Argentina: Keeper of my Heart
Argentina is such a magical place. And that doesn’t even do it justice. Filled with love, culture, history, food, and of course - Malbec - this place has and forever will have a piece of my heart. We were welcomed into people’s homes, and explored cities, wineries, and mountains. We met new friends. We became one with this beautiful country, and was thrilled I got to see if I am still fluent in Spanish (spoiler alert - I am). This place made our wedding adventure one for the books.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a city that has such a unique heartbeat to it. Coffee shops, bars, and restaurants are pretty much on every corner, and massive trees line the sidewalks; creating a vibe of city life and lush jungle. Our first night there, we partook in an Asado, where you gather with friends and slow cook a variety of meats over an open flame. This is so much more than a cookout - it’s an experience. It’s a ritual. Laura was our host with The Asado Experience. We were welcomes into the bueatiful home, and learned about the Asado experiences, and chatted with others in the group visiting from all of the world. This is a must do while in Buenos Aires.
We also ventured into a variety of bars and restaurants around the Palermo neighborhood, and the streets were alive as it was also Gay Pride weekend while we were there - a pleasant a fun surprise to say the least. We drank Fernet and Coke at Tres Monos (the jury is still out for me if this is a good cocktail or a trash can cocktail), Don Julio was probably our favorite meal as we sipped complimentary champagne waiting for our table and ate probably the best steak of my entire life, and lastly we woke up with coffee at one of the many coffee shops around the neighborhood - Ludlow was my fave. For ice cream, look no further than the famous Rapanui with creative flavor combinations and a cold treat on a humid day.
There’s plenty to do around the city. La Recoleta is a humongous cemetery that dates back to 1822. If you’re looking to get tattoos, look no further than Well Done Tattoo (you can get one for a fraction of the cost compared to the US). Whatever your heart desires, there is something for you in Buenos Aires. Explore. Take up space. Make the trip your own!
Mendoza
Mendoza is gorgeous. We stayed downtown, and if we were to do it again - we would probably stay closer or at one of the wineries. Maipu has a bunch of amazing wineries. Our favorite was La Cava de Karim Mussi. Some of the best wine I’ve ever had, and Malena did a fantastic job walking us through the winery and the tasting. The second one of note was Bodega Pulmary, and get to sit outside drinking wine and meeting new friends from Ireland. We finished off with lunch, and went home for a much needed nap.
Our favorite experience was learning how to make empanadas with Rebecca (visit her page here). She was down to earth, funny, and spoke great English. We drank mate and had wine, and just sat and chatted about our cultures and our lives. She had a friend visiting her, as well, and loved chatting about music and travel with her. It was one of my favorite experiences in Mendoza.
Bariloche
This is the icing on top of our whole trip. Imagine the Swiss Alps and Breckenridge had a love child. This incredible gem was where we got married. It has a plethora of shopping, restaurants, mountains, lakes, and perfect for a cozy sweater stroll through town. We got married on Isla Victoria, a national park that is filled with trees and other plants from around the world. Cacique Inacayal Lake & Spa is such a cozy lodge-vibe hotel that’s walking distance to everything in town. Mamuschka has some of the best chocolates in town. Familia Weiss has incredible food, but prepared for a little bit of a wait.
Whatever and wherever you decide to do and go within Argentina, you are sure to have an incredible time. Slow down and take your time exploring the various cities, as it’s defnitely more slow-paced than the US - something I genuinely admired. Having someone pick you up from the airport and do currency exchanges at the blue dollar rate (you get way more Argentinian Pesos with this secret exchange than you would normally!). Cesar was our driver to and from the airport, and helped with exchanges, in addition to recommendations of what to do. He became a monumental part of our Buenos Aires journey, and has the biggest heart! Download WhatsApp and message him at: +54 9 11 2540-2157, email him at zelayacesar319@gmail.com, or visit his website. I was more than happy to leave a piece of me in Argentina, and that just means I have to go back again get it.
