Disney Vacation

The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort - Home Page Email Us! The new, completely updated and revised edition of " The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort" is now available. Order yours now through Amazon or Barnes & Noble ! Walt Disney World is a magical vacation destination! The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort is designed for those who wish to tour Walt Disney World in style by staying in the most luxurious resorts, dining at the best restaurants and having a top-drawer entertainment experience! Written by Disney aficionado and World traveler Cara Goldsbury. Order the book for detailed tips and techniques to guarantee a splendid vacation. Look through the web site for many excerpts from the book and Cara's Favorite places . 2003 FINALIST Fore Word Magazine Book of the Year The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando Read the Reviews! "Luxury means different things to different travelers: an elegant guest suite, a hotel atrium full of exotic blooms, a romantic dinner with fireworks as a backdrop. However you define it, Cara Goldsbury's book tells you where to find it." Faye Wolfe - Disney Magazine "Expertly written by a former travel agent and agency owner Cara Goldsbury, The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World is an impressively informative vacation planning guide for any individual or family seeking to maximize their experience of the "Disney magic" to the fullest." The Midwest Book Review - James A. Cox "Here's a twist on guides to Disney...Author Cara Goldsbury has written a guide to the most luxurious resorts, best restaurants and finest entertainment at theme parks." USA Today - The Associated Press "....this book provides invaluable information....We were amazed at how careful and complete this information was. We rated it four hearts." Bob Spear - Heartland Reviews "...Cara Goldsbury has written valuable tips, techniques, and insider information that is sure to guarantee a great vacation. .....It's a very good book to have on hand when contemplating a trip to Disney World." Arline Zatz - Travelworld International Magazine "I think Cara Goldsbury has done a great job putting this book together. It is so thorough and informative that anyone would have an easier time planning their next trip to Disney World and the surrounding area." Book Review Cafe "There are lots of insider tips and suggestions to help you have the best time ever." Rainbo Reviews ~ Home ~ Order the Book ~ Book Updates ~ Cara's Favorites ~ Articles ~ Planning Your Trip ~ Disney Theme Parks ~ Accommodations ~ Dining ~ ~ Disney & Orlando Menus ~ Disney & Orlando Recipes ~ Beyond Theme Parks ~ Universal Orlando ~ SeaWorld ~ Discovery Cove ~ ~ Links ~ Ask the Author ~ Feedback ~ Free Newsletter ~ Bookmark this Site ~ Privacy Policy ~ Site Map ~ The Luxury Disney Guide to Walt Disney World Resort by Cara Goldsbury Email: info@luxurydisneyguide.com PO Box 15309 San Antonio TX 78212 The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort and www.luxurydisneyguide.com is not affiliated in any way with the Walt Disney Company. For official Disney information go to www.disney.com . Web Site by Mountain Technology

Spain Travel

Madrid Spain Travel and Tourism Guide  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Spain and Portugal > Spain > Madrid Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors > Spain and Portugal > Spain > Madrid Madrid: Guide to The Capital of Spain Madrid has been ignored as a tourist destination for quite some time, but residents of Madrid have built a lively city that doesn't seem to sleep--a great place for tapas, night life, and sleeping late. The Madrid Guide will help you find the best of Madrid. Subtopics Madrid Attractions (6) Madrid General Travel (9) Madrid Fiesta Guides (3) Madrid Lodging (7) Madrid Food and Restaurants (4) Madrid Transportation (6) Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent The Best of Madrid Got some money burning a hole in your pocket and want to get some romance and luxury for it? Try Madrid for its good value. Madrid has some fine hotels and restaurants. Here are our picks for when you want to put on the Ritz. Madrid Pictures Four pictures of Madrid attractions by Ferne Arfin. Madrid Map Zoom in to Madrid, or enter a street address and be whisked to that place on this great Madrid map. Once you get close, you'll be able to see pictures of the individual buildings along the street you've selected. Cool way to find anything in Madrid.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

