going to Argentina, please advise

[Doctor Woo]

I've never set foot (figuratively) in this area before, but I suppose I would get a critical mass of people who can advise me in my upcoming travels. I am planning to go to Argentina from Jan 10-24, 2009. Please help.

1. I plan on spending five days in BA. What neighborhood should I stay in? An apartment would suit me best, as I am traveling with my wife but plan on meeting friends from college there.

2. I think I am missing both soccer and rugby seasons. Is that so? Are there other sporting opportunities?

3. Does anyone have any "can't miss" restaurants or art galleries they could recommend? Any music venues? It seems I am also missing Teatro Colon's season, but I love classics and alt music. Suggestions?

4. I am planning on spending four or five days at Peninsula Valdes. Does anyone know anything about that place? Should I rent a car, or do you have to take a tour to see anything? Are there any places anyone could recommend closer to the action, or should I stay in Puerto Madryn?

5. I am planning on spending four or five days in Mendoza. Any advice on where to lay my head? Good restaurants? Ways to drink a lot of vino without endangering my license, life or liberty?

Please either respond here or send me a message. Thanks in advance.

[aerez]

1. Nunez, Mitre, Florida, Palermo
2. Soccer during January is usually a break, but teams are playing in Torneo de Verano. Summer sports. Summer sports in Argentina are varied, like Beach Soccer, Field Hockey, Basketball. I don't know that much of the details.
3. Palermo has a lot of hip places and clubs. (I forgot the areas I went to other that were outside Palermo
4. My sources say you should go to Puerto Madryn and from there you should get a tour or a get a tour from Buenos Aires. When I was in Buenos Aires, I found tourist offices where you can book vacation packages.
5. San Martin de Cuyo, ask for this. Ask to spend the day in a Estancia.
If your wife drive, there is so much wine, you are going to lose your liberty. Have a back up.

*Be careful when you drive in Buenos Aires, especially out of the city in places like Mendoza. There are a lot of accidents and the people there drive like crazies. No joke.

This is a nice simple map. :)
http://www.allaboutar.com/images/map_pix.jpg

You really should extend your vacation and visit Ushuaia, it's awesome.

[El viejo Matias]

San Telmo is a good place to find apartments for rent for a week and its a nice old area in the heart of the city, ( very close to the main attractions and good shopping ) . Visit La Boca of course, but best be gone by sundown. Go see some authentic Tango shows, they are not to be missed. Sporting events like motorcycle racing, boxing are all good as well!! You must do the traditional things like walking down Florida street, La Casa Rosada and visit our two ritzy shopping centers, ( expensive but nice place to see and be seen.) As far as resteraunts go, most are decent and a few especially I found in Palermo are just awesome.
Don't know much about Mendonza, sadly I have not been yet, but I do recommend Salta very much. I too recommend you prolong your stay and go to Misiones and see the Iguazu falls, makes Niagara look like crap.

Feel free to ask more questions we Im sure would be glad to help.:)

[MrsJuicy]

Here are some good links for Mendoza

http://www.descubramendoza.com/
http://www.mendoza.com.ar/
http://www.turismo.mendoza.gov.ar/index.html

I once looked up for a friend some tours that were about $75/person where they pick you up from your hotel drive you to 3 Bodegas and back, this way you and your wife can enjoy all the good wine. I wish i could remember the name of the agency but if i do i'll post it for you. Maybe the tourist center can recommend some for you they are located on Avenida San Martin 1143 Phone# 42 08 00

As far as hotels, I don't know much since I pretty much have to stay with the family but i have seen this hotel right in front of La Plaza Independencia which is the most popular one that has Arts & Crafts sales "Los Hippies" every weekend, a must see. Also its pretty much walking distance from major streets and shops.

http://www.mendoza.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp


Have a wonderful trip :D

[Peruco83]

WOW, I was coming to the Argentina forum to ask the same thing, the only difference is that I'm going with a couple of friends just looking to have some crazy fun in Buenos Aires, doesn't mean that I wont check out some museums and attractions but the focus of the trip is the nightlife. we're thinking of January or February, any hot spots that can't be missed?

[aerez]

Palermo and the city (yeah big city but pretty much anywhere is sick). Don't forget to get some albiceleste putang. It comes in many fine flavours and ripeness.

[NYC_COSMOS]

If you happen to stay at the Hyatt in Mendoza, the concierge KNOWS EVERYTHING! He's a personal friend of my uncle. While the Hyatt is a little pricey it is right smack dab in the middle of everything.

There are other hotels that you can stay at when in Mendoza. Some are boutiquey and very nice others more commercial. You can always choose to stay at one of those American hotel franchises.

With regards to driving. In the USA, we drive defensively. In Argentina they drive OFFENSIVELY. I've driven in both Mendoza and Buenos Aires and both are easy to deal with. Only thing is that in Mendoza they dont like to pay much attention to stop signs or red lights at night.

With regards to the Bodegas you can rent bicycles and tour many of them that way.

If you want a personal driver PM me and Ill put you in contact with a driver I use when I am there. Very responsible and on time to everything. He can take you all over the major wineries in the Mendoza region.

If you have any other questions please feel free to PM me about Mendoza and Ill gladly assist you as much as I can.