In our previous post, we shared with you shopping tips in Spain. Today, we’re sharing travel tips for those who plan to visit the beautiful South American nation of Argentina.
With its rich culture, Argentina offers a multi-sensory experience for visitors. Here are our top five picks.
1. Buenos Aires. Of course, the first stop is always the capital city. Buenos Aires is dubbed as the “Paris of the South” and is known for its old world charm coupled with modern delights. Cobblestone streets? Check. Quirky boutiques and fancy shops? Double check. History museums? Of course. Nightlife? Definitely. If you want to experience firsthand the splendor and the passion that is tango, The Lonely Planet recommends heading to the bandstand at the Barrancas de Belgrano for the La Glorieta. Free tango lessons are given there too.
2. Iguazu Falls. The Iguazu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the Argentine province of Misiones. The Iguazu River forms the boundary between Brazil and Argentina. The falls are popular among tourists because of its sheer, jaw-dropping beauty. It is composed of 275 falls but the most popular is Devil’s Throat which is 82 meters high. Visitors can take a boat ride on the river and into the falls. Legend has it that a god planned to marry a woman who instead ran away with another man. The angered god sliced the river, creating the waterfalls, and condemned the doomed lovers into an eternal fall.
3. The Andes Mountains. The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world. It spans seven South American countries including Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. This mountain range is ideal for nature lovers with its scenic lakes and stunning landscapes. Common activities include hiking and skiing.
4. Mendoza. This region is known as Argentina’s Napa and Sonoma valleys because it is the heart of the country’s winemaking industry. If you plan to explore Argentina through its wines, this is the place to be. Vineyard tours are popular here and each tour offers not just wine samplings, but also other local gourmet delights. The Mendoza countryside also has its own charms that are worth discovering.
Spanish at heart
While English is widely spoken in Argentina, the heart and soul of the country is, of course, Spanish, and visitors will find that speaking the Hispanic language significantly enhances the travel experience to world’s eighth largest country.
In fact, speaking Spanish will certainly come in handy when visiting more than 20 countries around the world that consider Spanish as its national, official or de facto language. This does not include countries with large Spanish-speaking populations including the US.
“Learning Spanish is a great investment and the payoff really is tangible especially when you travel,” The Spanish Group general manager Alfonso Martinez said. “Contrary to what some people might think, learning Spanish can be easy and it does not have to take a lifetime. The key is in finding the right partner.
The Spanish Group offers Spanish translation services for businesses and individuals.
Additional Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguazu_falls
http://www.touropia.com/tourist-attractions-in-argentina/
http://wanderingtrader.com/argentina/top-5-argentina-tourist-attractions/