A Toast to Argentina
At the very heart of the Argentine wine industry and at the foot of the Andes Mountains, Mendoza is a thriving tourist destination, closer to Santiago, Chile, than it is to Buenos Aires. The city's clean, tree-lined streets and well-maintained parks provide the focus for a region that is home to more than a thousand wineries producing world-renowned products. But Mendoza has attractions beyond the vineyards. It is an all-seasons destination for climbers, hikers, skiers, rafters, bikers, paragliders, naturalists, and trekkers. Be prepared for very dry summers and wet winters. In keeping with Argentina's largely European flavor, however, the city is dotted with outdoor cafes, which make for ideal resting places during the hot days and warm retreats when it's cold; many have Wi-Fi technology. The city's restaurants and bars offer a range of local and global cuisines. For bars, pubs, restaurants, and discos, head to Calle Aristides or Calle Sarmiento. If night-to-dawn clubbing is your thing, then Chacras de Coria is the place to be. Feeling lucky? The Regency and Provincial casinos will take care of that.
