Choose from 191 Fun Things to Do in Argentina
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Bodega Cruzat
While most of Mendoza's wineries specialize in rich reds, most notably malbec, Bodega Cruzat has carved a niche for itself producing sparkling wines. Founded by winemaker Pedro Federico Rosell in 2004, Cruzat grows pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, and produces a selection of fine white and rose sparkling wines using traditional methods.
The Basics
On a Cruzat winery tour, visitors can discover the entire wine-making process, from growing and harvesting grapes to the traditional "champenoise" method that involves a second fermentation in the bottle and produces sparkling wines. After peeking behind-the-scenes at the production area, including the wine cellars, disgorging machine, and bottle-labeling machine, sample the wines during a guided wine tasting.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The legal drinking age in Argentina is 18.
- Advance booking is required for winery tours and tastings.
- Tours are conducted in both Spanish and English.
How to Get There
Bodega Cruzat is located about a 30-minute drive south of Mendoza city in the Lujan de Cuyo region. Biking is a popular way to reach the winery, and the hop-on hop-off Vitivinicola bus also stops there every Tuesday.
When to Get There
The winery is open Monday through Saturday. Vitivinicola wine buses arrive on Tuesdays, making it one of the busiest days. Although wine tours run year-round, the most pleasant time to explore the vineyards is from October through March.
Sampling Mendoza's Sparkling Wines
Mendoza's wine scene has constantly evolved since the millennium, and while red varietals still lead the way, a number of wineries are now devoted to producing high-quality sparkling wines. French Champagne house Moet & Chandon first realized Mendoza's potential for producing sparkling wines, setting up the Chandon Argentina winery in the 1950s. Today, along with Chandon and Cruzat, popular wineries along Mendoza's Sparkling Wine Trail include Norton and Septima.
Address: Costa Flores s/n Perdriel, Lujan de Cuyo 5509, Argentina
From $ 22
Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral)
Presiding over the grand Plaza de Mayo, the Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral) is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Argentina. This 19th-century neoclassical cathedral is the church where Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio—now Pope Francis—performed mass before he was elevated to the Vatican in 2013.
The Basics
Most Buenos Aires sightseeing tours stop at Plaza de Mayo, where the Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada are the main attractions. Visitors can explore inside the cathedral on a guided tour, including the mausoleum of San Martín, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, San Martin de Tours chapel, the crypt, and Pope Francis Museum. Another popular choice is to take a Pope Francis tour of Buenos Aires, visiting sights associated with the pope.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is no admission fee to visit the cathedral.
- Mass is held several times daily and free concerts are held regularly.
- The main areas of the cathedral are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The cathedral is located on the northwest corner of Plaza de Mayo, in the heart of central Buenos Aires. The closest metro (subte) stations are Catedral (Line D) and Plaza de Mayo (Line A).
When to Get There
The cathedral is open daily and holds mass several times a day. An early morning visit offers the best chance of avoiding the crowds, while the most atmospheric time to visit is for Christmas Mass (Noche Buena), held at 10pm on December 24.
Plaza de Mayo
The cultural and political heart of Buenos Aires, Plaza de Mayo is ringed with monumental buildings, such as the pink-painted government palace called Casa Rosada, where Eva Peron (Evita) stood on the balcony and addressed the nation. Along with the Metropolitan Cathedral, other buildings of note include the imposing Banco de la Nación (National Bank) and the Cabildo (Old City Hall), as well as a large central plaza with the Pirámide de Mayo obelisk.
Address: Buenos Aires, Argentina
From $ 16
Andeluna Cellars
The name Andeluna comes from a combination of the words Andes, in the foothills of which these grapes are grown, and luna (moon), which the winemakers say impart magic and inspiration to their winemaking. Andeluna harvests Argentine grapes from vineyards originally planted 125 years ago by early Italian immigrants. These are brought to a 48,000 square foot winemaking facility for the de-stemming, crush and fermentation. Andeluna was started in 2003 under the tutelage of one Argentine and one American investor, H. Ward Lay, of the Lays potato chip fortune.
The winery is located in Tupungato, Argentina, near Mendoza, and here they grow Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, all at altitude, in this case at up to 4300 feet above sea level. The winery features classic architecture with views of the Andes Mountains, over some of the area’s prime grape vines. There is a bar, tasting room, reserve tastings in the wine cellar where they also store 1,200 barrels of wine, and a kitchen and dining room for gourmet lunches.
