Northern Argentina: Deserts, Romance and Wine

Your romantic Argentine adventure begins in beautiful Buenos Aires, where a private driver whisks you to the stylish Palo Santo hotel in Palermo. After resting for a spell, it’s time to meet the Paris of South America on a guided Buenos Aires architecture tour. Stroll jacaranda-lined streets as a guide walks you through the city’s diverse design, from Recoleta and Retiro’s Belle Epoque beauties to grand monuments like the Buenos Aires Cathedral.  

From tango to theater, the performing arts are one of Buenos Aires’ greatest cultural treasures and today gives you a peek behind the curtain. First, the majestic Teatro Colon opens its stage door for an insider tour of this world-renowned opera house. Unwind over cortados or city strolls in the afternoon, then it’s time to tango. Dress to impress for a gala evening at a lovely 19th-century palace, where instructors teach tango on a flower-strewn terrace. 

Fly north to Salta to begin your journey through northern Argentina wine country. The drive to Cafayate takes you through the spectacular Quebrada de las Conchas, a red-rock canyon resembling a piece of Mars on Earth. At La Yesera, pause for a quick hike to take in the region’s full surrealist splendor. In Cafayate, reward yourself with lunch and a glass of wine before checking in at Patios de Cafayate, an intimate estate tucked away on a working vineyard. 

Come morning, drive out of Cafayate and into deep history as you explore Quilmes, an ancient archaeological site left behind by a pre-Incan civilization. Follow trails through the stone walls, learning about the Quilmes people’s fierce resistance to Incan and Spanish rule. Back in Cafayate, a visit to the Vine and Wine Museum reveals the fascinating process of high-altitude winemaking wine. Then, lunch at a local bodega leads to an afternoon of leisure together at the hotel. 

Sleep in late or linger over morning coffee for a slow, relaxed start to the day. Then, enter a world of Andean artisans at a local ceramics studio, where artists reveal how they keep timeless pottery traditions alive through their work. In the afternoon, a private driver chauffeurs you around boutique wineries for wine tasting and a decadent farm-to-table lunch. Afterward, choose souvenirs together while strolling Cafayate’s handicraft markets. 

Come morning, hit the road heading north through stark desert landscapes and sun-bleached towns. Pass through the jagged white spires of Quebrada de las Flechas and watch vineyards, cattle farms, and sleepy communities scroll by outside. Home to Argentina’s oldest winery, Estancia Colome outside Molinos welcomes you with wine from its high-altitude vineyards and a tour of the grounds. Sharing a bottle on your room’s private terrace, basking in the view, offers a quiet but wonderful end to the day. 

Today, learn how winemaking can thrive in such extreme conditions at the family-run Tacuil winery near Molinos. Roam the rows of vineyards at this heritage estate, whose history goes back five generations, before sampling the efforts of their high-desert viticulture in stunning vintages. A free afternoon back at Colome gives you the chance for quality time together, from basking in dazzling sunshine by the pool to horseback riding out in the desert. 

Drive north to the artisan community of Seclantas, where weavers use outdoor looms to craft wondrous textiles. Watch these masters work their magic on vibrant ponchos and shawls, maybe grabbing a souvenir or two. Then, follow a solitary road into the lofty, cacti-studded heights of Los Cardones National Park. Pause at the Piedra del Molino mill before winding down the twisting contours of the Cuesta del Obispo into the lush Yungas jungle, finally emerging in the city of Salta. 

Wake up on the bucolic House of Jasmines estancia set on the fringes of Salta, where a full day of leisure or adventure stretches ahead. After the full travel day, indulge in spa treatments, or discover the estate on horseback rides, birdwatching hikes, or a thrilling mountain bike ride. Learn new recipes you can recreate at home during cooking classes and cocktail workshops or simply enjoy each other’s company out in the gardens. 

Head into the city on your final day to discover Salta’s charms. Soar in high-flying cable cars to take in the full spectacle, marvel at pastel cathedrals, and people-watch over glasses of Torrontes in the plaza. Or, embark on a day trip out to the vast expanses of the Salinas Grandes, feeling the salty crust crunch under your feet. Back at House of Jasmines, sit down to a celebratory final feast toasting the end of the trip. 

Your time in Argentina wine country has come to a close. Savor a final morning in the high-desert stillness before heading to the airport, full of treasured new memories and hopefully a suitcase of high-altitude wine and Andean handicrafts to relive the magic back at home together.