Honeymoon Diary: Argentina and Uruguay

Chicago native Laura duFour and Andy Rosenband are self-proclaimed "city-people," so it was only natural to center their honeymoon around bustling Buenos Aires.

After their Windy City nuptials in November 2011, they headed south, rounding out their urban escape with a few days in mountainous Bariloche and beach-blessed Punta del Este, Uruguay. “We got the best of all worlds,” says Laura. "Culture, activities, and relaxation."

Trip Length
14 days: five nights in Buenos Aires, three in Bariloche, four in Punta del Este, and one more in Buenos Aires at the end

Airline
American Airlines

Travel time
Three hours to Miami, eight more to Buenos Aires

Travel agent
Teresa Sanchez of Mena Travel International

The newlyweds began their trip on the streets of Buenos Aires, which were decorated with bright flower stands, pictured here.

“The Recoleta neighborhood has ornate buildings, posh hotels, and lots of winding streets that you can wander aimlessly," says Laura. "and it's home to the famous cemetery filled with elaborate mausoleums, including Eva Peron's.”

The Recoleta Cemetery is almost a city within a city: It comprises 15 acres of mausoleums laid out like blocks with paved paths between them. Definitely grab a map at the entrance; you'll need it to find the notable crypts -- and your way out.

Also located in the neighborhood of Recoleta, the 66-foot-tall Floralis Generica, made of stainless steel and aluminum, opens its petals at 7:30 A.M. and closes them at 8:30 P.M., mimicking the movements of a real flower. The couple stumbled on it while checking out nearby art museums.

Laura and Andy fell hard for locally produced Malbecs, especially this one by Susana Balbo, who's nicknamed "the Evita of wine."

On Sundays, an open-air flea market takes over the cobblestone streets of gritty-chic San Telmo, with vendors selling art, jewelry, leather goods, and much, much more. Case in point: "Andy picked up a CD of tango rap music he heard and liked," says Laura.

"Llao Llao in Bariloche is rustic and grand, with a breathtaking setting -- it’s surrounded by the Andes mountains and beautiful lakes," says Laura. "Right after we arrived, they brought us Champagne, berry pastries, and chocolate cakes, which we enjoyed on our balcony while taking in the views."

From the balcony of their room the couple could see a lake backed by snowcapped peaks, pictured here.

On their last day, the newlyweds took a Buenos Aires Bus tour, which whisked them to landmarks like the stately National Congress building. "It was a great way to see more of the city, because you could hop off one bus then hop back on the next one that came by," says Laura.