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Argentina tour packages: 5 top destinations

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Why travel to Argentina?

One of the most attractive countries in South America, Argentina offers just about anything travelers may be looking for in an exotic destination. From beautiful sandy beaches, cosmopolitan city scenes and traditional culture to infinite majestic landscapes, Argentina is immense and full of breathtaking contrasts.

Make your Argentina vacation the trip of a lifetime by exploring the country's many facets with this guide to the top 5 destinations in Argentina. Start your journey in the exciting and vibrant capital, Buenos Aires, where you can mingle with the locals and try your hand at the sensual tango, Argentina's famous dance. Continue on towards the impressive Iguazu Falls, a truly magical world wonder, which attracts millions of visitors every year.

Next is the Medoza region, with its lush green valleys covered with gorgeous vineyards, and dominated by beautiful snow-capped mountains. Nestled at the foothills of the Eastern Andes, the Medoza region is sunny and warm year-round, making for a perfect destination to relax and explore South America's "Wine Capital" as Mendoza is often reffered to.

Travel south to the Atlantic coastal city of Puerto Madryn, gateway to the Gulfo San Jose and Gulfo Nuevo off the Valdes Peninsula. The Valdes Peninsula Reserve, covering over 1400 acres, is home to an extraordinarily rich marine wildilfe. Seals, sea lions, and whales can be observed from up close, as well as terrestrial species such as guanacos, Patagonian hare, armadillos and many more.

End your Argentina explorations with a Patagonia travel adventure amidst spectacular landscapes, exploring El Calafate and its numerous natural wonders, at the southern tip of the country. Backed by looming glaciers, expansivce ice fields and deep blue shimmering lakes, the splendor of the El Calafate region is beyond words. Hiking across the Los Glaciers National Park, filled with somptuous glaciers, is an enchanting experience that you are unlikely to ever forget!

Buenos Aires

Cosmopolitan city scenes

One of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in Latin America, Buenos Aires is a truly magical place where travelers will delight in getting lost in the crowds, strolling down the streets filled with shops, restaurants, and bars, and learning about the sensual and exciting Argentinean culture. Located on the shores of the Rio de la Plata, this radiant port city is like no other in the Latin American continent. Considered "The Pearl" of South America, Buenos Aires boasts a dynamic cultural life where tango, long coffee klatches and football are essential elements in its people's daily lives. The "portenos", as the eclectic inhabitants of the city are called, have a a rich identity resulting from various foreign influences, mostly european, and reflected in the architecture and way of life. Plan your perfect Buenos Aires tour and come back with enchanting memories.

Home to nearly 12 million inhabitants, Buenos Aires is a gigantic megalopolis offering countless attractions that could keep you busy for years. As a traveler, you are likely to find the most interesting activities in the area around Plaza de Mayo, near the city's historic center. The city's bustling downtown part is located in Mirocentro, home to the large majority of Buenos Aires's hotels, banks, shops, restaurants, bars and cafés. Mirocentro features a lovely pedestrian street, Calle Florida, which is generally crowded with shoppers during the day, and party-goers and street artists at night.

When you think of Buenos Aires, tango and sensuality pop into your mind. San Telmo is the city's oldest neighborhood, filled with tango bars, as well as rustic and authentic restaurants, and antique shops. Palermo, divided in several sectors is a neighborhood filled with parks, and one of the trendiest districts to experience the city's exciting nightlife. Myriads restaurants and bars await you in Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Viejo and Las Cañitas.

Mendoza

The Wine Region

With more than a thousand wineries, Mendoza is one of the most popular destinations in Argentin and in South America. Closely associated with the production of wine, which is excellent in the region, many have compared Mendoza to the Napa Valley. Actually, it's even better, as only in Mendoza can you taste exotic and delicious wine, then hop on the back of a horse for a ride across the stunning Andes moutains.

What sets Mendoza apart from its most famous counterparts in Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany is that most Argentine vineyards are willing to share recipe and techniques with visitors. Most vineyard tours are free and include a sample tasting but require reservations which will allow you to get up close and personal with barrels, equipment, and grapes.

European settlers introduced the ancient craft of winemaking in the 19th century, and ever since Mendoza has been producing delectable wines. The fourth largest city in Argentina, Mendoza itself is also a real pleasure to explore, with its wide, leafy streets, scenic plazas with glorious fountains, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Don't miss out on the city's raging nightlife. Bars, restaurants, and cafes along Avenida Aristides are usually crammed with merry makers.

