Did you know that Argentina is ranked second when it comes to receiving more foreign tourists in South America? The country has plenty to offer: cosmopolitan cities, geographical wonders, wine regions, archaeological ruins, evidence of Palaeolithic art… In Bodega Argento’s blog, you can discover the best places to visit in Argentina. Collaborators coming from different countries in the world and based in Argentina will give you advice and recommendation so you can enjoy your trip to the maximum. The majority of the visits to Argentina usually begin in the capital, Buenos Aires, which has been selected as the eight preferred destination in the world by Trip Advisor. Buenos Aires offers a vast cultural and recreational offer with numerous museums, theatres –Colón Theatre is the most important one– and cafés and bars where you can see tango shows. Do not miss the opportunity to walk around its historical city centre –with the Monserrat and San Telmo neighbourhoods–, visit the Casa Rosada, go down Mayo Avenue and the Manzana de las Luces and go into the stately neighbourhood of Recoleta and into the modern neighbourhood of Puerto Madero. You can also discover the best restaurants and hotels in the city and you will have the opportunity to visit the most charming villages within the surroundings. Travel to the province of Córdoba, which has an intense cultural, commercial and university life and discover the Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis –recognised as a World Heritage Site. Travel to the end of the world –Patagonia, the Land of Fire– and let yourself wonder by the Patagonian Ice Field –the third largest ice extension after the poles– and by the famous Perito Moreno glacier –which is 60 metres high and 5 kilometres long. You can also discover the waterfalls at the Igauzu National Park, the Quebrada de Humahuaca or the Rio Grande basin, the cave paintings at the Cueva de las Manos at the Pinturas River and the archaeological sites at the Ischigualasto Provincial Park. But not only that, you can also visit the Andes mountain range –the highest range in the Continent– where you can practice mountain sports such as trekking or skiing. Do not forget to steep yourself in the wine culture of the province of Mendoza –the second most visited region in Argentina–, where you can walk round vineyards, see the wine production process by yourself and stay at rural inns and wineries. Bodega Argento’s blog also gives you ideas to make presents and take a souvenir to your loved ones, such as wine, olive oil or rubber knives. It also suggests other activities like horse rides and one-day trips to discover the less known corners in the country.
For some visitors to Argentina, the closest they get to a penguin is a jar of house wine at a Buenos Aires restaurant. But if porcelain pinguïnos aren’t enough, there are also ways to see the birds in the wild, although you’ll have to travel a bit further south of the capital…
On the hectic tourist circuit Misiones province is often only talked about in terms of it’s northern border prize jewel, the spectacular Iguazú Falls. However, this lush region is home to no less than nine UNESCO world heritage sites that can keep you exploring that bit longer. Tucked up in the northeast corner of Argentina, snuggling between Brazil and Paraguay, you’ll find undulating virgin jungle, semi-precious stones and well preserved ruins from its namesake Jesuit missions. As the main producer of mate, Argentina’s ritual drink, plantations line the roadsides of this culturally diverse and abundant landscape where nature is the main attraction.
Argentina’s ‘It’ couple from his presidential election in 1946 until her death in 1952, Juan Domingo Perón (not usually known as JD) and María Eva Duarte (always known as Evita) shook up the country’s politics via the Partido Justicialista (PJ) party they founded, scandalised and angered the upper class, wriggled their way into the hearts of millions living below the poverty line with populist policies and added a thorough dose of socialist glamour as they led Argentina.
When it comes to visiting Jujuy, think altitude rather than attitude. The provinces of Salta and Jujuy are usually lumped together to form northwest Argentina, but the two are as similar as chalk and cheese. While Salta is rich in colonial architecture and wine terroir, the common denominator between the two is stunning landscapes – Jujuy’s colourful, cardon cactus-lined canyon, the Quebrada de Humahuaca, is on the UNESCO world heritage list. Jujuy has the added bonus of a strong indigenous culture dotted with pagan rituals and is a world, if not a galaxy, away from Buenos Aires.
When it comes to finding suitable lodgings in Buenos Aires, you’re spoilt for choice, from ritzy five-star hotel chains to innumerable boutique establishments. However it’s sometimes hard to distinguish one trendy establishment from the next. For those looking for something a little more out of the ordinary, we’ve picked out some of the most unique boutique hotels in the city, all with a different vibe, story or experience to offer.
AirBnB has over two thousand properties listed in Buenos Aires. Argentina at large has a total of 3,500. The site is doing so well in South America that the company has opened a hub office in São Paulo. It is even gaining on the original US market: there are currently 55,000 listings in North America compared to 20,000 across Latin America.
When travelling to a country of such imposing latitudes as Argentina, one of the key issues you’ll need to consider is how to cover the often enormous distances between the top sights, cities and attractions. Luckily Argentina has an excellent infrastructure and an efficient flight network, but before you rush to the nearest online booking engine, it pays to be armed with some basic information and advice that may well save you money and ensure a considerably smoother journey.
Hugging the border with Chile, Argentina’s dramatic Lake District makes a suitably bellowing welcome to Patagonia. Banish all notions of the rolling hills of Cumbria – this is big landscape, and visitors must dress, eat, travel and plan accordingly. San Carlos de Bariloche – known universally as Bariloche – is the main hub of this great expanse of mountain-rutted wilderness, so all visitors to this part of the world will invariably lay their woolly hats here at some point. It’s a sprawling…
Buenos Aires is one of the world’s top photography locations. The combination of open and friendly people, accessible locations and rich culture, makes the city a photographer’s dream. However, its the wonderfully diverse neighbourhoods that Argentina’s capital offers up, all within a tiny area, that make it that extra bit special.
Buenos Aires: a bike-friendly city? It’s early days, but the wheels are certainly in motion. Back in mid-2010, the city government launched its Mejor en Bici (Better by Bike) campaign to promote the advantages of cycling and improve facilities in the traffic-choked capital. Recently, bike lanes have been springing up across the city almost overnight.