An incredible journey across Argentina – A Blog by Rakesh & Matthew
Have you considered Argentina for an incentive?
We recently travelled to Argentina exploring the possibilities of this wonderful country for a group incentive. Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, bordered by Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast. The country’s geography is incredibly varied, ranging from the Andes Mountains in the west to the vast Pampas plains in the centre and the diverse Patagonian region in the south. Argentina boasts a range of breathtaking natural wonders. The Andes Mountains offer stunning landscapes, including the highest peak in the Americas, Aconcagua. The southern region of Patagonia is known for its glaciers, like the famous Perito Moreno Glacier and dramatic landscapes.
Iguazu Falls, located on the border with Brazil, are some of the most impressive waterfalls in the world. Argentina has a rich cultural heritage influenced by various immigrant groups, including Spanish, Italian, and indigenous populations.
Argentine cuisine is heavily influenced by its agricultural heritage. Asados or barbecues are a central part of the culinary culture, with high-quality beef and various cuts of meat being grilled to perfection. Empanadas, pastries filled with a variety of ingredients, are another popular dish. The country is also renowned for its wine production, especially in Mendoza.
Buenos Aires is accessible from the UK on direct flights from London Heathrow or connecting through various European cities and offers delegates the possibility of travelling on overnight flights landing in Buenos Aires the next day. Argentina is only 4 hours behind the UK meaning that your delegates can start an incentive program on the day of arrival.
Buenos Aires
Arriving in Buenos Aires is a simple 30-minute transfer to downtown hotels. Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, situated on the eastern coast of the country along the Río de la Plata. It is a city rich in history, culture, and diversity, and stands out as one of the premier destinations in South America. Buenos Aires is often referred to as the European capital city of South America. The architecture of Buenos Aires is diverse and reflects its multicultural history. Styles range from neoclassical to art nouveau and modernism. From our downtown hotel we joined a private walking tour of Buenos Aires and explored the iconic neighbourhoods La Recoleta, home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery where historical figures like Eva Perón rest.
There is an obvious influence from European, Italian and French immigrants. Buenos Aires has a great selection of international hotels and several locally owned properties that offer a wealth of choice for Meetings and Incentives. Some of these include Four Seasons, Hilton, Park Hyatt and local hotels like the famous La Faena and Alvear properties to name a few.
La Boca
Outside of the city centre, La Boca, a working-class area near the Riachuelo River is a wonderful place to explore or host an event. El Caminito is a pedestrianised area renowned for its vibrant coloured houses, art scene and cultural charm. The colourful houses originated from the locals painting their homes with left over paint. The street is a hub of artistic expression, with street performers, musicians, and tango dancers entertaining visitors. Art galleries and craft shops offer a diverse range of local artwork and crafts, from paintings to sculptures and authentic tango experiences. La Boca offers some amazing options for authentic lunch and dinner venues. A great option for a group lunch in La Boca is Gran Paraiso. This authentic parillada (BBQ) is a colourful courtyard with indoor and outdoor options. This restaurant offers the possibility of smaller privatised areas or use of the courtyard and reflects the surrounding area with colourful building facades surrounding the courtyard and authentic live BBQ allowing delegates to see how this is cooked. This venue can host groups of up to around 200 people and is best used as a lunch venue so that delegates are able to enjoy the surrounding areas.
Dinner Experiences in Buenos Aires
El Fogon Asada is a fantastic dinner experience for delegates in groups of up to 30 people. This is not just a dinner, but it is an educational and interactive cooking experience with an exquisite wine pairing. Dinner is set up at a sitting bar which surrounds the cooking area, live grill and BBQ and each side of the bar has its own staff who serve the delegates and explains the cooking techniques and wine pairings throughout the 7-course tasting menu. Delegates will also get to create their own Chimichurri sauce to be served with their main course. This is a cozy evening around the BBQ kitchen with great interaction with local waiters and staff who interact with delegates and offer great information on how food is traditionally cooked.
