Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
295
Casafuerte Posada Rural
Finds
A romantic, secluded inn outside San Rafael, this
is the kind of get-away where time slows down. It's close to the waters of the nearby dikes.
The rooms are all decorated simply with natural and clear colors, giving a warm feel-
ing.
Las Heras 252 (c orner of Chacabuco), Villa 25 de M ayo, San Rafael.
&
2627/495020.
www.posadacasa
fuerte.com.ar. 5 units. $125 (£85). No cr edit cards.
Amenities:
Pool; lounge; wine cellar; library.
In room:
No phone.
Rocas Amarillas
Thirty beautiful kilometers (19 miles) fr om San Rafael is a sw eet
collection of ne w though r ustic two-stor y cabins on the A tuel River in Valle Grande.
Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor grill, and river views. The staff will help
you set up adventures, from rafting to climbing.
RP 173, Km 33, Valle Grande.
&
2627/15-589285
(cell). www.rocas-amarillas.com.ar. 4 units. $45 (£30)
cabin. No credit cards.
Amenities:
Grills; picnic area.
In room:
TV, kitchen.
Tower Inn & Suites
In the center of town, the appropriately named Tower Inn is San
Rafael's tallest building and only four-star hotel. R ooms ar e comfor table and fully
equipped. The staff is friendly and pr ofessional. The kid-friendly F lintstone-style pool
has a huge patio. The spa focuses on olive and olive-oil treatments.
Yrigoyen 774.
&
2627/427190.
www.towersanrafael.com. 89 units. From $145 (£98) double. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; casino; gym; spa; game r oom; business c enter; room service.
In room:
A/C, TV,
high-speed Internet, safe.
WHAT TO SEE & DO
San Rafael is an oasis irrigated b y the Atuel and Diamante rivers. Your explorations will
combine both the riv ers themselves and the pr oductive oasis they giv e life to—not to
mention the local wineries, which make the most of a shallo w mineral soil and a warm
climate.
10
Bodegas
Bodega Jean Rivier
This renovated winery blends old and new with flair and preci-
sion. The yield is small and strictly controlled. The owner considers himself a rare classic
“grower-winemaker,” who straddles what are generally considered separate tasks.
Yrigoyen 2385.
&
2627/432676.
w ww.jeanrivier.com. F ree t our with tasting . M on-Fri 8-11am and
3-5pm; Sat 8-11am.
Casa Bianchi
This traditional family winery is beloved by Argentines throughout
the country and v ery much at the hear t of S an Rafael. Their modern
bodega
bears the
fruits of grapes brought from Italy in 1910 by Mr. Bianchi himself. If you're lucky, you'll
get a taste of the ex quisite Enzo Bianchi Malbec. They also hav e a separate cellar that
gives champagne-focused tours.
Comandante Torres 500.
&
2627/433046.
www.vbianchi.com. Free tour; $4 (£2.70) standar d tastings;
$9 (£6.10) deluxe tasting. Mon-Sat 9am-noon and 2-5pm.
Outdoor Adventures
San Rafael's bounty stems from the waters of the Atuel River, which local residents have
long used as a playgr ound. The road south from town leads through the scenic walls of
the
Atuel Canyon.
The adventure scene is headquartered in the tranquil community of
Valle Grande
, which stretches along the river itself. Along the way, you'll find cabins
for rent, horseback riding trips, rock climbing, and small restaurants. Many cater to large
groups of students. F or half-day rafting trips, tr y
Raffeish
(
&
2627/436996
) or
Antu
