Mendoza

Mendoza is the capital of the Argentine province of the same name and one of the cities known around the world as a wine capital: most winery and mountain trips start there. Across the Andes lies Santiago.

The 1861 earthquake destroyed the colonial town, and the current city was laid out again around Independencia Square, with four smaller squares around it. Its streets have irrigation channels that water the trees, and to the west lies General San Martín Park, with the Cerro de la Gloria and the Frank Romero Day Greek Theater, where the main event of the National Grape Harvest Festival takes place.

The crossing into Chile is the Los Libertadores International Pass, the main route between Mendoza and the Valparaíso region, with the 3-kilometer Cristo Redentor tunnel at 3,185 meters. It is often closed by snow in winter, so check its status before you travel.