In two weeks, I’m going to Argentina with my boyfriend aka Won’t Run For Miles.
We’re super thrilled about this trip, but, apart from the flights and hotels, we’ve planned virtually nothing. Yes, we know its the end of winter, and we’ve heard it is “vibrant” and “euro” and “late-night” but we’ve been so busy we haven’t concentrated on the trip – YET.
We need your help!
Guidelines: we like to tour but also like sometimes to take our time and stroll the streets. We don’t mind walking for hours. We like good food, and don’t mind an occasional splurge, but generally would prefer restaurants with local appeal that are not hugely expensive. I always like to find new places to run. I like to shop. Won’t Run For Miles is interested in anything music-related, especially rock music.
In addition to help planning day events, and restaurants, we need your help on matters such as – money, electricity, cell phone usage, how to get to Mendoza and Buenos Aires from airports (is there a reasonable airport bus, or must we splurge on taxis?), how to get around these cities, whether tours are worthwhile, and guides.
Here’s what we do have planned:
Flights on AA/LAN (booked for 40,000 British Airways miles plus about $130 in taxes per person).
We are flying JFK to Mendoza, Argentina (changing planes in Santiago, Chile). By flying to Mendoza first, and Buenos Aires second, we avoid being stung by Argentina’s $140 per person “Reciprocity Fee”, which is only chargeable if your first arrival into Argentina is by way of Buenos Aires.
Mendoza
We will be in Mendoza for two nights, staying at the Park Hyatt!.
We don’t know anything else about Mendoza except that it is beautiful and known for wine. and steak. We like wine. and we like steak. score!
We have two days to plan in Mendoza – what should we do?
I found this article – from NY Times – on what to do if you have 36 hours in Mendoza, and I found an online Lonely Planet guide, but haven’t read either yet….
We are flying to Buenos Aires – since we are arriving domestically, we will be arriving into AEP, an airport much closer to the city than EZE.
We will have five nights in Buenos Aires. (I am so excited, I could tango!)
We are going to split our stay in Buenos Aires, by spending the first two nights in Palermo and three nights in Recoleta. We’ve read that both neighborhoods are fabulous, so we thought we’d experience a little of each.
In Palermo, we are going to stay at the L’Hotel Palermo. We found this hotel after a lot of research on various websites, such as Tripadvisor, Kayak, etc. This small hotel looks quaint, beautiful and romantic. Most everyone who reviewed it raved about it. We booked the two nights on Expedia.com. Because we found a cheaper rate on line within 24 hours of our booking, Expedia matched the price and issued a $50 credit to our account.
In Recoleta, we are staying at the world renowned Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau. We will be staying in a suite! We hope it will be on the “palace” side of the hotel, rather than the new wing, but regardless, it will be awesome. We have heard the most amazing things about this hotel – its like a fairy tale. I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M GOING THERE! I’m feeling like Cinderella in anticipation of our stay here.
Other than our hotels, we have NO plans. Obviously, we want to see the sights, check out some Tango, eat and drink, etc. Won’t Run For Miles wants to know if the Beatles Museum is a worthwhile visit. I found this online Conde Nast Traveller guide to Buenos Aires, but haven’t looked at it yet.
Help us please!!!
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A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
AHHH — I just got back from living in Santiago for a year, and took two trips to BA..
In Recoleta, there is a really cool restaurant called Cumana – oven baked empanadas (savory and sweet) TO DIE FOR!
Also, there is this bar, called Bar Milion – it is a refurbished house in the middle of Recoleta (I believe) that is kind of hard to tell what it is from the street..but walk in and either stay downstairs and sit on the isolated patio, or wander upstairs to the multiple rooms. Either way, go between 6 and 9, it’s happy hour (which makes it affordable) and the daiquiri’s are made with fresh fruit and DELICIOUS — also, it’s the young professional BA crowd, if you want a window into that lifestyle..
Also, if you are looking for a more upscale night – in Recoleta there is a tiny place called Clasica y Moderna — delicious, and it’s also a jazz club and bookstore.
Finally, we spent an afternoon at the hipodrome – the horsetracks. We all placed small bets, and it was a blast to just be in the environment – if you’re looking for a bit of a break, I would definitely recommend it!
Hope this helped – HAVE FUN 🙂
Kathy, sounds like fun! Check out our Foodie Guide to Mendoza http://travelsort.com/blog/malbec-and-more-a-foodies-guide-to-mendoza and Insider Tips for Buenos Aires http://travelsort.com/blog/insider-tips-for-buenos-aires for some recommendations. Sounds like you have your hotels, but for next time you should check out our collection for any non-award reservations–we have better rates than Expedia: http://travelsort.com/destination/buenos-aires-argentina/hotels
I’d recommend just taking a taxi from EZE into BA, since AFAIK the airport shuttle service will end up being the same or more expensive for 2 pax than just taking a taxi.
thanks, I can’t wait to look at all of this. Incidentally, I’m flying into AEP not EZE.
I’m obviously biased, but I highly recommend getting a guide and using one of your days to do wine tastings. I found that even at the fabulous Park Hyatt (I loved that place!) you can’t really see the mountains from anywhere in the city. The Andes are visible from almost every tasting room and you can’t beat the scenery (or the wine). Also consider doing a wine pairing with lunch. La Azul did an amazing grilled pork in the Uco Valley and Belasco de Badequeno really nailed the right dishes for the wine. Casa de Campo in nearby Maipu is also another great place to eat. Best beef empanadas ever!
Sounds like it’s going to be an amazing trip! Can’t wait to read your report!
Dear Kathy,
Greetings from Buenos Aires!
We are looking forward to welcome you at Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires it’s a marvellous city to discover.
Please, check out some of the activities we reccommed to do in the city.
http://buenosaires.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-buenosaires-park/activities/offsite/index.jsp
If you are looking for On Site Activities, we also have some recommendations:
http://buenosaires.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-buenosaires-park/activities/index.jsp
Please, tweet if you need any assistance.
Best regards,