Salta, Argentina

Its heritage is vast and varied: ancient Diaguita-Calchaqui and Inca vestiges, the more recent Spanish colonial legacy and its active involvement in the independence wars. These features are still alive in the architecture of its villages, towns and in the city of Salta itself.

The first people to live in this area were aware of its outstanding natural beauty and called it “SAGTA”, which in the Aymara language means “very beautiful one”. Even today Salta is known as “the pretty one”. Now we invite you to discover it for yourself.

Salta, Argentina

Salta Plaza at Night - Salta - Argentina

The Wine Route of Salta, Argentina

Atuel River Mendoza Argentina

Las Leñas Mendoza Argentina

Lindo otoño cerca de Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza's Grape Expectations

Ruta Nacional 7, the major road running between Buenos Aires and Santiago, runs through Mendoza. The city is a frequent stopover for climbers on their way to Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere) and for adventure travelers interested in mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, and other sports. In the winter, skiers come to the city for its easy access to the Andes.
Two of the main industries of Mendoza area are olive oil production and wine making. The region around Greater Mendoza is the largest wine producing area in Latin America. As such, Mendoza is one of nine cities worldwide in the network of Great Capitals of Wine, and the city is an emerging wine tourism destination and base for exploring the hundreds of wineries in the region.

Buenos Aires’ physical structure is a mosaic as varied and diverse as its culture. The city has no dominating monument, no natural monolith that serves as its focal point. Instead, Buenos Aires is composed of many small places, intimate details, and tiny events and interactions, each with a slightly different shade, shape, and character. Glass-sheathed skyscrapers cast their slender shadows on 19th century Victorian houses; tango bars hazed with the piquant tang of cigar smoke face dusty, treasure-filled antique shops across the way.

The city’s neighbourhoods are small and highly individualized, each with its own characteristic colors and forms. In the San Telmo district, the city’s multinational heritage is embodied in aBuenos Aires – La Boca varied and cosmopolitan architecture – Spanish Colonial design couples with Italian detailing and graceful French Classicism. La Boca’s pressed tin houses are painted a rainbow of colors, and muralists have turned the district’s side-streets into avenues of color.

Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina

For all its diversity, the elusive spirit of Argentina as a country is present everywhere in Buenos Aires. The national dance, the tango, is perhaps the best expression of that spirit–practiced in dance halls, parks, open plazas, and ballrooms, it is a dance of intimate separation and common rhythm, combining both an elegant reserve and an exuberant passion.

Mapa Satelital do Buenos Aires

Mapa Satelital do Buenos Aires

]]> http://toptouristsites.com/buenos-aires-argentina/feed/ 1 http://toptouristsites.com/iguazu-falls-misiones/ http://toptouristsites.com/iguazu-falls-misiones/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:51:32 +0000 Tommy http://toptouristsites.com/?p=1744 lottery

Iguazu Falls is undoubtedly the most visited place in Misiones and one of the most imposing natural attractions in Argentina, and why not in South America…Together with Nahuel Huapi National Park in Patagonia, it is one of the most frequented tourist sites. In guarani language, the term “Iguazú” means “great waters”. It was discovered in 1541 by Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and established in 1984 as Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Iguazu Falls

Situated in Iguazú National Park, some 20 km. from Puerto Iguazú in the north of the province, these falls are shared by Brazil and Argentina.
Iguazú river is born in Paraná state in Brazil, and after crossing 1,200 km. on a plateau where it receives several affluents, it reaches a fault forming a crack in the interleaved layers of sandstone and basalt where the river runs.

This river runs through a smooth geography until it reaches a series of faults, and suddenly an 80 m. canyon in the Devil’s Throat where the water produces a thundering sound and then drains into the Parana river.

A legend says that a big snake called “Boi” lived in the river. To calm its ferocity, aborigines sacrificed a woman every year as an offering. But once a brave guarani aborigin kidnapped the woman and saved her from the traditional rite escaping through the river. Boi burst in anger, bent its body and split the river forming the cataracts separating the man and the woman.

Walking on the footbridge

There are more than 270 falls in an area where cliffs and islets are scattered in a half moon. From the visitors center you can walk around trails or in a picturesque train. There are two basic circuits: an upper path and a lower path.

