6-Nights Flavors of Argentina: Mendoza and Buenos Aires — CALL

Itinerary Details

Avanti Destinations: Flavors of Argentina

Day 1 Mendoza
Arrive early into Ezeiza International Airport and take a private transfer to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery*, the local airport, for your flight to Mendoza. Upon arrival into Mendoza, your private driver/guide will meet you and transfer you to your appointed hotel. After checking in, the remainder of the day is at your leisure for resting or exploring, and dinner will be on your own this evening. Note: Make sure to plan for 5 hours between flights. Mendoza is known as "Garden City"; ideal for walking along its impeccably clean streets, and surrounded by trees, cultural and restaurants. Among its attractions are the Church San Francisco, General San Martín Park, and the Hill of Glory. But of course, Mendoza is most famous for its world renowned vineyards.

Centrally Located Hotel In Mendoza, ()

Day 2 Mendoza
Today, enjoy a private cooking class by the chef of a renowned winery restaurant. This hands-on class begins in the organic garden of the winery, where the vegetables and fruits are collected to be used in your selected dish. You'll learn how to make a variety of delicious Argentine specialties, such as fresh bread, empanadas criollas, and humita (dough made of fresh corn, onions, and spices cooked in corn husks). In addition, you'll have grilled vegetables, a chosen meat dish, and desserts. The duration of the class is approximately 5 hours, and includes the lunch prepared by the participants, expertly paired with the wines of the winery.

Centrally Located Hotel In Mendoza, (B, L)

Day 3 Mendoza
Mendoza has excellent wineries, but is also famous for its olive oil industry. Your tour today will showcase these products as we head to the wine regions of Luján de Cuyo and Maipú for private tastings. The tour begins with a visit to the Bodega Don Manuel Villafañe where we will taste several wines. Then stop at Olivícola Pasrai to give a touch of flavor to this tour with a tasting of oils and delicatessen plates (olive paste and sundried tomatoes accompanied by homemade bread). Our next tasting is at Bodega Luigi Bosca, and to finish the search for regional flavors, we'll enjoy a picnic in the AltaVista Winery. While Malbec is king, excellent wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are produced here as well. Returning to your hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. In the evening, you'll enjoy a 3-course gourmet wine pairing dinner (available Thursday-Saturday). Be inspired by the gastronomic delights of Mendoza, expertly paired with delicious local wines. This small group experience will allow you to appreciate every nuance of the inspired terroir that has made Mendoza famous.

Centrally Located Hotel In Mendoza, (B, L)

Day 4 Mendoza, Buenos Aires
After breakfast, meet your driver for your private transfer to the airport and your short flight to Buenos Aires. Your driver/guide will meet you in Arrivals for your private transfer to your chosen hotel. During your stay, you'll discover that Buenos Aires offers a varied cultural life, including museums, theaters, monuments, libraries, entertainment and sports activities. The diverse architectural styles of the city will remind you of Paris, while some of the gardens resemble the English style Victorian, and Southern courtyards maintain their colonial characteristics. Late in the afternoon, a tour and dinner is planned in the dynamic Sal Telmo neighborhood. Your choice can be either the Local Eateries or Private Taverns. On the Small Gastronomic San Telmo Tour, we'll head towards the bohemian San Telmo neighborhood, known for its colonial facades, pop-up art galleries, and delicious cafes. First, stop at the only house in Argentina dedicated to Dulce de Leche, that offers a variety of artisanal products. Then we enjoy a visit to the traditional San Telmo Market. Afterwards savor a wine tasting at Tierra Mendocina, and end your tour at Desnivel Restaurant, an old Bodega at San Telmo. A three course dinner will be offered, including empanada de carne and a half provoleta (provolone cheese) as a starter, a cut of meat (of your choice when you arrive at the restaurant), and a dessert. After this fantastic meal, return to your hotel. Your other option is the Private Taverns of San Telmo Tour with Dinner. Your guide will acquaint you with the gastronomic identity of Buenos Aires by detailing its immigrant history. The immigration of Spaniards and Italians to Argentina brought culinary traditions in their wake that are still found today in this historic city. And you'll get first hand knowledge as we visit establishments favored by locals. Our tour will start from the hotel, stopping first at a bar/canteen where we will taste a typical vermouth accompanied by a variety of tapas. After having whetted your appetite, we are ready to dine in a typical "Tavern". Before sitting down to dinner, learn about the rituals that govern meals in Buenos Aires and form its cultural identity. After an enjoyable meal, you'll return to your hotel.

