Argentina: Explore so much on your vacation
11/18/2016
Iguazú Falls, in the northeast area of subtropical forest, on the border with Brazil, is one of the world's natural wonders. Surrounded by dense forests, the Iguazú River flows into 275 waterfalls, plunging more than 70 meters, spray rises, and rainbows form in the sky. A variety of fauna and flora completes the setting. The National Park is a cornucopia of exotic subtropical vegetation and 2,000 plant species, gigantic trees, ferns, lianas, orchids, 400 bird species.
The splendid Talampaya River Canyon, takes the breath away, bring your cameras and binoculars. Pink flamingos, Andean ducks, “vicuñas” and “guanacos,” cohabit freely in parks and natural reserves, while condors fly over the area. Undoubtedly the Central Andean Range is at its best here.
Laguna del Carbon (which is the lowest geographical point in the Americas), Mount Fitz Roy,the Petrified Forests National Monument, and the endless Patagonian plateau are all worth a visit.
Introduction
Argentina is vast, with a variety of climates ranging from tundra and polar in the south, to the tropical climate in the north, with the widest river and estuary in the planet (the River Plate) and the highest mountains outside Asia. The Misiones rainforest, Argentine Yungas, and the Argentine Andean Patagonia are considered biodiversity hotspots.
Buenos Aires
This sprawling capital is known for its wide-ranging cultural and recreational activities, day and night , 365 days of the year:There are many theaters (most of them located on the Corrientes Avenue), antiquarian bookstores, more than 100 museums and art galleries, handicraft fairs, and modern shopping centers, old coffee houses, tango shows, a variety of restaurant styles and cuisines, plus casinos, and the most passionate soccer games.
Visitors can try out the most traditional neighborhoods like San Telmo, La Boca, Congreso or Abasto, the most sophisticated ones like Recoleta or Belgrano, or the most modern ones: Puerto Madero or Palermo, the birthplace of the vanguard design. Guided tours are offered; following the steps of emblematic characters of either Tango or Argentine cultures, like Gardel, Evita or Borges. For those who enjoy sailing, the Río de la Plata is a must.
Buenos Aires, (regarded as the “Paris of South America,”) offers elegant architecture, exquisite cuisine, a legendary nightlife, and fine shopping.The most popular tourist sites are found in the historic city center, which comprises Montserrat and San Telmo. The original city was constructed around the Plaza de Mayo, the administrative center of the Spanish Empire. Casa Rosada, the official seat of President of Argentina, the Catedral Metropolitana (one of the oldest), and National Bank of Argentina are of note; Other significant colonial institutions were Cabildo, the National Congress, home to the National Academy of History, and City Hall.
Avenida de Mayo links the Casa Rosada with the Argentine National Congress. On this avenue are Casa de la Cultura, the Palacio Barolo, and Café Tortoni. Underneath the avenue, the first subtle (metro) line in South America, was opened in 1913. The Avenue ends at Plaza del Congreso, famous for its monuments. There are several sculptures, including one of Auguste Rodin's few surviving original casts of "The Thinker."
In the neighborhood of San Telmo, Plaza Dorrego hosts an antique fair on Sundays, complete with tango shows. There are also tango shows daily at the famous Plaza. The Cementerio de la Recoleta, (which houses Eva Perón's crypt) is on the tourist trail.Buenos Aires, is the most populous (and largest) province in Argentina, and the nexus of nation's rail and road network. This region is noted for its estancia (large cattle ranches). The area is also famous for its many beaches (the most visited being Mar del Plata). The rolling hills region of Tandil and Ventana, offer golf courses, paragliding rides, and trekking.They are very different landscapes, as are the islands of the Parana River.
North-East Argentina
Iguazú Falls, in the northeast area of subtropical forest, on the border with Brazil, is one of the world's natural wonders. Surrounded by dense forests, the Iguazú River flows into 275 waterfalls, plunging more than 70 meters, spray rises, and rainbows form in the sky. A variety of fauna and flora completes the setting. The National Park is a cornucopia of exotic subtropical vegetation and 2,000 plant species, gigantic trees, ferns, lianas, orchids, 400 bird species.
In the Northern provinces, there are traces of pre-Columbian civilizations, ruins of natives’ villages, as well as forts, and buildings dating back to the Conquistadors. Natural attractions combine with diverse activities, such as mountaineering, trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, ecotourism, birdwatching, and archeological trips, sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing.
