Mendoza is located 1,037 km (650 miles)and just two hours away by plane from Buenos Aires. Even though the city was founded in 1561, it shows very few remains of its original buildings since they were swept away by a fierce earthquake. San Francisco Church is one of the few vestiges of its colonial architecture. The city was promptly rebuilt to its present modern outlook with tree-lined streets skirted by irrigation ditches, numerous squares and parks. The downtown area is characterized by its intense commercial activity, with many shops, sidewalk cafes and restaurants. The 420 hectares (990 acres) of General San Martin Park boasts over 700 tree species, 110 species of authochtonous and exotic animals. It also has a large lake and wide green spaces perfect for outdoor sports. The zoo and a monument to General San Martín are located on a low hill called Cerro de la Gloria.

The outskirts of Mendoza, with its narrow tree-lined streets, vineyards, huge villas, small adobe houses and wineries, turn the city into the nicest one in Argentina. The Sanctuary called El Challao, located at the foothill of Las Lajas Range, 8 km (5 miles) north from the city, is a cave dedicated to the Virgin of Lourdes that welcomes numerous pilgrimages. Another religious center, 10 km (6 miles) from Mendoza, is the church of the Virgin of La Carrodilla, patron of the vineyards, where the Holy Week celebrations are held every year. There is also an Aborigine Museum of sculptures where relics from the XIV and the XIX centuries are exhibited. Another interesting place, 14 km (9 miles) from Mendoza, is Chacras de Coria, a beautiful summer resort surrounded by great views of the attractive Andes Range. Abundant vegetation and healthy microclimate make it the place perfect for resting and relaxing.

Viticulture is more than just an economic activity in this region. It is deeply-rooted in its history. The cultivation of the extensive vineyards is possible because of the widespread network of irrigation channels laid in pre-Colombian times and extended during the colonial era. The area is blessed with a perfect combination of sandy soil, abundant water, dry weather and year-round sunshine which makes the region most apt for extensive wine production. Wine production was introduced in the region by the Jesuit priests that planted the first vines in the XVI century, but production really took off in the mid-1800s with the arrival of Italian and French immigrants who brought along their advanced technology. Nowadays, the local wines are positioned among the best wines in the world. In the outskirts of the city there are several wineries that can be visited.

The Vintage is the most important popular festival in all the province. It consists of a series of cultural and artistic activities to celebrates the end of a working year in the vineyards. The festival takes place on the first weekend of March, but the celebration really starts in mid-January with different folkloric and contemporary festivals that feature typical meals, music, sports and gaucho skills demonstrations. Each department of the province chooses a representative to participate in the Central Festival to compete for the crown of the National Queen of the Vintage. Parades of carts, colonial carriages, old cars, loaded mules, gauchos on horseback, actors and musicians provide additional color to the festival. The Vintage ends with an exhibition of fireworks at the foot of the Cerro de la Gloria.

Westward from Mendoza, two routes lead to Uspallata. One of them climbs through an unbelievable beautiful landscape across several mineral water springs. The best known of all of them is Villavicencio from which an aqueduct carries the water to the processing plant in Mendoza. Going on to Uspallata, the route enters the so called Caracoles de Villavicencio, a particularly winding gravel road, with 365 curves, that offers marvelous views at each bend.

The other way to Uspallata is the National Route 7. The road goes through the hot spring resort Cacheuta. Apart from the thermal baths, the place is ideal for a number of activities including horseback riding, trekking, rafting in the Mendoza River rapids and mountain biking. Important archaeological and paleontological relics found in the area provide an additional interest. From there, a 40-kilometer unpaved mountain road, tortuous but most rewarding because of its wonderful views, leads to the Valle de Potrerillos. The village is a kind of oasis chosen by many mendocinos (inhabitants of Mendoza) as the perfect place to have their summer residences. Further up the road, one reaches the modest ski resort of Vallecitos (open July thru September). Back to the international route, you will finally reach Uspallata enjoying the excellent views of the Mendoza River and the imposing viaducts of the abandoned Trans-Andean Railway.

