tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34395771378198735992024-03-14T09:31:18.213-07:00Travel Destinations in ArgentinaInformation about travel destinations in Argentina. Where to visit, what to see, and where to stay.OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-56625508778065825772015-04-21T12:54:00.001-07:002015-04-21T12:58:07.435-07:00Alta Gracia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alta Gracia is a picturesque little town a short way from the city of Cordoba. We made it to Alta Gracia and back to Cordoba easily in a day.<br />
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There are two main tourist draws for Alta Gracia. One is a well preserved but defunct Jesuit ranch and the other is a home where Che lived that has been turned into a small museum about the great man.<br />
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You arrive at a small bus station and have to walk through a shady forest with a small river running through it. Here we found horses tethered. We stayed here to enjoy a pack lunch. We spotted plenty of birds and were surprised by the general quietness of the area. <br />
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The Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba were named World Heritage site in 2000. In front of the museum is a pretty man-made lake. The buildings were owned by the Jesuits as well as others and the museum reflects the multiple uses of the area. It makes for an interesting 40 minutes paying to enter the museum.<br />
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The Che Guevara museum is a small building a little from the centre of Alta Gracia. It is in walking distance of the Estancias. We had to ask for directions to find it. It was cheap to get in. They have plenty of memorabilia from the revolutionary. You learn plenty about the man from a visit. He lived here as a child because his asthma was made worse by the bad air of <a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/rosario.html">Rosario</a>. <br />
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Cordoba is a big and bustling city. A visit to Alta Gracia is a pleasant retreat to the countryside as well as a chance to see a World Heritage Site and find out about one of Argentina’s most famous and controversial sons.OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-23617490744204190102014-05-18T15:00:00.002-07:002014-05-18T15:00:22.603-07:00Travel Tips for Argentina<div align="justify">
I thought it would be useful for readers of the blog to write a few notes giving travel advice for Argentina. One of the best ways to travel safely and to enjoy your holiday is to have some understanding of the travel scene in a country. Naturally, after you have been in a country for a few days you get to chat with other travellers who give you helpful tips.<br />
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Argentina is one of the safest countries in South America and one of the easiest to travel around independently. However, it is always a good idea to follow simple guidelines to avoid bad situations. <br />
<h3>
staying safe:</h3>
<ol>
<li>In big cities there is always a danger of being mugged, especially at night. Don’t walk around at night. And if you do then stay in well-lit and busy areas. Taxis are cheap in Argentina so use them.</li>
<li>If you are arriving late at night in a destination then it is best to book your hotel or hostel in advance as you don’t want to be hauling your luggage around at night looking for a bed.</li>
<li>Put your money in several places so that if you are pickpocketed or mugged there is a chance that some will be missed by the thief.</li>
<li>Don’t share taxis with strangers as there is a scam where a taxi driver picks up someone who turns out to be a ‘policeman’ who robs you and then shares the proceeds with the taxi driver.</li>
<li>Don’t show your camera on crowded city buses and subways. It is common for digital cameras to be stolen as they are easy to sell on.</li>
</ol>
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<h3>
Money</h3>
<ol>
<li>Take 2 ATM cards with you and use these to get cash. It is very hard to change traveller cheques in Argentina except for in Buenos Aires where there is an American Express Office. </li>
<li>Bring some 10, 20 and 50 dollar bills - if you are stuck for cash then you can often find a place to change them for you.</li>
<li>Watch out for the forged 100 peso notes. You will undoubtedly get one given to you. Don’t let it happen again. One trick is that you give a genuine bill over and the con man swaps it with a fake one and gives it back to you claiming you have tried to pay with a fake bill.</li>
<li>There is a bad shortage of change in Argentina. The bus drivers sometimes make up for a shortfall in change with candy. Even supermarkets will sometimes refuse you a sale because they don’t have the change.</li>
<li>Tell your bank where you are going so they don’t cancel your ATM card while you are on holiday</li>
<li>The sign for pesos is $. Mot be confused with USA dollars.</li>
</ol>
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<h3>
Accommodation</h3>
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<ol>
<li>Most people stay in the numerous hostels in Argentina. They can be booked or reserved online. The cheapest beds are about 35 pesos a night. After a night in a hostel you will soon realize the pros and cons of the places. Some hostels are marketed to a party crowd who drink late into the night and don’t do it quietly.</li>
<li>It is worth bringing a tent especially in the summer, as outside the big cities there is always a camp site. The sites are often secure and well-run places. </li>
<li>If you are travelling as a couple you can sometimes find a cheap hotel room. Many of the hostels have rooms. If they are not busy they will upgrade you free, especially if you are a couple.</li>
</ol>
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<h3>
Travel</h3>
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<ol>
<li>Virtually all the train routes in Argentina have been abandoned apart from a couple of scheduled runs between Rosario and Buenos Aires. There is no plans to re-start a train system. The options are buses and airplanes.</li>
<li>Buses range from basic bangers to luxury reclining buses with service. Bus tickets long distances can really eat into your money. At the main bus station in a city you can find various bus companies selling tickets. You can usually buy a ticket for a same day departure. Travelling on buses is safe. Police sometimes board buses to check IDs and look for drugs. Bring a sweater or blanket as it gets cold when the air-con is left on continuously.</li>
<li>Airplanes are reasonably priced. The price for bus tickets from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in Patagonia is nearly the same as the airplane ticket.</li>
</ol>
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<h3>
Bag Snatchers</h3>
<ol>
<li>The commonest crime committed against travellers is bag snatching. Don’t leave your bag unattended. Watch out in bus stations. You only have to turn around for a moment to get your bag swiped. Often a bus company worker will load / unload bags and will expect a small tip.</li>
</ol>
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There is plenty more I could write, but I leave it for further blog entries. Keep your wits about you, but enjoy the wonderful experience of Argentine culture and its people.<br />
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OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-49550685383328987962013-10-01T03:50:00.000-07:002013-10-01T03:50:23.478-07:00Ushuaia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ADJh0dI7AFuwsq-xp2OhPr6BMk7ilDZH_TPN57HrtnQHdFm_nPr_UsLEEOGOJESWZ0Lpnla2KnaEOON0Sy_vHOzcDhYPFxAlhi1p4c8JqXYx-Ac2K_YS8Vft_sbRfYGlh4r_M4l9uMm/s1600/ushuaia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ADJh0dI7AFuwsq-xp2OhPr6BMk7ilDZH_TPN57HrtnQHdFm_nPr_UsLEEOGOJESWZ0Lpnla2KnaEOON0Sy_vHOzcDhYPFxAlhi1p4c8JqXYx-Ac2K_YS8Vft_sbRfYGlh4r_M4l9uMm/s320/ushuaia.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">Ushuaia is the southern-most city in Argentina and is normally recognized as the southern-most city in the world. Unless you fly, it takes a long time to get to Ushuaia. We took a bus from Buenos Aires stopping off at Puerto Madryn to go whale watching off Peninsula Valdes, and at El Calafate to see the Moreno Glacier.
