Argentina and Brazil Honeymoon Adventure

What better way to begin married life than with a trip to Brazil and Argentina? The adventure begins on a soft note, landing in Buenos Aires and being chauffeured to the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt, a grand Belle Époque beauty. The afternoon is yours to enjoy, whether it’s catching up on sleep or setting out to explore. An evening of open-fired fare and silky Malbec, followed by a sultry tango show at Rojo Tango, turns up the romance.

Come morning, get to know the Paris of South America on a guided Buenos Aires city tour that braids history, culture, and design. From La Boca’s rainbow-facades to Recoleta’s Parisian streets, each new district brings new stories. Appetite worked up, pause in a traditional bodegón eatery for a slow, indulgent lunch. But save room for your afternoon wine and cheese tasting, served in the cool cellars of La Vinoteca back at the hotel.  

Fly to the foot of the Andes, landing in Mendoza, the heart of Argentina wine country. Your stay here is truly special: Susana Balbo Winemaker's House, an intimate estate from an esteemed winemaker, crafted with her discerning eye and passion for seamless, soulful hospitality. After a welcome massage, take the afternoon to fully savor the space with spa suite baths or a celebratory glass of wine before a seven-course candlelit feast or venturing into Mendoza for cena.

Your first day in Argentine wine country comes courtesy of Susana Balbo herself. Based on your interests, she and her team send you off to a boutique winery personally picked just for the two of you. Here, the doors of the wine world open for a Private Winemaker Expedition. Learn about the art of winemaking from devoted vintners, sample small-batch blends, and walk hand-in-hand through mountain-backed vineyards. It’s access few outside the industry get to experience, shared joyfully and gladly. 

Set out from Mendoza to the nearby Uco Valley, where patchwork vineyards brush up stretch out before Andean slopes. At Sophenia Winery, step into the shoes of a winemaker as a sommelier leads you through wine blending, helping you craft your own bottle of wine. A gourmet lunch at Diamandes Winery, an estate renowned for its mix of French technique and Argentine terroir, is your reward before turning to the hotel with your own handcrafted wine; a keepsake beyond compare. 

Trade Andean peaks for ethereal forests as you fly to Puerto Iguazu, gateway to some of the world’s most spectacular cascades. A driver takes you from the airport to Awasi Iguazu, a rainforest lodge hidden away among thick foliage. Make yourself at home in your personal villa: listen to the sounds of the rainforest while floating in a forest-backed plunge pool or lounge on the deck, sharing a quiet moment together.  

A guide picks you up in the morning for your Iguazu Falls tour, visiting the famed gorge flanked by 275 cascades. Wander the walkways on the Argentine side, standing high above the torrents on the edge of the precipice or descending into the spray-filled abyss where the roar fills your ears. Then, get even closer via motorboat. Zoom up the Iguazu River to the falls’ foot; it’s a wild and wet ride full of gasps of delight and giant grins. 

It's a day of play, picking excursions that reveal new, overlooked sides of the Atlantic rainforest. Personal guide at the helm, the day is yours to steer, be it birdwatching as the rainforest wakes up, hiking to hidden falls few know about, or being welcomed into a Guarani village. Prefer a do-nothing day? That can be arranged as well; kick back in your hammock, split a bottle of wine, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

Refreshed by the rainforest’s slow rhythms, jump into the fray of Rio. Drive across the border into Brazil and then fly to this always-on city. Staying at the Ipanema-facing Fasano, the action is right outside. A nightlife connoisseur fetches you for an evening at one of the hippest spots in town: Rio Scenarium, an antique-filled multilevel bar that’s the birthplace of samba. Sip on a caipirinha, grab each other's hands, and dance away under swaying chandeliers. 

Bring your appetite for a morning sampling Rio’s multicultural food scene. Led by a fellow foodie, stroll from trying cuts of Amazonian fruits to fried pastries to refreshing cocktails. All the while, your guide points out street art and historic sites. After all that delectable Brazilian food, afternoon is free time. Rest and digest at the hotel, or better yet, do so sunning on Ipanema, one of the most famous beaches in Brazil. 

The day starts heading up into the hills to stand at the feet of the Christ the Redeemer statue, which stands arms outstretched atop Corcovado Mountain. All the city and bay spreads out below for a breathtaking view. Then, wander the artsy streets of Santa Teresa and snap photos at the Selarón Stairs, a kaleidoscopic stairway covered in tiles. Just in time for sunset, soar by cable car to the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain to catch the show. 

No need to set an alarm; luxuriate in a free morning to sleep in, take things slow, or do some sightseeing. In the afternoon, head to the dock where a private sailboat whisks you off for a solo cruise around Guanabara Bay to the Cagarras Islands. Lounge on the deck and sun, jump into the crisp water for a spot of swimming or snorkeling. If hunger strikes, a barbecue lunch can be whipped up on deck. 

Drive from Rio to the beach-rimmed peninsula of Buzios, a glamorous coastal retreat where the jet set play and relaxation reigns. Boasting its own private beach, the chic Insolito Boutique Hotel & Spa is your sanctuary for three days in paradise. Bookend days filled with beach-hopping by boat and swimming in azure waters with seaside happy hours, shopping along Rua das Pedras, and star-speckled nights reminiscing about the trip over romantic meals.

Bid farewell of Buzios and return to Rio for your departure flight. Among your take-home souvenirs from your trip to Brazil and Argentina: handcrafted wine, sun-kissed skin, and honeymoon memories sure to be treasured forever. Time to start planning the return anniversary getaway.