The ideal time to visit the Mendoza region is during the March harvest, when the entire area turns into a weeklong party. Several festivals are held such as the Wine Fair, which welcomes big-name chefs traveling from all over the world come to take over the kitchens of the most renowned vineyards. With that said, anytime you take a trip to Mendoza, the wine will be flowing and it is bound to be full of excitement.

Iguazu Falls

South America's most famous natural wonder

Taller than the Niagara Falls, and four times as wide, the Iguazu Falls are one of the world's most famous destinations. Every second, an average of 553 cubic feet thunder 269 feet down to the bottom of these gigantic falls. During the rainy season, from November to March, the rate of flow is even more monstrous.

The falls are separated into an incredible 275 cascades, which may be why the falls' name comes from the Guarani word "great water." The Devil's Throat is the biggest waterfall in the circuit. Numerous catwalks allow tourists to view and experience Iguazu Falls from many angles, or take a helicopter tour. This UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site lies on the border between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

The Argentinean side of the Iguazu Falls contains around 2 thirds of all of the waterfalls and from the visitors center there are various trails and routes around the complex. It is also a fabulous place to go on hikes into the virgin rainforest; protected within the boundaries of the national parks on both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of the border.

Within Iguazu National Park there are 450 types of birds, 80 types of mammals, including endangered species of jaguar and ocelot, and over 2000 species of flora. In a nutshell, a real nature lover's paradise. The falls are surrounded by the natural grandeur of the subtropical jungle, resplendent with lush flora and fauna, including orchids, begonias, flocks of colorful parrots, five different species of toucan, cacique birds, and a cornucopia of over 100 species of butterfly.

Puerto Madryn

Marine life at its wildest

Wildlife enthusiasts will relish exploring the spectacular and extraordinarily rich Valdez Peninsula just next to the charming town of Puerto Madryn. The main attraction in the region, this beautiful natural reserve is located approximately 50 miles from the Puerto Madryn, and boasts amazing towering cliffs, sprawling reefs, and striking scenery. The peninsula is frequented by penguins from September to April, with baby penguins gracing the shores during December and January, whales from June to December, and large sea lion colonies all year round.

Just 2 hours south of Puerto Madryn is the equally stunning Punta Tombo Natural Reserve; open from September to April and simply marvelous for bird watchers. Aside from the penguins which come here to mate and nest, flocks of king and rock cormorants, giant petrels, kelp gulls, and oystercatchers populate the reserve.

Puerto Madryn also has a pleasant ambience to offer visitors, providing a peaceful respite during their Argentina travels. Knowledge seeking travelers will enjoy the two excellent museums: the EcoCentro, and Oceanographic and Natural Sciences Museum. The former displays in interactive detail the marine ecosystems of the Atlantic Patagonia, while the latter specializes in the region's natural and human history, flora and fauna and oceanography.

Last but certainly not least, the city's wide beaches and calm waters provide an idyllic holiday spot during the months from December to March, where locals flock each year to enjoy a few days away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

El Calafate

Patagonian glacial landscapes

El Calafate is a top destination for travelers seeking the ultimate Patagonia experience. The small but charismatic settlement serves as the main tourist center for the region and features all the amenities you could need or want. Surrounded by the majestic beauty of larger-than-life glaciers, crystal clear lakes and rugged terrain perfect for trekking, Calafate is a must-see during your Argentina vacation.

Located in the beautiful glacial landscapes of Argentinean Patagonia, the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is the second largest in Argentina, covering over 660,000 ha. Filled with giant ice fields that straddle the border of Chile, this park is an amzing destination if you are looking to immerse yourself in pristine nature, and get away from everything.

13 of the 47 major glaciers that comprise the area descend into the park to feed two main lakes, Lago Viedma and Lago Argentino. The major attraction in this park is the massive Moreno Glacier, which travelers can hike, trek or kayak on.

For those who enjoy trekking, the nearby village of Chalten is within easy access to Calafate. Known as the "National Trekking Capital", visitors here will be awarded premiere trekking opportunities that boast breathtaking Patagonia vistas.

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You have already traveled to Argentina and would like to share you experiences? This is the place to express yourself!

  • KellydeBorda May 28, 2011 @ 8:01 pm | delete
    Very nice lens on Argentina - you've been blessed again!
  • Heather426 Mar 14, 2011 @ 10:51 pm | delete
    Beautiful and informative lens about Argentina! Blessed.
  • MiaBellezza Feb 20, 2011 @ 6:37 am | delete
    Lots of great info on Argentina! Angel Blessed.
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