Travel Guides Community Special

Adventure Travel & World Travel | iExplore FORBES' #1 ADVENTURE TRAVEL SITE 5 YEARS IN A ROW — TIME MAGAZINE TOP 50 Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore About Us | Testimonials | Corporate Travel | Advertise | Contact Us -- All Regions Africa Antarctica Australia and the South Pacific Caribbean Central and South America Europe Far East Middle East North America South and Southeast Asia All Countries All Activities Bicycle Touring Canal and River Cruising Canoeing Culinary Cultural Exploration Expedition Cruises Field Research / Volunteering Fishing Hiking / Trekking / Walking Horseback Riding Miscellaneous Mountain Biking Mountaineering Multi-Sport Once-in-a-Lifetime Rainforests and Ecotours Safari Sailing and Yachting Scuba Diving Sea Kayaking Snow Sports Whitewater -- -- Featured Destination The people, the place, the unhurried pace... Come discover the enchantment of Ireland. Check out Ireland's great cycling, hiking and horseback riding trips! Partner Offer -- Tour Spotlight iExplore Cape to Cairo Adventure Africa's ultimate journey... Trip Overview Trip Itinerary Departure Dates Egypt Photos Egypt Travel Guide Destination Of The Day Portugal Portugal is a country of astonishing beauty and diversity, not to mention clear blue skies and friendly, courteous people. Pick any destination and the view from your window might be a rugged stretch... Overview Where To Go Travel Tips Portugal Tours Portugal Photos Travel Photos Browse over 225,000 user-submitted travel photos. Journals & Reviews Read and write travel journals & reviews. Find a Travel Buddy Post a listing to find a like-minded travel buddy. Get Answers Find answers for all of your travel-related questions. Top Selling iExplore Tours 1. Machu Picchu Peru 2. Adventure in Argentina 3. Cultural Tour in Thailand 4. Safari in South Africa 5. The Pyramids of Egypt 6. Safari in Gabon 7. Cruise the Galapagos 8. Cultural Tour in Greece 9. Culinary Tour in Italy 10. Cultural Tour in Tunisia Client Testimonials " I had an absolutely wonderful time!! The staff treated the guests like family. Overall it was one of the best trips I have ever taken. Thank you so much! " Penny, 12/01/2005, Argentina " I wanted to let you know that my trip was beyond my wild dreams. I loved it!! Thanks for helping me. " Mary Lou , 11/16/2005, Vietnam & Cambodia Click here to view more testimonials Sponsored Listings ( Add your listing ) Europe and Russia Africa Central and South America South and Southeast Asia North America England France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Russia Spain Botswana Egypt Kenya Morocco Namibia South Africa Tanzania Argentina Belize Brazil Chile Costa Rica Ecuador Galapagos Islands Guatemala Peru Venezuela India Nepal Philippines Thailand Vietnam Indonesia Alaska Canada Greenland Mexico United States Australia and South Pacific Far East Caribbean Middle East Antarctica Australia Fiji French Polynesia New Zealand Papua New Guinea China Hong Kong Japan Mongolia South Korea Tibet Bahamas Barbados Cuba Dominican Republic Jamaica Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands Iran Israel Jordan Syria Turkey Advertisement -- advertisement Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us © 2005 Adventure Travel with iExplore --

