Argentina – When Spanish conquistadors explored this wondrous land of the South American Hemisphere in the 1500’s, the indigenous peoples of the region graced them with plentiful gifts of silver in gratuitous gestures of friendship. As you might imagine, this activity spurred considerable interest from the European Continent. Throughout the next 500 years the resulting confluence of the cultures of conquest created an intriguing land of many dimensions; politically, economically, agriculturally and culturally. The fascination of Argentina cannot be captured in a page of dialogue, so we will only attempt to spice your anticipation by touching on the highlights.

Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world and one of the most diverse. If you visit the Central Region you can enjoy the Pampas plains, land of the gauchos and Argentina's breadbasket. Argentina has the highest per capita beef consumption in the world, no doubt in part to their delightful way of serving meat in the gaucho style of the pampas, chacos and Patagonian grasslands. Just as the United States has its old western cowboy lore, Argentina enjoys a rich heritage that reflects the growth and lifestyle of cowboys on the pampas. While the North American cowboy pulls out a lariat to rope an animal and bring it under control, on the pampas a Bollero, or boleadoras, three rocks connected individually by three foot lengths of leather, are thrown at the animal’s feet to tangle them up and bring it down. To fully appreciate the beauty and magic of the estancias, visit San Luis where you can obtain lodging and learn about the lifestyle, ride horses, enjoy home cooking, four wheeling and mountain biking while taking in the incredible scenery.

If you are into mountain climbing, Cerro Aconcagua, in Cuyo, is the highest mountain in all of the Americas at 6,962 meters. This magnificent mountain, with its steep slopes, attracts climbers from the world over. While in Cuyo, called the region of the high peaks, visit the Wine Road and the wineries of Mendoza and San Juan, where the glaciers of the Andes supply the water used to make those famous Argentine wines. If you go during the winter, from June through August, you can catch the nearby slopes of Valle de Las Leñas near Malargüe, one of the largest winter resorts in the country.

The Southern Hemisphere’s seasons are reversed from the north, so it is smart to pay attention to the time of year and which part of the country you are visiting. January and February are very popular months of high season, although it is too hot to fully enjoy Buenos Aires at that time of year. During the winter months of June, July and August it is advisable to visit the northern areas of the country, where the weather is a bit drier. Be sure to visit Amaicha del Valle and enjoy the Fiesta de la Pachamama in August. This Tafí Indian festival celebrates the Earth Goddess, who lives in the underworld and feeds man, thus becoming the link between man and nature. If you have the time and want one of the most unique experiences you will ever have, go to Salta and book a trip on the Tren a las Nubes (“the Train to the Clouds”). Go to http://www.enjoy-argentina.org/salta-destinations-salta-train-clouds.php for a complete description of the trip. This 15 hour trip will take you 219 kilometers from Salta through 21 stations to La Polvorilla. It departs every Saturday during the winter season, from April to November. The train contains a dining car, interpreters and medical care with oxygen for passengers suffering from altitude sickness.

When you visit the rain forests of Litoral there is nothing more breathtaking than the Iguazu' Falls in Iguazu' National Park. Stay at one of the local estancias and take day trips to check out these incredible sites on foot, horseback, train or white water rafting. Like Europe, Argentina has a Value Added Tax that tourists can recover when shopping with merchants who are members of the refund program. The VAT in Argentina is a substantial 21%, so it is worth the time necessary for recovery using “Global Refund”, which is a world leader in refund programs.

Global Net Trading's favorite websites for Argentina are:

http://www.enjoy-argentina.org/salta-destinations-salta-san-antonio-cobres.php. If you want a good feel for Argentina, go through this site first. This is one of the simplest, most informative sites on the country. It offers all of the detail needed to fully appreciate each of the events and sights featured.

http://www.turismo.gov.ar/eng/menu.htm. This is a fascinating site with terrific rotating pictorials and in-depth views of each of its regions, each taking you further into the inner sanctum of the country. Of all of the global websites that GNT has reviewed, this one commands your attention more than most if only for its structure, not to mention its content. It is truly beautiful, fascinating, informative and entertaining.

http://www.argentinaturistica.com/2datosargen.htm. A pleasant, thorough “must read” review of the country that exceeds other websites we have seen.

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