Gaucho Holdings Logo

Source: Wedding Bells
By: Stephanie Gray
03.15.2010

If you're thinking of honeymooning in a country that has it all, then pack your bags for Argentina. Situated at the southern point of South America, getting there is a bit of a trek from Canada, but we promise it's well worth it. Of all the cities in the country, the capital Buenos Aires, often called the "Paris of South America" thanks to the European-inspired architecture, fantastic shopping and cafés galore, should be your number one destination. Hopping over to Mendoza, the country's wine region is also a great way to wind-down and explore the countryside. Here is a list of our top things to do while in Argentina:

1. Stay in a Boutique Hotel
Accommodations in Buenos Aires are plentiful from luxe hotels like the Alvear Palace Hotel (alvearpalace.com) to hip boutique hotels in the fashionable Palermo neighbourhood. We suggest checking out the hip Home Hotel (homebuenosaires.com) in Palermo Hollywood. The sleek and stylish 19-room hotel, which often hosts celebrity clientele, offers great amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi, an outdoor swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant, bar and spa (plus breakfast is included!).

2. Shop 'Til You Drop
Your money will go far here, as you get about 3.5 pesos for every Canadian dollar. Boutique shopping is best in Palermo, where you'll find everything from vintage shops to accessories stores galore. Leather is cheap, so now is the time to buy boots, belts or a great bag. Also worth a look is the Galerias Pacifico (galeriaspacifico.com.ar) shopping mall, which offers both high-end retailers like Ralph Lauren and Dior, plus hip chain stores. 

3. Eat a Steak Dinner
Like the French are known for their wine and cheese, Argentinians are known for their beef. It's almost impossible to find a restaurant that doesn't serve it. Cabaña Las Lilas (laslilas.com) is one of the best places in Buenos Aires to get a steak. We also enjoyed our dinner at the El Mercado in the Faena Hotel & Universe (faenahotelanduniverse.com), which offers traditional Argentinian cuisine. The elegant El Bistro, also located in the hotel offers international fare, and is a great option for a romantic dinner pour deux.
Tip: Argentinians tend to eat dinner at about 9 p.m. so plan to arrive a tad earlier if you want to avoid the crowds.

4. See a Tango Show
A trip to Argentina is not complete without having seen a tango. A dinner and show is a fun way to experience the dance, and we would highly recommend Tango Porteño (tangoporteno.com.ar). A three-course meal (wine and beverages included) starts the night off, and at 10 p.m. the one-and-a-half hour show begins. The performance is spectacular, infusing traditional and more modern dance moves with elaborate scenery and costumes. The price starts at about $100 per person for both the dinner and show.

5. Get Cultural
History and architecture merge at the Recoleta Cemetery, which can be found in the upscale neighbourhood of Recoleta. Presidents, scientists, artists and politicians, including the First Lady of Argentina, Eva Perón (better known as Evita), are just some of the dignitaries buried in this massive graveyard. Take some time to wander around and appreciate the buildings and mausoleums.
Art lovers will appreciate a visit to Malba (malba.org.ar), The Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires, which has a large permanent collection of work including artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

6. Wind Down
A honeymoon isn't complete without a visit to the spa, and we recommend booking appointments for you and your mister at the Ahin Wellness and Spa located in the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt (buenosaires.park.hyatt.com). The spa offers five different treatment rooms including two spa suites with jacuzzi tubs and one for hydrotherapy. There is also an indoor swimming pool and fitness studio available for use. This is a tranquil and luxurious place to unwind after a long day of wandering the streets.

7. Visit a Winery
A mere hour-long plane ride west of Buenos Aires is the region of Mendoza known for its wineries. Many are located just outside of the city centre, including Club Tapiz (tapiz.com.ar) a boutique winery hotel surrounded by vineyards and views of the Andes in the distance. The 7-room hotel also features a restaurant, swimming pool, Wi-Fi, and daily wine tastings for guests. Travelling further south to the region of San Rafael, you'll also find more secluded wineries including the Algodon Wine Estates (algodonwineestates.com), a 2,050-acre scenic vineyard complete with a quaint five-suite lodge adjacent to a swimming pool. The property also houses a golf course, tennis courts, and an award-winning restaurant. We think it's a dreamy honeymoon destination.

To get more information on Argentina visit destinationargentina.com.  

External Link: Click here for the full article.