When my Latin Routes Travel Specialist suggested travelling in Argentina by coach I thought he was joking! The last time I travelled by coach was many years ago and I remember it being cramped, hot and very uncomfortable.

The journey in question was from Mendoza to Buenos Aires. We were trying to get as much into our holiday to Argentina as possible but it was starting to look like we were not going to have enough time to enjoy Mendoza properly and I had always wanted to visit the region, being a big fan of wine (aren’t we all!)

The suggestion of a coach came about because like many coach journeys in Argentina, it departs Mendoza in the evening which allows you to enjoy the whole day in the vineyards, arriving into Buenos Aires first thing the following morning, giving you the whole of the next day too.

Our Latin Routes Travel Specialist told me it was not like travelling by coach in the UK. In Argentina they are luxury sleeper coaches with big comfy seats and plenty of space to spread out. After quite some thought, and a little research I reluctantly agreed.

Well I have to say what a surprise it was! Thinking some sort of smoky old bus was going to turn up, what did turn up was what could only be described as some sort of Super Coach. It looked brand new, had two floors and very cool looking tinted windows. We climbed aboard and found our ‘Cama Ejecutivo’ seats on the upper deck. ‘Cama Ejecutivo’ means ‘Executive Bed’ in English and I would say that description is not far off!

The seats are so wide there are are only three per row and there is a huge amount of legroom between the rows. Even though most of the seats were taken, it didn’t feel full at all. We set off dead on time, which amazed us having had a few internal flights that seem to run to their own timetable! Shortly after we set off, we were offered a drink and dinner which came around shortly after that and was all included in the minimal price of the ticket.

After dinner the host handed out some cards with a series of numbers on them. Well it turns out it is tradition whilst on Argentinian Coaches to partake in a game of Coach Bingo! Certainly a first for me but our host was very charismatic and it was a very enjoyable way to pass an hour. Fortunately he announced the numbers in both Spanish and English so I could keep up!

After Bingo they put on movies, which you could listen to on the provided headphones, but I was starting to feel very relaxed and a bit sleepy. So I reclined my seat into what feels like a big comfy armchair with leg rest. I had a pillow and blanket to wrap up in, and before long I fell sound asleep.

In the morning I was woken with a hot coffee, refreshing orange juice and a light snack before we pulled into Buenos Aires at around half eight. I was refreshed, well slept and ready to make the most of the shops in Buenos Aires!

I couldn’t recommend it enough and when we plan our next trip and I will be asking for a couple of the journeys to be by coach. You get travel, meals and a bed, all in a price that is cheaper than flying. Makes perfect sense to me now!

Written by Mrs P Wright who travelled to Argenitna with Latin Routes.