Argentina presents a compelling blend of cosmopolitan cities, natural wonderlands and delicious wine country. It’s a vast, diverse country known for gauchos, tango and Malbec. It’s 100% Latin American in spirit, yet some of the architecture and cuisine reflects a strong European influence.
I visited in November, on the cusp of the southern hemisphere’s summer season, when the weather is warm but mild. My 10-day trip was curated by Virtuoso travel advisor, Bastian World Travel, who worked with knowledgeable local partners on the ground to create a custom itinerary that ticked all of our must-do boxes. The inclusive package included 4-star accommodations, daily breakfast, private airport transfers and a selection of guided tours in each location. We also benefitted from the agency’s 24/7 local support, as we hopped from one region to another.
Buenos Aires
The adventure began in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s vibrant capital city. We made our home in the up-and-coming Puerto Madero district at the boutique-style Hotel Madero, located along the river near the dramatic Punta de la Mujer bridge. We wandered through the 19th century Plaza de Mayo, home to the presidential palace, Casa Rosado, where Evita made her famous declarations. The mural-filled La Boca neighborhood, where the colorful Camanito street is lined with brightly painted historic homes, was a sight to behold. The sprawling Recoleta Cemetery in the upscale, leafy Beaux-Arts Recoleta neighborhood was another must-see.
The best shopping finds were unearthed on the boutique-lined streets of the Palermo and San Telmo neighborhoods. Museo MALBA was the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon taking in the Latin American art. The quintessential tango dinner show was rather touristy, but it had to be done!
Another highlight of our time in Buenos Aires was a day trip to La Bamba de Areco, a refined rustic countryside Relais & Chateaux estancia outside of the city. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a glass of wine and invited to relax by the swimming pool until lunch time. The delectable barbecue lunch was followed by a gaucho performance and a horseback ride around the ranch. Needless to say, we envied the resort guests staying in the luxurious lodgings when it came time to depart after such a lovely day.
Patagonia
A three-hour flight south transported us to an entirely different world. El Calafate, the gateway to Patagonia, is a charming, very walkable small town that serves as a base for visitors exploring Glacier Perito Moreno and the region’s great outdoors. We checked into our quaint lodgings, Hotel Posada Los Alamos, and organized packed lunches to take on the next day’s adventure. Our full-day glacier experience tour of Glacier Perito Moreno included a boat ride across a glacial lake, where we disembarked to hike atop one of the world’s largest remaining glaciers. The guided mini-trek was followed by a visit to a viewpoint high above the glacier. The jaw-dropping scenery in the national park was absolutely breathtaking from every angle.
Back in El Calafate, we spent another day at the Cerro Frias estancia, where half of our party went ziplining and the other half went horseback riding—with views of Argentino Lake on one side and the snow-capped Chilean Andes to the other. For such a small town, El Calafate’s food scene was impressive. Stand out meals included vegetarian-friendly Pura Vida, classic steakhouse Parrilla Don Pichon and neighborhood staple El Cucharón.
Mendoza
Mendoza wine country was the third and final destination of the trip, where the intimate Finca Adalgisa hotel, vineyard and winery set the stage for a glorious grand finale. The small, boutique property outside of the city of Mendoza exudes welcoming hospitality in a laid-back, rural atmosphere. The residential style rooms and inviting swimming pool are surrounded by meticulously tended vineyards. A gourmet breakfast is served each morning and every evening guests are treated to a complimentary glass of Malbec at the winery, an exclusive amenity only open to hotel guests—the winery only produces 5,000 bottles a year.
Our fabulous guide, Fabian of BEE Experience Designers, took us on a day-long Uco Valley wine tour that expanded our Argentinean wine palates well beyond Malbec. The first two stops at Pulenta Estate and Andeluna Cellars included private, informative tasting tours. The final stop was the lively La Azul Resto, where we settled on the patio for a long multi-course lunch matched with very generous wine pairings. The trip certainly couldn’t have ended on a more satisfying note!
