Taking up most of the southern half of South America, Argentina comes in at number eight on the list of the world’s largest countries with an area of 2.8 million square kilometres. Argentina has some of the tallest mountains in the world, extensive deserts, and spectacular waterfalls, accounting for the wide diversity of the landscape ranging from wild, remote areas in the south to the pampa area and the exciting city of Buenos Aires in the north. Below are brief descriptions of a selection of the major tourist towns and cities within this exciting country.


Palermo - Buenos Aires

BUENOS AIRES

Founded 400 years ago along the River Plate as the ‘Paris of South America’, Buenos Aires is one of the world’s most elegant and exciting cities. Designed around wide boulevards that lead to large squares and manicured public parks, Buenos Aires has a decidedly European feel and is a modern centre of art and culture. The city is a remarkable blend of charming Old World traditions, such as the lively Italian Boca district, within a vibrant, urban centre. From the Colon Opera House, to the San Telmo Antique Market, to cruises along the fashionable riverside neighbourhoods of Olivos, San Isidro and San Fernando – Buenos Aires is a diverse city with lots to see and do.

Things to see and do while in Buenos Aires.

Visit the historic Recoleta Cemetery where, protected behind giant walls, is the famous cemetery in which hundreds of ornate marble crypts contain the remains of the city’s wealthiest families, amongst which is the grave of Eva Peron.

Enjoy an evening sampling Argentina’s celebrated beef and the country’s fine red wines in one of the leading restaurants/nightclubs of Buenos Aires. Cabaret can include a spectacular presentation of the popular and sensuous Tango, Argentina’s most famous musical tradition. Loneliness and despair, jealousy and homesickness – all are themes of tango. The dance is a demonstration of strutting Latin machismo, passionate and flamboyant.

Take the opportunity to absorb the atmosphere of country life at a really colourful Argentine feast in the pampas. Buenos Aires is a sprawling metropolis, which abruptly ends where endless fields of green pastures dotted with cattle and horses begin. There are several ‘Gaucho’ tour available.

Argentina is one of the countries that border the world famous Iguazu Falls. Taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over almost two miles of the Iguazu River, Iguazu Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left a large crack in the earth. Iguazu Falls, called Foz do Iguaça in Brazilian, and Cataratas del Iguazu in Spanish, lie on the Argentina- Brazil border and are a Unesco World Natural Heritage Site. These statistics do nothing to describe the grandeur of the falls, the tremendous amount of water thundering down 269 feet. Iguazu Falls are divided by various islands into separate waterfalls. One of the best known is Devil’s Throat, (Gargantua del Diablo) with its perpetual spray high over the falls. Other notable falls are the San Martin, Bosetti and Bernabe Mendez. Getting there takes an hour and three quarters by air from Buenos Aires.

PUERTO MADRYN

Situated in the Patagonian province of Chubut, Puerto Madryn is one of Argentina’s fastest growing cities. The current population stands at around 50,000. It has a deep water port, commercial center. It is also a favourite tourist destination, its popularity stemming from its ability to offer visitors beaches, sports and wildlife excursions.


Puerto Madryn beach

Puerto Madryn has an interesting history. Welsh colonists, who left Great Britain seeking autonomy for their culture and language, settled in this area. Those original settlers came ashore in July 1865 and named their first settlement Porth Madryn in honour of Baron Madryn of Wales. As time passed they spread out founding other towns while keeping their language, customs and architectural styles. Sadly, while other towns in the province retain much of their Welsh heritage, only the street names remain in Puerto Madryn.

Things to see and do while in Puerto Madryn.

The town is the gateway to the Peninsula Valdés, a wildlife sanctuary boasting rheas, oystercatchers, flamingos, egrets, whales, sea elephants, sea lions, Magellanic penguins, cormorants, petrels and other species of wildlife.
Punta Tombo is the largest continental Magellan penguin colony with half a million arriving at these breeding grounds every year. From Puerto Madryn it is about 124 miles and will take around two and a half hours. The scenery en-route will be the typically arid land of the Patagonian Plateau.



USHUAIA

It was in 1870 that the Anglican South American Missionary Society decided to place the archipelago’s first permanent European settlement here in Ushuaia. Not long after Ushuaia’s settlement, the Argentine government established its authority in Ushuaia by creating a penal settlement for its most infamous criminals and political undesirables. It stayed a penal settlement until 1950, when the government of Juan Domingo Perón created a major naval base to help support Argentina’s claim to part of Antarctica. Since the demise of the military dictatorship in 1983 Ushuaia has developed as a tourist destination, visited by cruise ships as well as independent travelers wanting to see the world’s southernmost city.

Things to see and do while in Ushuaia.

Wild nature and rugged landscapes are the order of the day in this southernmost part of Argentina.

A short drive from Ushuaia is the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Bordering the Beagle Channel, the National Park, made up of lakes and rivers, glaciers and forests, rocks and mountains, is home to a large variety of land birds. These include the Antarctic Giant Petrel, the Southern Fulmar, the Great Glebe, the Kelp Goose, Imperial and Rock Cormorants, Streamer Ducks, Kelp Gulls, the South American Tern, the Black Oyster Catcher, the Snowy Sheatbill and the Antarctic Skua.

From Ushuaia, a drive along the valley of the River Olivia Valley heads north into the Andes, passing the Five Brothers Mountains and entering Garibaldi Pass. Ahead lies magnificent Lago Escondido (Hidden Lake). This is a breathtaking, crystal clear lake hidden deep in the mountains of Tierra del Fuego surrounded by luxuriant greenery and mountains.

Take a trek in the Reserva Natural Tierra Mayor (a protected national park), located in the foothills of the Alvear mountain range.


Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

A more relaxed method of sightseeing in this area is by catamaran. The trip takes in views of the Beagle Channel and surrounding mountains as well as a spectacular look at Ushuaia and Mount Olivia. Sheep farms, Mount Escarpado and finally the historic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, which sits at the end of the world, make this a varied voyage. The return cruise takes visitors past the Sea Lion colony on Bird Island as the vessel heads towards Bridges Islands and finally through Chico Pass and back to Ushuaia.

Weather
For information on the weather conditions throughout Argentina visit www.worldweather.org

Currency
The currency of Argentina is the Argentine Peso. For the latest exchange rates visit www.xe.com

Airport Information
There are an amazing 48 airports in Argentina. The principal airport for international entry is Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport which is 22 kilometres south west of the city. There is also a domestic airport, Jorge Newbery Airport which is 2 kilometres from the city centre.

For the latest visa requirements please go to www.projectvisa.com