The lower path leads to the base of the falls, where the spray moistens visitors. It is a unique experience, worth daring the adventure. In this circuit you may also take a boat to Isla San Martín. From the upper path you have panoramic views from the footbridge in an unforgettable experience.

The falls that can be visited are: Salto Floriano, Salto Deodoro, Salto Benjamín Constant, Salto Unión, Salto Escondido, Salto Mitre, Salto Belgrano, Salto Rivadavia, Salto Tres Mosqueteros, Salto Dos Mosqueteros, Salto San Martín, Salto Adán y Eva, Salto Bozzetti, Salto Ramirez, Salto Chico, Salto Dos Hermanos and Salto Alvar Nuñez .

Leaving from Cataratas station, we go to the footbridge on the upper part of the river. We get to the balcony on the Devil’s Throat, the biggest fall with such a big flow of water that you will be overcome by the grandeur of the scenery.

Wild Adventure

The lovers of adventure travelling can acces to more intense circuits.

Apart from waterfalls, the jungle offers a series of alternatives in a dump but slightly fresher environment with a wide variety of animals and plants. Almost 500 species of wild fowl, 80 species of mammals and an immense variety of reptiles, fish, insects and butterflies live in this ecosystem.

Only some meters from the Research Center is Macuco Trail, a 3 km. walking path through the dense jungle with different degrees of difficulty. It is a 2 hour walk to Salto Arrechea.

A private operator offers a more daring alternative. Leaving in a 4×4 vehicle we drive 8 km. through the jungle to the coast of the inferior Iguazu river.
Some semi-rigid rafts with powerful engines will be waiting for us to go upstream and into the mist veil formed by the cascades.

Another option is to take a rowing boat in the upper Iguazú river to watch the animals and plants in this delta, and maybe see some water tortoises or yacares sunbathing on the coast.

Casa Rosada - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Argentina Sightseeing

1. Buenos Aires:

Start your tours to Argentina with this beautiful city. Known as Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is an extremely sophisticated city with interesting characteristics. Though a South American city, one may feel it like a European one. The metropolis of Buenos Aires is an ample proof of the assorted quintessence of the Argentinean culture. It is a city of multiple contrasts, presenting a conglomeration of exotic food, wine, architectural styles and the undaunted spirit of tango. The charm of Buenos Aires cannot help to leave the tourists bowled over.

2. Iguazu Falls:

Argentina travel cannot get completed unless you pay a visit to the world-famous Iguazu falls. The falls is often called as the gateway to Argentina. Taller than the Niagara, it is an amazing sight to experience tons of water throwing themselves over the cliffs.

3. Patagonia:

This is another destination that you must cover before you complete your Argentina vacation as Patagonia presents a completely different and unique genre of Argentina. Being one of the largest regions in Southern Argentina, tours to Patagonia involve a lot of traveling, as there are a lot to do there. It is an amazing experience to have a rendezvous with the gorgeous whales and penguins in Peninsula Valdes and the lake region of Bariloche. The inhabitants of world-renowned national parks and glaciers in El Calafate, and Tierra del Fuego can also be your host in Patagonia. And not only these, there are something more for you there. You should also travel to Patagonia to see the Penguin colonies, glaciers and enjoy the variety of wildlife there.

4. Mendoza:

Medoza is the ideal destination for the lovers and admirers of wine and food. It also offers remarkable sights in and around the Andes Mountains, which is also a known destination for adventure sports. The wine regions located in the western sides of Mendoza are truly picturesque.

5. Salta:

Located in the picturesque northern region of Argentina, Salta is the region where the weather conditions remain quite stable throughout the year. It is an ancient, long-standing and the most out of the ordinary colonial town in Argentina. A train journey through the charming and unforgettable scenery can make you trip a truly enjoyable one.

6. The Atlantic Coast:

One of the favorite vacation destinations for many local Argentineans as well as the international tourists, the Atlantic coastline of Argentina is simply superb. There are plenty of hotels and villas that offer magical views of the ocean in the Mar del Plata city. You can also hang out in the small towns of Carilo, Villa Gesell, and Pinamar etc.

The other popular Argentina tourist destinations of Argentina include Bariloche, the capital city of the lake region of Patagonian, which offers excellent skiing facilities. Peninsula Valdes and El Calafate are the places where you will come across outstanding natural beauty and wildlife.