Today we had a private tour of wine and food. We visited a very old winery called Bodega Benegas which use to produce bulk wines and is now into the classic style with small production and $$$ for AG. Very beautiful and very excellent wines with private tasting. We would have liked to ship their meritage, but the shipment alone was $300 US because you have taxes and license and fed ex. On to a winery established in 2003--very cool and very modern and the only one we can recall tasting in the US--Melipal. We have had several of their wines which are reasonable and tasty. Then, we had a cooking class (just us) on a lake w/ willows and outdoor BBQ
Stan learned to dice veges and Jean learned how to make empanadas and they put us to work. Lucas, the chef, is very savvy. He is from a wealthy family from Mendoza, studied at Hyde Park CIA and now owns 5 restaurants here and has multiple contracts w/wineries for catering. Because of Jean, we learned how to BBQ salmon and veges, vege empanadas, and he tossed the panne cottta and gave us some elegant fruit instead. Had wine throughout the experience. Learned a lot. A very popular BBQ is constructed of an old plow disc on which they put legs. It is salted and oiled w/ each use, then wiped clean. Delicious! Went into the town of Mendoza and explored the shops; every shop, no matter the product, also sells wine. Leather shops feature the finest wines!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.