It takes 1 day to get to Puerto Madryn, another day and a half to get to El Calafate and another 48 hours to get to Ushuaia.<br />
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After days on a bus you really feel like you have arrived at the end of the world. Buses aren’t cheap in Argentina if you cover long distances. We took the plane back from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires and discovered there was very little difference in price.
Although we arrived in Ushuaia in November (summer in the Southern Hemisphere), it felt like cold spring weather. When the sun shone it was bright and warm. At night it got really cold. The temperature in the day was about 12 degrees. It seems odd that the area should be called ‘land of fire’ or Tierra del Fuego when it is so cold.<br />
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The centre of Ushuaia is next to the port. Many of the shops are on a couple of roads running parallel to the port and on hill roads running adjacent to the water, connecting the main roads.
There is a museum charting the history of the area, especially the indigenous Yamana Indians who were treated as curiosities and slaves by the colonizers. Jemmy Button was taken away to England by Charles Darwin to be ‘civilized’.<br />
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If you have money you can take a boat cruise out of the harbour to see the southern sea. If you have lots of money and some time to arrange matters you can get on a cruise ship going to Antarctica. This is perhaps the most famous thing about Ushuaia for many travellers.<br />
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We walked up to the edge of Glacier Martial. It is about 5 km from the town centre. The hill was still covered in snow and a few people were skiing, but the skiing season had finished. We couldn’t see the glacier as it was covered in snow; but, it was a fun day out.<br />
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We did a bit of walking in the area, but really the main draw of Ushuaia seemed for us to be the fact that it was at the bottom of the world: a place can symbolize more than it can entertain or divert some times.</div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-49581125225293090392013-04-08T15:28:00.000-07:002013-04-08T15:28:39.208-07:00Salta Gaucho Festival<div align="justify">
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Every year the city of Salta in the north of Argentina has a ‘cowboy festival’. The city is a popular tourist and backpacker destination. There are plenty of things to see and do in Salta. There is an historic centre with old architecture as well as large universities. Salta is an attractive spot for those foreign students wanting to study Spanish.<br />
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It is a fairly large city. Hostels and hotels are dotted around the city. The dominating feature of Salta is the hill that towers above everything else. It takes about an hour to walk to the top, or there is a funicular train you can take. At the top there is a pleasure park and promenade taking in the views.<br />
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The <a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/salta-gaucho-festival.html">gaucho festival</a> is part of a month long cultural festival in April. The events attract both local and distant Argentines as well as tourists. One of the highlights is a long procession through the town. The main stage is at the foot of the hill where there is a statue of a liberation hero. The parade has plenty of local gauchos, armed forces, girl guides and numerous other associations. It is a fun occasion with lots of families in the crowd.<br />
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In the evening various bars host gaucho parties. These feature a lot of barbecued beef and traditional singing and dancing. Naturally, there is also a lot of drinking and carousing going on in and around the city during this time.<br />
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It is worth climbing the mountain and seeing the festival. Salta also makes a good stop over point on the journey up the Andean incline that eventually comes to the high Andes and Bolivia. </div>
OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-201038919854031142010-08-10T00:43:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:58:28.595-08:00Puerto Iguazu<div style="text-align: justify;">Puerto Iguazu is probably the number one tourist destination in Argentina because of the incredible Iguazu waterfalls nearby. The<b> Iguazu Falls</b> are not the biggest or highest in the world but they are some of the most spectacular. In South America only the Angel Falls in Venezuela can rival the Iguazu Falls. And the added reason why they are so popular: they are accessible from <a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.com/2010/03/buenos-aires.html">Buenos Aires</a> by many luxury over-night buses. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Iguazu Falls are in a National Park in the North East of Argentina on the border with Brazil. Indeed you can cross over to Brazil to see the Falls - in Brazil they are called <b>Foz do Iguacu</b>. Beware many nationalities need to pay for a Brazilian visa which is not cheap. Nearby also is the border with the lesser visited South American country, Paraguay. The entry point for Paraguay is <b>Ciudad del Este</b>. The city of Ciudad del Este is nothing but a duty free shop but nearby is the Itaipu Dam (the second biggest in the world).</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The Iguazu Falls cost $16 for foreigners to enter and a lot less for Argentine nationals. There are a number of walk ways and jungle paths to explore. The walk ways take you very close to several water falls. The most spectacular viewing point is called the <b>Garganta del Diablo</b> - the Throat of the Devil. For some reason Argentines see the devil everywhere in nature. There are also a number of boat journeys you can take including one very wet one that goes very close to the main falls. This boat journey is exhilerating but over-priced for the few minutes it takes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As you walk around the park there are a number of birds and mammals you can stop if you look carefully enough. My wife and I saw a monkey, a coati begging food in the restaurant and several big colorful butterflies.