|
Cities Info
The Republic of Argentina is situated in the Southern part of South America and is surrounded by Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. The capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires and we have been a democratic country since 1983. We gained independence from Spain on July 9th, 1816. The Official language is CASTELLANO (derived from Spanish). Mention Argentina, and people think of solitary gauchos, sultry tango dancers or maybe Madonna emoting as Evita. Or at least they used to, before those romantic icons were supplanted by television images of people looting supermarkets and banging on pots and pans during massive and occasionally violent protests. Argentina certainly has plenty to cry about, with an economy on the verge of collapse and a revolving-door government that saw five presidents in two weeks. How did this happen to a country blessed with abundant natural resources and a highly educated populace? Decades of political corruption, rampant tax evasion and ill-advised monetary policies are all to blame; the challenge now is for the country to pull itself out of the hole and avoid further chaos. But despite its current woes, the romance of Argentina remains. The country boasts a wide variety of cultural attractions, but for many travelers, its natural wonders are the primary draw. From the northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazú Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is varied and stunning. For cosmopolitan types, there's the elegant capital, Buenos Aires. This fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication, although travelers expecting a more 'South American' experience are sometimes disappointed with its European feel. Argentina is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local - that, or a three-hour wait at a currency exchange. Country Fact
 Event
 Major Country CitiesBarilocheSan Carlos de Bariloche, or simply Bariloche, is the winter and summer playground for vacationing Argentines and the second most-visited destination in the country. The city sits in the center of Nahuel Huapi National Park and is fronted by an enormous, irregularly shaped lake of the same name. Bariloche's grand appeal are the many outdoor activities, sightseeing drives, boat trips, great restaurants, and shopping opportunities here. Visitors could occupy themselves for a week regardless of the season. .
Buenos AiresThe beautiful and culturally rich city of Buenos Aires is suffering from the collapse of the Argentine economy. While political leaders search for solutions to the country's default on its public debt, some portenos (as residents of the city are known) hold their breath, hoping things don't get too much worse. Others beat on pots and pans from their windows or in the streets -- a common form of nonviolent protest called the cacerolazo. Even though things have calmed down, the city remains tense and there are occasional protest marches.The effects that years of recession have had on the city are painfully obvious to visitors. In the cosmopolitan and oh-so-European metropolis, many sidewalks are unkempt and cafes are empty. But it's still possible to drink in the city's beauty and charm, and do so with the added benefit of favorable exchange rates. Â Â
Iguazu cityOn the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, these spectacular waterfalls are best seen March-June (there are fewer people then, and the humidity can get oppressive November-February). The falls can be visited from the Brazilian or Argentine side: Either is impressive. While the falls are seen more easily from Brazil, the paths, jungle and sunset views are better in Argentina. Iguazu should not be missed: Made up of 275 cascades spanning a distance of 2 mi / 3 km and rising up to 300 ft / 90 m high, it's one of the most impressive sights in the world. Rainbows, roaring waters, red earth and jungle scenery make it worthy of a long stop -- enough time for real contemplation. Visitors on the Argentine side should see the falls from both access points: the lower trail, which twists through the rain forest to a boat that takes you on a five-minute ride to Isla San Martin, at the base of the southern end of the falls; and the upper trail, which ends at the edge of Devil's Throat, the most dramatic view of the cascades. You can also reach the two areas by bus, but in either case, be prepared for a lot of (fairly easy) walking and a good chance of getting wet. The area surrounding the falls is jungle and tropical, a showcase for a wide variety of colorful birds, butterflies and flowering plants. Good hotels (at the most reasonable prices in Argentina) are available on both the Argentine and Brazilian side. It's worth the extra expense to stay at a hotel that has a view of the falls. We also recommend staying at least one night to take advantage of changing light conditions. Sunset on the surrounding terrain is magnificent, and by moonlight, it's simply magical.
Mar Del PlataIf there is one place Argentines choose to go on their summer vacations, Mar del Plata is it. Lying about 400 km south of Buenos Aires on the Atlantic Coast, Mar del Plata and its surroundings offer miles of some the best beaches in South America. Along with the natural beauty of the area's wind-swept dunes and dramatic cliffs, there are ecological reserves, fancy resorts, charming fishing villages, and of course the culture and vibrant nightlife of the city itself. Compared to some of Argentina's other cities, Mar del Plata is young. It was founded in 1874 by a developer named Patricio Peralta Ramos, who turned the town into an industrial center. The true wealth of the city, however, has come with the overwhelming tide of tourism that has taken place in the last 50 years. Though many of the resorts once catered to the rich, Mar del Plata today rests firmly in the hands of the middle class.
 SaltaFounded in 1582, this city still has a very Spanish feel. That's ironic, because Salta is where the decisive battle for independence from Spain took place,. Today the city, offers some nice-guided walking tours: There are quite a few colonial buildings, some converted into museums, that are worth a look. Be sure to try Andean foods while in Salta -- the empanadas and corn-based dishes such as tamales and hamates are great. For an overview of the city, take a cable car from Parque San Martin up to Cerro San Bernardo. Tobacco is grown in deep gorges around the outskirts of town, and there's a 700-ft-/215-m-long, 190-ft-/60-m-high train viaduct. An excursion can be made from Salta to Cafayate or Jujuy. But one of our favorite trips from Salta is the Train to the Clouds, a round trip of 215 mi/350 km (Salta-Munano-Salta) passing over mountain ranges, deep gorges and beautiful scenery (the very earth seems to change colors, depending on the time of day). A startling feat of engineering and one of the great train-ride adventures in the world, the ride takes a full day to go and return (Altitude sickness, however, can be a problem -- Munano is at 12,965 ft / 3,950 m). About 55 mi / 90 km east of Salta is El Rey National Park, which is full of birds and other wildlife. The park was created to protect Argentina's southernmost subtropical forest. Plan a night in Salta, or two nights if you're seeing area attractions.  Â
     |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BEST HOTELS DEALS
| • | Instant confirmation on your reservation |
| • | All reservations go straight to respective hotel, with no third-party involves. |
| • | All details of your information are secured by the hotel |
| • | All special rates and availability are fully maintained by the hotel |
| • | Changing or cancelling reservation is hassle free |
HOT PICKS - PASTRY PARIS
One of the great take-out snacks of Paris, the financier is a rich, moist tea-cake with a chewy outer crust., made with copious amounts of melted brown butter mixed with finely ...
|
Argentina
|
