Bounded by the snowcapped Andes Mountains in the west and the cold waters of the Atlantic to the east, Argentina has much to offer the discerning traveler:
Experiencing the soul of the thundering Iguazú Falls; the heartbeat of Buenos Aires, capital city that never sleeps; dramatic sight and sound of the slow moving Perito Moreno glacier; the scenic Andean Crossing past lakes and volcanos; gateway to the Antarctic white landscape.
INTRODUCTION
Argentina – a country where Gardel is synonym with the Tango, Pope Francis with the Vatican and Evita with a passion for her people: whether its Madona on the football field, or pioneering winemaking in Mendoza by Zapata, the Argentinian people are passionate about their heritage and culture.
ACCESSIBILITY
Buenos Aires is not only the visitors’ point of entry, but also an important gateway to South America.
Ministro Pistarini International Airport, known as Ezeiza International Airport owing to its location in the Ezeiza Partido in Greater Buenos Aires, is an international airport 22 kilometres southwest of Buenos Aires and hub for international flights of Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN Argentina.
For various cruise ships, the capital also features an important port of call on most South American itineraries.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to visit is between May and September, with lower rainfall (50mm/month), average temperature (between 8 and 20 C) but with only 5 to 6 hours of sunshine. Between October and February the days are much longer, but very hot (between 20 and 30 C), with highest rainfall January to March and the month of October.
GETTING AROUND
AIR: Due to the fact that Argentina is a stretched-out country, the suggested mode of travel between some of the popular tourist destinations is by air. Aerolíneas Argentinas, LAN Argentina and Austral Líneas Aéreas are the more popular domestic airlines operating within the country.
ROAD: Although not always surfaced, and quite vast in distances, the road system is quite extensive. Argentina by road is a way to explore the country, but only for the adventurous independent traveller.
RAIL: Since 1993 rail transportation changed dramatically in Argentina; it is not recommended for efficient connection between domestic destinations; though the route between Buenos Aires and Cordoba and Bariloche is from a tourist view quite scenic.
TOP 5 – DON’T MISS
• Experiencing the Iguazú Falls with all your senses during rainy summer season
• During wintertime, with its clear blue skies, a day-long cruise of the lakes of Los Glaciares, including visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
• Outdoor adventure activities at San Rafael in the Mendoza Region of the Andes
• Visiting the Archipelago of Tierra del Fuego with its identity as the “uttermost part of the earth” at the chilly southern tip of the continent
• Andean Crossing between San Carlos de Bariloche and Puerto Varas (Chile) during colourful springtime
TOP SLEEP & EAT SECRETS
• Mansion Vitraux**** Small boutique hotel, located in heart of historic San Telmo, Buenos Aires
• Moreno Hotel**** Located near Plaza de Mayo in bohemian district of Buenos Aires
• Purobaires Hotel Boutique Newly built in Palermo Soho Buenos Aires (only 11 rooms)
• La Cantera**** Located in El Calafate - 20 rooms (Perito Moreno Glacier)
• Design Suites Bariloche**** Facing Lake Nahuel Huapi, ideal for Andean Crossing stay-over
• Aldo’s Wine Bar Start your wine adventure in Argentina here; largest selection of wines
MEETING THE LOCAL PEOPLE
It is said that Argentina is the most European of South Ameriacn Countries. Ideologically, Argentineds are a complex people. Despite their urbanity, they retain a romantic attachment to the gaucho, the legendary horseman of the Pampas and beyond, and his idealized qualities of coutesy, generosity and independence. In provincial festivals, a gaucho presence is almost imperative, and it even became part of their language.
Magical moments exploring the Argentinian culture:
• Tango performance at El Viejo Almacén or Esquina Carlos Gardel.
• Walking the pedestrian streets of La Boca, with its huge cosmopolitan flavor and many artist workshops and cafés in El Caminito
• A visit to the extensive Cementerio de la Recoleta where Eva Peron is buried among other illustrious figures from Argentina’s history
• Wine tasting in the Andes region of Salta and La Roija during late March at the small vineyard of Bodega Finca de las Nubes
• Experience the nomadic and colourful Pampa Gaucha horseman and cowhand of the Argentine and Uruguayan Pampas (grasslands), who flourished from the mid-18th to the mid-19th century and have remained a folk hero similar to the cowboy in western North America.
Argentines place a high value on individuality. Argentines believe in being open, frank, and direct, but also take pride in being tactful and diplomatic. In both speech and writing, they may be indirect, elaborate, and complimentary. They can be almost poetic in the way they express themselves. They place a premium on not offending. This impressionistic approach to language is not meant to mislead, and they themselves are seldom confused: they are just trying to be polite and tactful.