Going on towards the mountains, the road leads to Los Penitentes ski resort. Its name, "The Penitents", is derived from nearby naturally carved sculptures that resemble a beautiful cathedral with a group of monks praying at its front. This winter resort is located at 2,580 meters (8,590 feet) above sea level, thus offering abundant and dry snow for about 17 weeks a year. It also offers good facilities: several hotels, power plant, 17 kilometers (11 miles) of ski slopes for different difficulty levels, ski school, and ski lifts.

The next highlight is Puente del Inca (Inca's Bridge), located 186 km (116 miles) from Mendoza. It is a natural bridge painted by the sulfurous waters of the Mendoza River and was part of the Inca's Trail used by the caravans that traveled to Peru in pre-Columbian times. From the bridge, the Andean giants of Mount Aconcagua and Mount Tupungato can be admired.

A few kilometers away you reach the Horcones Gorge, the main gateway to the Aconcagua Provincial Park. Created in 1983, this is one of the starting points of many expeditions to climb Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the American continent at 6,969 meters (23,210 feet) above sea level.

Ever since the German expeditionary Paul Gustfeld reported the true measurements in 1883, countless expeditions attempted to conquer its summit. In the end, it was the Swiss Mathias Zubringgen who first set foot on the summit in 1897. Since then several ways up to the summit have been explored. Many of those are highly demanding while others are more accessible to amateur mountain lovers. The region boasts some other monumental massifs including Mount Mercedario (6,770 m/22,544 ft.), located some 60 km (37 miles) north from Mount Aconcagua. Besides its beautiful scenery, the area offers the highest average of sunny days in the country and a remarkable pure air protected by its difficult accessibility and its situation far from the massive tourism circuits. All of them good reasons to choose the area as the ideal setting for climbing, trekking and horseback riding expeditions.

Going on westbound along Route 7, one reaches the small hamlet of Las Cuevas, the last Argentinean village before Chili. Here there is little to see except a Puesto de Gendarmería (Frontier Police Station). Continuing one, a mountain road leads to the Cristo Redentor (Christ The Redeemer), a large commemorative monument erected there as a guardian of the peaceful relations between Argentina and Chile. The road is usually closed in winter. Continuing along the main road, there is a tunnel that crosses the border into Chile. Santiago de Chile is 169 km (105 miles) away.

Southward from Mendoza, there are several beautiful intermountain valleys. One of them is the Tupungato Valley, in the center-west of Mendoza province. Its scenic deep gorges mingling with numerous rivers and several , crowned by the impressive silhouette of Mount Tupungato (6,800 m/22,645 above sea level) create an ideal vision of Argentina.

Leaving Mendoza along National Route 40, it is possible to see on the right the Cordón de Plata (Sliver Range). 80 kilometers (50 miles) ahead, the nice town of Tunuyán is located at the center of the Uco Valley. It is a region mostly dedicated to cattle breeding and agriculture. There are extended plantations of apples, pears, plums, apricots, cherries, quince fruit, as well as aromatic herbs such as mint and marjoram. There are also oil fields in the region. But the main economic activity of the Uco Valley is the wine production. The valley is ideal for grape and fine wine production, at a height superior to 1,.000 meters above the sea level, framed by the fascinating backdrop of the high peaks. Additionally, an Historic Apple Tree graces the town. The site was important during San Martin's campaigns for independence for being the starting point of the horseback riding expeditions across the Andes.

From Pareditas one can take a southwards detour to the incredibly beautiful Diamante Lagoon which lies in the mid of a mountain-enclosed prairie. The lagoon, plentiful of trout, is probably of volcanic origin, produced by the accumulation of large quantities of lava and volcanic cinder, in the southern extreme of the lake. It is the perfect place for game fishing, fauna spotting, mountain biking, horseback riding, trekking and climbing.