Southern Argentina
Perito Moreno Glacier, part of Southern Patagonian Ice Field, is a massive glacier in the Los Glaciares National Park, near the Patagonian city of El Calafate. At any time of the year, there are landslides of huge blocks of ice forming beautiful icebergs in Argentine lakes, a tranquil beauty. The Glacier has as neighbors a landscape of rugged mountains and broad lakes.
Bariloche
Perito Moreno Glacier, part of Southern Patagonian Ice Field, is a massive glacier in the Los Glaciares National Park, near the Patagonian city of El Calafate. At any time of the year, there are landslides of huge blocks of ice forming beautiful icebergs in Argentine lakes, a tranquil beauty. The Glacier has as neighbors a landscape of rugged mountains and broad lakes.
Bariloche
Bariloche: this city is an important part of the tourist route of the Seven Lakes including Villa La Angostura, and the mountains of Tronador, Cerro Catedral, Cerro López). Skiing is its claim to fame, but it is also ideal for virtually everyone: sight-seeing, water sports, winter sports, fishing, windsurfing, trekking, climbing, camping, skydiving, boat tours, horseback riding and scuba diving, being among many activities.Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego, attracts many visitors for its fabulous views, and fine dining. Here you are, literally, at the end of the world.
Scenic train journeys are a feature in Argentina; for instance, the famous railway line from Ushuaia, which meanders to the Tierra del Fuego National Park and the Bay of Lapataia.For those who prefer their journeys on water: Cruises are available on the Beagle Channel; see the colonies of South American sea lions, visit Lighthouse Les Eclareurs, or Staten Island, home of the (well-named) 'Lighthouse at the End of the World'.For ecology lovers, Fegan Forests takes on a reddish hue, as the Autumn leaves gain a warm glow.
The City of Córdoba
The city has a great attraction for tourists, especially in its architecture. There are also great places to stay, and many things to do, with major 5-star hotels, excellent shopping centers, as well as top-notch gastronomy, and lots of fun. Córdoba is one of the most picturesque cities in Argentina due to its historic center; Baroque Colonial architecture, side by side with tall modern buildings. Cordoba is part of the “Sierras Pampeanas” mountain range, reaching 2,790 m high in the Champaqui hills.
The splendid Talampaya River Canyon, takes the breath away, bring your cameras and binoculars. Pink flamingos, Andean ducks, “vicuñas” and “guanacos,” cohabit freely in parks and natural reserves, while condors fly over the area. Undoubtedly the Central Andean Range is at its best here.
Other features in the South
The Aconcagua located, in the province of Mendoza, is the highest mountain in the world outside the Himalayas (6,959m) and continues to rise.Las Leñas; Talampaya, is of a large geological interest. Stop off for a few glasses of vino in San Rafael ( the heart of Mendoza), where the best wines of Argentina are fermented, and see its imposing Atuel Canyon. The valleys of Barreal of Iglesia, in San Juan, showcase adventure tourism. Plus, try some unforgettable whale watching in Puerto Madryn, on the coast of Argentine Patagonia.
The Esteros del Iberá, a wet zone of 700.000 hectares, can be reached from Posadas, Concepción or Mercedes. In the Guaraní language, Iberá means "Shining water." The lagoons cover 31,500 hectares, its marshlands 52,000, and the islands 260,000. This eco-system (which harbors turtles, yacarés (caimans), monkeys, swamp deer, capybaras (the largest rodent in the world) and up to 400 bird species, besides an extraordinary flora), extends over one million hectares.
Punta Tombo, is a coastal location, with abundant wildlife; specifically the seasonal breeding ground of Magellanic penguins.
Punta Tombo, is a coastal location, with abundant wildlife; specifically the seasonal breeding ground of Magellanic penguins.
Peninsula Valdés: considered to be one of the best places in the world for the observation of wildlife, mainly sea mammals.The southern right whales are the main attraction; elephant seals, sea lions, Magellanic penguins, and orcas are plentiful.
Laguna del Carbon (which is the lowest geographical point in the Americas), Mount Fitz Roy,the Petrified Forests National Monument, and the endless Patagonian plateau are all worth a visit.
Getting There
Buenos Aires is very well-served by airlines, from all over the world.It is also the starting point for travel by air to other parts of Argentina. Argentine Airlines and LAN Argentina fly there plus major U.S. carriers. United, Iberia and KLM also use this route . For the best fares go to http://www.paylessflights.com