Argentina

Argentina stretches down South America’s southern cone from subtropical north to subantarctic Patagonia with wine regions, tango culture, and some of the continent’s most dramatic landscapes. The country feels more European than its neighbors with Italian and Spanish immigration shaping the culture. Buenos Aires dominates as the sophisticated capital while the provinces offer gaucho traditions, Andes peaks, and endless pampas grasslands. Two to three weeks covers Buenos Aires plus a region or two but the country sprawls massive. Summer December to February brings heat while winter June to August works for northern areas and skiing. The economy stays unstable with inflation affecting prices. Spanish is the main language with a distinct accent. Beef and wine define the cuisine.

Buenos Aires and Wine Country

Buenos Aires sits elegant along the Río de la Plata with European architecture, tango shows, and steak houses called parrillas serving massive portions. The city has distinct neighborhoods. San Telmo has cobblestone streets, antique markets, and tango dancers in Plaza Dorrego. La Boca has colorful Caminito street and Boca Juniors stadium. Recoleta brings upscale shops, cafes, and the cemetery where Evita rests in the Duarte family tomb. Palermo has parks, trendy restaurants, and nightlife starting after midnight. The city stays awake late with dinner at 10pm normal. Mendoza west sits below the Andes producing Malbec wine with hundreds of bodegas offering tastings. The wineries spread through Maipú and Luján de Cuyo with mountain backdrop. Aconcagua highest peak outside Asia rises nearby. The city has tree-lined streets and outdoor cafes.

Patagonia Glaciers and Mountains

Patagonia covers the southern third with glaciers, lakes, and mountains drawing hikers and adventurers. El Calafate bases visits to Perito Moreno Glacier where ice walls tower 70 meters above Lago Argentino. The glacier advances constantly with ice chunks calving and crashing into water creating booms. Walkways let you view from multiple angles. Boat trips approach the face. El Chaltén north is the trekking capital with trails to Laguna de los Tres below Mount Fitz Roy’s jagged granite spire. The Laguna Torre hike shows Cerro Torre another dramatic peak. The town grew from nothing in 1985 to outdoor base with hostels and gear shops. Ushuaia sits at the continent’s southern tip as the world’s southernmost city. The town has the prison museum and Beagle Channel boat trips seeing penguins and sea lions. The Tierra del Fuego National Park has trails through lenga forests.

Iguazu and Northwest

Iguazu Falls straddle the border with Brazil with 275 waterfalls thundering in horseshoe formation. The Argentine side has walkways bringing you close to cascades getting soaked by spray. Devil’s Throat Garganta del Diablo is the massive central chute. The falls dwarf Niagara in scale and power. The surrounding jungle has coatis, toucans, and butterflies. The northwest has Salta colonial city and surrounding valleys. Cafayate produces Torrontés wine with vineyards at high altitude. The Quebrada de Humahuaca valley has colored rock formations and indigenous villages. The Tren a las Nubes train climbs to 4200 meters through mountain passes.

Food is asado barbecue with every cut of beef, empanadas meat-filled pastries, milanesa breaded meat, choripán sausage sandwich, dulce de leche on everything, Malbec wine, mate tea, alfajores cookies, pizza and pasta from Italian influence.