Argentina travel guide
Salta
Salta is located in the Lerma valley in a mountainous region in the North-West of Argentina. The town has quite a few nice colonial mansions and churches and is a good base for exploring the region.
The city centre is small enough to explore on foot. The Plaza 9 de Julio is the real centre of town, and here you find the Cathedral dating back to the 1850s and the Cabildo. East of the centre is the Cerro San Bernardo which can be reached by cable car (spanish: teleferico - depart from Parque San Martin) and from which you get a great view over the city.
The small suburb or San Lorenzo is a good destination for a short excursion (20 minutes away, AR$9 by taxi) - stroll in the park or go further into the forest on one of the many hiking trails that start there; go on a horseback ride up the hill to get a great view of Salta, or simply walk around this very nice neighborhood to see the the colonial-style houses.
From Salta, there is a variety of excursions that will take you up in the mountains for fantastic views. Go to Cachi (West) for one day to see landscapes reminiscent of the desert of Arizona, Cafayate (South) for breath-taking rock formations, or Jujuy (North) for a trip into the rainforest.
The main attraction in Salta is the Tren A Las Nubes (train to the clouds). This 15-hour train ride (only runs on saturdays) takes you to 4,200 m of altitude, to the large viaduct La Polvorilla and the small Indian village of San Antonio de Los Cobres. Tour guides on the train will tell you a lot of interesting information during the ride; Indian artisans will sell you hand-made alpaca sweaters for US$8; and folk bands will play traditional music on the way back. The ride is long (especially the last 2 hours, after nightfall) and a bit pricey, but WELL WORTH IT. The scenery will take your breath away.
The Train to the Clouds
One of the biggest tourist attractions of the province of Salta in the northern Argentina, crosses 33 bridges, 13 viaducts, 21 tunnels, 2 routes and two zigzags and has a history of its own, long and zigzagging as its layout. The line was started in 1889 and finised in 1948. The railway stretches from Salta city across the Andes to the Chilean port of Antofagasta. Salta, the state where is located, is well known for Argentine fishing and the Train to the Clouds
Cafayate
Cafayate is wine growing in a very rough and desert-like environment. If you have the opportunity go visit one of the bodegas, like Etchart or Michel Torino. The white Argentinian torrontes they make is famous. Cafayate is a town located at the central zone of the Valles Calchaquíes in the province of Salta, Argentina. It sits 1,683 meters above mean sea level, at a distance of 1,329 kilometres from Buenos Aires, 227km from Tucumán, 311 km from Jujuy and 365 km from Catamarca. It has about 12,000 inhabitants and the population is about 11,785
The town is an important tourist centre for exploring the Calchaquíes valleys, and because of the quality and originality of the wines produced in the area. It was founded in 1840 by Manuel Fernando de Aramburu, at the site of a mission. In 1863 the Cafayate Department was created, of which Cafayate is the capital.
Colonia, Uruguay
A truly worthwhile day trip from Tigre or Buenos Aires is by hydrofoil over the Río de la Plata to Colonia. Uruguay´s historical gem is a gently paced, friendly place, made even more relaxed by the cool breezes that come in off the Río de la Plata and tickle its sycamore shaded colonial streets.
Colonia is no secret to The Argentine people, so get in before the rest of the continent succumbs to its charm. The World Heritage-listed site of the Barrio Histórico contains treasures including the superb 17th-century Portuguese contraband port, La Colonia Portuguesa, and the fortress of Colonia.
Mar del Plata
(population 550,000) is an Argentine city located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the Buenos Aires Province, 400 km south of Buenos Aires.
As an important fishing port, industry concentrates on fish processing. The area is also host to other light industry, such as textile and food manufacturing. Located nearby are stonemasons which are used in construction.
As part of the Argentina recreational coast, tourism is one of Mar del Plata's main economic activities. Between five and seven million tourists visit Mar del Plata every year, occasionally quadrupling the number of residents. Mar del Plata has sophisticated tourist infrastructure to cater to the industry and as such, casinos, theatres and other tourist attractions are all located there.
Mar del Plata is the most popular destination for conventions in Argentina after Buenos Aires. It has a wide range of services in this sector. Mar del Plata's vivdly life assures activities going on every week of the year when it comes to entertainment. The Fiesta Nacional del Mar ("National Sea Festival") with the election and coronation of the Sea Queen and her princesses; the Premios Estrella de Mar ("Sea Star Awards") which honor the best shows during summer season; the Valencian Falla week; the Mar del Plata Moda Show, the numerous fashion shows that gathers the best haute couture designers, and the Mar del Plata International Film Festival, the only film festival "class-A" of Latin America.
Tierra del fuego
The Tierra del Fuego is the big island on the southern tip of Argentina and Chile. It's a treat for adventurous travelers and offers great outdoor opportunities. After the long trip through Patagonia, its a refreshing change to start seeing green trees, and life again. Tierra Del Fuego is beautiful.
