Hello Again Darling,
I would like to present to you a very high level idea of what your celebration could look like with us in either Havana or Argentina.
This is a recommendation, just my take on what would be the best options. We can add, remove, combine, create, etc. This is our travel canvass. Please take a look and tell me what you think!!
First, based on the locations I am recommending the following:
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Havana - 4 Nights: This is a short trip, and the city is easily enjoyed and explored in 4 nights. We can do more, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend less; although we can.
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Buenos Aires :This one is a bit trickier. It is such a long flight (about 15hrs), and not a cheap one either, that going for anything less than 4 nights could feel heavy to handle. I would recommend:
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4 or 5 nights in Buenos nights and
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3 or 2 nights in Mendoza - Since you are down there, why not just try it? It is only an hour flight and the experience is simply marvelous.
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These are my suggestions, best case scenario, You tell me if this possible or not. I will be happy to edit the plan as you wish. But for now, I will show you what this could look like.
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1. HAVANA
Things to Note:
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Estimated for 4 nights/5 days
- Accommodation and Activities for 6 people (If more or less, I would simply need to update numbers)
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We classify activities into two categories: local activities and day trips, This estimate includes 3 local activities, and one day trip.
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We have adapted to the recent changes the US government announced in regards to travel to Cuba. We will provide the context, a lot of content and documents you will need, but now travelers need to be more conscious on tracking and reporting their own trip ( I would provide details)
Accommodations
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Based on your input, I have selected to show you information and photos of a couple of places that could be options depending on your dates.
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Since you want a place with a pool, I am looking at places in Miramar. This is in the newer side of town (West).
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Located about 15 minutes away from Old town, and like 10 min from the center of the city. You would still have restaurants and places to walk to, but the main attractions would be short cab ride away ($15-$20 each way) We can plan those for you, and even include them as part of certain activities so you don't need to worry about it as much.
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I can look at other options that might be more central, they just wont have pools.
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Private House 5 to 6 bdr
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Large houses, with pool, green areas, and large common spaces
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24/7 staff to help you with anything you need.
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You will have privacy, and the entire house just for you.
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Breakfast included
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Once we decide location and dates, I will look for availability in these and similar houses
Possible Itinerary
Day one
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Airport Pick up
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Depending on arrival time, we could do "Once Upon a Time". Walk the streets of Old Habana, the main touristic area of the city. Learn about history, fun facts, and some of best places to explore on your own. Route can be influenced by any particular requests you might have. We can check out some great restaurants and bars after the tour. Transportation and guide (me) provided.
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Havana Nights - I will work with you to find the perfect options for dinners, drinks, shows. We can plan all nights. Some ideas are:
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Drinks at beautiful Rooftops. Dinner in a variety of restaurants (Speakeasy, elegant, live music, etc.)
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Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) - Huge venue with art exhibits, live music, bars, food, concerts, DJ, etc.
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Live Shows, Salsa Clubs, etc.
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Gay Bars/Clubs, Help organizing bottle service, etc.
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Day two
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Classic Riding - 9am to 11am or 4pm to 6 pm. Enjoy the beauty of Habana onboard convertible classic American cars. Late afternoon (or morning), for three hours. This is experience would be led local guides who would show you multiple points of interest, favorites spots, and share with you history and interesting facts of the city. We would need two cars.
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Rest of the day can be to relax by the pool, and also explore other parts of town, or go back to old town. Plenty to do.
Day Three
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Viñales - Countryside Living! (Day Trip) - Approx 8am to 6pm. A Fascinating countryside town two hours from the city with an amazing landscape. We will show you around while horse back riding. See tobacco and coffee plantations, visit a bee/honey farm, learn about local flora and fauna, swim in a lake, etc. Category is countryside extravaganza!
Day Four
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Beach Please - Approx 11am to 5pm. (Recommended for Sunday) A favorite of our clients. Let us take you to one of the most beautiful beaches near Habana. With me as the host, I will help take care of all logistics, order food, and drinks. etc. This is a good all gay time!
Day Five
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Depending on departure times, we would recommend places to visit or things to do during your free time.
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Private shuttle to Airport.
Please note:
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Nights out - I recommend based on your preferences places to go and explore for night live. Live music, bars, etc. (e.g. Tropicana, gay nights, etc.)
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Lunch/Dinners - I provide a list of recommendations for restaurants based on my own and previous guests' experiences. You tell us where you want to go and we will make all reservations for you. I am happy to provide suggestions as well if you are not sure. This is valuable, as places in Havana are a hit or miss.
