We are beyond excited for Heart of Travel's inaugural 14 day/ 13 night excursion to Argentina: Wine, Culture, & Patagonia tour. On this trip we'll experience the bustling metropolitan city of Buenos Aires, making sure to indulge in all the delicious gastronomy, visit world-famous wine country in Mendoza, while also getting a healthy dose of nature and stunning views as we venture into the Southern region of Patagonia. 

On this tour, we'll start by learning about the arrival of the Spanish, the massive European migrations at the end of the 19th century, and analyze how the history of the nation has impacted modern-day Argentina. We'll spend our days in Buenos Aires watching live tango shows, meandering the ever-charming streets of the city, and sharing meals with a local Argentine family. In Mendoza, taste a local Malbec while also learning about the entire wine-making process, and get an expert's opinion on which bottle you should take home from our in-house sommelier and Program Director extraordinaire, Pamela Aguilar. While in Patagonia, prepare to be in constant awe of the crystal clear glacial lakes, tall mountain ranges, and the quaint Colonia Suiza- the first European settlement in the region. 

We are thrilled about our 2023 trip to Argentina and we can't wait to share this incredible country with our Heart of Travel family. Keep scrolling to view the complete itinerary. 

Upon arriving at the airport,  your Program Director, Pamela Aguilar, will be waiting to greet you. She will then accompany you to your accommodation to get settled and give you a brief orientation of the area. 

Once everyone has arrived, we’ll head over to a family welcome dinner in which we’ll experience a typical Argentinian evening. Between conversations, anecdotes, and experiences being shared, we’ll enjoy an authentic Argentina meal as we taste empanadas, an array of local cuts of meat and vegetables on the grill, and local wines. 

You'll have an unforgettable evening becoming part of an Argentine family descended from Italian immigrants that are passionate about traveling and sharing experiences with people from all over the world. This particular family is so inspired by travelers that they opened their beautiful home in San Isidro, one of the most beautiful residential neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, for guests to come to share great food, delicious wine, and amazing conversation.

Start the day by walking through Buenos Aires as you learn about the arrival of the Spanish, the massive European migrations at the end of the 19th century, and so much more rich history. You'll visit the area where the Tango was born and wander around the vibrant and charming San Telmo neighborhood. We’ll visit all the main spots like Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, La Catedral, and Continue through the affluent docklands of Puerto Madero. Later we'll head North to walk around the lush parks and lively plazas of Palermo, Finally, we'll make a stop in Recoleta, where the star attraction is the Recoleta Cemetery-- home to Evita’s grave. 

After lunch and a quick rest, we’ll head over to a beautiful venue to immerse ourselves in Tango, which originated in Buenos Aires in the 18th century and brought together working-class European immigrants, indigenous Argentinians, and former slaves. As a result, tango has shaped Argentinian culture and society.  Enjoy a live Tango show with música en vivo and a delicious dinner. 

We’ll start the day by revisiting the beautiful Barrio de la Boca, where we’ll explore the neighborhood with the greatest identity in the city, focusing on its people and history. The aim of this tour is to provide you with tools so that you can better understand the reality of La Boca from its port and immigrant origins to the gentrification process of today. We’ll also stop by the “Bombonera”, the iconic Boca Juniors soccer stadium where you can partake in an optional tour before we head to lunch in the barrio of San Telmo.

After lunch, walk through Defensa Street, known to be especially hopping on Sundays, full of live music, markets, antique stores, street vendors, and so much more. This neighborhood is also a protected cultural heritage site, so you'll appreciate its elegant yet picturesque architecture, as well as its rich cultural footprint. We’ll finish the day with a lovely dinner at Siga la Vaca in Puerto Madero.

The Tigre Delta, named after the jaguars that once roamed the area, is one of the most beautiful landscapes near the busy Capital Federal.  Learn about the history of this unique area North of Buenos Aires on this fun-filled half-day tour of Tigre and Buenos Aires. Embark on an adventure that offers the perfect balance between nature and history, take in the views on a scenic boat ride, shop for local products at a market, and visit the Cathedral of San Isidro.

At lunchtime, the boat will drop us off at Tigre, a major city within the Buenos Aires suburbs. Enjoy an authentic snack including empanadas (local pasties) and drinks at a historical venue that belongs to the Italian Rowing Club of Tigre City. After coming back from Tigre we’ll go directly to Aeroparque to take our evening flight to Mendoza. 