ski vacation in a

Whistler | Big White | Sun Peaks BC Vacation Rentals by Owner Whistler, Big White & Sun Peaks BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner-Book & Save! Whistler, Sun Peaks & Big White BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner Savings, Value & Hospitality! Spend your supernatural BC Canada ski vacation in a cozy, intimate & unique, top-located personal vacation rental home managed by its owner. Enjoy the thoughtful personal extras & touches of a private ski home that will make your next Britsh Columbia mountain holiday special. Save money by avoiding middle agent fees & taxes! Go to Whistler Ski Resort | Go to Sun Peaks Ski Resort | Go to Big White Ski Resort Whistler, Big White & Sun Peaks BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals By Owner Savings-See Your Vacation Rentals Before You Book It! BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals -Quick Search & See it before you Book it! Use our fast and easy powerful BC ski resort vacation rentals by owner search tools to quickly and easily find, view and compare detailed Whistler , Big White & Sun Peaks vacation rentals descriptions, rates, features,comprehensive photos, accommodations maps & owner profiles. Booking with one of our friendly Whistler Ski Resort , Big Ski White Resort or Sun Peaks BC Resort homeowners takes a little as 2 minutes! Search Whistler BC Vacation Rentals | Search Sun Peaks BC Vacation Rentals | Search Big White BC Vacation Rentals Whistler, Big White & Sun Peaks BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner Benefits Plan & book your Whistler BC , Big White BC or Sun Peaks BC ski resort mountain lodging directly with its owner on this site to experience the following benefits: Ski Resort Vacation Lodging Savings -Avoid Whistler, Big White & Sun Peaks middle agent fees by booking your vacation rentals direct with owners. Incredible Ski Resort Value -Get all the convenience extras typically found in personal home rather than standard vacation rentals accommodations! More Vacation Rental Space -Get more vacation rental space for your money & enjoy more comfort for you & your family. See the Exact Ski Holiday Vacation Rental You will Stay In! -What you see online is exactly where you will stay. See it before you book it! Big Vacation Rentals by Owner Selection -Choose from economy-luxury homes to suit your personal preferences or budget. Personal Service, Canadian Hospitality & Local Ski Resort Knowledge -You will be dealing with a single vacation rental homeowner with local Whistler, Sun Peaks & Big White knowledge, and whose sole customer is YOU, rather than a multi-property reservations agent. Fast, Easy Search & Instant Online BC Bookings- Our vacation rentals search tools & easy vacation rentals booking process will save you hours & allow you to pay securely by credit card for your Whistler BC, Big White BC or Sun Peaks BC rentals. Book Your Vacation Rental with Confidence -Owners are bound by terms of service standards, our site is secure & your bookings are tracked when you pay online with your credit card. Join Frommer's Travel and the tens of thousands of confident, satisfied and loyal AlluraDirect.com guests who have discovered the benefits of our friendly & safe BC ski resort Whistler, Big White and Sun Peaks vacation rentals by owner directory! (check out our Guest Testimonials!) BC Ski Resort Reservations Flexibility -Vacation rentals home owners are more flexible regarding arrival and departure days and times. Local Travel, Rental, Activities, Mountain Ski Resort Tips & Discounts - Get local ski resort tips & direct to consumer discounts on tickets, activities, transportation and more to help you get the most out of your BC alpine adventure! Vacation Rentals by Owner Customer Support- Use our toll-free number for live customer support if you require assistance while on the web site, during the course of your reservation, or while in Big White, Sun Peaks or Whistler BC. Discover the personal side of Whistler , Sun Peaks & Big White BC & get more Canadian value & hospitality for less money by booking directly with one of our friendly vacation rentals lodging home owners. Go to Whistler BC Ski Resort | Go to Sun Peaks BC Ski Resort | Go to Big White BC Ski Resort Whistler BC - Whistler Ski Resort Vacation Rentals, Resort Tips & Ski Vacation Discounts Whistler Canada is one of the world's most spectacular and scenic BC alpine ski resorts. Both Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain are accessible from Whistler Village. Whistler resort activities and programs are diverse to ensure that your Whistler ski resort vacation is jam packed with experiences that will create incredible lifetime Whistler Blackcomb memories. Our Whistler travel site includes: Rapidly searchable directory of over 400 private, owner-managed Whistler vacation rentals by owner options Whistler ski resort guide, info & tips Whistler maps Discount Whistler ski lift tickets, gear rentals & ski school reservations deals (over 20,000 tickets sold online!) Whistler BC activity and adventure tour discounts Whistler ski vacation planning tips & resort info Whistler accommodation rental tips Take me to Whistler BC Ski Resort! Big White BC-Vacation Rentals, Resort Info, Ski Tips Big White is voted North America's # 1 family ski resort, and is a BC favourite with good reason. It has North America's largest tube park & outdoor skating rink, is Canada's largest ski-in/out resort and has fantastic champagne powder and terrain to suit all ability levels. This ski resort is pure fun and still has the charm and appeal of a small, non-commercial ski town with a big mountain and champagne powder experience. Our Big White ski resort site features: Rapidly searchable directory of ski-in/ski-out slopeside Big White chalets, townhomes and condos lodging options Big White BC ski resort tips Big White vacation planning tips Big White maps Big White ski resort accommodation rental tips Big White mountain tips! Take me to Big White BC ! Sun Peaks BC-Vacation Rentals & Resort Info Sun Peaks is BC 's second largest ski area. With 3 great mountains, incredible powder and a wonderful, tastefully developed village that has retained the characteristics and charm of an intimate BC ski resort with vastly diverse terrain for all ability levels.You will never be bored in this ski vacation town! Our Sun Peaks ski resort site features: Rapidly searchable directory of ski-in/ski-out slopeside Sun Peaks chalets, townhomes and condos Sun Peaks BC ski resort tips Sun Peaks vacation planning