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBxDNuwwYBj2DyBZQUFHdhThvD4I_PJJwoOd6GBFPGvF3iYMZzmuN3LZC9yDJMp1HYjwgdNv0xWARklqY7CbZZo1HNbh5FN3EL-El8Uf2wAIPIoe0maYShhIvFXYSl465CK8YEGJ1GSK9/s1600/coati-in-Iguazu-National-Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBxDNuwwYBj2DyBZQUFHdhThvD4I_PJJwoOd6GBFPGvF3iYMZzmuN3LZC9yDJMp1HYjwgdNv0xWARklqY7CbZZo1HNbh5FN3EL-El8Uf2wAIPIoe0maYShhIvFXYSl465CK8YEGJ1GSK9/s320/coati-in-Iguazu-National-Park.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Coati</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It takes all day to do Iguazu National Park properly. It is in the jungle and very hot so bring sun block, water and insect repellent. There are buses leaving every hour from Puerto Iguazu bus terminal to Iguazu National Park that cost about $1.50.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Accommodation in Puerto Iguazu is based in two areas. The first is near the bus terminal in the town center and the other is on the road to Iguazu Falls. Generally the later accommodation has more space and bigger pools but staying on the road to The Falls means you have little option but to spend all your money in the hotel or resort. Hostel Puerto Iguazu is in this area. It charges $10.55 for a dorm bed (not great value). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the center of Puerto Iguazu there are numerous hostels and hotels to choose from. Many have guest use kitchens, swimming pools, organized tours, ticket booking desks. Several of the hostels are most definitely 'party hostels' which means loud music and alcohol fuelled noise until the wee hours every night. Whatever hostel you choose it is not likely to be cheap by Argentine standards. It is very easy to just turn up and get a place to stay. If you are the sort of person who books in advance then scrutinize the reviews carefully. Many places have glowing reviews in poor English and bad reviews in good English!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Better value are the two camp sites in Puerto Iguazu: one is Costa Ramon Camping (they will pick you up from the tourist information in town) and the other is Camping El Pindo.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are a number of expensive bars and restaurants in the town center and one very handy supermarket that has a deli counter with freshly made food. You can eat in the supermarket at the back. If it wasn't for the water falls I would never go to Puerto Iguazu as it as classic example of how tourism ruins traditional culture and values.</div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-43605272657238444882010-06-26T01:40:00.001-07:002021-03-14T01:59:19.392-08:00Humahuaca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-Jse4ShdGAZIQKy39N-xzs9C0PI_pzknmGFVbUrm-S8gPph4yGor0yhExa1dkYnWCVM88i2RSUXLmrB6mrSGTk5rWipY37EUc7EzxpuqyZgkS63PX64HCGUBTruVH9sLqXc_oDIZH7FA/s1600/humahuaca23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-Jse4ShdGAZIQKy39N-xzs9C0PI_pzknmGFVbUrm-S8gPph4yGor0yhExa1dkYnWCVM88i2RSUXLmrB6mrSGTk5rWipY37EUc7EzxpuqyZgkS63PX64HCGUBTruVH9sLqXc_oDIZH7FA/s320/humahuaca23.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Humahuaca is a small town in the north of Argentina not far from the Bolivian border. The town has a strong indigenous feel to it and the population is mostly Quechua speaking. The town is surrounded by amazing Andean scenery. You don’t have to walk for very long to be literally in the middle-of-nowhere, amongst the surreal moonscapes of high altitude rock faces. <br />
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It only takes an hour or so to take in the sights of the town. In the town center there is a town hall with a clock tower. At noon every day a life size figure of Saint Francisco Solano emerges from the clock tower and makes the sign of the cross. On the main plaza there is an impressive monument to Argentine Independence and opposite is the beautiful <b>Iglesia de la Candelaria</b>.<br />
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The real reason to visit Humahuaca and the reason why Humahuaca is a <b>UNESCO World Heritage Site</b> is the surrounding area and villages. Nearby is the beautiful village of <b>Purmamarca</b> which has a rock face with stratas of seven different colors. Also nearby is the remote village of <b>Iruya</b> that seems untouched by time. And there are the pre-Colombian ruins of <b>Coctaca</b> to visit. <br />
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Humahuaca is a good place to start horse trekking tours of the area. Or if you prefer to walk then it is easy to find a company offering guided treks of the area.<br />
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Cheap accommodation is limited in Humahuaca. The population seems keen to cash in on the small trickle of tourists the town attracts. One of the cheaper and better places to stay is <b>Hostal Humahuaca</b>. The hostel has dorms and private accommodation. The dorm beds are $9.50 per night. This price includes breakfast. The Hostal Humahuaca’s website claims that they have a guest use kitchen. When I visited that wasn’t the case.<br />
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Hostal Humahuaca is not affiliated to any booking engine. OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-50106669597540974802010-06-01T00:57:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:00:22.337-07:00TilcaraTilcara is a beautiful small cobbled street town in the Argentine Andes near the border with Bolivia. It is a picturesque and tranquil spot to stay for a few days. The main historical point of interest in Tilcara is the impressive ancient ruins called <b>El Pucara</b>. It is a fort build on a hill side for defensive reasons. The lower parts of the walls have been carefully restored to give you a good idea of the advanced architecture used by the indigenous people of the region. The entrance fee is very reasonable and the ticket includes entry to the neighbouring botanical gardens and the archaeological museum in town.<br />