Practical Info
While Andeluna grows some of the same varietals as nearby wineries, and makes two different kinds of Malbec, they also make a more European-styled wine, the exclusive Grand Reserve Pasionado, made in a Bordeaux style. They also conduct tastings in four different areas of the winery, depending on visitors’ preference.
Address: Ruta Provincial 89 s/n. km 11 Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina
From $ 22
Don Silvano Ranch
Don Silvano Ranch (Estancia Don Silvano in Spanish) sits on the pampas outside the Argentine capital. A day trip to this ranch gives visitors a glimpse into the history, heritage and traditions of Argentina’s cowboys, or gauchos, who worked as cattle herders and have become famous for their impressive skills on horseback.
A typical visit to Don Silvano Ranch begins with an Argentine-style welcome — empanadas and wine — followed by a tour of the estancia, including its small museum and bakery. Guests can explore the surrounding countryside on horseback, play a game of bocce ball or explore the ranch on foot.
In the pampas, lunch takes the form of a gaucho-style barbecue. Ranch guests fill up on various meats cooked over an open flame and washed down with Malbec. Folk singers and dancers entertain during the meal. In the afternoon, guests are treated to a gaucho show, where the estancia cattle herders show off their skills on horseback. The afternoon draws to a close with a cup of mate, a typical Argentine tea, served with pastries.
Address: Ruta 8 Km 87,300, Capilla del Señor, Buenos Aires, Argentina
From $ 85
Bodega Renacer
One of Mendoza's most cutting-edge wineries, Bodega Renacer has incorporated new technology into its Argentine winemaking process since 2004. A collaboration between owner Patricio Reich and renowned winemaker Alberto Antonini, the contemporary winery is renowned for its excellent malbecs.
The Basics
Wine enthusiasts can experience the winery on a tour with guided tastings of Renacer's red and white wines. After admiring the site's architecture, visitors then tour the vineyards and wine cellars to discover how science and tradition meet to create some of Argentina's most interesting new wines. The unique tour even includes a virtual reality winemaking experience.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The legal drinking age in Argentina is 18.
- Advance booking is required for winery tours and tastings, which are conducted in both Spanish and English.
- The winery features a restaurant that serves seasonal cuisine from the region paired with Renacer wines.
How to Get There
Bodega Renacer is located about a 30-minute drive south of Mendoza city in the Perdriel region. Biking is a popular way to reach the winery, but the hop-on hop-off Vitivinicola bus also stops outside.
When to Get There
The winery is open daily. Although wine tours are possible year-round, the most pleasant time to explore the vineyards is in spring and summer, from October through March.
Exploring the Perdriel Wine Region
Perdriel, a Lujan de Cuyo subregion, is known for its terroir, which is credited with producing some of Mendoza's top malbecs. The area features some of Mendoza's oldest vines, and its slightly higher altitude and proximity to the Mendoza River offer a moderately cooler climate that produces soils ideal for growing malbec and cabernet sauvignon grapes. Made in one of few regions that still carries the Controlled Designation of Origin mark, Perdriel wines are known to be top quality.
Address: Brandsen 1863, Lujan de Cuyo 5509, Argentina
From $ 10
General San Martin Park
Mendoza’s expansive General San Martin Park is a landscaped oasis in the formal European style in the city’s west.
With ornamental fountains and classical statues, a lake and monuments, the park was created in the 1890s following English and French landscaping traditions.
Grand entry gates lead to pathways winding through the park, passing 34 sculptures along the way. Boats play at regattas on the lake, and the rose garden is traced with walkways.
Take in views from atop Cerro de la Gloria with its statues to the Andean Army, and stroll past more than 300 species of exotic trees.
The park also has a zoo inside its 307-hectares (758 acres), home to lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes and monkeys.
With ornamental fountains and classical statues, a lake and monuments, the park was created in the 1890s following English and French landscaping traditions.
Grand entry gates lead to pathways winding through the park, passing 34 sculptures along the way. Boats play at regattas on the lake, and the rose garden is traced with walkways.
Take in views from atop Cerro de la Gloria with its statues to the Andean Army, and stroll past more than 300 species of exotic trees.
The park also has a zoo inside its 307-hectares (758 acres), home to lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes and monkeys.
Practical Info
General San Martin Park is 2km (1.5 miles) west of central Mendoza.
