Argentina with Fernando Navas

Day 1: Buenos Aires

Bienvenidos a Argentina! Our trip begins in the evening when we’ll convene at our hotel for a night on the town. Following Fernando’s lead, we’ll make our way through Recoleta, the riverside neighborhood that was once home to historic icons like Jorge Luis Borges and Pope Pius XII. Today, its residents are redefining Argentinean art, culture, and cuisine. We’ll experience this convergence of old and new at one of Latin America’s best restaurants, Aramburu.

As far as the menu for this evening? Let’s just say Fernando has connections, and our dinner will be an exquisite preview of the culinary adventure to come.

Day 2: Buenos Aires

The barrios of Buenos Aires are essentially separate villages. Today we’ll embark on tasting tours of a few historic neighborhoods bursting in local color and lore. First it’s off to the iconic Plaza de Mayo where we’ll stand in awe outside the Catedral de Buenos Aires and Casa de Gobierno.

Then, in unforgettable La Boca, we’ll savor some warm empanadas and sip on some wine, as we listen to street musicians on Caminito street, lined with its iconic bold and brightly painted buildings. We’ll then head over to visit San Telmo, the city’s oldest barrio, whose cobbled alleyways make up the heart of tango. We’ll explore their vast local market with a quick stop to nibble on choripan (grilled chorizo sandwiches with chimichurri) and to sip on a local beer. 

On the way back to the hotel, we’ll head to the 1908 Colón Theater, South America’s finest, with an insider’s look at the ornate building’s frescos, backstage area and studios. After a busy day, we’ll have dinner on own and meet up later to experience the electric cocktail scene and top off the night with a festive tango event with incredible dancers.

Day 3: Buenos Aires

We’ll continue our exploration of Buenos Aires in the barrio Recoleta. This is Eva Perón’s old stomping grounds, where mansions line stately boulevards linked by blooming jacarandas and locals sip frothy cortados at sidewalk cafes. 

After an immersive tour including its iconic cemetery, we’ll be whisked off to El Preferido de Palermo, lovingly referred to as “El Prefe” by locals, for a family-style lunch. 

Then, get ready to make some noise. Join Fernando in chants and cheers he knows by heart at a local soccer match. Win or lose, our hard work as fans will be rewarded with dinner at Güerrin Pizzeria.

Day 4: Mendoza

This morning we take a short flight to the heart of Argentina’s wine country! If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of Malbec, you’ll love its homeland. We’ll start with a look into Mendoza, the nearly 500-year-old bohemian town with an Art Deco center, and after a city tour, we’ll begin with the two things that make Mendoza famous: food and wine.

Lunch is at the fiercely local winery, Lagarde The dishes here embody their “landscape cuisine” and honor the strong Incan heritage in the region. The wines, harvested since 1897, are full-bodied, smoky odes to gaucho culture and the rugged terroir. 

After some downtime at our stunning boutique hotel, we’ll gather again for dinner at the foot of the snow-capped mountains at family-owned Bodega Vinorum. Here, we’ll toast our arrival to Mendoza and marvel at the storybook views in every direction.

Day 5: Mendoza

After breakfast, our wine immersion begins anew. Our first stop is the renowned Bodega Cruzat for a refreshing toast of its sparkling wines—each bottle derives from hand-picked varietals sourced from the Uco Valley. Every transcendent wine tasting deserves another, so we’ll shuffle over to another heralded estate for a flight of some younger wines and a conversation with the cellarmaster. 

Next, we’ll make our way to Finca El Paraíso for a picturesque (the Andes Mountains are literally hovering behind the estate) three-course lunch with wine pairings, of course.

In the late afternoon, we’ll return to the hotel for a moment of siesta before a special dinner at Casa Bermellon. Don’t be surprised if you see Fernando with his sleeves rolled-up and collaborating with the chef as we indulge on the charred delicacies of an authentic asado.

Day 6: Uco Valley

We’ll start the day with morning at the hotel, maybe relaxing at the hammam—South America’s only Turkish-style bathhouse—or just take time to rest. ‘

For lunch, we’re pairing local delicacies and rare vintages at Finca Bandini. Our bellies full, we’ll check into our beautiful Uco Valley home—the Vines Resort and take some time to decompress and relax.

And you won’t forget tonight’s dinner at Francis Mallmann’s Siete Fuegos (“Seven Fires”), one of Argentina’s most notable restaurants. Wrapped in alpaca blankets, we’ll watch in awe as a team of chefs prepare a gaucho-worthy feast of slow-grilled rib eye roasted on seven types of open flame.

Day 7: Mendoza

Today we tap into our inner gaucho today with a full-on Andean adventure! After a jaunt up the mountain by car, we’ll continue climbing on horseback until we reach the top of the mesa, where we’ll be invited for lunch at a local hacienda—far from a simple boxed lunch, this will be a banquet of freshly harvested seasonal ingredients cooked with traditional gaucho methods.

After recharging at The Vines, it’s time for our farewell dinner. Enjoy panoramic vineyard views while the sun dips behind the Andes from Monteviejo—the French-Argentinian fusion restaurant nestled in the heart of the Uco Valley. We’ll raise our glasses with Fernando and toast a week well spent. 

Day 8: Mendoza

Alas, it’s time for our journey to end. We’ll celebrate our adventure over breakfast, with a last cortado or glass of Malbec, before offering fond farewells.