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Also of interest is the <b>Museo Jose Antonio Terry</b> which features paintings by the Buenos Aires-born eponymous painter. Also featured are pieces by local artists. <br />
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In August, Tilcara holds a big <b>Pachamama Festival</b> where people where animal masks and party all night and all day. Tilcara like <a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.com/2010/04/amaicha-del-valle.html">Amaicha del Valle</a> and other northern towns in Argentina has a strong indigenous presence and seems more allied with Bolivian culture than <a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.com/2010/03/buenos-aires.html">Buenos Aires </a>culture. In the evening around the central plaza you can see live musica folklorica featuring pan pipes, guitars and other local instruments.<br />
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Tilcara is a friendly and laid back place that is generally safe to walk around at night.<br />
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The surrounding countryside is breathtaking. There are a number of walks you can do, including the one hour hike to <b>Garganta del Diablo</b>, which is a narrow gorge with a waterfall.<br />
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Accommodation in Tilcara is plentiful. It ranges from expensive hotels to basic hostels to camping. Recommended is La Albahaca Hostel run by a local family. There are dorms and private rooms with and without en suite bathrooms on offer. The family is very friendly and lets you use their kitchen. There’s a small bar and a roof top terrace to look at the piercing bright stars at night.<br />
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The bus station is just a short walk from the central plaza and La Albahaca Hostel. El Pucara is signposted. The path for El Pucara starts up the hill just past La Albahaca Hostel.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTox4D6kt_-DVRZSyaXQJJtmrTT0Hvkx4GqZ7RyafqSQJGDa_R0OsIWrovpKNKeBwDmSZxtLS9st1f-fH_OUvSEq8Hq4ukiwnrD9ht50AjID274MEfqg1SxhTe95pYzmDZnwVR3Ha6k0zo/s1600/pucara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTox4D6kt_-DVRZSyaXQJJtmrTT0Hvkx4GqZ7RyafqSQJGDa_R0OsIWrovpKNKeBwDmSZxtLS9st1f-fH_OUvSEq8Hq4ukiwnrD9ht50AjID274MEfqg1SxhTe95pYzmDZnwVR3Ha6k0zo/s320/pucara.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-27802331087847369462010-05-04T04:54:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:01:26.194-07:00SaltaSalta is one of the biggest cities in the north of Argentina. It is a pleasant city with a number of interesting things to see and do. It is also a good base from which to pursue adventure activities.<br />
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Salta has a population of nearly 500,000 people. It is a spread out city with a big hill near the centre called <b>Cerro San Bernardo</b>. You can catch a teleferico (cable car) to the top or spend 30 odd minutes following the winding path up to Parque San Martin. On a clear day the views are great.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Other places of interest in Salta include the Cathedral and Town Hall on Plaza 9 de Julio. Also the <b>San Francisco Church</b> is an imposing building and the nearby <b>San Bernado Convent</b> with its big hand carved carob doors are worth a look.<br />
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The <b>Museo Arqueologico de Alta Montana</b> has a good selection of Indigenous artifacts and there are some interesting paintings in the <b>Museo de Belles Artes</b>.<br />
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In June Salta hosts a guacho or cowboy festival that culminates in a big parade through the town.<br />
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Near Salta is the <b>Cabra Corral Dam</b> where you can do a number of adventure activities including kayaking, water skiing, bungee jumping and rafting.<br />
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There are a number of reasonably priced hostels in Salta. They are in the centre of the city not far from the bus terminal. The Terra Occulta Youth Hostel is cheap, clean and has a roof top bar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPAMvBvb61SX453xNAUbOmHGf1cOrlh6YXshYnvF1NXPq20Lj88wWaU-JyE5vZZB4PFcxqHbMq9k4IsoTfbJkAgivODhvNJ0ASfaZTIjshIJqmuF2nO0wl4uxsoznIYdQFbDlGMN20Qmj/s1600/Cerro-San-Bernado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPAMvBvb61SX453xNAUbOmHGf1cOrlh6YXshYnvF1NXPq20Lj88wWaU-JyE5vZZB4PFcxqHbMq9k4IsoTfbJkAgivODhvNJ0ASfaZTIjshIJqmuF2nO0wl4uxsoznIYdQFbDlGMN20Qmj/s320/Cerro-San-Bernado.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-80398461354390373952010-04-30T06:38:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:03:33.739-07:00CafayateCafayate is a small town with a population of about 12 thousand people that is in the mountains at an altitude of 1600m. The town is noteworthy for two things in particular. The first is its proximity to the strange rock formations of the <b>Quebrada de Cafayate</b> and the other is its vineyards. The altitude, soil and micro-climate make the area around Cafayate perfect for wine cultivation.<br />
