Cheap Hotels in Million $$ Locations: Lago Traf úl (Patagonia)

Lago Traful, Patagonia/Eddy Ancinas

Lago Traf úl, Patagonia/Eddy Ancinas

Lago Traf úl is one of the forty + lakes that sparkle like sapphires in the lake region of northern Patagonia, but this lake is special.

One small village (Villa Traf úl pop. 500), a dirt road around one side and nothing else but blue, blue water. Stay here a week or a year and fish, hike, explore and gaze at the stars.

Eat with the locals at Nancu Lahuen. Sleep in a campground or the Marinas Puerto Traf úl.

You can arrive by car or bus from Bariloche on the 7 Lakes route via Villa Angostura, or on RP65 from Confluencia.

Tupungato Divino-A Small Hotel in Argentina’s Uco Valley

There’s a small hotel….

Tupungato Divino Hotel in Mendoza, Argentina | Photo: Eddy Ancinas

Tupungato Divino Hotel in Mendoza, Argentina | Photo: Eddy Ancinas

 

High on a slope overlooking the Uco Valley, this may be the closest thing to sleeping in the middle of a vineyard-with all the comfort and conveniences that the owner/architect can provide.

Don’t miss: the under-water view of the wine cellar.

After you’ve toured the nearby bodegas (Atamisque, Andeluna, Altus, Salentein), enjoy lunch under the thatch roof by the pool, or in the cozy wine-bar/restaurant. Fresh ingredients from the garden complement an imaginative array of appetizers-mini-brochettes, quesadillas-main course changes daily, dessert might be fresh srawberries on a cookie, creme brulee or lemon mousse.

There are only two rooms–

-so after a siesta and a stroll in the vineyards, you’ll find bread, cold cuts and cheeses delivered on a tray to your room–and a fire in the fireplace.

Nearest town: Tupungato (10 minutes) 1 hr south of Mendoza

Closed Tuesdays http://www.tupungatodivino.com.ar/

Nearby Wineries

Cheap Hotels in Million $$ Locations: Lago Guitierrez, Patagonia

Hostaria El Retorno, Lago Guitierrez/Eddy Ancinas

Hostaria El Retorno, Lago Guitierrez/Eddy Ancinas

Just 20 minutes west of Bariloche, the Hostaria El Retorno looks across the lawn and through the wood to lovely Lago Gutierrez, where kayaks are available, and mountain bikes can take you around the lake or UP UP to the ski area at Catedral. A better option is DOWN from the parking lot through forests of coiyhue trees right to the beach. This is also the back road from the ski area in winter.

Arelauken golf resort is not far. and Cassis restaurant is one of the finest in the area.

Closed May.