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More European than South American in flavor, Buenos Aires'
heart boasts bustling streets, grand avenues, old-time cafes
and stylish restaurants. The locals are renowned for their
flair and cockiness, even in times of adversity. It's a city
of tragedy and elation, a vibrant, cosmopolitan capital.
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Argentina's second city, Córdoba long rivaled Buenos
Aires for political, economic and cultural supremacy; indeed,
while Buenos Aires languished through neglect in the 17th
century, Cordoba was the country's architectural treasure
house. Today, a fine collection of colonial buildings is concentrated
in its compact centre. They include the old market, the Iglesia
Catedral (featuring a Romanesque dome) and the Jesuit Iglesia
de la Compañía. The Museo Histórico Provincial
Marqués de Sobremonte is one of the most important
historical museums in the country.
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Situated in the Parque Nacional Iguazú near Puerto
Iguazú, these spectacular falls lie just east of the
confluence of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers.
At least 5000 cubic m (176,570 cu ft) of water per second
plunge the 70m (230ft) into the abyss below. If they look
familiar, it's because they were the supporting actors in
the film The Mission; appropriately, the area has historic
ruins of Jesuit missions which also draw many visitors. San
Ignacio Miní, built in a style of architecture known
as 'Guaraní baroque', is especially popular. Above
the falls, the waters are suitable for canoeing, kayaking
and other water sports. The surrounding park is home to 55,000ha
(135,850ac) of pristine subtropical rainforest, with abundant
wildlife and plant species. |
Summer means the beach to the inhabitants of Greater Buenos
Aires, and Mar del Plata is most often the beach they have
in mind. Situated on the northern Atlantic coast, 400km (228mi)
from the capital, beaches in this area sprawl for 8km (5mi).
Sophisticated mansions from the area's heyday as an upper-class
resort mingle with the newer, more modest resorts catering
to middle-class porteños. Sea lions keep an eye on
the fishing activities around the wharves, and a replica of
the grotto of Lourdes is a kitsch paradise. |
The unrelentingly flat Pampas is Argentina's agricultural
heartland and the home of that symbol of romantic nationalism,
the gaucho. Comprising the provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa
and major parts of Santa Fe and Córdoba, its varied
environments include forested hills, extensive grasslands
and flamingo-flecked salt lakes. The Parque National Lihué
Calel is a popular detour, with wildlife including some puma
and many guanaco, rhea, native hares and a variety of wild
chinchilla called a vizcacha. The cities of La Plata, Luján
(whose basilica to La Virgen de Luján receives 4 million
pilgrims a year), Rosario and Santa Fe are worth seeing for
their many museums, churches and faded colonial buildings.
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Home to abundant natural attractions and atmospheric relics
from the pre-Columbian and colonial past, this is the more 'traditional'
part of Argentina. It includes the provinces of Jujuy (numerous
wildlife reserves), Tucumán, La Rioja, Catamarca, Santiago
del Estero and Salta (with the best preserved colonial city
in the country, hundreds of archaeological sites, subtropical
forests and polychrome desert canyons) and Salta.
Anyone traveling to Salta should not miss the unique opportunity
to travel on the famous "Tren de las Nubes" (Train
of the Clouds). Since 1932, trains have been running tirelessly
on the rails between Valle de Lerma and Puna, transporting cargo
such as minerals, fruits and vegetables. This is now one of
Argentina's most famous tourist attractions. The "Tren
de las Nubes" winds through the high mountains rumbling
through small towns where time seems to have stood still. It
passes ruins passing ruins of ancient civilizations that have
mysteriously disappeared, as well as amazing examples of man's
will to create, such as the majestic "La Polvorilla"
bridge, known as a miracle of engineering. Those who have experienced
this incredible journey say that it is an exhilarating ride
with views that makes one feel as though the train were flying.
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The Cuyo region consists of the Andean provinces of Mendoza
and San Juan, and adjacent San Luis. The area retains a strong
regional identity, with a unique mestizo population reflecting
the influence of neighbouring Chile. An important agricultural
region, particularly famous for its grapes and wine, it lies
in the shadow of the massive Andes and is visited for its
many sporting and recreational activities, such as climbing
and trekking. Wineries, hidden mountain villages and the centres
of Mendoza and San Juan, are other attractions. |
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This enormous region south of Buenos Aires province features
a glacier-dotted mountainous interior, unique coastal wildlife
and Andean national parks.
The city of Puerto Madryn is located in the province of Chubut,
on the shores of the New Golf. The city is a "World Heritage
Site" and is known as the "City of Whales".
It is famous for its whale sightings, as well as penguin and
sea elephant colonies. It also has wonderful beaches and an
amazing variety of fauna. For all those interested in the
mysteries and beauty of sea life, Puerto Madryn is sure to
capture your heart with its incredible charm.
Bariloche is the capital of the Andean Patagonia. It is a
beautiful town located near the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake,
which has glacial origins and covers 560 square kilometers.
Bariloche is known for its incredible landscape, delicious
chocolate and active cultural life. The city is a popular
destination for visitors from all over the world, and in all
seasons of the year. In the winter, Bariloche offers first
class skiing and snowboarding, and during the rest of the
year, activities such as: trekking, white water rafting, bird
watching, fly-fishing and sailing.
Located in Los Glaciares National Park in the southern Argentinean
Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most impressive
sights in Argentina, if not all of Latin America. The glacier
stretches 17 kms down from the Patagonia ice field to Lake
Argentina, where its 4 km wide blue ice wall rises 50 to 70
meters above the lake. Located in the same park are two of
the most spectacular peaks in Patagonia, Fitz-Roy and Cerro
Torre. |
Argentina shares half of this island territory in the South
Atlantic Ocean with Chile. It's a place of oil derricks, sheep,
glaciers, wind and waterways. Ushuaia and Río Grande
are the two main towns; awesome scenery, wild walks and fishing
are the island's main attractions. Argentina's only coastal
national park comprises rivers, lakes, forests and glaciers,
with great trekking and wildlife-spotting opportunities.
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