Three full days in Mendoza with an alternative itinerary
The non-traditional tour of a Brazilian influencer couple who arrived for the Grape Harvest Festival and combined gastronomy with adventure tourism, among other enjoyments.
Brazilian influencers Gabriel Bruno @gabrielbruno and Michele Crispim @crispimichele traveled to Mendoza during the Grape Harvest Festival with a plan that included top-tier restaurants and grills, kayaking and rafting in Potrerillos, a winery in Maipú, and relaxation at the Cacheuta Thermal Baths.
What to do in three days in Mendoza
Day 1: Arrival and Grape Harvest Festival
Gaba and Michele arrived at El Plumerillo airport on a Sunday at noon and, after leaving their luggage at the hotel, had lunch at La Cabrera. After leaving the restaurant, they strolled for a couple of hours around the city. In the late afternoon, they headed to the Frank Romero Day Greek theater to attend the main show of the Grape Harvest Festival.
Day 2: Adventure in Potrerillos
On the second day, they started very early. By 9:30 AM, they were already in Potrerillos (about 70 kilometers away), ready to go kayaking on the dam and rafting on the Mendoza River. Later, to regain energy, they had lunch at the mountain restaurant La Escondida. Back in Mendoza city, they had dinner at Auténtico.
Day 3: Relaxation in Cacheuta and dinner in Maipú
The final day was spent in Cacheuta (40 kilometers from the capital), with a full day at the thermal baths in a spa hotel, and in Maipú (about 20 minutes from the capital), where they had dinner at Casa Vigil Bodega. They stayed overnight at a boutique hotel in Chacras de Coria to rest before their flight back the next morning.
When the Grape Harvest Festival is celebrated
The National Grape Harvest Festival has been celebrated annually in Mendoza since 1936, in early March. The main event attended by Gaba and Michele takes place in the Greek amphitheater during the first weekend, involving hundreds of actors, musicians, and dancers.
The celebration also includes the Blessing of the Fruits and the Queens' White Way (a nocturnal parade). Additionally, the Carousel is held, a three-hour daytime parade where products are given to the spectators in the city's central streets.
How to visit a winery in Mendoza
Gaba and Michel's roadmap included a visit to Casa Vigil Bodega, a family business in Chachingo, a Maipú icon that invites guests to experience the charm of wine and gastronomy. Mendoza produces 70 percent of Argentine wine, has over 200 wineries open to tourism, and is globally recognized for its Malbec.
Tourist experiences include tastings, multi-course menus, picnics, sunsets, pruning contests, blend games, helicopter rides, bike tours, and horseback riding.
What is the best season to travel to Mendoza
Although Gaba and Michelle's visit coincided with the Grape Harvest Festival, their travel plan can be replicated at any time of the year. The itinerary is adaptable for couples, friends, or families. From award-winning wineries to rafting, trekking, and skiing, every corner of Mendoza offers something different. It's all about enjoying!