Address: Av Los Platanos, Mendoza, Argentina
Hours: Open daily 8am - 6pm, to 7pm in summer
From $ 16
Barolo Palace (Palacio Barolo)
Once the tallest building in South America, the grand Barolo Palace (Palacio Barolo) might have since been eclipsed by Buenos Aires’ modern skyscrapers, but its magnificent architecture has still stood the test of time. Built by Italian architect Mario Palanti in 1923, the building’s fanciful style was inspired by Dante Alighieri’s ‘The Divine Comedy’, with its three parts representing Hell, Purgatory and Heaven.
The most famous part of the building is its central lighthouse, which looms 100-meters over the central boulevard of Plaza de Mayo and once shone a beacon that could be seen in neighboring Uruguay. Today, the Barolo Palace is open to the public by guided tour and the undisputed highlight is a visit to the top of the tower, from where the 360-degree views span Plaza de Mayo, Plaza de Congreso and much of the city.
Practical Info
Barolo Palace is located on Avenida de Mayo, close to Plaza de Congreso in central Buenos Aires. Guided tours run from Monday to Saturday between 12 and 8pm, and must be booked in advance.
Address: Av. de Mayo 1370, 1085, Argentina
Hours: Mon-Sat:12-8pm
Admission: By guided tour only
From $ 42
Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón)
With its opulent architecture and fine acoustics, the Colon Theatre (Teatro Colón) ranks alongside Paris’ Opera Garnier and London’s Royal Opera House as one of the world’s most impressive theaters. Reopened after extensive renovations in 2010, the Colon Theatre is the premier venue for opera, ballet, and classical music in Buenos Aires.
The Basics
The regal façade of the Colon Theatre makes a popular photo stop on sightseeing tours of Buenos Aires, but visitors can also admire the lavish interiors on a guided theater tour. Tours take in all the highlights, including the Golden Hall, the Gallery of Busts, and the Main Foyer. Attending a performance at the luxurious, 7-story, 2,500-seat theater is an even more memorable experience.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is an admission fee for visitors without performance tickets to enter the theater; a guided tour is included.
- Tours run daily, every 15 minutes (except during performance times) and last about 50 minutes.
- Tours are offered in multiple languages, including English.
- There is a range of seating options and ticket prices available for performances, but advance booking is always recommended.
- The theater is fully wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The Colon Theatre is on the corner of Cerrito and Tucuman in downtown Buenos Aires. The closest subway (subte) station is Tribunales (Line D).
When to Get There
Head to the Colon Theatre in the evening to watch a performance; the striking building is most magnificent after dark, when it’s dramatically illuminated. Free performances are held monthly, usually on a Saturday or Sunday at 11am.
History of the Colon Theatre
The theater took more than 20 years and three architects to complete, before opening its doors in 1908. It has hosted some of the world’s greatest conductors, opera singers, and ballet dancers. Artists who have appeared include Igor Stravinsky, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Plácido Domingo. The theater is also famed for its set and costume workshops, as well as the Instituto Superior de Arte, where dancers Julio Bocca and Maximiliano Guerra trained.
Address: Argentina
Admission: Varies
From $ 16
Domaine Bousquet
This winery that grows organic grapes is easily accessible from Mendoza, in the Uco Valley, with the closest town being diminutive Tupungato. Domaine Bosquet dates to the 1990s when the Bosquet family, with a long history of winemaking in their native southern France, came to Mendoza. They eventually bought land in 1998 at the current location, where they grow grapes at approximately 1,200 meters in altitude, which makes it one of the highest altitude wineries in Mendoza and in the world. Much of the harvest is done by hand, and Domain Bousquet prides itself on combining French and Argentine traditions.
The winery has a capacity of 2.5 million liters, divided among Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, a sweet Malbec and a sparkling wine. The grapes are certified organic, and the Domaine Bosquet has been certified as fair trade as well. They offer four different types of tastings, including one that is all Malbec, and another that gives samples from the various lines, such as Reserve or Grand Reserve.
Practical Info
There is a restaurant on site serving organic foods in taster menus (with vegetarian and celiac options available), and there is a small inn onsite with apartments or suites for overnight guests, and the winery also offers cooking classes.
Address: Ruta 89 Km. 7, Tupungato, Mendoza 5561, Argentina
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday-Sunday 11am-9pm
From $ 200
Aconcagua Provincial Park
It would be a shame if, while visiting Mendoza, Argentina’s most populous city in the western part of the country, you didn’t make it up to the Andes. Not only to see the border between Chile and Argentina, but most importantly, to glimpse these giants of the mountain world, including Aconcagua, which is the tallest mountain in the western hemisphere, at 6962 meters or 22,841 feet. A winding drive up from Mendoza reveals snowcapped peaks at every turn, and short turnoff brings you to a mirador, or lookout point, for Aconcagua itself.