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Cafayate feels like a small town. It is easy to walk everywhere. Around the main plaza are a series of restaurants and tourist souvenir shops. On the outskirts of town and in the nearby countryside are a number of Bodegas, many of which are open to the public. It has become a popular tourist activity to hire a mountain bike and head off for the day to visit some wineries and sample the local vintages. Care of course should be taken not to get too drunk if you are in charge of a bicycle.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The other major tourist attraction is the series of surreal mountains and rock formations in the Quebrada de Cafayate. To get there you can catch a bus from the bus terminal. Any bus heading to Salta can drop you off. Or take a taxi. The most famous spot in the Quebrada is the Devil’s Throat Gorge or Garganta del Diablo. It is a narrow gorge that opens out to a high barrel of pink mountain. Garganta del Diablo is 50 kms from Cafayate. It is possible to rent a mountain bike for the day and put it on an Indio bus and get dropped off at the <a href="http://trippytravellerinsouthamerica.blogspot.com/2010/01/day-out-cycling-in-quebrada-de-cafayate.html">Garganta del Diablo and cycle back to Cafayate</a>, stopping off on the way to see the numerous other weird and fantastic mountain sights. Bring sun block and plenty of water. Despite being a fantastic day trip it is surprising how few other tourists you meet. <br />
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Cafayate has a good variety of accommodation options from cheap hostels with guest use kitchen such as Rusty K Hostel to more expensive hotels. <br />
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The town is pleasant enough to stroll around but has nothing of very great significance to look at. Cafayate like <a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.com/2010/04/amaicha-del-valle.html">Amaicha del Valle</a> and Tafi del Valle<a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.com/2010/04/tafi-del-valle.html">http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.com/2010/04/tafi-del-valle.html</a> make great stop over points for those coming from Bolivia or going to Bolivia overland.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICwme4Gtom6W596NlkRvovVWX7VY17lJxKrI5_SPIh6o3kCfERF2vkSVFZOcgYhX4JZPo_0vgBmNQAcg7IEokBrG2cAj3HLVHFVwFzpYH0L1AHFQ0Q00uU1_iaMBqHJpnlExdQG0cq_Qe/s1600/lama-in-Cafayate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICwme4Gtom6W596NlkRvovVWX7VY17lJxKrI5_SPIh6o3kCfERF2vkSVFZOcgYhX4JZPo_0vgBmNQAcg7IEokBrG2cAj3HLVHFVwFzpYH0L1AHFQ0Q00uU1_iaMBqHJpnlExdQG0cq_Qe/s320/lama-in-Cafayate.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-53869893622081420892010-04-20T01:06:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:04:26.099-07:00Amaicha del ValleAmaicha del Valle is a beautiful town 55 kms from Tafi del Valle. It is a sleepy small place with a micro climate that has 360 sunny days a year.<br />
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The town is high up in the Sierra de Aconquija and is the traditional home to the Calchaqui Diaguita Indigenous community. It is said that inhabitants of Amaicha have the purest indigenous blood in all of Argentina.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Part of the reason for this is the nearby <b>Quilmes Ruins</b>. The Quilmes were indigenous people who built a terraced city in the mountains and managed to hold out against the Spanish for 130 years. The survivors of the bloody struggle were sent to various distant parts of Argentina to prevent them gathering in force and re-taking their Holy Land. The story of Quilmes is fascinating. The ancient city was sold for a mere $70 to a business man who built a luxury hotel with swimming pool at the foot of the ruins. Only after prolonged legal action did the Quilmes people finally get their holy city returned to them. This was in the 1970s. Since then Quilmes has become one of Argentina's less well known but very significant historical sites. Like Tilcara it is of immense archaeological and sociological significance. It is the Machu Picchu of Argentina. And like Machu Picchu the area has an indescribable aura of ancient mystery and colonial brutality. The terracing goes in a narrowing V up a gorge with vertiginous look out posts on either side. The surrounding area is an untouched desert wilderness.<br />
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To get to Quilmes Ruins you can catch a bus that drops you at the road leading up to the site (about 5km walk) or you can hire a taxi or you can go with a tour group. It is very possible to hitch hike back to Amaicha after you have seen Quilmes Ruins.<br />
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In Amaicha there is the <b>Pachamama</b> (Earth Mother) museum which contains a history of the region and many startling examples of indigenous art.<br />
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9 kms outside of Amaicha del Valle are a series of waterfalls called <b>El Remate</b>. The trek to the falls and back makes a good day out. For those who enjoy horse back riding there are countless trails to follow including one to <b>Tiu Punco</b>, the desert's door.<br />
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Amaicha del Valle hostels are cheap. They offer dorms, private rooms and camping. In the summer Amaicha is very popular with young alternative people. It is sometimes jokingly referred to as 'Jamiacha'. Be warned, police sometimes search foreigners leaving Amaicha for drugs.<br />
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Finally, every February Amaicha del Valle holds a popular Pachamama Festival.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7i5eMsvrND9zXG5s1Sx3HnNzaXIxZMIM2ex5O4DJqBUQp58Lxi2oh6sok57t_VPe_ZswLx3HL7SD_jFg4hhoVpxkbqkQLLUH9DEKJVBMN1Nc-DO_duuR9I4cxGm2DMmWBXHFqmMY6Bcbv/s1600/Pachamama-Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7i5eMsvrND9zXG5s1Sx3HnNzaXIxZMIM2ex5O4DJqBUQp58Lxi2oh6sok57t_VPe_ZswLx3HL7SD_jFg4hhoVpxkbqkQLLUH9DEKJVBMN1Nc-DO_duuR9I4cxGm2DMmWBXHFqmMY6Bcbv/s320/Pachamama-Museum.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-539293546181221882010-04-11T20:43:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:06:25.933-07:00Tafi del ValleTafi del Valle is delightful small town in the mountains in the north of Argentina. Tafi del Valle is in the Sierra da Aconquija mountain range and is at an altitude of 1,976 m above sea level. It is about 100 km from Tucuman.<br />
