I'd been wanting to spend a weekend in an Argentine estancia (country house) for the longest time.  Last week I was able to finally do it.  I visited Estancia La Horqueta, a pleasant country house in Chascomus, some 140 km South of Buenos Aires. 

I got there by bus (operated by Ricchieri Tours, leaving from Av. Saenz Pena 970, close to the Obelisco; the trip costs around US$8.00 and it's better to reserve in advance).  Once in Chascomus, a 15 minute taxi ride (about US$7.00) will take you to the estancia. 

Once there, you can lounge by the pool, ride bike, ride a horse through the countryside, take a boat ride on  the lake, fish, or just sit down and read under a tree.  Staying in one of the 8 nicely appointed rooms will cost you around US$125.00 a night, including continental breakfast, lunch of traditional Argentine asado, and a dinner ususlly consisting of a pasta dish, salad, desert and coffee.  For US$10.00 you can buy a bottle of their own private label wine (Cabernet, Merlot or Malbec), and if you don't finish it they will write your name on the label and save it for you to drink on your next meal.