Notable in Argentina and Uruguay
Thanks to Stephen O. Addison, Jr. (Sept. ’06, pg. 86), we found WOW! Argentina (Av. Santa Fe 882, 12F, C1059ABP, Buenos Aires, Argentina; phone +54 11 52 39 30 19, fax 39 17 14, www.wowargentina.com), represented by “Cintia.” This Buenos Aires-based travel agency is polished, professional and friendly.
Cintia carefully listened to our interests and desires regarding visiting Buenos Aires and Mendoza in Argentina and Colonia del Sacramento and Montevideo, Uruguay. Within a couple of days she e-mailed us a complete itinerary that perfectly fulfilled our needs. In fact, we can’t remember having a more thorough job of travel planning in the last 20 years of fairly constant travel.
She made arrangements for two couples for a B.A. city tour, tango show, ferry ride, private transfers, and hotel, estancia and parador stays in November ’06.
Once in Argentina, we met personally with Cintia and found her bright, efficient and affable. Cintia carries a cell phone and personally handles every question or request at any time she is contacted. Several times during our trip we had questions or concerns, and these were immediately responded to.
Of the several areas we covered in our 5-week trip, the two highlights were Colonia del Sacramento (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995) and Mendoza.
Colonia del Sacramento is a fast ferry ride from Buenos Aires and can be covered by a day trip. However, we chose to stay two nights and had no regrets. There were great walking tours with English-speaking guides; lovely restaurants, and excellent hotels in all price ranges. Five small museums deserve a visit, and there are many craft and specialty shops featuring handmade items. Very special, indeed!
We stayed at Hotel La Mision (e-mail lamisionaadinet.com.uy), where the price was $82, including a lovely breakfast.
One of the largest cities in Argentina, Mendoza’s metropolitan population lives in an extremely walkable city with small-town charm. Overhanging trees shade every thoroughfare, and the peaks of the Andes are visible from every angle. Restaurants and bistros abound along with opportunities to taste the excellent Argentinean wine.
The highlight of our trip to Mendoza was a stay at the Salentein Parador (e-mail Ariel Keselman at akeselman@killkasalentein.com), 1½ hours from downtown Mendoza on a vineyard with an outstanding art gallery that includes a surprising collection of Dutch Masters alongside works by local artists.
The kitchen is outstanding, rooms are lovely, and all meals, horseback riding, bicycles and Andes views are included in the price of roughly $250 per day.
However, if you want to save time and energy, just call Cintia at WOW! Argentina and she will book a stay for you.
MARILYN & PAUL WHISENAND
San Clemente, CA