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The great thing about Tafi is the scenery. The area is in a huge valley plain with a big lake and towering mountains. There are many treks to do. Within a few minutes walking you are out of town and in pristine countryside. Many Argentines come here during the hot summer months to escape the heat and crowds of the city. When you have visited Tafi it is easy to understand why – it is a tranquil area perfect for fishing, horse back riding, trekking, mountain biking, camping or just plain lazing around and having a barbecue or picnic.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The trekking possibilities include the the trek through the valley to the small town of El Mellar where there is a <b>Menhir park</b>. This trek goes past a delightful cemetery tucked away at the bottom of a mountain as if forgotten to the world. Then there's the 13km trek to <b>Cascada los Alisos</b>, a 20m waterfall. Three hours by foot away from Tafi de Valle is the indigenous ruins of Valle de la Cienaga. And there's the <b>Museo Casa Duende</b> which is 6 km from Tafi. The museum explains local myths and legends.<br />
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Tafi town itself has a pleasant central plaza and one main road with shops selling souvenirs and restaurants that cater primarily for the tourist trade. The town has a supermarket and other amenities such as a tourist information center and a bus terminal. At the same time the place is very sleepy and ideal for those looking to escape the madding crowds of big cities.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Accommodation</span></b><br />
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There are a few hotels in Tafi. There's also a Hostelling International Hostel which has dorm beds as well as private rooms. It's called Nomade Hostel. This is a cheap and clean place to stay. One of the staff, Michael, speaks good English and is happy to give advice about trekking in the area. The Hostel has a small guest use kitchen and common room. Affiliated to Nomade Hostel is <b>Auchache Expidiciones</b> - an adventure activity company that organizes guided treks and horseback riding trips.<br />
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An even cheaper option is the camp site just a little bit further up the hill from Nomade Hostel. The campsite has a shower block and each camping spot includes a barbecue area. At the bottom of the field there are a couple of horses. It is a quiet and perfectly safe camping spot. Of course, because of the altitude camping is only enjoyable in the summer months from November to February unless you have a very thick sleeping bag.<br />
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Tafi del Valle is conveniently situated between <a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.com/2010/04/san-miguel-de-tucuman.html">Tucuman</a> and Amaicha del Valle and is a perfect place to stop for a few days if you are heading towards the Bolivian border or if you are heading south to <a href="http://argentinatraveldestinations.blogspot.com/2010/03/buenos-aires.html">Buenos Aires</a>.<br />
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Read about a great day I had in Tafi del Valle at <a href="http://trippytravellerinsouthamerica.blogspot.com/2009/06/serendipity.html">Trippy Traveller in South America.</a>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-69506753019270953642010-04-08T20:38:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:07:30.264-07:00San Miguel de Tucuman<div style="color: black;">San Miguel de Tucuman or as it is normally referred to, 'Tucuman' is the eponymous capital of Tucuman Province and the largest city in northern Argentina.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">Tucuman is not a particularly exciting city to look at but, nevertheless, Tucuman is of extreme importance to Argentine culture.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">There are a few beautiful colonial buildings to visit, the most famous of which is the City Hall (<b>Casa de Gobierno</b>) which is lit up at night. Other places of interest include the <b>Museo Folklorico Manuel Belgrano</b> which displays artifacts from Indigenous cultures in the region, <b>Casa del Obispo Colombres</b>, an 18th Century House with agricultural exhibits, <b>Le Mercad Church</b>, <b>Independence House</b> (where independence from Spain was first declared) and <b>Timoteo Navarro Museum</b> on 9 de Julio.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>In Spring the city is overwhelmed with blossoming flowers and is often referred to as 'the garden of the Republic'. Tucuman is also famous for its intellectual and artistic contributions to Argentine culture. The National University of Tucuman has taught a number of people who later went on to fame such as Mercedes Sosa (folk singer), Tomas Eloy Martinez (author) and Miguel Lillo (botanist). Tucuman has two large theatres and several small independent theatres that offer a wide variety of performances.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">The city of Tucuman sits on the slopes of the Aconquija mountains and is surrounded by an amazing diversity of scenery. Nearby is the incredible moonscapes of the <b>Quebrada de Cafayate</b>. In many ways, Tucuman is the gateway city to the High Andean destinations of Argentina. As such, Tucuman is a great place to organise activity adventures. In the nearby countryside you can go on organised tours to do such activities as mountain biking, trekking, horse back riding, rappelling (abseiling) and rafting.</div><br />
<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: small;">Accommodation</span></b><br />
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</div><div style="color: black;">There a few backpacker hostels in Tucuman. They all offer guest use kitchens, dorm beds or private rooms and offer excursions. Tucuman Hostel is recommended. It is both near the bus station and the center of town. The manager speaks good English and everyone working there is friendly. The rooms are simple but clean. There's 24 hour security and a garden with a pool at the back. A dorm bed at Tucuman Hostel costs $10</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
