Argentina
Argentina is a country of extremes. Buenos Aires is one of the great cities of the world, with a cultural intensity that rivals Paris or New York. The steak is the best you will ever eat. The Malbec is world class and costs almost nothing. Patagonia, at the southern end of the continent, has glaciers the size of cities, jagged granite peaks, and landscapes so vast and empty they redefine your sense of scale. And Iguazu Falls, on the border with Brazil, is the most spectacular waterfall system on Earth.
The country stretches nearly 2,200 miles from the subtropical north to the sub Antarctic south, encompassing wine regions, grassland pampas, Andean peaks, lake districts, and glacial fields. It is physically enormous, culturally rich, and currently one of the best value destinations in the world for American travelers.
Where to Go
Buenos Aires is the Paris of South America, and the comparison is not just marketing. The architecture, the cafe culture, the literary tradition, and the sheer sophistication of the dining and nightlife scene all justify it. The neighborhoods of San Telmo (Sunday antique market and tango), Palermo (restaurants, bars, and boutiques), Recoleta (the cemetery where Eva Peron is buried and the nearby museums), and La Boca (colorful Caminito street) each offer a different side of the city.
Mendoza is Argentina’s wine capital, sitting at the base of the Andes with over 1,200 wineries producing some of the best Malbec in the world. Wine tasting here is relaxed, generous, and affordable. The views of snow capped mountains behind rows of grapevines are stunning.
Patagonia is for travelers who want nature at its most dramatic. Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park is one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing. Watching and hearing massive chunks of ice calve off the face and crash into the lake below is an experience that stays with you. El Chalten, the trekking capital of Argentina, is the gateway to Mount Fitz Roy and some of the best hiking in South America.
Iguazu Falls straddles the Argentina and Brazil border and consists of roughly 275 individual waterfalls spread across nearly two miles of cliff face. The Devil’s Throat, the largest of the falls, is a U shaped cascade that sends mist hundreds of feet into the air. It dwarfs Niagara in every dimension.
Where to Stay
Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires is the city’s grand dame luxury property. Faena Hotel, in the revitalized Puerto Madero district, is a Philippe Starck designed masterpiece. In Mendoza, The Vines Resort and Spa offers private vineyard estates and a Francis Mallmann restaurant. In Patagonia, Eolo Lodge near El Calafate provides luxury in utter isolation with views of the steppe and mountains.
Let Us Plan Your Argentina Trip
Argentina is a big country that requires domestic flights to connect the major regions. Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Patagonia each deserve their own dedicated time, and adding Iguazu Falls creates a comprehensive itinerary that covers the full range of what this country offers. We will handle the routing, the flights, and the accommodations so you get the most out of every day.
