TAKING OFF FOR ARGENTINA FEBRUARY 9-19, 2012

 j e t s e tWISDOM

takes off for Argentina February 9-19, 2012

Just when you thought the chill of winter wasn’t showing it’s frigid face, it’s here. In the
20’s today! What better time than now, to choose a last minute winter getaway down to Argentina. Seasons are opposite, and what better time to enjoy mid 80’s, and long, light summer nights sipping on fruity Torrontes by day, and sultry Malbecs in the evening.
Departing on Thursday, Feb 9, you will be met at Buenos Aires (EZE) Ezieza Pistarini
airport on Friday to start our 10 days/9 nights exploring three diverse areas of Argentina.
Time to get settled in Palermo, we’ll be there for 3 nights, in other words, a perfect long
weekend in one of my favorite cities in the world - before taking off for Mendoza on Monday afternoon.
Staying at a stellar, boutique hotel, we’ll have time to relax at the pool, have breakfast, before heading out for the day. Palermo has a special ‘Circuito Diseño’, many designers on small streets, and with the 3.90 Argentine peso to our dollar - the prices are truly a bargain! Leather abounds, but also clothing, accessories are a cut above! Each day, we’ll have some time to relax, shop, or take sun in our perfect location.

If you’ve always
desired to learn
some Tango, I
have a studio
and 3 private
lessons with
Alejandro set up
for our group,
starting
Saturday
morning,
followed by an
evening of
Milonga dancing to relax and show off what you’ve learned.
Lunch is on your own, but I have a great place for calamari and pasta!
Dinner is planned down at the restored Puerto Madero waterfront, with an after dinner ‘passeggiata’.   Remember, Argentina is made up of many Germans and Italians, and even thoughSpanish is their language, Italian is very prominent! So, either way, you can get some practice!
We’ll discover the treasures of the infamous San Telmo Mercado on the
Sunday, Of course, a chance to wander through the Recoletta to see Evita and
frankly, one of my favorite photo-op cemeteries in the world. fit in either the
Palermo Botanical Garden for some shade, or cool at the MALBA (Muséo de
Arte LatinoAmericano de Buenos Aires). Sunday evening will be dinner at
the very best LOMO in Argentina, LaCabrera.
Monday morning we’ll have another Tango lesson, quick lunch at the hotel/
or last minute stops for shopping before our short flight to Mendoza at 3pm. We
leave from the small local airport, which is a mere 20 minutes from Palermo.
We’ll arrive in Mendoza Wine country, just in time
for a wine flight at Vines of Mendoza with Juliette
and Mariana. This is the best to get started on our
journey of 3 days of wine tasting in the UCO and
Lujan de Cuyo. I’ve chosen a special selection
to whet your appetite.

Settling into our town of

Chacras de Coria, we will be

centered in Mendoza for the

next 4 nights. Pool time will

always be an option after a

delicious breakfast. For the

next three afternoons, we’ll

be exploring wineries in a

different area each day, with

our guide.

On Tuesday,

it’s an overthe-

top lunch

at O’Fournier

Vineyard,

including a

special flight

of wine and

tour of their

cellar.

Dinner on

your own in

town at one of

the many

choices.

Wednesday,

15th morning

on your own,

with lunch, leaving after lunch for our wine tour. Dinner is planned at a special Mendoza

Asado.

Thursday, 16th - we will have a ‘farewell Mendoza’ dinner in Chacras de Coria after a full

day of tasting.

Friday am, leaving on the short flight back to AEP Newbery airport, we’ll be met by our

driver to take us to the

Pampas region, and

through to San Antonio de

Areco. 2 nights at a luxe

boutique hotel with pool,

to relax, have a massage,

and wander amongst the

silver and shops so very

different than Buenos

Aires. This is the region of

the gauchos.

Saturday we’re planning

on a day out at an estancia,

hiking, photography,

horseback riding, an

ASADO for lunch, and

truly an incredible ending

to our trip!

Dinner on your ownwhich

after this ASADO

BBQ, will not be necessary

most likely!!

Sunday will be your return flight back to the

US/Canada/Europe. This is an evening flight,

you will arrive home the next day, so that we

will have an opportunity to spend the day

having a massage, lunch and a last chance of

shopping before leaving for EZE International

Airport.

