Buenos Aires, Argentina and Patagonia, Chile

I went here for a 2 week trip in May of 2008.  We did a week in Buenos Aires, a few days in Mendoza (wine country) and a week down in Patagonia.  Perfect combo!

 

Top 5 Days

1. Strolling through Soho and Palermo -- So great to just walk around and catch the big city vibe. Have an Evita day and go to the cemetery and small museum.
2. Soccer Match - Yes, it is a crazy as you've heard.  The bring in the fans of the opposing team after the game starts and they are behind a chain fence.  Then they leave first while home team fans sit in their seats, cause there is so much fighting.
3. Take a ferry to Uruguay - Walk around the historic town of Colonia. You can also stay overnight at beach resorts.
4. Hit a night out in San Telmo - This was our favorite neighborhood.  Full of character and life.
5. Ride Horseback through Patagonia - We didn't see anyone else for hours.  We rode through streams, over mountains and ended the day at a farm BBQ.

 

5 High Style, High Maintenance Hotels

We stayed at a Luxury Collection hotel using our Starwood points.  It was high style, but also high maintenance, so I wouldn't recommend it.

1. Explora - This is the most remote and wonderful hotel ever down in Torres De Paines, Patagonia.  It is a loooooong way to get there, but well worth it.  It is simple and they make sure you have an amazing hike or horse ride every day.  Perfect!
2. Home Hotel - My friend Lina stayed here in Buenos Aires and raved.
3. Mine Hotel - Another boutique hotel in Buenos Aires we heard wonderful things about.
4. Apartments - Rent an apartment in Sal Telmo in Buenos Aires.
5. Cavas Wine Lodge - This is such a special spot in Mendoza.  You have your own cabana with roof where you can sleep in sleeping bags looking at the stars.  Food, wine, artwork and service are top notch.  The epitome of high style, low maintenance.

  
Top 5 Foodie Finds

1. Desde El Alma - A cozy french bistro in San Telmo.
2. El Gran Danzona - A cool sushi and bar joint.  Very hip.
3. Bar Uriate - Good little stop in BA.
4. Melipal - Our most delicious meal of the whole trip in a vineyard in Mendoza.
5. Explora - We ate gorgeous meals by the fire every night.

 
Top 5 Misses

1. Meat - There is way too much of it.  Try to exlore bites other than steak houses.
2. Pollution - BA is dirty!
3. Tango - This was fun, but very touristy.  If you are going to do it, then go to a little place like El Viejo Almacen in San Telmo.  We did just the show and had a lovely dinner beforehand.  Just not our thang.
4. Mendoza - We liked it, but it was snowing while we were there.  I would have preferred to go to the falls or the Lake District.
5. Big Hotels - There are so many lovely boutiques to explore.

 
Top 5 Tips

1. Weather - Make sure you go the right time of year. We were there in late fall in May, and it earlier fall or spring are tops.  Remember, opposite seasons as the States.
2. Evita - I became obsessed.  I read a biography and watched the movie.  Her story added so much to my love of this area.
3. Cab it - super cheap, no need to get a car.
4. Patagonia - Heck, you are already almost there.  I can't rave enough about it.  It is hell to get to, but worth it!
5. Iguasu Falls - people raved and we wish we would have done instead of Mendoza.  Next time.