tips Sun Peaks maps Sun Peaks ski resort accommodation rental tips Sun Peaks mountain tips! Take me to Sun Peaks BC! BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner Holiday Guide -We Need Your Help! First-a Big Huge Thanks from AlluraDirect.com! First-we would like to thank all of you for your continued business on AlluraDirect.com and for the feedback you keep giving us over the years. After 7 years in business, we now know many of you on a first name basis! Our Consumer-Direct BC Ski Resort Mission We help people like to you get the best BC vacation value in a time-efficient, safe and consistent way, by stripping away all unnecessary and costly intermediaries & commissions that you end up paying for in the end.. As result, you get the best, consumer-direct price. We also work fanatically to keep our own costs down, without compromising our great customer support, so that our fees are not passed on to you by owners. We believe that it should be easy, safe, enjoyable unintrusive and affordable for you to create and have a great vacation Help Support AlluraDirect.com's BC Ski Resort Consumer-Direct Vacation Site-for FREE! To continue in our efforts to bring you consumer-direct BC value & savings, we need your help in keeping costs down and business volume high, so that: Increasing business & marketing costs are not passed on to you by owners. We can pass commissions on as savings to you. We can negotiate great, volume-based vacation deals for our site users and cost-effective business services for owners. When they save money-they charge you less! We can work with owners to help keep their costs down through better, cost-effective technology and marketing. They save money-you pay less for lodging! We can continue to expand our customer support and vacation planning resources, thus making it even easier, more fun & even safer for you to use AlluraDirect.com than ever before. Here are 5 FREE, EASY & enormously SIGNIFICANT ways that you can help support our continued efforts in BC and other vacation destinations: 1-Link to Vacation Rentals by Owner Site This is one of the most important and free ways you can help us! Please tell us about your BC ski vacation, about yourself & your web site. We will link back to you and profile you as an AlluraDirect.com supporter on our site! It really helps us get to know our customers and plays a big role in keeping our costs down to owners, who in turn pass the benefit on to you. Please use the exact link anchor text and URLs below: AlluraDirect.com Vacation Rentals by Owner (http://www.alluradirect.com) 2-Book & Pay for BC Ski Resort Accommodation Online with your Credit Card through the Owner's Web Site It costs you nothing, but helps you enormously when you pay online for the following reasons: Better, faster & easier customer support -if something goes wrong, we are better able to assist you-often within minutes. Better reservation tracking & lower reservation error risk -all problematic reservations on this site involve bookings whereby the guest did NOT pay by credit card through the owner's web site. Instantly confirmed, guaranteed bookings -Don't wait around for your booking to be confirmed,while you lose out on other great properties! More accurate business volume tracking -this helps us negotiate with vendors for better prices for our site users & owners, thus helping you get more value & service. Fraud prevention & increased privacy- no one sees your credit card information, not even the owner. If something goes seriously wrong, you can reverse the charges on your credit card. Get loyalty rewards & pay on credit Make an important site contribution -we make an extremely teeny tiny amount of money on all rent transactions. Since we do a lot of transactions, it funds live customer support 7 days per week and continued development of the web site technologies & payment system that make the site even safer, faster & more private for you & other site users. Online payments cost you nothing, makes your booking safer and more convenient & is a nominal, tax-deductible business cost to the owners that is no more, and usually less, than standard, industry-wide merchant credit card fees. 3-Buy your British Columbia Vacation Rentals by Owner & Lift Tickets Directly on this Site with Your Credit Card Your business transaction volume directly through this site strengthens our ability to work directly with homeowners and resort guest services providers like Whistler Blackcomb, to increase your Whistler experience & value opportunities. 4-Spread the Word! Refer your friends and family to our vacation rentals by owner web site! 5-Send Feedback You shape this company, policies and resources with your feedback! We respond personally to all suggestions, comments and feedback! Send us Feedback! To say that we are grateful for your kind and generous support would be a huge understatement! Have a great vacation & thanks for using our BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner Site! Wishing you deep powder and the ability to gracefully ski/ride it! Have fun & yell for joy:) The AlluraDirect.com Staff & Owner Hosts Search Whistler British Columbia Accommodation Now! Search Whistler BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner | Seach Big White Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner | Find Sun Peaks BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner | Site Map BC Ski Resort Vacation Rentals by Owner Vacation, Reservation & Check-In Support 9 am-11pm PST 7 Days per Week Local : 604-707-6700 Toll Free North America : 1 - 866 - 4 - Allura Toll Free UK : 0-800-028-9346 Toll Free Australia : 877-226-6358 Toll Free Hong Kong : 800-903-329 Email Us Homepage Start Here Choose BC Ski Resort Whistler BC Ski Resort Big White BC Ski Resort Sun Peaks BC Ski Resort Find My Owner Book with Confidence Guest Testimonials Vacation Rental Lodging Standards Vacation Rental Booking Tips Your Security Your Privacy Corporate Affiliations Keep In Touch All raves, rants & suggestions will be repsonded to! Send Positive Feedback Make Site/Service Suggestion Make a Complaint Update Your Guest Profile Owners Get Free Rental Business Tips! Get Property Listing Information List Property Now Owner Login Free Business Listings List Owner Service Business List Guest Services Business About Us Learn about AlluraDirect.com! Whistler | Sun Peaks | Big White | BC Ski Resort Canada Vacation Rentals by Owner Whistler Blackcomb Accommodation Rentals Home Big White Ski Resort Lodging Home Sun Peaks Lodging Home Vacation Rentals by Owner Homeowner Newsletter