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Transportation - We can also pre-arrange transportation to restaurants and additional places as you need. You can pay each ride in Cuba, or pre-paid with us so you don't spend your valuable cash in Cuba (remember no ATMs or credit cards).
Some Additional Options for Activities.
Some of these require additional cost (e.g. Day trips)
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Day trips
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to Varadero - Beautiful and famous beach resort town (2 hour drive)
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to Bahia de Cochinos - Eco tourism, national park, alligators, learn about Island native tribes.
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to Soroa - Terrazas - Eco tourism, Hiking, waterfalls.
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Tropicana Cabaret Show or Parisian Cabaret Show - Famous Cuban Shows. Think Vegas, Cuban style.
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Hemingway Tour - Visit places where the famous author lived, hung out, and got inspired.
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Art Day - Visit community art projects, and private galleries and studios of new and hot artists.
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Dinner with locals - Dinner hosted by local family.
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Castle/fortress tour - Explore one of the largest forts in the Americas. Beautiful architecture and amazing views.
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Fishing or Scuba diving.
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We can combine, edit, and create other experiences if you have other interests/desires in mind.
2. BUENOS AIRES/MENDOZA
Things to Note:
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Estimated for 7 nights/8 days
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4 nights in BA
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3 nights in Mendoza
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- Accommodation and Activities for 6 people (If more or less, I would simply need to update numbers)
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This estimate includes:
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Buenos Aires - 3 activities
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Mendoza - 2 activities
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Flights from the US to Argentina are usually overnight and last 12 hours (Non-stop)
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Flights between Mendoza - BA are just an hour
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Return flight to NYC could be directly from Mendoza, or we could organize a flight back to BA in the morning, enjoy a last day in the city, and then flight back to New York at night.
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For this estimate, I am including flight round trip between Buenos Aires and Mendoza
Accommodations
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Buenos Aires - I am recommending a cute place in one of the trendiest neighborhoods of the city. No pool, but surrounded by cool bars, shops, restaurants. etc.
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Mendoza - I am recommending staying in a small town/area right outside the main city. This place is walkable, with cafes and galleries around, and so close to wineries you can even bike to many of them.
Buenos Aires
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I am looking at places in Palermo, the trendy and hip part of town.
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Private places with 4-5bdrs. Places with a terrace or rooftop.
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Here you can see photos of a classic house, and a modern place (separated by shot of street). Prices vary based on type of house.
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Buenos Aires have many more options for places. Once you pick a destination and dates I will look into these places and similars for availability and price.
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Breakfast included
Mendoza
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Country homes just for the group or a country guesthouses/boutique hotel would be the options I recommend.
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Here I am showing photos of samples of both options. Using 4/5 rooms to calculate estimate.
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Once you pick a destination and dates I will look into these places and similars for availability and price
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Breakfast included
Possible Itinerary
Day One
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Arrival - Private shuttle from the airport
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Settle in - Most likely you will be arriving early in the morning, I recommend reserving the place since the night before so everyone can unpack, freshen up, or even rest after the trip. This Estimate includes the cost of that extra night, and also cost without. If you decide without, guests would still be able to drop bags off, and perhaps go for a walk/lunch before returning to the place fort check in.
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Explore Buenos Aires - Let's explore some landmarks, famous sites, and maybe even a museum. This city is big and with a lot to offer. Based on the interests of the group we can outline a fun and interesting route to explore this cosmopolitan city.
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Tango Night (Madero) Night time - Tango, fun show and dinner to get things started. (It's Buenos Aires, let's get it out of the way) Fun way to get celebration started.
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Buenos Aires Nights - I will work with you to find the perfect options for dinners, drinks, shows. We can plan all nights. Some ideas are:
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Speakeasy and Cocktail bars
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Nice restaurants, Argentinian "Asado", international food, etc.
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Art exhibits
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Gay bars and clubs
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Day Two
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Walking tour - Guided tour to explore San Telmo. A historic and emblematic district of the city. Learn about the history of the city, interesting facts, and more while checkin out plazas, markets, and beautiful areas of the city. Our guides are very professional, knowledgeable and and fun. Gran lunch and drinks after
Day Three
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"Buenos Aires Beach" (recommended for a Sunday) - Let's catch the train and go explore another side of the city. Locals head to the north to enjoy the warm days by the shores of La Plata river. There is one particular place I like. Full of beautiful people, good vibes and drinks. Once we have our fill of sun and beach drinks, we can head back to the city and keep the party going.
Day Four
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Free Day - Continue exploring Buenos Aires - Let's explore some landmarks, famous sites, and maybe even a museum. This city is big and with a lot to offer. Based on the interests of the group we can outline a fun and interesting route to explore this cosmopolitan city.
