3 Days Itinerary in Mendoza

We took a quick trip to Mendoza between two longer trips.  Our main goal was to do some relaxing at a tranquil vineyard hotel and do some of the sightseeing and sporty stuff you could do in this region. With the sweltering heat during our stay, our city exploration time was shortened and we adjusted by ascending to higher altitudes for a refreshing hike on our final day. It's evident that Mendoza offers ample opportunities for more than a three-day stay, allowing to partake in more of the various athletic activities the region has to offer.

Arrival

The enchantment of Mendoza welcomed us as we touched down at the airport from Buenos Aires, igniting our excitement for the adventures ahead. Our chosen haven, the Posada Cavieres Wine Farm, embraced us in its rustic charm while offering breathtaking vistas. Stepping out of our cozy rooms, a stunning terrace beckoned, unveiling the first row of lush vines just a step away. The undulating landscape and vine-draped hills set a tranquil scene, setting the tone for the experiences that awaited. 

As twilight painted the sky, we embarked on a culinary journey, savoring an authentic Argentine dinner at La Melesca Resto. The flavors of the local cuisine danced on our taste buds, creating a harmonious prelude to the sensory delights that Mendoza had in store.

Some comments about our hotel

Absolutely smitten with the location, the following day the hotel unfortunately didn't meet our expectations when it came to breakfast. There was a lot of pre-made and, in our view, "inexpensive" food with no real flavor. It's a disappointment considering how gorgeous the place is. Personally, I value a good breakfast, so this might influence our decision to choose another place next time. Additionally, you need to rely on a taxi or car to get anywhere, so keep in mind that you're a bit far from everything. Lastly, even though the hotel has a pool - it is a mini one, so we weren't really using it despite the heat. (The far way location was what we wanted, so no complaints there - yet you can't get breakfast easily elsewhere, so the breakfast thing was a bigger thing and so was the pool.) If these two aspects don't bother you, we still highly recommend the place. It's delightful, and the owners are kind, supportive individuals. 

Horseback-riding in the vineyards

As the sun came up, it marked the start of an exciting and enjoyable day. Our rendezvous with Trout&Wine Tours ushered us into the exhilarating world of horseback riding through the vineyards (and even across a gentle river). Guided by the cheerful and knowledgeable local guide, Vicky, the ride transformed into an educational journey about Mendoza life during and after COVID sprinkled with laughter and camaraderie. Her insights into the region's history and viticulture enriched the experience, making it both joyful and informative. 

While the horseback riding was enjoyable and allowed us to appreciate the vineyards up close, I personally wouldn't opt for it again. It's simply not my preferred activity, as I'm not skilled at horseback riding. Consequently, my experience was more akin to being gently led around, occasionally waiting for my horse to snack on grass along the way, as they quickly caught on to my lack of expertise. Moreover, transitioning from Patagonia, where the locals hold the environment in such high regard and litter is virtually absent, I experienced a bit of a culture shock. Mendoza offered a different kind of experience; our ride took us through some noticeably polluted areas. 

After our fun horseback ride, we indulged in a lavish lunch at Club Tapiz, where local flavors effortlessly intertwined with the exceptional wines that make Mendoza renowned. Club Tapiz is quite beautiful - and they also run a hotel asides the lovely restaurant. The reviews on booking are super high -so maybe you want to go for staying there reading through our evaluation of where we stayed. 

City Tour

In the afternoon, we embarked on a city tour of Mendoza with Viví Mza.  This tip-based tour showcased the main attractions of Mendoza, giving us a good look at what the place is all about. Once a desert landscape, Mendoza has transformed through a network of overground canals that supply water everywhere, creating a lush and picturesque scenery around its five "plazas" and a great park, that allows for up to 2.5 hour walk: Plaza España, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Chile, Plaza Italia, and the main Plaza Independencia, along with the enchanting Parque San Martín. As it got super hot during the afternoon, that was about the max we were up to staying in the city and hence returned to the hotel after to cool off at lovely terrasse instead of staying in Mendoza until dinner. That was a bit sad as we read lovely blogs about nighttime Mendoza and really loved the green lush and chill Mendoza vibes. 

As the sun gracefully descended, we returned to the inviting ambiance of Posada Cavieres Wine Farm. A simple barbecue dinner (definitely better than breakfast but not as great as it should have been neither) beneath the stars brought a perfect close to day 2.