Junejuly

You've all been so great so far, so I thought I'd bother you again... (I'll pay it back by answering questions on the Mexico and NYC forums)
I'm 36 and fluent in spanish, my mother is an active 62 year old. We love culture, architecture, and good food. Love the beach too, but didn't seem possible on this trip.
I've read a few trip reports, and this is what I've put together for my trip arriving Feb.18 into Buenos Aires and leaving March 1 from Santiago... please tell me if I'm overlooking something. We only have our flights into BA and Santiago booked so far. My mother has already been to Iguazu, so we are skipping it.

Feb 18 (Friday morning) - arrive into B.A. Staying at the Sheraton, using SPG points.
-I was thinking 3 nights in B.A. Is that enough?

Feb.21 - flight to Mendoza. Tour a few vineyards, take in the city.
Feb. 23 - bus from Mendoza to Santiago (bus is about $40, flight is $400 and I've heard the ride over the Andes is beautiful but don't know)
Feb 23-27 - Santiago
Feb 27-March 1 - Valparaiso/ Vina de Mar

What do you think? Is there something better we should be doing? Too much/too little time somewhere?

Thank you so very much!

Orlando_Vic

Perhaps you could add a little more time in B.A (to allow a day trip to an estancia) and maybe subtract from the time in Santiago/Valparaiso. The day we spent at Estancia El Ombú was one of the highlights of our trip to Argentina several years ago. I must confess, however, that I have not yet been to Santiago & Valparaiso (going next year). I'm also considering the Andesmar bus from Santiago-Mendoza, so I'm very interested in other responses to this thread.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Huentetu

The ride over the Andes is indeed very beautiful. You do go to altitude and there are a lot of hairpins on the Chilean side, so if either of you are affected by altitude or motion sickness you might consider that.
You might consider a couple of days in the Colchagua valley, full of vineyards and lovely countryside. There is a very good hop on/hop off tourist bus which will give you a good overview of the city. http://www.turistik.cl/en/index.htm

HappyTrvlr

I would take a few days from Santiago and Valpariaso and add them to Buenos AIres even though I loved both Chilean cities.

Junejuly

Thank you all so very much. I will absolutely take your suggestions to heart and add more time in Buenos Aires. How many days, based on my schedule, would you allow? How much time should I dedicate to Mendoza? I am going to research the Colchagua valley and Estancia El Ombu right now.
I do indeed suffer from motion sickness, but because of the beauty (and price), I'll still likely take the bus but will certainly take my medications in order to suppress my overly-active vestibular system.
If you have any more suggestions, I would welcome them!
I promise to write a trip report when I return. (I've written on all my other trips even though it might not look like it - sometimes they were posted under my husband who goes by "mdn"). Thanks again!

Orlando_Vic

Junejuly,
I will gladly take you up on the trip report, because I am planning stops in Mendoza, Santiago and Valparaiso next year and you are in a position to help educate me. Here is info I found on the bus trip from Mendoza-Santiago that I can share with you. You are in a position to tell me (later) if it is any good:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/7905071-post85.html

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=1363409

I also found a travel agent in Mendoza that gets pretty good reviews on Tripadvisor: Mendoza Holidays www.mendozaholidays.com

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction...doza_Cuyo.html

Let me know if you ever decide to use them. Thanks.

-Vic



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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Junejuly

Thanks so much, Orlando Vic! I've now reserved my bus to go from Mendoza to Santiago (when they ask for country of origen at Andesmar, the list is actually in spanish - so don't look for USA; it's Estados Unidos) - got front seat windows because of early booking! Hooray!
Will certainly post on everything.

HappyTrvlr

Traveling from Santiago to Valparaiso, you will pass through the Casablanca Valley wine region and may want to tour a winery or two there, have a meal at one.

Orlando_Vic

With online booking, were you required to give credit card numbers on the Andesmar website?

Were you able to request specific seats?

What type of seats did you reserve?

Thanks in advance!

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Junejuly

Thanks for suggestion, HappyTrvlr, we will certainly look into the Casablanca Valley! How would you recommend getting to Valparaiso/Vina del Mar from Santiago?
OrlandoVic - We were indeed able to request specific seats. As I get car sick if not looking out the front window, I got us the very front 2 seats, and as I intend to do rafting in addition to the wineries, I got us the "cama executivo" (like a buisness class seat) for about $35, one way. I used my AmEx for the reservation.
Now I'm just trying to figure out hotels... I have SPG points, not sure if I should stay at the Sheraton or pay for a hotel for a more authentic experience. Staying at the "W" in Santiago and Park Towers in Buenos Aires, using points.

Orlando_Vic

Junejuly-
Would be very interested in hearing about your experiences in Mendoza & Santiago. Also, the Andesmar bus.

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

yestravel

Orlando_Vic - u might want to check out our TR on Chile which includes Santiago & Valparaiso
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...-chile-arg.cfm