While climbing the mountain is a serious affair, subject to permits, regulations and climbing fees, visiting the Provincial park of Aconcagua requires little more than a three-hour drive from Mendoza, and also puts you close to the Puente del Inca, a nearby natural attraction. Once at the Aconcagua Park, you have a few options for day hikes, including a one-hour loop suitable for children. Keep an eye out for the llama-like guanaco, or possibly red foxes, and overhead, it is common to see Andean condors.
Practical Info
Despite the usually warm weather in Mendoza, rest assured that in the shadow of Aconcagua, very cold temperatures are a real possibility. Dress warmly, protect against sun exposure, and bring a thermos of something warm to keep even more toasty.
Address: Argentina
From $ 40
Casa Rosada
The eye-catching salmon-pink façade of Argentina’s presidential palace is one of the capital’s most iconic sights, standing proud over the city’s historic Plaza de Mayo public square. The aptly named Casa Rosada, or the ‘Pink House’, is the secondary mansion and office of the Argentine President, housing the government offices and providing the striking backdrop to Buenos Aires’ often-turbulent political history.
Erected in 1862, the Renaissance-style palace was initially to be painted white and theories abound as to hoe it got its rosy makeover, from ox blood being mixed into the paint to the then-President blending the red and white colors of opposing political rallyists. Designated a National Historic Monument of Argentina, the pink palace is perhaps most legendary for its lower balcony, from which the beloved Evita rallied the working class crowds back in 1949 – a moment that was famously recreated by Madonna in the 1996 movie Evita and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical of the same name.
The Casa Rosada now houses a museum showcasing the presidential history of Argentina and many of the opulent government chambers are open to the public by guided tour. Tour participants even get the chance to stand on Evita’s famous balcony, offering expansive views over the bustling Plaza de Mayo below.
Erected in 1862, the Renaissance-style palace was initially to be painted white and theories abound as to hoe it got its rosy makeover, from ox blood being mixed into the paint to the then-President blending the red and white colors of opposing political rallyists. Designated a National Historic Monument of Argentina, the pink palace is perhaps most legendary for its lower balcony, from which the beloved Evita rallied the working class crowds back in 1949 – a moment that was famously recreated by Madonna in the 1996 movie Evita and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical of the same name.
The Casa Rosada now houses a museum showcasing the presidential history of Argentina and many of the opulent government chambers are open to the public by guided tour. Tour participants even get the chance to stand on Evita’s famous balcony, offering expansive views over the bustling Plaza de Mayo below.
Address: Balcarce 50, 1064 Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hours: 10am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 2pm - 6pm Sun
From $ 20
Bodega Tierras Altas
Opened in 1999, Bodega Tierras Altas was one of Mendoza's first boutique wineries. Run by the Arizu family with more than a century of experience in winemaking, the winery (bodega) produces malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec rose wines, as well as a range of extra virgin olive oils.
The Basics
Wine lovers can discover the secrets of Argentina's most famous wine during a guided tour at Tierras Altas. Stroll around the vineyards, peek behind the scenes of the winemaking process, and visit the wine cellars. After learning the step-by-step process of wine production, enjoy a guided wine tasting, straight from the barrel.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The legal drinking age in Argentina is 18.
- Advance booking is required for winery tours and tastings, which are conducted in both Spanish and English.
- There is also a winery restaurant that serves lunch and dinner, with wine tastings included.
How to Get There
Bodega Tierras Altas is located 20 minutes south of Mendoza city by road. Biking is a popular way to reach the winery, but the hop-on hop-off Vitivinicola bus also stops right outside.
When to Get There
The winery is open Tuesday through Sunday. Although wine tours are possible year-round, the most pleasant time to explore the vineyards is in spring and summer, from October through March.
Exploring the Mendoza Wine Region
Mendoza is the largest wine region in South America, with three main appellations: Lujan de Cuyo, Valle de Uco, and Maipu Valley, plus more than 1,500 wineries dotting the fertile mountain valleys. The region is most famous for its malbec, which is shipped all around the world, but it's also possible to find excellent cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and syrah, as well as some white wine varieties, such as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and riesling.