Argentina as a twin centre destination.
This destination has so much more to offer than just a city incentive and by adding an additional destination in Argentina, it is a great way for your delegates to experience Argentina. Logistically flying is necessary when adding a second destination. For domestic flights Buenos Aires has a very central domestic airport that is no more than 15 minutes away from most hotels. This is a conveniently located airport to move delegates to a second destination without long transfer times or the complication of large airports. Some key options for a second destination are Mendoza – the wine region, El Calafate – the city in Patagonia to explore the famous glaciers and Iguazu Falls – one of the seven wonders of the world on the border of Argentina and Brazil.
El Calafate
“Patagonia” is a region located at the southern end of South America, encompassing parts of both Argentina and Chile. The name “Patagonia” is derived from the word “patagón,” which was used by early European explorers to describe the native people they encountered in the area. The region is known for its vast and diverse landscapes, including rugged mountains, expansive grasslands, glaciers, and fjords. It’s a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and travellers seeking to experience its natural beauty and unique wildlife.
El Calafate is a breathtaking destination where delegates will get a once in a lifetime experience seeing active glaciers within close proximity and having the chance to walk over through parts of the glacier. El Calafate is a small town on the shores of Lago Argentino and has several hotels overlooking the lake. In the winter the lake partly freezes, and you can walk or skate on it.
Dinning at Le Volpi Bistro, Puertas Adentro
This cozy town has ample options for restaurants. For smaller groups there is Le Volpi Bistro, Puertas Adentro. This is a wonderful option for groups of up to 20 people where you will experience and get the opportunity to dine in someone’s house. Walter and Nadia, a husband-and-wife team started this concept in 2020. Walter, an experienced chef who had worked in large hotels and restaurants and Nadia with a passion for baking, presented an amazing 5-course tasting menu with each course paired with an Argentinian wine. Walter and Nadia explained each course, the pairing and the origins of the produce used. Dinning here made us felt welcome into their home and we had a great evening. We left feeling like we made new friends.
El Perito Moreno Glacier
Experiencing a glacier that close is truly a remarkable experience. This is a full day activity. Delegates will be picked up at 7am and transferred to the boat. The transfer time is around 2 hours, but the passing scenery of lakes, snow and mountains makes the transfer seem much shorter that what it is. This scenery is just the start of an amazing day.
Delegates will be transferred on a short boat ride where you will get to see the glacier from the lake. Once you reach the shore you are met by the local guides. This activity is not physically challenging and is suitable for most ages and fitness types. All delegates will be fitted with Ice Cleats over their shoes and then they will be guided across a section of the glacier. The glacier changes constantly and with the seasons. Walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier is an awe-inspiring experience that allows visitors to get up close and personal with this magnificent natural wonder. The walk across the glaciers is finished off with a whisky on the rocks. This experience can be personalised and enhanced with educational or conservational information and some personal touches that will make this more memorable. This is an experience that will create a lasting effect with your delegates.
Dinner in a Cave. Nativo Experience
The Nativo Experience tour is a medium-duration activity in which you get pick up in 4×4 vehicles and travel along the coast of the Argentinian Lake within the ‘Estancia 25 de Mayo’ Nature Reserve. It is ideal for the day of arrival or departure from El Calafate. The excursion offers an anthropological and historical approach to the passage of man through the land, rediscovering the experiences of the first expeditions that ventured into the unknown through the Santa Cruz River and Argentinian Lake.
Nativo Experience focuses on the history of the first contacts of explorers with the Tehuelche (native indigenous people of the area), crossing cliffs and views of the Argentinian Lake and the Andes Mountains. After being picked up from your hotel in El Calafate in 4×4 vehicles, you will head towards the ‘Estancia 25 de Mayo’ where you will make your first stop on the shores of the lake. There, the native flora, and fauna will be interpreted and an explanation on glaciology and geology will be given.