The city of San Rafael, the second most important city in the province, is located on the Diamante River, who's source is the above-mentioned lagoon. The city concentrates on wineries and fruit processing plants. San Rafael is where the Argentina Pentathlon is held annually during the first fortnight of February. It consists on 5 sport disciplines in the area of the Atuel River Canyon. The winding and narrow entrance route follows the river course, surrounded by bizarre rock formations that represent friars, sculptures, castles, fists, mummies and lions' heads.

In the place called the Indian Cave, located near the river, an interesting archaeological site has been discovered: a set of rupestrian paintings belonging to ancient XVI and XVII century aborigine cultures, as well as some remains of prehistoric animals. In the area know as Rincón del Atuel some weird buildings especially designed for hunting have also been found.

Leaving San Rafael behind, National Route 40 follows along the pleasant scenery of the Cuesta de los Terneros (The Calves' Slope). The name is due to the excellent quality of its pastures. Going on south-westwards, the road enters a mountain region, passes by the Diamante Salt Pits, and finally reaches the small town of El Sosneado. The area is featured by the pristine wild nature which makes it the perfect setting for assorted outdoor activities such as long hikes and visits to the Laguna Blanca del Sosneado (Sosneado's White Lagoon). The crystal clear waters of this lagoon are crowded by a most diverse bird fauna (ducks, flamingoes, macaes, swans and back necked swans, among others). Several paths that start nearby lead to the Sosneado's campsites, basis for the climbing expeditions to the mountains.

Continuing southbound from El Sosneado, along Route 40, you reach the Las Leñas Ski Resort. This is very close to the Valle de los Molles (Los Molles Valley) where the Lahuen-co Hot Springs are located. Only 6 km afterwards and just a few meters away from the route, it is possible to observe the strange formations known as Pozo de las Animas (Wraiths' Pit). These are two large ditches with vertical walls that host two unreachable black lagoons. It is believed that these pits were caused by the movement of underground waters. 7 km (4 miles) to the north of Los Molles, the emerald green mirror-like Laguna de la Niña Encantada (Enchanted Girl Lagoon) lies surrounded by mountains which reflect in the water surface and thus creating a magical aura. Her bed is probably an old volcanic crater.

The road goes on towards the Las Leñas Valley, where the most modern ski resort in the country is located 2,250 meter (7,490 feet) above sea level in the mid of the abrupt and arid Andean scenery. The road leads then to Valle Hermoso (Beautiful Valley) submersed in the Andean Cordillera. At the foothill there are two amazingly beautiful lagoons, plentiful of large trout and salmons. It is also possible to observe some 'guanacos', 'ñandúes' (rheas) and assorted small species such as rabbits, 'vizcachas' and 'Martín Pescadores' (kingfishers -species of heron-) which contribute to the wonder of the landscape.

The city of Malargüe is located further south, 188 km (118 miles) from San Rafael, along Route 40. Considered the Mecca for every adventurous traveler visiting Argentina because of its proximity natural wonders such as Llancanelo Lagoon which is one of the 15 most important lagoon ecosystems in the world. It hosts a great flamingo colony and is one of the main centers of bird breeding in Argentina. It also boasts over 130 permanent and migratory bird species including black-necked swans, ducks, and herons. For those that rather like more off-the-beaten-track adventures, the so-called Caverna de las Brujas (Witches' Cave) can be the perfect destination. It is located 72 km (45 miles) away from Malargüe and has been only partially explored. It dates back to the Jurassic Period, thus entering it -descending some 350 meters (1,165 feet) under the careful surveillance of the expert local guides- is a trip back in time, passing by a series of galleries and tunnels covered by stalactites, stalagmites and strata that show different colors as the mineral constitution of the rock varies. The walls of the cave exhibit marine fossil relics, such as ammonites and mussels; both reminders of Jurassic Period when this part of continent lay beneath the ocean depths.