car and drove getting a car and driver is probably the way to go if you plan to visit a number of wineries and consume their products in liberal quantities.
Recommendations for wineries: We really enjoyed visiting Zuccardi. Although not a real premium winery it is a fabulous place for lunch in their restaurant which is in the midst of their vineyards. It is strictly table d' hote but features a great asado and of course their wines. Dolium is another winery that is unusual and made even more so by its owner Don Mario Giadorou who often escorts visitors through this undergound winery. Catena Zapata is an extravagant replica of a Mayan pyramid and can be compared to Robert Mondavi here in Cali. Domaine Chandon is also quite interesting. There are many others but you also want to take some time to explore Mendoz and its beautiful park as well as driving up to the Chilean border (Puente del Inca is interesting) and on a clear day you can see Aconcagua the highest peak in the western hemisphere.
As far as an estancia close to Buenos Aires I can recommend La Bamba which is located close to San Antonio de Areco about an hour and a half from Buenos Aires. It is small, not over run by tourists and the food is quite good (at least it was a year ago). Dinner is at a communal table so you get to meet some interesting people.
If you need more information, let me know. Hope this has been helpful
Last edited by mryflyer; Dec 21, 2004 at 10:45 am Reason: mistake