Argentina's Malbec wines originate from Mendoza's high-altitude wine regions of Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. These districts are located in the foothills of the Andes mountains between 2,800 and 5,000 feet in elevation. Greater Mendoza (the region surrounding Mendoza City) is known as the largest wine-producing area in South America, being part of the 11 other Wine Capitals like Napa Valley, Bordeaux in France, Bilbao/Rioja in Spain, Valparaíso in Chile, and so on. 

But of course, there’s a lot more than just Malbec! Get ready for three days of exploring Argentinian wine with a diversity of experiences and wineries of different styles and production sizes ranging from small family-owned boutique projects to the most reputable and well-known establishments. We'll visit several wineries to sample locally-grown varietals and discover what makes a great wine. After admiring the beautiful vineyards, we’ll see and discuss the elaboration process, check out the wine cellars, and finish with tastings. 

Don’t forget that Mendoza also produces high-quality olive oils, which we’ll get to taste and compare as well. Be ready for more empanadas, asados, gaucho lifestyle, and some optional horseback riding, all while being surrounded by the beautiful Andes mountain range.

Today you'll enjoy a free morning in Mendoza before we fly to Bariloche to begin our adventure in Patagonia! Once settled into our hotel in Bariloche we will have to enjoy a guided walking tour of the area as we learn about what is known as "la huella alemana" or the "German footprint". During this tour, we will visit the German neighborhoods and sites that received large numbers of German immigrants throughout three different waves of migration in the area of Bariloche, starting from colonial times until shortly after WWII. 

We will also discuss Nazi presence in Argentina, and more specifically Bariloche, as we bust myths, learn hidden secrets, and analyze the role and response of the Argentine government. 

We’ll also discover Patagonia's indigenous people’s history and presence while walking through Bariloche downtown. Who are they? How is their culture? When and how did they arrive? How the European colonization impacted them? And how did the expansion of Argentina state into Patagonia? What is their current status? A controversial topic.

Our evening will close with a delicious meal at Alto al Fuego.

The city of San Martín de los Andes is located in the Southern portion of the Nequén province. Nestled in a wide valley on the shore of Lake Lacar at a height of 640 meters above sea level, it offers stunning views. Leaving from Bariloche, we start the trip to San Martin de los Andes, first passing through Villa la Angostura. We'll then take the road of the Seven Lakes, where you can enjoy the most beautiful landscapes of the region boasting crystal clear lakes with unusual green and blue colors, in a region full of lush and ancient forests.

Upon arrival at San Martin de los Andes, a typical mountain City, you'll have time to tour the city, visit the shores of Lake Lacar, enjoy the varied and delicious cuisine of the area, then returning to beautiful Bariloche.

We’ll spend the day going deeper into Patagonia’s heritage, chocolate making, craft beer, horse breeding, and Colonia Suiza. Colonia Suiza was the first European settlement in the region. A declared cultural heritage, it retains the original appearance of the time of its foundation in the late 19th century.

Get ready for an amazing boat ride in la Patagonia! Setting sail from Puerto Pañuelo, on the Llao Llao peninsula, this day allows you to discover the Centinela islet. Here lay the remains of Perito Francisco Pascasio Moreno, father of the National Parks in Argentina. Upon arrival at the Cascada de los Cantaros you'll enter the lush vegetation of the Valdivian jungle, later arriving at Lake Cantaros and enjoying the forceful presence of a Larch tree that is more than 1,500 years old. Sail just five more minutes to finally arrive at Puerto Blest, the place that never ceases to amaze travelers time and time again.

After lunch, you will be able to visit the bay and banks of Lake Frias, a glacial lake that is a stunning mirror of water. Its peculiar green waters come from one of the glaciers of Cerro Tronador, the natural border between Argentina and Chile. During navigation, if weather permits, beautiful views of Cerro Tronador can be seen and the boat offers an excellent vantage point.

In Puerto Frías visit the Parador La Poderosa where a replica of the motorcycle on which Che Guevara passed through the region stands. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this region, before returning to Puerto Blest.

After breakfast and a leasury morning we'll start our way back to Bariloche's airport to catch our flight back to Buenos Aires, where we'll have a free day to rest and do any final shopping or sight seeing before our farewell dinner where we'll get to share our trip stories and close this beautiful trip. 

Departure Day