Centrally Located Hotel In Buenos Aires, (B, D)

Day 5 Buenos Aires
Today, enjoy a Private North and South City Tour. This informative tour will highlight the history, architecture, and cultural aspects of this dynamic city. Heading towards the south, visit the colorful and picturesque port neighborhood called La Boca with its famous Caminito. The tour continues on to San Telmo, which up to the 19th century was one of the most aristocratic neighborhoods. Next, enjoy the modern area of Puerto Madero. With its antique warehouses converted into offices, apartments, pubs and elegant restaurants with views of the River Plate, it's the perfect place to pause for lunch. The tour then continues with the Recoleta neighborhood; the most sophisticated area in Buenos Aires, where one can find the best restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and high-end shopping. The Recoleta Cemetery surprises the visitor with its architectural richness and with the importance, both social and political, of the personalities that are buried there, including the famous Eva Peron. The tour ends in Palermo, in the "February the Third Park", the largest and most popular park in the city, and famous for it's magnificent rose garden, the Japanese Botanical Gardens, the Zoo and Planetarium. In the evening enjoy a dinner and tango show at El Querandi. Tango originated in the 1880 in neighborhoods populated by Italian, Spanish, and African immigrants, as well as gauchos. The tango rose from a mix of Cuban and Spanish rhythms, some polka, and according to some, also a bit of African music. Each song has a story to tell about the city, its history and its people. In spite of its humble origins in the ghettos and brothels, in the 1920s the tango rose to the salons of the upper classes. In 1920, this old colonial house was converted into the traditional bar, replete with its Art Deco facade, its boiserie of dark wood and salmon-colored columns. It is the perfect locale to enjoy the performance as well as an excellent dinner. After the performance, you'll be returned to your hotel.

Centrally Located Hotel In Buenos Aires, (B, L, D)

Day 6 Buenos Aires
Today your choice of food tour (3) will depend on your preference and the day of the week. The "Private Pizzeria Tour and Tasting" (Operates daily): You will visit some of historic pizzerías and then decide which type of pizza is your favorite: two-inch thick pan pizza, medium crust, or stone-baked pizza, with a thin and crispy crust. Visit the pizzerias and taste at three of the them. Beginning with Banchero, located in the neighborhood of La Boca. They are the inventors of the Fugazzetta (pizza stuffed with mozzarella) and the only ones that continue making it square. Next, try Angelin: The secret of Angelin goes beyond the wood-burning oven, with perfect crust and a delicious sauce with secret spices. Here you can also taste a classic meat pizza. And finally, The Quatrains: a historic pizzeria from the beginning of the twentieth century, where the house specialty is pan pizza: thick and a little crispy. The "Private Taverns of Palermo Tour with Dinner" (Operates Mon-Fri) - This itinerary is similar to the previous as the "Taverns of San Telmo Tour", but focuses on the trendy and eclectic Palermo neighborhood. The "Shared Argentine Steakhouse Tour" operates Mon.-Wed., Fri. & Sat. What is more Argentinian than steak? You start the walking tour of the three steakhouses in the area of Palermo or San Telmo. The steakhouses are places that offer the most typical Argentinian food. Visit secret traditional places, popular "bodegones" (inexpensive restaurants or dives) that have the best Argentinian beef. Visitors can experience these hidden authentic places in different parts of the city and enjoy their culture and traditional steakhouse meals, and of course, each accompanied by a fine Argentinian wine, and for dessert homemade ice cream.

Centrally Located Hotel In Buenos Aires, (B, D)

Day 7 Buenos Aires
After a leisurely breakfast, you'll have a private transfer to the airport for your return flight home, or on to your next Avanti Destination!

Centrally Located Hotel In Buenos Aires, (B)