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</div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-21142531764683720542010-04-05T21:06:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:09:53.024-07:00CordobaCordoba is a city of about one million inhabitants which was named ‘Cultural Capital of The Americas' in 2006. Not only is there a great many places of cultural interest to visit in Cordoba but also Cordoba has a great nightlife (thanks to a massive university student population) and nearby there are many adventure activity possibilities.<br />
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The center of Cordoba is quite compact. It is a short walk from the bus terminal to the city center and most of the accommodation options. The central plaza is San Martin Plaza. Near the central plaza there are several beautiful churches to visit including the <b>Iglesia Catedral</b> and the <b>Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus</b>. The <b>Iglesia de Santa Teresa</b> has a museum of religious art. Very close to Cordoba Backpackersis the <b>Museo Provincial de Belles Artes Emilio Caraffa</b> which has free admission to a stunning collection of paintings. On Rosario de Sante Fe Street is the <b>Museo Historico Provincial Marques de Sobremonte</b>. It was built in 1752 and is one of the oldest buildings in Cordoba.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>For those who enjoy a few drinks and a dance at the weekend there are bars, restaurants, nightclubs and salsa clubs a plenty to enjoy. Most of the nightlife is centered on two areas – Nuevo Cordoba and Abasto. Remember that in Argentina they don't go out until 12am and that is very advisable to catch a taxi back to your accommodation after a night out.<br />
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Many visitors to Argentina choose Cordoba as a place to stop for a few weeks to study Spanish. There are several Spanish schools in the city offering a variety of courses at reasonable prices. Furthermore, the cost of living is less in Cordoba than in the capital Buenos Aires.<br />
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For those people who love the outdoors and adrenalin rushes there are several possibilities. A number of companies offer horseback riding, trekking, paragliding, rock climbing, mountain biking and rafting excursions. For more information about adventure activities in Cordobaclick the link.<br />
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There is a good variety of accommodation in Cordoba and the prices are reasonable.Cordoba Backpackers offer dorm beds for under $8 a night. It is a well run hostel with a magnificent view of the Basilica de Santo Domingo. The Alvaer Hostel is also recommended it is very close to the center but remains a very quiet hostel. It is a stylish place with guest use kitchen, free wifi and 24 hour security. A dorm bed costs about $10 a night.<br />
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For those heading north from Buenos Aires on the way to Bolivia, Cordoba is an obvious choice for a stopover for a few days to either visit churches and museums, study Spanish or do a few all-nighters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7PuFJBGx6-gGbVmTx5UZI9sSQq_Hx2wtXmegNB-bqpjjnyTsGMNfdBIi7LtRR4g6lRA02hUshFMDlJQXzoFgt7gQziWLwNAHEFKO4UkoRMDrINnTvJNKcCn2Ukz1F6Pce7JX97T17JIt/s1600/San-Martin-Plaza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7PuFJBGx6-gGbVmTx5UZI9sSQq_Hx2wtXmegNB-bqpjjnyTsGMNfdBIi7LtRR4g6lRA02hUshFMDlJQXzoFgt7gQziWLwNAHEFKO4UkoRMDrINnTvJNKcCn2Ukz1F6Pce7JX97T17JIt/s320/San-Martin-Plaza.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-76155528626867139622010-03-30T19:24:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:11:24.960-07:00RosarioRosario in Santa Fe Province is Argentina's third largest city. It was named after the Virgin of the Rosary. Rosario is next to the Rio Parana river and has lots of great river beaches. It is also a city of culture with many fine colonial buildings on display. Rosario, however, is best known for two historical events. The first is that in 1812 General Manuel Belgrano raised the newly created Argentine flag for the first time in Rosario; and the second is that Che Guevara was born in Rosario.<br />
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One of the curious things about Rosario is that it feels a lot smaller than it is. After coming from the sprawling metropolis of Buenos Aires, Rosario feels more relaxed and compact. Most of the historical sites, museums, bars, restaurants and hostels are in walking distance of each other. Furthermore, the port or<b> estacion fluvial</b> where you can catch a ferry to the beaches is also near by.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Places of Interest </span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black;">For <b>Che Guevara</b> fans head to Entre Rios 480. The building is an apartment block and there isn't a museum, just a sign outside pointing out that the revolutionary was born there. Another momentous moment in South American politics happened when General Belgrano raised the Argentine flag in Rosario and to mark that event the authorities buillt the huge imposing monument called in English 'Monument to the Flag' and in Spanish '<b>Monumento Nacional a la Bandera'</b>. You cannot miss the huge romanesque steps and columns, the eternal flame </span>and the massive statues. It is by the river and port behind Plaza 25 de Mayo. Also nearby is the <b>Parque Nacional de la Bandera</b> which fills up on Sundays with locals sipping mate and relaxing. You can often see all kinds of things going on in the park including folk dancing.<br />
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Further places of interest include <b>Museo Historico Provincial Dr Julio Marc</b> which has interesting displays of Indigenous artifacts. <b>Museo Municipal de Belles Artes Juan B Castagnino</b> displays European and Argentine fine art and <b>Museo Provincial de Ciencies Naturales Dr Angel Gallardo</b> has a fascinating collection of dead fauna.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Activities</span></b><br />