The second stop will be at the cliffs in front of the lake from where you will have magnificent views of the surroundings and the Andes Mountains.
Finally, at the third stop, we will visit the archaeological zone where the caves are located. There you will be able to appreciate rock art through paintings in the caves on the shores of the lake, where thousands of years ago the Tehuelche culture left its marks that we can interpret. It’s there, inside the cave, you will have dinner enjoying a unique experience in a totally natural environment that will transport you to those remote years of the first explorers.
Mendoza, the wine growing region of Argentina.
Mendoza is a picturesque province located in western Argentina, known for its stunning natural beauty, wine production, and outdoor activities is a short 1.45-hour flight away from Buenos Aires.
Mendoza is situated at the foothills of the Andes Mountains, with a breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The province is characterized by its arid climate, which is ideal for grape cultivation and wine production. The region’s landscapes range from expansive vineyards and olive groves to rugged mountains and desert-like terrain.
Mendoza is internationally acclaimed for its wine production, particularly Malbec. The province boasts numerous vineyards and wineries, offering visitors the chance to explore wine cellars, participate in tastings, and learn about the winemaking process. The Wine Route, “Ruta del Vino,” takes travellers through the heart of Mendoza’s wine region, showcasing both the natural beauty and the viticultural heritage of the area.
Mendoza offers a wealth of accommodation types with larger international hotels or small boutique properties located in the wineries.
Entre Cielos Hotel, Mendoza
Entre Cielos is a 24-room luxury boutique hotel set against the majestic backdrop of the snowcapped Andes Mountains and nearly a dozen acres of Malbec Vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina. The hotel offers contemporary design, timeless furniture, art exhibitions and customized guest experiences tailored to personal wishes and the area’s first true Hamam. This stunning property offers a variety of accommodation with most rooms based in the main hotel and several free-standing lodges in the vineyards, all offering the same level of luxury. This stunning property is perfect for smaller incentive group.
For a larger group Park Hyatt Mendoza is a perfect option.
Casa Vigil ‘El Enemigo’
El Enemigo was awarded best winery 2020 and is a wonderful delegate experience. This winery is and restaurant was founded by renowned Argentinian winemaker Alejandro Vigil. The winery is often associated with the “El Enemigo” brand of wines, which Alejandro Vigil co-founded with Adrianna Catena. Casa Vigil is in the Mendoza wine region of Argentina. The establishment includes both a winery and a restaurant, creating a unique and immersive experience for visitors. It is known for its focus on producing high-quality wines that reflect the local region and the innovative winemaking philosophy.
This venue offers delegate a tour of the winery and an understanding of the history. The restaurant at Casa Vigil is known for its culinary excellence, offering a gastronomic journey that complements the wines produced on-site. The restaurant experience combines wine, food, and ambiance, creating a well-rounded sensory experience for visitors. The venue offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces that can be privatised for an unforgettable seven course dinner which is paired with a variety of wines from the estate. The variety of options on the property allow privatised options even for smaller groups.
Salentein Winery, Uco Valley
Around one hour drive from Mendoza is Uco Valley, another famous wine region. Salentein Winery is dedicated to producing premium wines that showcase the unique characteristics of the Uco Valley. The winery cultivates a variety of grape types, including Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and more. One of the standout features of Salentein Winery is its remarkable architecture. The winery is designed to resemble a cross, with each arm of the cross serving a specific purpose, including wine production, aging cellars, and visitor spaces. The combination of modern design and traditional materials creates a captivating aesthetic.
The restaurant area can accommodate large groups and offers panoramic views of the Andes Mountains. A four-course lunch is served with a wine pairing while overlooking the winery and the beautiful Andes Mountains.
The wine production is done in a building behind the restaurant and is available for tours. This impressive building is called the cathedral. When you enter the building, you get spectacular views of the wine storage. This area can be used to create a special moment for delegates. Using the perfect acoustics this space features a piano and you can create a truly unforgettable experience.
