Luxury holidays in Mendoza

Andes-edged Mendoza is the desert region that could: its oenophile-luring wineries and verdant city are a testament to its tremendous irrigation system. A mere two-hour flight from Buenos Aires or Santiago, Mendoza attracts those leisurely sipping and munching their way through South America’s finest offerings, so you’re rarely far from your next glass of straight-from-the-source wine, or a sizzling asado (Argentinean barbecue). Mendoza’s city’s plazas and parks are grand and green and its streets improbably tree-lined. Parque General San Martin has a zoo, gardens, fountains and even a monument-topped peak to climb. Beyond the city, rustic fincas sit by horizon-skimming vineyards, and the photogenic heft of the Andes rises to the west, where hikers and mountaineers pursue trails that range from pretty to punishing.

Recommended offers

See our boutique hotel deals

Areas in Mendoza

When to go

Mendoza’s winter falls from June to August, when vineyard tours are quiet and skiers hit the foothills. Spring (September to November) brings swathes of green and balmy days, which heat up considerably from December to February. To catch a glimpse of the vines turning golden, book your stay in March, April or May.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport is the region’s main international hub. Aerolineas Argentinas (www.aerolineas.com.ar) run frequent two-hour flights from Buenos Aires and Santiago in Chile.
  • Automobiles

    Exploring by car is a little less romantic than by bike or horseback, but it is rather more convenient. There’s an Avis car-hire booth at the airport, and roads are in a fairly respectable state.