I don't drink, but would suggest you research Mendoza or Cuyo (a larger area) and come back with further questions.

Have a great time in our country.

avrooster- We have vineyard suggestions through wineries we represent in CA. For instance, the one Argentinean winery that is in a portfolio I manage,is in the Uco Valley just South of Mendoza.

My top choice would not be visiting vineyards as it sort of feels like work after 11 years in the wine industry, but if it's an easy trip from BA to go for a couple of days I'd of course be a good sport for my friend's sake... and vineyards are always beautiful. I'm sure I could find active stuff to do if we are in the outdoors...

Have you been to that general area?

Cheers

Brooke

Hi, Brooke!

My point is that in the Mendoza area you may also find "a good amount of outdoors with views/hikes, etc and then some great restaurants/cafes in a cool city in between outdoor options".

That's the part you need to research, not the vineyards I assumed you knew about.

Unfortunately, because I strongly dislike TA, I have to suggest you do your research in their Argentina forum http://tinyurl.com/nw9f4 focusing on the Cuyo area. You'll find much more material there than here.

If I have ever been to that area, it must have been many years ago, as I don't remember anything about it. You may not believe it, if you have seen a recent post titled with my screen name, but I'm an older guy. LOL!!!

Some vineyards may have guestrooms, where maybe you could stay for free, thanks to your connections, saving probably quite a bit of money, instead of staying in the town of Mendoza.

Like I said, do some research and come back with more questions, but keep in mind that I'm reasonably knowledgeable about BA, but not about Mendoza.

How about taking a look at this looong thread, started by yours truly: http://www.fodors.com/community/south-america/more-suggested-reading.cfm

You should find there something about Mendoza.

Bottom line: in Mendoza, you should be able to do both the vineyards and your "active stuff", but you need to do some research.

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend, Brooke.

How about splitting your time between Mendoza and Patagonia? El Chalten for the hikes and El Calafate for the food. Click on my name for my in-process TR including Patagonia.

thursdaysd: Brooke and her two gf's are coming in April or May, not a good time to go to our South, the way I see it.

Have you considered the Northwest ?

I would suggest 6 days in the NOA and the rest in Buenos Aires and vicinity. Some hiking in the NOA, plus drives that are outstanding; nice wine, food, coloratura...and Buenos Airs with long and wonderful walks exploring different barrios and parks etc.; a fascinating city to explore.

This would, IMO, be an excellent combination of city and unique landscape with good food and drink wherever you go. There are areas better known for serious, long hikes, but as you will not all be interested in that, this could make everyone happy - I'm happy just thinking about it

av, well my guidebook, Moon, says of Southern Argentine Patagonia:

"the shoulder months of November-December and March-April have less crowding, lower pricing and equally good (sometimes better) weather, By April days are getting shorter..."

So not May, but a possibility for April. I certainly wouldn't have wanted bigger crowds than those I had at the begining of November, and I had some good weather, too.

Yes, thursdaysd, the first part of April might be OK, particularly if they don't mind cold weather.

That time is perfect for the NW. Here you all will be able to find something for your interests. Museums and Nice buildings in town to enjoy sightseeing. Great food, amazing sceneries and fantastic weather....
The North West offers you the most incredible experiences. Easter is very interesting in the Humahuaca Gorge. Purmamarca, the salt flats and Humahuaca Gorge, Cafayate are teh best to see in the area. Nobody regreted to choose Salta.
Our worldwide famous and unique torronte wine is delicious. Do not miss it!
Flintstones

Thursdaysd- I'd love to do Patagonia! And April or May are both options. However the tickets to fly to Patagonia from BA adds an extra $600 on top of the $1400 it costs to fly from CA to BA.... ouch

avrooster- I'll check out Mendoza area

however Flinstones suggestions sound great.... do you have airport suggestions?

Cheers

Brooke

MarnieDWC- your suggestion sounds very much up my alley-do you have suggestions of a few cities/towns? Would I train/fly/drive there from BA?

Brooke: the place Marnie and Flintstones are suggesting is the same, a province in our NW called Salta.

It is wine country, among other things, so if your friends want to visit wineries, you'll find them too, besides the attractions mentioned above.

The only airport is in the town of Salta and I strongly suggest you fly.

Flintstones is a great tourism pro called Angie Valdez. She is a guide with her own transportation, featured in my Salta trip report of years ago: http://tinyurl.com/jsgu8

If you wish to do further research about the quality of her services, type "Angie" in Fodor's search feature or here: http://tinyurl.com/nw9f4

Anything else I can help you with, Brooke?

Have a wonderful time in our country.

Hola again, Brooke.

Avrooster is correct - Angie and I are both referring to the Northwest of Argentina (the NOA) and Salta is the region and the main city. While there is a second, small airport, I think in Jujuy, after checking it out, there were few flights not even nearly as convenient as those to/fro Salta.

Here is my TR from 2010; http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g312822-i7638-k3455082-Trip_Report_6_Days_in_the_NOA-Salta_Province_of_Salta_Northern_Argentina.html

I suggest that you also check out those of yestravel and crellston: they were most helpful to us, as was Avrooster.

Thank You both! Very helpful info...

the only thing I'm not liking is the fact that it's over $2000 in flights between flying to BA and then Salta. Then the rental cars every day etc etc. It seems steep. I'd prefer not to have to fly another long expensive flight once in a country... thoughts?

Yes, Brooke, that could be a problem.

One idea would be to choose Mendoza and travel by bus at night, also saving one hotel night.

Our buses are very good and you should choose fully reclining seats.

Also remember what I said above: "Some vineyards may have guestrooms, where maybe you could stay for free, thanks to your connections, saving probably quite a bit of money, instead of staying in the town of Mendoza."

Other ideas, that would not require a flight:

Colonia &/or Montevideo, Uruguay by Buequebus Ferry (not cheap, but not as $$ as the flights)and drive up the lovely Coast, if time allows.

The Pampas, San Antonio de Areco with a stay in an Estancia there. Probably decent riding and some good walks...as well as an interesting small town (know that the siesta hours are strictly adhered to there)

I love the Tigre Delta. Walked a lot and took a Delta Unplugged Tour, which was fantastic, but also, another year, just took the mail boat up the river and took walks etc., had lunch. It would be important to check the weather in April on the Delta and learn if the Tour boats run then (if you would be interested in that). We have only gone in Arg. summer.

But, if you can swing the fare to the NOA, and rental fees which you would share, I still think you would be delighted with that choice.

Let us know.