Help me plan my Argentina trip

[MidTexHorn]

The posts on here and a recent conversation with a new acquaintance who is a big fan of Argentina have convinced me that I need to take my wife soon (probably won't be for another year or two as we've got all of our travels for this year booked up). What would the local experts recommend for a one week trip down there?

Just a little background to give you a feel for us and our travel tastes. We are 40 years old, not very experienced at international travel (Mexico, Canada and UK are it so far), enjoy experiencing life with the locals more than doing typically touristy things, but also enjoy nice lodging, good food, etc. We tend to enjoy the mountains and countryside more than the beach and cities, although we do enjoy experiencing new cities. Our idea of a fun night would usually involve a great slow dinner with good wine or beer, followed up with live music or just hanging out at a cool bar/cafe for drinks. Not really into dancing/clubs. Budget isn't a huge concern but we're not independently wealthy either, so we're always looking to get the most bang for our buck.

So, any of you amateur travel agents want to help me put together a 6-7 night first timer's trip to Argentina? What time of year should we go? I assume we'd want to spend a couple days in BA and then maybe go to the Patagonia region, but if there's a better use of our time I'd love to hear it. Thanks

 

[TXHookem]

The two times we've been, it was May - the weather was really nice - cool and crisp but sunny. Of course, that's Buenos Aires... in Bariloche, it was rainy and cold.

For 6-7 days, I don't know that I would wander too far from BA. Maybe go see an estancia within an hour or two or head to Colonia in Uruguay. Otherwise, enjoy BA and take it all in.

From a neighborhood standpoint, I would stay in Palermo Soho over the Microcentro or Recoleta. It has more of a neighborhoody feel. We really enjoyed it last time.

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[MidTexHorn]

Thanks for the reply and info. As for hotels, I tend to like smaller hotels, even inns or B&Bs if they're not too B&B-ish, if you know what I mean. I like different, but I also like comfortable, so I wouldn't sacrifice comfort for a cool looking place, but if a place is both then so much the better.

 

[RunTex]

Go buy Time Out Buenos Aires guidebook and read through it for ideas and reviews. It is THE guidebook and very current.
You will find several boutique hotels listed in there, they seem to be popping up left and right.
Hookem is right on, Argentina is a big country and flying around takes good time. Try to spend 4-5 days in BA and either out to Mendoza or Colonia. Uruguay is not very popular these days with the new Pulp plant going up. It is going to pollute the Argentina side of the Rio.