Address: Acceso Sur 6501, Lujan de Cuyo M5505, Argentina
From $ 12
Bosque de Arrayanes
Los Arrayanes National Park was established in 1971 to protect the rare arrayán trees (Chilean myrtle trees) that grow in the area. Up until that time, the forest was part of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. In order to protect the soil and roots of these fragile, slow-growing trees, a wooden path runs throughout the park for tourists to wander through without causing harm. The arrayan trees have and irregular white spots on their narrows trunks, as well as cinnamon-colored bark that is cool to the touch and peels off as the tree grows. These evergreen trees bloom white in the summer (January and February) and produce an edible, blue-black fruit in early autumn. Some are up to 650 years old.
The national park covers an area of about 4,332 acres on the Quetrihué Peninsula along the northern shores of the Nahuel Huapi Lake and is easily accessible from Villa La Angostura. Travelers can explore the park on foot, by horse or on bike. Many animals and birds live in the forest, including pudú and huemul deer, guanacos, monitos de monte, small foxes, condors, eagles, hawks and woodpeckers.
Practical Info:
The closest town to Los Arrayanes National Park is Villa la Angostura, 51 miles north of Bariloche. The park is accessible via a seven-mile-long pathway, or from Nahuel Huapi Lake.
Address: Argentina
From $ 69
Finca Decero
The area of Mendoza is well-known for wine, with production here having started as early as the 1500s. But it was not until the 1990s that Mendoza became world-renowned for its production, mainly of reds. The vineyard Finca Decero is a newcomer to the game, built with foreign (Swiss-American) funds, to plant and construct a sustainable, hand-made vineyard “from scratch,” (as the name de cero means). Decero makes mostly single vineyard wines, inspired by one of the founding family’s connection with Napa Valley in California.
Remolinos Vineyard, one of Decero’s most famous, is located in the highest reaches of Agrelo, in Mendoza, at 3500 feet. With the area’s warm days and cool nights, and small, naturally occurring circular gusts of wind provide perfect conditions for their wines, specifically Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, though they also make blends with Petit Verdot and other varieties, much of it by hand, and all of it aged in fine-grained French oak barrels. Decero’s first wines came out in 2004, and their wines are consistently high-scoring in competitions and magazines.
Practical Info
With its expansive views from the restaurant’s terrace, and well-regarded food, this is a perfect spot to stop for lunch on a multi-vineyard tour.
Address: Bajo Las Cumbres 9003, Agrelo, Mendoza 5509, Argentina
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm
Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm
From $ 150
Bodega Domingo Hermanos
Bodega Domingo Hermanos began producing wines in the 1960s, taking advantage of the high-altitude conditions of Salta. Today, the winery has a tank capacity of 1.6 million gallons (6 million
liters). The altitude — about 5,500 feet (1,700 meters) — creates excellent conditions for growing Torrontés grapes, a varietal for which Bodega Domingo Hermanos is famous.
Tours of the production facilities give visitors an insight into a more traditional method of wine making, and the table wines available for purchase at the bodega are among the best in the
region.
Practical Info
Bodega Domingo Hermanos is located at the intersection of Av. Gral. Güemes and 25 de Mayo near the plaza in Cafayate.
Address: Nuestra Sra del Rosario s/n, Cafayate, Salta 4427, Argentina
Hours: Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 12:30pm and 3pm - 7pm; Saturday 9am - 12:30pm and 3pm - 6pm; Sundays and holidays 10:30am - 1pm
From $ 43
Bodega El Tránsito
In the late nineteenth century, an Italian immigrant left his home in Rosciolo and began making wine in Cafayate. Bodega El Tránsito moved to a new location in 1952 but remained in the family. Today the fourth generation of the Nanni family carries on the family’s winemaking heritage.
The boutique winery in the center of town produces Torrontés, Cabernet sauvignon and Malbec, along with several blends. Unlike many wineries in Cafayate, Bodega El Tránsito offers both free tours and tastings. The tour is short — typically around 15 minutes — followed by a chance to sample four different wines.
Practical Info
It’s location near the center of Cafayate makes Bodega El Tránsito a good option for travelers who are without a car or pressed for time.
Address: Belgrano 102, Cafayate, Salta, Argentina 4472, Argentina
From $ 43
Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains, which form Argentina’s backbone, are to the far west of the country, and separate this nation from bordering Chile. They extend most of the length of South America (some 4,300 miles), stretching down from Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and finally, Argentina. At their widest, the Andes are about 430 miles wide and measure an average of 13,000 feet high, which means they are visible from many miles away.
Most visitors to Argentina’s closest connection with the Andes will be from near Mendoza, one of the main wine-growing regions in the country, with its popular Malbec (red) wine. Mendoza is just east of the Andes, and from here, it is possible to visit a lookout point with a good view of Aconcagua, the tallest mountain on the continent, as a day trip. The 22,841 foot mountain is a favorite among mountain climbers, but it an intensive trip that requires planning, training and high-mountain gear. Most visitors will content themselves with seeing, rather than climbing the Andes.
