Chronicles of On The Road Travel

Unique Accommodations in Argentina's Wine Country

Summer is fast approaching in Argentina and the vineyards in wine country will soon be coming into full bloom. Mendoza is best enjoyed during the summer months of November - April when the warmer weather permits outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing.

Situated at the foothill of the Andes, the town of Mendoza and its people have long been identified with viticulture and winemaking. The increasing foreign investment and popularity of Argentinean wines has recently put Mendoza on tourists' maps. More and more people are discovering these inexpensive finds  surrounded by beautiful scenery and a wealth of outdoor activities.

Casa Glebinias is a perfect place to call home while you explore the surrounding area. This country lodge is embraced by almost two acres of endless garden. Roses, irises, and 35 varieties of fruit trees grow under the care of Maria Gracia and Alberto Aristarian, the keepers and creators of this unique hotel. The couple come from Buenos Aires and, after spending time in France among other places, decided to settle in Mendoza, attracted by its beauty and climate.

The lodge consists of two cottages that can host up to 4 people, a third cottage with a loft layout and the main house where the Aristarian family lives. No detail has been overlooked in order to offer a private and homey environment.

Read more about Casa Glebinias and make a booking enquiry.

Hotel Paracas, Peru

Last Tuesday, the Brescia Group, owners of Hoteles Libertador, increased its participation in the Paracas Hotel in 73.8%.  Its chairman said that a complete reconstruction of their premises is necessary following the August earthquake in the area. The Group has already begun planning in order to improve the quality of the services offered to their guests. This reconstruction is expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2009, when they open operations in a new Paracas Hotel.

Hotel Paracas is a bit of an institution in the southern coast of Peru. This hotel was privately owned for generations and only recently in 2005 did the Hoteles Libertador chain of hotels make their first investment in it. The resort was an oasis in the middle of the Nazca Desert, making for a peaceful escape from the bustle of Lima.

The Brescia Group will invest US$160 million in the next two years in the development of three hotels (one in Cusco, one in Urubamba and the one in Paracas), under the Starwoods Hotels and Worldwide Resorts brand, an American chain with more than 890 hotels in over 100 countries. In the meantime, several other hotels in the area are still open for business and welcoming travelers as they revitalize the  area.

This article was written by Andrea Tello, our editor in Peru.

Highlights of Buenos Aires

A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle listed the favored haunts of Lonely Planet writer (and Northern California dweller) Wayne Bernhardson. His list includes a favorite milonga, a trendy restaurant and some live music options. For up-to-date ideas check out our recommendations for going out as well as our calendar of events for Buenos Aires.

Travel Advice & Recommendations From Local Experts

Picture Perfect

You know what its like when you are on the perfect vacation, having the best day, and you just want to capture the moment. The sun is setting over a beautiful landscape and you've got the auto-timer set for the momentous occasion.  What you didn't notice in the tiny digital screen is that the angle enhanced your chins and gave you a few extra!

Here's some tips from Budget Travel on how to make your photographic memories ones that you'll want to look back on...

Travel Advice & Recommendations From Local Experts

Reasons to Reconsider Lima

Normally we advise against spending too much time in the big, busy cities when traveling to a new country. The hustle and bustle of a big city can often hide the finer points of a country's culture, particularly if you don't have a good grasp of the local language.

Julian Worricker recently disputed this point at the Times Online, referring to his recent trip to Peru. Many people insist that Lima is just a necessary stopping point on the way to Cusco and the Inca Trail. Lima, Peru’s capital, and the commercial and cultural centre of the country, is a city of contrasts where you can live like royalty in prestigious clubs and restaurants, while nearby people will be struggling to make ends meet in the slums surrounding the city.  For all its contrasts, travelers should give this city a chance to get introduced to Peru’s vivid culture.

Lima’s colonial past is evident in its architecture, its modern present is obvious in all it has to offer for an unparalleled gastronomic experience, outstanding museum visits, quality shopping and bustling night scene.  In Lima you can get a taste for the variety of influences in the Peruvian culture by attending a peña (a folklore show with live Afro-Peruvian music), seeing a ‘marinera’ dance (a beautiful, passionate dance with colonial influences), seeing a live jazz show, attending a bullfight, cheering at a soccer game and riding the Peruvian ‘paso’ horse (a unique breed of horses with an elegant walk).

Travel Advice & Recommendations From Local Experts

Singapore Airlines Nixes the Mile High Club

Singapore Airlines has taken specific steps to discourage clients from getting 'action at altitude' following the unveiling of their new Airbus 380. The largest jumbo jet ever, the 380 features 12 'first-class suites' that come equipped with double beds, but don't include sound-proof walls. One passenger complained, "They seem to have done everything they can to make it romantic, short of bringing round oysters". Perhaps this feature would have been better reserved for Virgin Airlines?

Travel Advice & Recommendations From Local Experts

The Bar Capital of Brazil

Brazilians take their beer very seriously. If you are an enthusiast yourself, you should consider a trip to Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, where there are more bars per capita than anywhere else in Brazil. What is Brazil's best beer? It's really a personal choice. Musician Zeca Pagodinho appeared in a major ad campaign for Antarctica and was then sued when he went back to drinking his personal favorite, Brahma. Some people buy Nova Schin just because a portion of the profits finances the Flamengo soccer team while the owner of a large supermarket chain has banned its sale in his stores since he is a Vasco fan. Skol is a popular choice that you are likely to see in every botequins.

Some time ago, botequins (also known as botecos or pé sujos) reigned in Brazil, where all the working men would team up at the end of the day and drink away their sorrows. Because so many people felt the urge to participate in this ritual it became common to drink standing up. It is easy to see this reflected still today, where hundreds of bars pack thousands of people everyday who would much rather be standing, drinking and talking, than sitting down. Last weekend's New York Times included a guide to Belo Horizonte's bars. Fear not, if your trip to Brazil doesn't include a stop in Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro has a vibrant night scene with plenty of botecos for you to enjoy. Read more about the city that never sleeps for our recommendations.

Travel Advice & Recommendations From Local Experts

Argentine flavours: Casa Saltshaker

Private restaurants are all the rage these days. Lucy Cousins, our editor in Argentina, discovers one of the best in Buenos Aires:

Over the last two years there has been a new culinary trend in Buenos Aires, with more and more Argentines becoming interested in international food. Thai, Moroccan, Indian and Japanese cuisine, among others, have been slowly creeping into the city’s restaurants from Palermo to La Boca. And as the economy has gradually improved, this exotic cuisine has become accessible to more and more Argentines.

Just as this movement was starting to take shape in Buenos Aires, Dan Perlman – an expat from the United States – began his now legendary blog, www.saltshaker.net, where he critiqued and explored the foodie scene in Argentina’s Capital. Known for his sometimes critical, but always honest remarks, Saltshaker attracted a loyal readership of fellow expats and locals alike that trusted his opinion on all things edible.

With the ongoing success of the blog, and his previous culinary experience, he decided to open a reservation-only restaurant out of his cosy loft in the Recoleta neighborhood. He had unintentionally started his own trend – private restaurants, hitting on the two things that Argentines love most: exclusivity and quality. 

The food is prepared with local ingredients and can vary in theme from French to Northern Argentine. Upcoming dinners include Tibetan and Turkish menus. Throughout the evening, Perlman serves his own menu and matches local wines perfectly, explaining each course and accompanying wine when it is served.

For more details and information visit our full review.