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When most people think of Argentina, they immediately think of Buenos Aires. Although BA is an amazing city, Mendoza has a lot to offer especially for the couples looking for some affordable romance. Between the wine, the steak, and the affordable prices, there is so much romance in Mendoza. Even the route to Mendoza from Santiago is romantic. It is the perfect destination for those seeking luxury and love on a reasonable budget for the following 5 reasons:
1. The wine is plentiful
Mendoza is the land of Malbec wine. It’s known in Argentina and around the world solely for  Malbec wine. Argentina is the world’s 5th largest producer of wine and most of it is made right in Mendoza. One winery, in particular, produces 10 million liters of wine per year. If slow walks through grapevines sipping complex wine scream romance to you, then you’ll be right at home. There are over 1,500 different wineries in the region that you can tour and taste.
Of course, there are plenty of options for a minibus tour, we decided to bike through 5 wineries. Â Maipu is an area completely dominated by wineries close enough to bike around. We were able to hire bikes at 11 am and visit 4 wineries (meaning 4 tastings) before 5 pm. Although we spent a month in Argentina, this was by far my favorite day.
2. It’s not overrun with tourists- yet
Because Mendoza is rarely talked about it’s underrated. That means there are not a ton of tourists. It’s hard to find people outside of the hotels that speak English. This gives you the most authentic experience in Argentinian culture and wine culture. We stayed for 6 nights and never needed to make a reservation. Our hostel offered to call ahead at Don Mario but as soon as we got there, we realized that was completely unnecessary. It was a white-tablecloth service restaurant specializing in grilled meats. Throughout our 6 days, there were no lines or wait times at any wineries or restaurants. This is very important for a lot of major tourist attractions draw huge crowds. Mendoza is perfect for this reason alone.
3. Fine dining steakhouses for affordable prices
Speaking of restaurants, we enjoyed top steaks for a fraction of the cost. At Don Mario, we ordered a full steak dinner for 2 people and only paid 26USD that would’ve costs upwards of $150 USD in Atlanta. Our favorite restaurant was Sancho where we devoured two 10 oz filet mignons with two sides and a small bottle of Malbec for $30 USD. While there are some very expensive restaurants in Mendoza, it is utterly unnecessary because delicious steaks are so affordable. Argentina is known for its steak and Mendoza is no exception. The steak is deliciously prepared to perfection over a charcoal grill. We loved Sancho so much that we went back twice! While there are some very expensive restaurants in Mendoza, it is utterly unnecessary because delicious steaks are so affordable. The most expensive bottle of wine we purchased was $40 USD although most averaged $12 USD, There’s nothing like an inexpensive romantic date night!
4. Beautiful weather
The climate in Mendoza is ideal for visiting any time of the year. While it does it relatively cold in winter, it rarely rains. The rainiest month is February with only 4 days in 2019! It only rains in Mendoza for about 30 days per year totaling 7.5 inches of rain for the entire year. ‘So you can explore the wineries at any time regardless of your anniversary or honeymoon dates. The outdoors are enjoyable all year.
Added bonus: Our guide at Trapiche Bodega told us that the wineries get their water from the Andes Mountains so the wine is consistently delicious every year.
5. Luxury and Budget Accommodations
Whether you are looking for 5-star luxury or luxury for less or budget accommodations, there is something for everyone. We spent 3 nights in this hostel located right in the city center near all of the restaurants. The hostel even offered a parrilla for less than $15 per person complete with 6 courses of meats and vegetables. Mariana cooked the best meats of the entire trip. Everyone in the hostel participated. Her parrilla is famous on Hostelworld. Conversely, we also stayed 3 nights in the Sheraton Hotel for a more relaxing experience. For even more relaxation and luxury, I would suggest staying at a boutique hotel right on a winery. Can you imagine all the wine at your fingertips and the views over the vines? We hear really good things about Villa Mansa outside of the city center.
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