Practical Info
Though parts of the Andes may look barren, there is often abundant wildlife, including guanacos, slim-necked relatives of the llama, and it is fairly common to see Andean condors, with a wingspan measuring as much as 10.5 feet in width, coasting on thermal updrafts.
Address: Argentina
From $ 156
Achaval Ferrer Winery
The Achaval Ferrer Winery traces its history back only to 1998, shortly after the beginning of the Malbec boom in Mendoza. The winery is Argentine and Italian owned, and the winemakers all have decades of experience extending back to far before this project began.
The boutique winery has four different vineyards on which grapes are grown, representing four different terriors with flood irrigation that decreases the chances of phyloxera. In some cases, there are cherry or olive trees lining the vineyards. Grapes are harvested by hand, and in the early morning hours. In case of hail damage (which happens occasionally), damaged grapes are removed from the plants to keep bitterness at bay in the final product. These practices, as well as several others (such as low density of plants), keeps production low, but quality high.
The Bella Vista Estate in Mendoza’s Luján de Cuyo is on the south bank of the Mendoza River, and this is where Achaval Ferer receives visitors for tastings and winery tours.
Practical Info
The single-vineyard wines from Achaval Ferrer have all scored 94 or above in Wine Spectator ratings for the 2012 vintage, which makes this one of the highest-scoring vineyards in the area.
Address: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday 9am-1pm
From $ 200
Bodegas Salentein
The Bodegas Salentein, located in Mendoza’s Valle del Uco (Uco Valley) has the largest “cool climate estate” in Mendoza. The estate covers almost five thousand acres, over 1,000 of which are planted with grapes in three different plantations, ranging in altitude from 3,000 to about 5,500 feet. They plant 80 percent red and 20 percent white grapes, and are well-known for their malbec, merlot, chardonnay and pinot noir wines.
In addition to wine tours through the cellars with more than 5,000 barrels, and tastings, the winery also has a restaurant and wine bar serving Argentine food beside their award-winning wines. There is also an exhibition space called Killka which houses paintings by Argentine and Dutch masters. Finally, there is a chapel on the grounds, inspired by Andean architecture, with earthen walls, which features lead and granite sculpture and benches carved from old olive trees. The chapel is shaded by carob trees.
Practical Info
Make a day of it by taking a tour that includes architecture, art and wine, or even add a horseback riding tour at the Salentein winery.
Address: Ruta 89 s/n, Km 14, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 5560, Argentina
From $ 22
Floralis Generica
The dramatic centerpiece of the Plaza de las Naciones Unidas, the Floralis Generica is a giant 18-ton aluminum flower sculpture that has become one of Buenos Aires’ most instantly recognizable landmarks. The quirky art installation was erected in 2002 in the parkland that bridges the city’s Palermo and Recoleta districts and features a striking mirrored finish that dazzles under the sun and glows red in the evening hours. Designed by Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano, the futuristic monument was envisioned in homage to his home city and was gifted to the public by him.
Most uniquely, the remote controlled sculpture is programmed to open and close its six petals with the sun, so that the flower is in bloom during daylight hours before closing up at sunset. Each morning (the petals open at 8am) and night crowds of locals and tourists gather in the park to watch the 20-minute spectacle, as the 66-foot-high flower changes color with the setting sun and slowly closes up its 43-foot-long petals as darkness sets in. The most remarkable of Buenos Aires’ many street art pieces, the Floralis Generica also pays tribute to the city’s most memorable dates. For 4 nights a year the flower remains open in celebration of the May Revolution on May 25th, the start of spring on September 21st, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Most uniquely, the remote controlled sculpture is programmed to open and close its six petals with the sun, so that the flower is in bloom during daylight hours before closing up at sunset. Each morning (the petals open at 8am) and night crowds of locals and tourists gather in the park to watch the 20-minute spectacle, as the 66-foot-high flower changes color with the setting sun and slowly closes up its 43-foot-long petals as darkness sets in. The most remarkable of Buenos Aires’ many street art pieces, the Floralis Generica also pays tribute to the city’s most memorable dates. For 4 nights a year the flower remains open in celebration of the May Revolution on May 25th, the start of spring on September 21st, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Address: Av. Figueroa Alcorta 2300, Buenos Aires, Argentina
From $ 15