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In the summer months the main focus of activities is the huge Rio Parana. Along its banks there are many bars and cafes. There are a number of river beaches to choose from. 6 kms north of the center is the popular <b>Catalunya beach</b>. From Estacion Costa Alta you can catch a ferry to <b>Isla Invernada</b>, a small island with a great beach and a forested area where you can camp. From the ferry port near the flag monument you can get a boat to <b>Isla Espinillo</b> which has a big selection of bars and restaurants to choose from. On Isla Espinillo you can also go waterskiing, jetskiing and windsurfing.<br />
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Other non-beach related activities in Rosario include strolling around the <b>crafts fair</b> on Av Belgrano on the weekend, catching an <b>open air movie or show</b> (weekends in January and February), taking the elevator to the top of the flag monument or catching some of the lively nightlife in and around the center. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Accommodation</span></b><br />
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Hostels are plentiful and good value in Rosario there are several in the center near Plaza 25 de Mayo and near the river and flag monument. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Other information</span></b><br />
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Click the following links for more information on Rosario: <br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zYXiHLmlqWM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zYXiHLmlqWM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439577137819873599.post-34154678913890121652010-03-29T18:55:00.001-07:002021-03-14T03:12:54.880-07:00Buenos AiresBuenos Aires is one of not only the great cities of the Latin world but one of the great cities of the world. It has a wealth of fine colonial architecture and a vibrant and wide-ranging culture. It is inexpensive as capital cities go and relatively safe for a Latin American capital. In short, it would be a crime to visit South America and not visit Buenos Aires.<br />
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The city centre is divided into districts. To the north is <b>Recoleta</b> where the upper class lives. There you can masses of dogs being walked, the labyrinthine necropolis where Eva Peron is buried and the excellent <b>Museo Nacional de Belles Artes</b> which houses a good collection of European, Colonial and Indigenous art. In complete contrast is <b>La Boca</b>, the working class area and home to the famous Boca Juniors football team. The houses are colourfully painted and there’s a weekend market with live street shows.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Buenos Aires is tango central and in Buenos Aires it is the <b>San Telmo</b> area which tangos the hardest. Its cobbled streets and aging mansions once attracted bohemians, now it sadly attracts boutiques; but, nevertheless, every Sunday <b>Plaza Dorrego</b> comes alive for an antique market and street tango shows. <br />
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Through the heart of the city runs the world's widest road – Julio de 9 – which connects much of the city from the airport in the south to Recoleta in the north. In the middle is the iconic <b>Obelisco</b>. A kilometer to the north is <b>Plaza San Martin</b> which is the colonial heart of the city. Here is Catedral Metropolitana that from the outside looks more like a Roman senate building than a church. And a block away is Casa Rosada, the pink presidential palace. <br />
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The colonial treasures stretch on throughout the city. I'm only providing a taster. If you get bored of grand old buildings there is the <b>Reserva Ecologica Costanera</b> to the east. An extensive area of marsh lands with a good selection of flora and fauna and some great views across the Rio Parana, the giant river that separates Argentina from its tiny neighbour Uruguay. The Reserva has many fine walking trails and is perfectly safe during the day.<br />
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There are also several parks and gardens to enjoy in Buenos Aires including Jardin Zoologico (a small zoo), Jardin Japones in Palmero and the extensive Parque 3 de Febrero. These parks are in the Palmero and Recoleta areas which also have Buenos Aires’ trendiest bars and boutique fashion shops. Due to the weak Argentine peso shopping in Buenos Aires can result in some real bargains.<br />
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Finally there's the <b>nightlife</b>. Every night there is something going on. There is an extensive events calendar of concerts, shows, out-door events, talks, bands and DJ parties. It is, however, Sunday morning at 1am that the city reaches weekly euphoria in bars, salsa clubs and DJ spots throughout the city. This is a city that truly knows how to party.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKMR3y9EnCLADhYXFa14PO6QKdhxr_8tx-A-k_RLVHLrH48DVpB3dQHnDqvyDYn8VYroDLwNqcGPnSCjqCCW1TSCPmoai51dZqZWKPpLRxdcGvsDtOHyZD7_QrvBerdh7CDUFhTi1Qnif/s1600/Obelisco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKMR3y9EnCLADhYXFa14PO6QKdhxr_8tx-A-k_RLVHLrH48DVpB3dQHnDqvyDYn8VYroDLwNqcGPnSCjqCCW1TSCPmoai51dZqZWKPpLRxdcGvsDtOHyZD7_QrvBerdh7CDUFhTi1Qnif/s320/Obelisco.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNJ2Rm87V378YWT8JkWa_fIo5QR40rpZyHx1efk4p3RWqabmaEUo7hHPBaYHrqq5Af-IcEKrvokEzB7WNVelxh-Mn_k9srweGbyaVJWlmHQRAQQ6xjgomlOzIC1Hi3PXLaYLHg6TfDD0p/s1600/recoleta-and-dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNJ2Rm87V378YWT8JkWa_fIo5QR40rpZyHx1efk4p3RWqabmaEUo7hHPBaYHrqq5Af-IcEKrvokEzB7WNVelxh-Mn_k9srweGbyaVJWlmHQRAQQ6xjgomlOzIC1Hi3PXLaYLHg6TfDD0p/s320/recoleta-and-dogs.jpg" /></a></div>OPen MIndhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06290169355404859616noreply@blogger.com