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An option I like to recommend is to visit Colonia (Uruguay) - This is a beautiful Colonial town just an hour away by ferry from Buenos Aires. If interested I can help set up arrange.
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Day Five
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Flight to Mendoza - Mid Day Flight - Private shuttle to the airport (Cost of the flight included in estimate)
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Arrival Mendoza around noon or early afternoon - Private shuttle to accommodations
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We can also do a flight first thing in the morning
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Explore Mendoza - Let's explore the aream grab drinks, nice dinner, go out. This is a cute little town
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Mendoza Nights - I will work with you to find the perfect options for dinners, drinks, shows. We can plan all nights. Some ideas are:
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Wine and Cocktail bars
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Nice restaurants
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Live shows
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Gay club
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Day Six
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Private Wine Tasting (Approx 10 hrs). Spend the day visiting wineries (About 4), stopping also for lunch at one of the most unique restaurants in the area (a well kept secret where you will be attended personally by the chef). You will get to see large and small boutique Bodegas (Wineries) with one of the most beautiful backgrounds in the world (Andes Mountains).
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We make all reservations (required by the wineries "bodegas"), and maintain the group on schedule. Nevertheless, you decide ultimately how long you stay in each winery if you want to change the itinerary. In case you want to check out other places like Olive oil factories or the wine museum.
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In the price, we include the cost of the private transportation, guide services, tastings, and lunch
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Day Seven
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Mountain Tour. Continue to explore the beauty of Mendoza, but this time in the mountains. This is relaxing, and fun. Tons of places and moments to capture. The beauty of this place is unbelievable. More opportunities to drink wine, good good, and simple have fun.
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Other options for these day can be:
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Horse back riding with Asado and wine at the end
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Go hiking
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Day tours deeper/higher in the Andes
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Day Eight
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Flight to Buenos Aires - Morning Flight - Private shuttle to the airport (Cost of the flight included in estimate)
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Arrival in Buenos Aires around noon. I recommend making reservations at a Spa. I know a men spa perfect for this. Get a massage, relax, and recharge. You can also explore the city a bit more. Grab lunch, go shopping, and more.
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Remember you can also flight directly from Mendoza. You can make the decision once you look at flights.
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Departure -Private shuttle to Airport for flight back home
Summary
I know this is a lot of information, so I have prepared the following summary to highlight key points, and cost:
1. HAVANA - $6900
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Accommodation - 4 nights in private home
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Activities
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One day trip - Trip to Viñales
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Tour of old town (transportation included)
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City tour on Classic convertibles
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Beach Day (transportation, welcome drinks, hosting services)
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Up to three airport shuttles. Round trip onboard classic American cars
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Breakfast
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WiFi cards to access internet. One card per person. Each card would last an hour.
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Drinks at the house to get you started! (Rum, beer, water - not unlimited) and snacks
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Travel Documents to meet Government travel requirements
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Concierge services before and during your trip. Planing/reservations at restaurants, shows, and other things to do. Also assistance with money exchange.
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Hosting Services. Me there to take care of all logistics, guide additional walks and excursions into the city, etc.
2. BUENOS AIRES $6500- 7500 and MENDOZA $4300 - $5300
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Accommodation - 7 nights/8 days
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4 nights in BA in a private home
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3 nights in Mendoza in a ?????
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Buenos Activities
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Guided Walks
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Tango Show/Dinner
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"Beach" Day (transportation, welcome drinks, hosting services)
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Buenos Aires - 3 activities
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Mendoza Activities
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Wine Tasting Day
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Mountain Day
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Buenos Aires - Mendoza Round trip Flights
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All Airport Shuttles in Buenos Aires and Mendoza
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Breakfast
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Drinks at the house to get you started! (Rum, beer, water - not unlimited) and snacks
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Concierge services before and during your trip. Planing/reservations at restaurants, shows, and other things to do.
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Hosting Services. Me there to take care of all logistics, guide additional walks and excursions into the city, etc.
Two very different options, but both with a lot of potential. Please take your time reviewing them, and let me know what you like, what you love, what you don't, and we can continue to tailor one of these or both to help you make a decision. We can remove, add, and combina things until you are fully satisfied.
NOTE:
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Remember these are estimates. Final cost will depend on your choices.
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These prices include me attending as a host to take make sure everything runs smoothly. If you prefer traveling without a host. I would work with local guides and property managers to make sure you have everything you need as well, Let me know and I will update pricing.
THANK YOU