Argentina at the moment is the place to go.If your interests are in adventure travel, city hopping/viewing,night life activity,eating at a very high level, then this country is for you.It only has one drawback, YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF PICKPOCKET ACTIVITY.It is prelevant everywhere.
My wife and I wanted to see and experience this country,Our journey included 7 Days in Buenos Aires.We found a Guest House thru the internet in Palermo district.The Liviano Guest House was very personal and helpful in launching us on explorations of this very vibrant 24/7 city.Be sure to visit the sunday markets at San Telmo and Recoleta.Great people viewing and watching the diverse street performances, from Tango dancing, guitar playing and puppetry it was all very entertaining, and great photgraphic opportunities.
The restaurants are all roung great.You have to ask the locals where they go.For the high end the Puerto Madero area is very diverse.All the districts have their favourites.For Pasta the best places are where they actually make it on site.Customised fresh Pasta for that day is outstanding.Pastamaking shope are everywhere.
Travelled to Cordoba.Highest concentration of Churches and young student population.Rented a minivan for the day and drove to Belgrano, a very german oriented town on a lakeside.Roadside Parilla's (Barbecue) spots are all along the road and are highly recommended to stop and taste the beef.
Then took an overnight bus ride to Mendoza.This bus ride was with fully recling bedding dinner and wine.Only US$ 35.00 each.
Mendoza is the wine country.Stayed at an all suite hotel.The personnel at El Portal Suites Hotel arranged a van and driver for us to visit a series of 7 vineyards(Bodegas).These varied from very old to very modern.All staff very friendly and all very infomative.Some Bodega's will also cater Lunch.Great way to enjoy the food and taste the wine.
Then we flew to Iguazu Falls.Stayed on the Argentinian side at the Sheraton Hotel(The most expensive of stays).The falls are spread out on the both sides of Brasil . Paraguy and Argentina, with really specatcular viewing.The boat ride up to and under the Falls was very memorable.
At the end of the trip back to Buenos Aires,Stayed downtown Recoleta area at an apartment.Very comfortable and easy to reach all destination, via Taxi, Subway or ciculating buses.
Then spent the day on Tigra Island.This is the Delta area just outside of Buenos Aires.Highly recommended to visit.The best way is to make a booking for an island restaurant. Take the public boat ,have lunch and catch the boat back.We ate at the Gato Blanco restaurant.Sunny weather,on a balcony, under a large spreading Sycamore tree, and watched the traffic go by.
On our last day went to the Japanese Garden.Enjoyed the arborial delights of Japan.Then wandered back to our apartments, and that is where we were overcome by some very professional pickpockets.They sprayed some horrible smelling stuffon us, then came over to help, during that time they sought out your valuables.Then quick as a flash they were gone with your posessions.Fortunately for our party of six, I was the only that got hit.Very quickly returned to the apartment and cancelled my credit cards.The joys of an Laptop and Skype enabled me to do this in 1/2 hour.
That was the only black mark of the trip.As my Argentinan friend later told me"it happens to the most seasoned of travellers"
Despite this small glitch I can heartily recommend a visit to this very vibrant and up to date country.Photolog can be found at www.ipp-photo.com and go to links.
Robert K Cuerden
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