Mendoza: Vino and the High Andes Do Mix - Argentina

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Mendoza: Vino and the High Andes Do Mix

Mendoza, Argentina


Mendoza is in northwestern Argentina and the gateway to the high Andes and the Chilean border at Aconcagua National Park, at over 21,000 feet hosting the highest peaks on the South American continent. The bus ride was about 14 hours with some stops from Buenos Aires. However, the city is light years away from the capital. It is very clean, quiet with mature trees everywhere and a wonderful city centre. The city and province is based both on internal tourism and its wineries in the foothills of the snow-capped mountains. The vineyards were started by Italian immigrants in the 19^th century and the city boasts many bodegas with visits to nearby rural wineries possible.

There are wonderful Italian restaurants that range from the homey Pasta La Generra on Zappata Street to the upscale Montecatinni on General Pas Street. By the way, Saturdays on the mall there is wonderful street entertainment for all and of all types. The main park San Martin is of French design and can provide a tranquil place to walk in the city itself. Out of town, there are van tours to the Altas Montanas: the ski area and Inca ruins almost to the Chilean border, just a couple of hours away. The day I took the tour with the Aymara Tour Agency was one of brilliant spring sunshine and the sky was a deep blue once we climbed into the Andes. Make sure you have a good sunscreen for your face and lips because of the strong rays! We stopped at a few nature outlooks for photographs as well as lunch and coffee.

The #170 express bus from downtown took me to La Rural Winery of the Rutini family where the grounds are beautiful and the wine museum is fascinating. I was the only tourist that day and had a wonderful private tour at no charge from Ignacio who spoke very good English. The winery was an easy one kilometre walk in from the bus stop.
I stayed at a small Italian pension called La Milena on a quiet cul-de-sac in an older neighbourhood not far from the central bus terminal and near a wonderful Italian bakery. The hotel was clean, quiet and reasonable and even provided a 24-breakfast possibility.

I was sad to leave Mendoza because the people were so friendly, but the bus over the Andes to Santiago de Chile was waiting to end my journey from the Atlantic coast of Argentina to the Pacific coast at Vina del Mar.



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