Iguasú is a favourite destination of many and can be done with an overnight stay, but I am not sure of the flight logistics. You might have to fly via BA, which would make it eat up more of your precious holiday time. Mendoza seems to have a lot of what you are looking for, so you might consider just doing that and BA. You can also take a boat from BA to Colonia, Uruguay for a day trip, which would offer some variety.

Dear Mike
I suggest you consider the possibility of coming to SALTA and the NW of Argentina I promise you will not regret. This area offers a great weather all the time, even in summer, amazing sceneries, great dishes that you will not taste any other places, great wine!!!! and of course, nature and culture. YOu need at least five days to see the best of this area. Salta town, Cafayate /our wine country), Purmamarca, the salt flats, Humahuaca and Tilcara are the places you can not miss.
I am confident you will find some comments about Salta that will make you choose it.
Warm regards,
Flintstones/Angie

Another vote for Salta and the NW of Argentina! With just 8 days I would spend 2 or 3 in BA and the rest driving a circuit of the region either by renting a car or hiring a guide and driver. More detail and photos of our time in Argentina on our blog
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/candcthai/1/tpod.html

Argentina starts at entry # 70

Iguazu is undoubtedly one of the natural wonders of the world, but as Huentutu suggests, it would eat into your limited time considerably.

We were a little underwhelmed by Mendoza. Absolutely nothing wrong with the region, it was just that it did not live up to the hype we had read beforehand.

Crellstons almost moved to Salta!!! He spent a great time and I cna only promise you will never regret!
Warm regards,
Flintstones

Crellston: you can confidently start that B&B in Salta. All of Flintstone's numerous customers will stay there. LOL!

We probably would stay there as well!

Good to hear!! Apart from Ecuador, our plans for our trip next year are still fluid so we may well pay are turn visit to the NW..

Salta (incl. Calchaquies Valles) > Mendoza for me.

8 days - don't try any more than BA and Salta. Roughly 4 days in each and fly between them if at all possible. Salta is an excellent spot, a lot more untouched than Mendoza (which is also nice).

With only 8 days, I would suggest either BsAs + Iguazu for 1-2 nights (spectacular)
OR
BsAs + a day or overnight trip to Colonia del Sacramento with, perhaps, a stay at an estancia - perhaps a drive up to Montevideo and up the coast of Uruguay for a couple days.

We also loved the Northwest (Salta etc.)- but it really warrants at least 5-6 nights....and BsAs has so much to offer too, for this first trip.

I agree with you pgriffin, Salta is still undiscovered.... if you can take one more day for the NW, I am sure you willl never regret. You can take two days to see Cafayate, tasting some goat cheese at a farm and taste some wine in some of the great wineries in the area. You must know torrontes is the unique kind of wine taht makes us proud of the region! It is a delicious white wine that developes sweet aromas and seduce your senses with orange blossom and jasmines leaving a dry sunshine on your throat when you drink it... It makes you feel the dryness of the desert where the rock formations contrast with a clear deep blue sky.
Tale also two days to see Purmamarca, with a deep indian root where the prehispanic culture is still alive. and the magic synchretism after the colonization left them these beautiful towns framed in colourful sceneries... And the salt flats.... you can lot miss them, specially at sunset when the colours change magically...
next day take a walk aorund Los Colorados and see teh rest of the gorge. I am confident you will be more than satisfied with this destination inside Argentina. You will see a lot of what was part of the scenery of the History in Argentina.
Enjoy your time.
Angie/Flintsones

We were thinking of a quick trip (early Oct or late Dec for 4 nights and 5 days from Phx, AZ) with another couple to the Argentina wine country. We weren't quite sure where to go but it sounds like Salta/Cafayate NW is the consensus recommendation? We all love wine - and especially enjoy the boutique wineries. Thoughts? Suggestions for where we fly into and recommended 3.5 to 4.5 lodging - again, boutique style resort that represents the area culture, etc...

4 nights is not really enough time. 5 or 6 would be much better but I guess it is still doable although with such a short time I would employ the services of a guide rather than DIY so as to maximise what you do see. Angie aka flintstones above would be an excellent choice.

I think you would have to fly into salta via BA as I am pretty sure there are no direct fligths from outside the country (but I would be delighted to be proved wrong!).

We spent a few days at a small B&B outside of Salta, Casa Hernandez which was very good and I would highly recommend Finca La Paya on the road out of Cachi which was excellent with great rooms and even better food plus a very welcome pool.

Here is a link to our blog with some detail and photos Salta province starts at entry # 75

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/candcthai/1/tpod.html

Hi crellston. Thx so much!

Are there any easier to get to wine areas you would recommend?

Swanner: It sounds to me as though you would enjoy the Mendoza area better. I am a huge fan of the NOA, but your primary interest in wine country, and your limited time, would suggest that you would get more out of that area.

There are several resorts that have excellent recommendations.
Perhaps you should check them out before you make final decisions.

Hi Marnie- yes that was my thought too. Thank you.

Personally.....I think you are trying to do too much! Trust me...you'll be back to explore further.

I'd spend 3-4 nights in BA......perhaps 2 nights in San Antonio de Areco........and a full day on the delta w/Delta Unplugged.

And yes, if you really push it.....1 night/2 days @ Iguazu Falls.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT!