Where We Be
For a real gut-buster, try ordering a "parillada" at any parilla (steak-house) in town -- the whole plate is filled with some kind of meat!
|
The pedestrian avenue that runs through the heart of Mendoza is chock-full of restaurants, coffee shops, and ice cream stores
|
A flight of five regional wines at the downtown wine bar called Vines of Mendoza.
|
Mendoza is an instantly likeable city that combines
fine dining and superb wine with lots of parks and
gardens -- not to mention the tallest mountains in
the Western Hemisphere just to the west. We
made the most of our week here, visiting wineries,
eating gourmet meals, taking a "High Mountain"
tour of the Andes, and walking to many different
parts of the city including the enormous park on
the city's western side called Parque San Martin.
Of course you can't come to Mendoza and not do a
wine tour. We took a half-day tour by bus of local
wineries, tasting the malbecs for which the area is
justifiably famous. We also splurged on flights of
wine at a chic downtown wine bar. Mendoza is also
the "foody" capital of Argentina. Most memorable
was our "Executive Lunch" at Bistro M at the Park
Hyatt Hotel, one of the city's finest restaurants.
During our all-day "Alta Montana" bus tour, we saw
Aconcagua Mountain, tallest peak in the Western
Hemisphere at 6,962 m (22,841 ft). We drove all the
way to the top of the pass between Argentina and
Chile where there is a famous statue called “Cristo
Redentor.” Getting there meant zigzagging up a
steep dirt road for an hour but the stunning views
were worth it.
This was one of the wineries we visited, a small, artisanal winery called Cavas di Don Arturo.
The single cask of wine lit up at the end of the cavern made for an irresistible photo.
|
We also visited Bodega Lopez, a huge industrial operation with enormous output
|
I love this church painting of the Virgin Mary holding
the Christ child in one hand and a grape in the other!
|
The inviting wine tasting room at Cavas di Don Arturo
|
We visited the Laur olive oil factory in between wineries
|
These church bas reliefs illustrate a harvest miracle and a devastating earthquake and the subsequent rebuilding of Mendoza
|
Robin all dressed up and ready to go on a wine tour
|
Tiny Plaza Pellegrini just a few blocks away from our hostel was one of our favorites in the city -- great place for a gelato!
|
I love the way the vendors display fruit here, each in its own neat little compartment
|
This fast-food place made the best chicken served atop tasty fries
|
We explored all facets of Mendoza dining including this ultra-cheap eatery near our hostel
|
We dined al fresco at Bistro M at the Park Hyatt Hotel
|
Part of our "Executive Lunch" at Bistro M -- rib eye with chimichurri sauce
|
Plaza España is one of four smaller plazas surrounding Plaza Independencia
|
This is tranquil Plaza Independencia at the center of Mendoza
|
These elaborate gates mark the entrance to enormous San Martin Park on the western edge of Mendoza
|
We ambled along the 2½-mile path circling an artificial lake, enjoying the tranquility and sunshine
|
If you visit Mendoza, take a day off from sightseeing and just wander around San Martin Park
|
A curved bridge takes you to an idyllic little island at the center of the lake
|
One of hundreds of vineyards surrounding Mendoza, this one south of the city near Lujan de Cuyo
|
We took a 12-hour tour of the "Altas Montañas (High Mountains) west of Mendoza
|
This amazing natural wall runs for miles, is 300 feet high at its highest point, and was formed ages ago by glaciers
|
Scenery reminiscent of the desert southwest in the U.S.
|
Small shrines like this one dot the landscape
|
Memorial bridge at the spot where General San Martin launched his campaign across the Andes
|
The mountains got bigger and more colorful as we headed further west
|
This is colorful Puente del Inca, a natural stone bridge once used by the Incas. The ruins of a 1917 thermal spa nestle below it.
|
In the distance is Mount Aconcagua, tallest peak in the Western Hemisphere at 6,962 m (22,841 ft)
|
Excited to find mountains even taller than the Rockies
|
You have to hope your bus driver is paying attention!
|
We zigzagged up this steep dirt road to the top of the pass between Argentina and Chile
|
The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands at the top of the pass, on the sometimes contentious border between Argentina and Chile
|
Looking west into Chile -- Santiago is due west as the crow flies
|
The statue is emblematic of hope for renewed friendship between the two neighbors
|
The rugged peaks of the High Cordilleras make for a scenic day of sightseeing
|
Robin sips mate tea -- very Argentinian! -- during the bus ride back to Mendoza
|
Statue of Gen. San Martin on the hill at the center of the park
|
One thing we won't miss about Argentine dining? The napkins!
They're like wax paper except thinner. Utterly useless.
|
Back in the days of not-so-enormous output!
|