SOME IMPORTANT DETAILS:

PLEASE CONTACT ME AT JETSETWISDOM@GMAIL.COM for further information!

The Grip of Grief

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and listening to songwriter, Louisa Branscomb at our Fresh in the Field weekend, at Firnew Farm last month. Tonight, I found this blogpost of a recent experience with the May tornado, and her beloved home, Woodsong Farm, I wanted to share this. Her songwriting is up there with the best, I'm thinking this post is so true from her heart, and just shows how vulnerable we all are to grief and to Mother Nature. She is one incredible lady, and what a pleasure to have her join into your life's experience:

tornadoreflections: The Grip of Grief: I don't want to mislead that every moment is transcendent, or that I'm any better than anyone else at finding redemption amid the dirt and d...

BUONA PASQUA: MILANO STYLE!

A Slow SPRING day in VIRGINIA - !

Yesterday, just had the best day 'touring' favorite spots in Richmond. Starting at the MAC store at Shortpump, I had my ONEONONE with Krista, who showed me how to integrate my new 17minutes VOICE Record of Chiesa Cristiana Evangelica Battista di Roma's special choir (rehearsal for Pascua this weekend) into 80 photos and 2 videos of recent photos from The City of Eternal Light.  This will have to wait until a quicker upload - thank you to Hughesnet's archaic 200mb load for the day limit!

Onwards to an 11:30 luncheon at LEWIS GINTER with our Firnew Artist Circle. 16 of us met for many great photo and painting ops, and a guided tour of these incredible acres of beauty including ORCHIDS GALORE a temporary exhibit of Orchids. Make sure to grab lunch at the Teahouse - the view is breathtaking.

The conservatory which held the Orchid Exhibit. Lady Slipper - my very favorite!

Next, we drove down to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to their PICASSO temporary exhibit from Paris.  If you do go, plan on downloading their online guide gratis - onto your iphone - no need to buy the audio tape at the museum.

Link for the audio  is VMFA: Audio + Virtual Tours: Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris Audio Tour.  Well worth the visit down - I would've liked to spend more time at the Museum - but how much can a group from the farmlands of Madison do in one day!! We're planning our next trip soon (either Italia or Richmond, or both!  This group simply rocks!)

Can't stand this - these guys were just posing away in the sunshine!!!

Next stop - yes this day keeps going! Was to waitlist for the MAPPING THE DARK collaboration of friend/teacher, Rosamond Casey - yes got the last seats available and well worth the risk. An interesting study in human desires, collections and weaknesses, directed by Fran Smith.  I had stopped off for a quick visit with Italiana Christina Ball of SPEAK and her daughter and doggie then onto The Blue Light Grill  on the downtown mall for a a bowl of Mussels steamed in white wine and bacon broth with a gorgeous glass of fruity 2009 Burgans Albarino at $9/glass, or your can buy, possibly at Robert's Market Street for $14/bottle..

from Google: Robert Parker 90 -The 2009 Albarino is light gold-colored with a lovely bouquet of white flowers, hazelnut, peach pit, and mineral. On the palate it is surprisingly complex for its bargain price with a viscosity bordering on opulence. If you enjoy Albarino, this is one to buy by the case.
Burgans' Albarino is an annual Best Buy in this journal but the superb 2009 vintage in Rias Baixas has carried it to new heights."

Who would ever say that life could be boring!!!  La Dolce Vita....

Off to Milano for Easter, and then London for two breathtaking days ar the World Photo Festival in London - every so slightly missing (really - a good thing, honest!) THE wedding. Think: Spring. Garden. Vacation. 

Spring in Palm Springs - Prelude to the Twilight!!

Romance, texture, glamorous, vivid colors, sexy feels resonate with Palm Springs!  Adored it 4 years ago for Thanksgiving, and fell in love this time!  I can't get enough of that over-the-top showbiz flamboyance!  I know that I am on vacation when I am there! Yes, this was my vacation, clearly.  Too many very good margaritas, coupled with killer Mexican for lunch on a daily basis. But aside from all of that foodie stuff, Palm  Springs is simply eye-candy.  It just is.