Eye Candy: Aristides villanuevaPull up a seat at any one of Aristides' many outdoor bars and the street will put on a show for you as the night progresses. Trendy ladies pass by in all their glamour with mullet sporting hipsters while foreigners spill out of hostels eager to sample the local nightlife. The street becomes a crowded melting-pot around one or two in the morning - with the exception of chilly winter time - with all the sights and sounds to keep you happily entertained.
Romantic Retreat: Valle de UcoValle de Uco: where grape vineyards give way to breathtaking, ice-capped mountains. This scenic valley was one of the last regions populated by Argentina's indigenous people and proper gauchos still roam the range. While retaining its rustic charm, the valley is most notably home to some of Argentina's most stunning wineries, including O.Fournier, Andeluna, and Salentein. Stay in one of the areas' several boutique lodges (such as Posada Salentein) and wake up to the eastern morning sun shining on the Andes, turning the snow-capped mountains a dazzling pink. If Valle de Uco's rural tranquility and unforgettable sunrises don't strike a romantic chord in you, there is plenty of fine wine to be tasted and, to quote a local, "wine always helps romance." Trips out to this area tend to be significantly more expensive than Lujan de Cujo or Maipu, so take someone you don't mind dropping some serious dough on.
Pleasing Plaza: Plaza Independencia
After a tragic earthquake hit the city in 1861, Mendoza city was redesigned with five plazas to serve as safe zones in the case of another disastrous event. Plaza Independencia is the largest of the five and is located in the heart of Mendoza Centro. Here vendors sell their goods, actors perform, Rastas share mate, couples snog, and Mendocinos and extranjeros (foreigners) alike enjoy resting on the grassy slope facing the plaza's enchanting fountains. This central location is frequently used by the Municipalidad de Mendoza to host events throughout the year, such as the crowning of the Vendimia queen. Beneath the plaza lie two important cultural centers, the Teatro Quintanilla and the Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno.
Place for a Picnic: Parque San Martin
We don't know why a ham and cheese sandwich tastes better at San Martin Park, it just does. Maybe it has something to do with the scenic fountains, large grassy fields and shady hideaways; or maybe it is the metal sculpture of angry boars fighting by the entrance. Whatever it is, this park is definitely worth a visit. The small island located on the park's lake is a great place to set up camp for a leisurely afternoon. After you've had your fill head to the Natural History Museum, Mendoza Zoo, or Monument of Ejercito Libertador—all within the park's borders! Go West and you'll bump right into it. The main gate is on Emilio Civit and Boulogne Sur Mer.
Weekend Get-Away: around San RafaelJust 240 kilometers (150 miles) from Mendoza, San Rafael is an accessible retreat, offering just enough to keep you happily busy for the weekend. Cradled in rich natural beauty, this peaceful town has attracted both a thriving tourism industry and a resident population of artists, poets, and musicians. San Rafael serves as an excellent setting out point for visiting more rural destinations, such as Malargue, home to the Fiesta Nacional de Chivo, an entire celebration dedicated to grilling goat meat. Other popular day excursions include horseback riding into the Canon del Atuel and rafting trips in Valle Grande. A tour group or rental car is your best option to see the spread out sights; or at a more economical rate, you can take the bus from El Terminal de Omnibus.
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