PatRode

I posted this as a 'reply' to another post and realize it's best as a separate question.

I have 10 nights/11 days in Argentina in November and I'm deciding where to go in addition to Buenos Aires.

Do you recommend Salta, Iguazu or Mendoza? My husband and I love visiting wine countries, but Mendoza doesn't sound that different from Napa Valley. Iguazu sounds wonderful but not worth more than 2 nights at most. Which leaves Salta...

I appreciate your thoughts.

flintstones

Well, if you are only interested in wines, you can visit Mendoza the vinyards, and probably that would be enough. But If you would like to taste wines, see the 7 colour mountains, and the Salt Flats, Indian ruins and interesting museums displaying part of our past, the present culture which is an amazing Cynchretism, (sorry if the spelling is wromg...). People adore Pachamama (Mother Earth) and feel a deep faith for Catholic imageries...
The food, is another reason to choose the NW, and SALTA, and of course not only the same type of wines you will find in Mendoza, but Cafayate is also the craddle of the Torronte, unique as delicious, puts a spot of sun in your throat...
Empanadas is one of the typical dishes in the area and Salta is famous to have the best empanadas all over the world!
The weather... is the best warming up close to midday, but cool and comfortable at night and...
The architecture in the town brings you back to the spanish colonial times, with wide backyards, balconies and gates in iron or wood but very beautiful...
Definitelly SAlta is the destination for those wh want more than tasting wines.
*The wines in Salta have great partners, the goat cheese! The empanadas! Humitas! and the traditional steak!
Wamr regards,
Flintstones

avrooster

Iguazú is a must for first time visitors and I'd give it at least (instead of "at most&quot two nights, particularly if you wish to go to the Brazilian side, for which you need a visa.

Angie (Flintstones) will kill me, but our South is wonderful in November.

Nicci

They are all very different and wonderful. You do have to connect in BA for all flights, but it's not a big deal. One night and one full day at Iguazu Falls is enough and definitely worth it. There is not any reason to go to the Brazilian side...it's just more falls from a different view point, plus it's over $100 per person to cross the border if your are from the USA. I would suggest 5 nights BA, 4 nights Salta and 1 night Iguazu OR 5 nights BA, 4 nights Mendoza and 1 night Iguazu. Go to Salta if you want to see indigenous people and beautiful desert landscapes. If you just want to wine and dine your way through the trip, then include Mendoza.
Please visit husband's website at www.slrobertson.com to see photos or do a Google search of these areas to help make your decision. It’s really an individual preference and some photos should help.

owlwoman

I agree with Nicci, you can not go wrong with either location, but I would spend 2 nights in Iguazu, which gives you 1 1/2 days to visit.
We enjoyed the Salta/Jujuy area and the Mendoza area very much. The North is similar to Arizona, but with a different feel, Mendoza has the Andes behind it, making it much more awesome than Napa. Plus, you don't get any of the "CA attitude" when you visit the wineries. You really can't go wrong with either location.

Nicci, I see you've also been to El Calafate and El Chaltan, we just booked our third trip to AR for March and will be visiting these areas, any hints? Loved your husband's photos of the area, made me even more excited about going! We're going to stay at Los Cerros in El Chaltan then in town in El Calafate and do the 3 lakes glacier tour one day and Perito Moreno the next. Any other things not to miss?
Thanks!

flintstones

I would not kill you AVRooster...
You are very helpful for people in the forum... Salta is a very special destination, not too famous as Mendoza, so I just stand out the "virtues" of the wines, and the scenery and food. Many people in BA, think the weather is terrible, the scenery is just rocks a cactus and a donkey, and people in their first visit skip it because they feel it is not worth.
I love the country but this little corner of Argentina (almost forgotten) is beautiful, for some reason it is called SALTA, THE BEAUTIFUL...
Warm regards,
Flintstones...

skatedancer

you can't go wrong with any of these locations, but i wouldn't do more than one of them outside of BA. you will eat up alot of your time at the airport.

if you decide on Salta, I would spend 5 or 6 nights in the region. There is alot of ground to cover, plus it gives you time to relax and enjoy!