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Argentina - Locations
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Buenos Aires
Situated on the banks of the Rio De La Plata, the world's
widest river, Buenos Aires' combination of elegant neighbourhoods
like Recoleta and working class suburbs of San Telmo
and La Boca create an amazing combination of glamour
and down to earth charm. Its residents, known as Portenos,
are known for their snobbery and sophistication and have created
one of the most serious café cultures on the
planet: philosophising and talking politics well into the
night, cafes take up entire sidewalks all over the city.
Next to and named after the chicest neighbourhood in the city,
the Recoleta Cemetary is where Evita and other
important city residents are buried. Wandering around the
beautiful marble and other ornate tombs is a fascinating way
to spend an afternoon. Afterwards, enjoy a Dulce De Leche
ice cream in one of the many cafes that surround Recoleta.
Catching a tango performance does not have to be a
clichéd and tacky experience and missing one while
in B.A. would be a huge mistake. Plenty of establishments
in San Telmo offer tango shows where you can take a
local for a spin across the dance floor in one of the world's
most sensuous dances. If you're in Buenos Aires on a Sunday
afternoon, outdoor tango performances are given for passerbys
in La Boca, by the river, one of the city's largest
working class areas.
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Patagonia
This vast region stretches all the way down to Tierra Del
Fuego, which Argentina shares with Chile. The most untouched
region of the country this massive wilderness holds glaciers,
Andean peaks, penguin colonies and tiny settlements of bohemians
trying to escape the northern rat race. Cold and icebound
during the winter, Patagonia is best visited in the summer
months where the temperatures can still fall below freezing
and snow is not uncommon. Ushuaia is the capitalof Patagonia
where tours and transportation can be arranged.
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Andean Northwest
The Andean Northwest is the heartland of the mestizo,
the indigenious peoples of Argentina. The dry deserts are
very picturesque and offer travellers a glimpse of a more
'South American' Argentina away from the European coast. A
combination of colonial historical sights and pre-Colombian
sites make the region a must for culture vultures in search
of Argentinian history. The city of Salta has the most
preserved colonial architecture in the entire country. Shop
for cactus crafts here in the Indian markets and relax
in the laid back town exploring Argentina's more recent history
of European settlement.
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El Bolson
Argentina's answer to the Lake District, El Bolson is the
first place in South America to go anti-nuclear and retains
a bohemian slant in its unique residents, art and small town
feel. There's lots to do here including rafting and
hiking in a setting very much like Switzerland. Many
Jews found refuge here after the 2nd World War and the whole
area is considered the most liberal in Argentina.
Gaiman
One of the country's most unusual towns is Gaiman. Here, in
the middle of South America, you can sit down for an authentic
Welsh tea with some of the town's eldery residents.
Settled in the mid 1860's the town has proudly retained its
Welshness that is now touted as a curiousity to tourists.
Pampas
Starting just outside of Buenos Aires, the fertile and flat
Pampas are the home to the gaucho, the mythical 'cowboy'
like figure that preserves the machismo attitude of Argentinian
males. It is here where vast estancias raise the cattle that
feeds the nation's beef habit and where travellers, for a
price, can have a go at being a gaucho for a day. Many estancias
rent out rooms that equal some five star hotels so the experience
is not for the cash challenged.
Malvinas/ Falklands Islands
This group of islands off South America's south eastern tip
were brought to the worlds attention in 1982 when Argentina
and the Great Britain went to war over it's sovereignity.
While known as the Falklands in the UK, they are called the
Malvinas by Argentines, and though the military war was short,
the war of words lasted much longer. Relations between the
two countries have only recently improved. Travellers have
once again returned to the islands to experience the uniquely
British feel of Port Stanley, the capital. Though expensive
to reach, it is a very quiet isolated and peaceful place with
friendly locals, penguin colonies and lots of small
uninhabited islands to explore. The threat of land mines
is still very real so independent adventure travel around
these islands is still restricted for safety reasons.
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By Dave Lowe
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