I would stay forever in Argentina… WHY?: Because there is so much to see; Because there are so many different things; Because there are Mendoza, Cordoba and Buenos Aires.
The 3 big cities almost forming a straight line in map are a MUST visit. Each one with different beauty but definitely worth to explore.
Mendoza
I am a wine lover… well Paris made me a wine lover and I could not escape from Mendoza… I wanted to visit wine caves, drink wine and well visit the rest ( I did not expect much from THE REST).
Wine and caves
I visited La Rural cave. Started by an Italian, la Rural is one of the oldest caves in Mendoza. The guide tour is less than 10€ and it lasts for 1 h. The guide explains all the process of the wine and she/he takes us to every room of the cave explaining the evolution of the cave, the steps from collecting grapes to the bottling wine; how the processes changed in the last decades. At the end, a tasting of 2 glasses (one white and one red wine) and also some discounts to buy bottles of the cave.
But Mendoza is much more. The night life is suberbe (if I had any doubts about the beauty of the argentinan boys, everything disappeared. They are handsome and very gentleman).
Very quickly, I strongly recommend:
Dique Potrerillos
You can enjoy the view, enjoy the water and enjoy the trekking around the dique. Although the water is transparent and very clean, the temperature is quite low (or maybe it is me. After Brazil, every water is cold for me). Anyway, the dique is a very nice place to hangout specially during the week (less people around).
I rode a horse in the area… Fortunately I went to the mountains with a guide and my couchsurfer and we could get amazing shots from the dique.
The horse ride was less than 10€ per person for 40 minutes.
Reserva Villavicencio
The perfect place to eat some empanadas and drink some wine! This reserve is a bit far from the center but the view of the mountains is amazing. A very calm place to go and be in contact with the nature.
Mendoza, the capital, is a beautiful city and it is known to be one of the cleanest ones in Argetina. However, I consider the places around the city much more beautiful.
Córdoba
Córdoba was never in my Argentina plan. Actually, I was supposed to spend around 2 weeks in Argentina (what a joke) but God put me a lot of good argentinians on my way and I could not pass by and do not stop to visit them. Is not it, Sonia?
Villa Belgrano
The way to get to Villa Belgrano is beautiful. One of the most beautiful places I have seen is Argentina… You have a suception of lakes, mountains and valleys… everything so green and well cared. Belgrano: a village with a lot of commerce, restaurants and hotels/hostels.
It is about 2 hours from the Córdoba capital but it so different from what is The capital that you should definitely visit it. The beer is the main thing you can taste and buy (people around look sooooooo German) but the other shops have lots of souvenirs to offer you.
La cumbrecita
When my friend Sónia asked me if I wanted to see a old German village I said YES straight way. German village in Argentina should be funny, I thought. And it was! The buildings are made of wood and everything seems to be from the acentrecs. It is a turistic place and everything is arranged as hell. Te walkings in cumbrecita are worth to do (a lot of vegetation, waterfalls and not a lot of people. Again, you can be connected to the nature).
Carlos Paz
The lake and the green places!!! The big and calm lake is the best Carlos Paz can offer you. I was not the luckiest person with the wheater in Carlos Paz. But my friend changed all my humor when she decided to take me to a cakes shop (for sure the best tortas I have eaten in my life -Sorry Paris but they were really really good-).
Corboda left me the feeling I have to come back. So many mountains and valleys I could not visit. My staying was too short.
Buenos Aires
I fell in love for Buenos Aires. The city is amazing. It remembered me Paris so much. The architecture, the buildings, the streets…
I have to admit Buenos Aires has been by far my favorite capital in South America. And well, having a personal guide again in the one of the biggest capitals of South America is a MUST. Thanks Nati. So much love for you, Pili and el gordo.
A week is not enough for Buenos Aires… I would say a month, a year or even a life for Buenos Aires…
Buenos is active, is extravagance, is beauty, is international, is happiness… I did not want to leave.
If at some point I was looking for a new city to live, I have to admit Buenos Aires is ranking the top 1. Ahahha
Now you might ask me what has the city of so amazing? What can we do there? Why is so cool?
So here some ideas and places you have to visit once you go visit BA: the Paris of South America.
Palermo
You can not miss the Palermo area and its gardens. The Japanese garden, the botanic garden, the Palermo woods… a lot of green in this area and a lot of people enjoying it. Palermo is charmy and none can say the opposite! The gardens are a must but the long avenues and the chique cafes make everyone be in love of Buenos Aires. The style and influence of Europe in a Latina city is something I loved so much.
Although BA is the oficial capital of tango, not a lot of people know how to dance. (The opposite of Brazilians and samba)
But once in Buenos Aires I wanted to dance Tango. And I did!!! I had a class and even got to dance with a couple of different people. So nice. People from every age!!
The price: less than 10€ to get in, have 2 classes of dance and the chance to fame all night long ahaha
La Recoleta
Ohhh Recoleta: I will remember you for long time and the huge chocolate cake I had there (food in Argentina is driving me crazy). Here is where we find: the radio antenna in form of flower which closes at night and opens during the day; the big cemetery in the city center with my wealthy families of Argentina buried; the cultural center of Buenos Aires, shopping centers, gardens and huge streets.
La Boca
The colorful area of Buenos Aires. La Boca is a active, busy and noisy area that you can not miss. It is dangerous to walk around on the street but tou can not miss: the football stadium and its tinny streets.
It is a bohemian area and more than that, the Boca murgas are just the best of Buenos Aires (it is not the Brazilian Carnival but it is also nice to see).
San Telmo
I have heard about San Telmo soooo much. The expectations were high and I did not get disappointed. I really liked the area: a lot of bares, restaurants, street fairs and of course, tango dance on the streets. I adored the area. And more than that: I finally could sit next to Mafalda (sometimes it just fells good to be a kid again).
Puerto Madero
The business/ expensive area of Buenos Aires. When you cross the woman bridge you arrive to another completely different part of the city. A lot of skyscrapers, new buildings and busy/ rich people running everywhere. It is the rich part of the city where a lot of money runnes on the streets.
2 weeks for 3 capitais is not much but I would not eliminate any of them from my Argentinian tour. Each one has is charme and each one has its particularity.
One advise for those you are coming to Argentina and want to visit these cities: if you can, STAY longer than me!
I hope you liked my description of Mendoza, Cordoba and Buenos Aires. Keep following my adventures around South America.
Beijinho,
Daniela