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For almost 10 years now, I have been preaching the Gospel of Contrarian Travel: Buy direct, travel off peak, follow the dollar, build loyalty, look for bargains, expect to be treated well. The strategy has paid off, some times better than others. Recently I found myself in South America, hoping to luxuriate in a good hotel, command some pampered attention, eat well, play hard and drink some excellent wine. Finding a place that offered all these things in one location would be a gift. Finding them at discount prices would be my contrarian dream.<br />

It’s easy to love Argentina

Joel Widzer
2006-04-02 21:05:47

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For almost 10 years now, I have been preaching the Gospel of Contrarian Travel: Buy direct, travel off peak, follow the dollar, build loyalty, look for bargains, expect to be treated well. The strategy has paid off, some times better than others. Recently I found myself in South America, hoping to luxuriate in a good hotel, command some pampered attention, eat well, play hard and drink some excellent wine. Finding a place that offered all these things in one location would be a gift. Finding them at discount prices would be my contrarian dream.

I found such a place in the city of Mendoza, Argentina. I first learned of Mendoza two years ago, when I began making regular trips to Buenos Aires. During each visit, the locals would sing Mendoza’s praises and urge me to visit there. Though it is the fourth-largest city in Argentina and has long been a favorite of those “in the know,” Mendoza is still relatively undiscovered by U.S. travelers — which means low prices, good service and a whole lot of fun for those who take a chance on it. But my fellow contrarian travelers need to move fast, as Mendoza and its surrounding province (also called Mendoza) are becoming more popular with both wine aficionados and nature lovers.

Mendoza is located in northwest Argentina at the foot of the Andes near the Chilean border. The town is lively and more stylish than other provincial cities, so it makes a great base for exploring the region, which is famous for its wine. Argentina’s wines have come to the world stage only recently, but are quickly growing in popularity, and most of the vineyards and the winemaking industry are located nearby. Mendoza is also a major destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts who appreciate beautiful surroundings.

Mendoza is easily reached from Buenos Aires (a two-hour plane trip) or from Santiago, Chile (a short half-hour flight). I chose the Santiago route because it was unexpectedly ...