Mendoza, two hours by plane from Buenos Aires, is the heart and soul of Argentina’s wine country, where European settlers introduced the ancient craft of winemaking in the 19th century. The soil and climate of the Mendoza area make this ideal wine country. It’s also the adventure tourism center of Argentina’s Cuyo region, offering world-class hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, horseback riding and skiing, all within reasonable driving distance of downtown Mendoza. But wine is the main draw in Mendoza, and before you go, it’s best to get a primer on the local grapes.  The tourist can make the famous “Route of wine”. Argentine vineyards share recipes and techniques with tourists. On many tours, visitors are encouraged to get up close and personal with barrels, equipment, and grapes. Most vineyard tours require reservations, and most include a sample tasting afterwards. If you are a wine lover, you can learn a lot and enjoy an incredible vacations.

Vendimia Festival

All year long, Mendoza gears up for the festival that celebrate the harvesting of its grapes: the Festival de la Vendimia. The festival started in 1936 and grows each year, recently seemingly for the benefit of tourists who flock the area to enjoy Mendoza’s biggest annual party.

The event of the Argentine wine industry calendar, the Vendimia (wine harvest) festival attracts local and international wine lovers to Mendoza every March for a week of parties and parades. It’s a heady mix of jet set pomposity and provincial traditions that culminates in a colorful pageant held in a Greek-style amphitheater. 

This is an event not to be missed!

$1296 — Brazil & Argentina 8-Night Tour Package incl. Air^*

Brazil and Argentina

Top 20 deal – sells out quickly!

Travel dates: Select dates July 2009 – June 2010

By Darlene Carenza
Travelzoo Staff

Spend eight nights exploring three of South America’s top destinations — Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires — for $1296 per person with this special from LatinAmerica4Less.

That’s up to $700 OFF what it normally costs to put a package like this together individually. All flights are provided, as well as the services of English-speaking tour guides.

This package includes:

• All airfare: Flight to Rio, on to Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires
• Eight hotel nights: three in Rio, two in Iguazu Falls, three in Buenos Aires
• Daily breakfast
• All transfers as per itinerary
• Half-day guided tour of Corcovado Mountain.
• “Rio by Night” tour with a samba show and BBQ dinner
• Tour to both the Argentine and Brazilian side of the falls
• Half-day guided city tour of Buenos Aires
• Dinner and tango show in Buenos Aires

Departure cities: Miami … $1296; New York City … $1336; Los Angeles … $1385.  Or call LatinAmerica4Less.com for additional cities. The land-only portion can be purchased for $824.

Choose from the following dates: July 7, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 20, 2009; Jan. 20; Feb. 28, March 24, April 20, May 18, June 11, 2010

To Book: Call LatinAmerica4Less.com at 800-480-0707 and ask for the Nature and Culture package. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9AM-9PM ET.

Click here for more information. Taxes of approximately $168 are additional, and entrance fees to the falls are not included. Book by July 1.

LatinAmerica4Less.com phone: 800-480-0707 e-mail: promos@latinamerica4less.com