Santiago is quite a road trip but the andes crossing is cool (especially on a motorbike) COlon is nice and natury up north, oh and leave early getting out of the city could take some time!
I'd skip Santiago, not a place a New Yorker would like much. Boring small city. I do like Chile for the seafood after being in BA too long, but I'd head to Vina/Con Con.
Mendoza is definitely worth a trip but worthy of more than just a weekend.
Citygirl: I just applied for a visa and will definitely be heading to Rio for a weekend sometime.
We chose to do Mendoza this weekend. I'm really looking forward to getting out of the city, going wine tasting as we have a home in San Francisco and i miss going to Napa on weekends!
Hopefully we can go riding, white water rafting, and maybe a bit of trekking etc.
Citygirl: I just applied for a visa and will definitely be heading to Rio for a weekend sometime.
We chose to do Mendoza this weekend. I'm really looking forward to getting out of the city, going wine tasting as we have a home in San Francisco and i miss going to Napa on weekends!
Hopefully we can go riding, white water rafting, and maybe a bit of trekking etc.
Go to Uco Valley for the closest feel of Napa in Mendoza.
We did a Trout and Wine tour which was just OK. Tours are weird in Mendoza. Even the best don't allow you to taste the premium wines. I'd hire a car and handpick your wineries for the best experience and a better restaurant than they use for a good lunch.