Looking Around Mendoza
Mendoza is a beautiful small city. Streets are tree-lined. Wide sidewalks. Many beautiful parks. A slower, peaceful pace of life.
The center is dominated by the large Plaza Independencia on the left. Note the tree covered streets. Shade everywhere.
The Plaza Independencia starts here on the left. More about it in the Parks section. To the right is the prestigious Plaza Hotel, built in the 1920s. It has been restored as a Park Hyatt Hotel.
The city is filled with beautiful, architecturally historic buildings. This, an old bank.
There is also much new development. The city has many modern, world-class condominium and apartment buildings.
One remarkable item I remembered from our trip here 34 years ago is the deep drainage canals at the side of most streets. These have rushing stream water flowing through them to carry away any debris that might fall. Many of these canals are stone lined like this one.
Mendoza has several modern shopping malls. These look just like any you might find in California. Excellent shopping at reasonable rates.
Also, there are the many shops you can find along the sidewalks of the city center. This is a wine shop that offers tasting of any of their many wines. Actually, a fun way to start your late morning shopping...
A typical gaucho shop selling hand made clothing and gear.
A lazy afternoon look at a typical sidewalk. These sidewalk restaurants take on an entire new, lively look after dark.
The evening diners fill the restaurants and create a noisy buzz of laughter and music in the air. Open until late.
Our hotel was the marvelous Diplomatic Hotel. A five star, it has a French chief who produces the finest food we had on our entire trip. This provided an easy change from the hearty meat and fish meals on the sidewalks.
Also, next door to our hotel is this fabulous bakery. Their merangue cakes are superb! Check them out on the far left of the display case.