Argentina Travel Guide Overview

Argentina Tourist Attractions & Argentina Tourism | iExplore.com FORBES' #1 ADVENTURE TRAVEL SITE 5 YEARS IN A ROW — TIME MAGAZINE TOP 50 Keyword Search: -- Home Trip Finder Travel Guides Community Special Offers Store My iExplore advertisement -- Home Travel Guides Central and South America Argentina Where to Go Argentina Travel Guide Overview Tours Where to Go Activities General Info History Weather Travel Tips Dining Shopping Visa & Health View Trips to Argentina Central and South America Overview Browse Argentina Photos Argentina Questions and Answers Read Argentina Journals Find a Argentina Travel Buddy Argentina Tourist Attractions Buenos Aires Argentina’s capital city is located within the Capital Federal District and forms one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. Buenos Aires is an elegant shoppers’ paradise and cosmopolitan center that takes pride in its cultural establishments. There are now few reminders of the city’s glorious past, although the immense Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), which contains the remains of San Martín, Argentina’s liberator, is a notable exception. So is the famous Teatro Colón, the world’s largest opera house (with a capacity of 2500 seats), which occupies an entire block on the massive Avenida 9 de Julio, the city’s major thoroughfare with its Obelisco (obelisk) at the intersection with Avenida Corrientes (the traditional theater, cinema and nightlife district). Also worth a visit are the Isaac Fernández Blanco Museum of Spanish-American Art, which houses an important silverware collection and is located in a beautiful neo-colonial mansion; the Ambrosetti Museum and the Museum of Colonial History. The old artists’ quarter of La Boca, home of the tango, is located along a narrow waterway lined by meat-packing plants and warehouses. Visitors can see a tango show at one of several tango bars for approximately US$40-60. The San Telmo borough, one of the oldest parts of the city and particularly known for the Manzana de las Luces (Block of Enlightenment), has also preserved its artistic spirit. The city’s oldest church, the Jesuit Iglesia San Ignacio, is located here. San Telmo has many cafes, antique shops, tango night spots and a Sunday flea market on Plaza Dorrego. Buenos Aires’ open spaces are particularly notable in the northern part, where a succession of parks stretch for miles along the River Plate. The Palermo neighborhood contains the Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays (Botanical Gardens), the Jardín Zoológico (zoo), the Campo de Polo (polo grounds), the Hipódromo (racetrack) and the Planetarium. The city’s main shopping districts are located around the microcentro (north of Avenida de Mayo), which icludes popular tourist areas like the Florida and Lavalle pedestrian malls, the Plaza San Martín, and the commercial and entertainment areas of Corrientes, Córdoba and the fashionable Santa Fe. North of the microcentro is the chic and upper-class Recoleta borough, famous for its Cementerio de la Recoleta (where many members of Argentina’s élite are buried) and the renowned Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts), which has works by Renoir, Rodin, Monet, Van Gogh and numerous Argentine artists. Near the presidential palace, the neighborhood known as Puerto Madero is now in serious competition with Recoleta to become the city’s most chic quarter. Many of the port’s 19th-century warehouses and docks have been transformed into Manhattan-style lofts, expensive restaurants, trendy nightclubs, new office blocks and a university campus. Further southeast is the Costanera Sur National Park, a nature reserve close to the banking district. Excursions Argentina’s most important devotional site (attracting millions of pilgrims every year), is the neo-gothic Basílica Nuestra Señora de Luján (whose day is May 8), which is located 70km (43 miles) west of Buenos Aires. Around 113km (71 miles) west of the capital lies the village of San Antonio de Areco, the center of Argentina’s gaucho tradition and host to the Día de la Tradición, the country’s biggest gaucho celebration held annually in November. The village is also known for its artisans, who specialise in mate (paraphernalia), rastras (silver-studded belts) and facones (knives). The country town of Capilla del Señor can be visited on a day trip with an old historic steam train (tickets should be purchased a week in advance). The Atlantic Coast Mar del Plata Located approximately 400km (250 miles) from Buenos Aires, this is the main tourist resort on the Atlantic coast. Often referred to as ’Mardel’, Mar del Plata’s sandy beaches attract thousands of visitors during the December to March season. The many grandiose mansions testify to the city’s upper-class origins. Interesting sites include the Villa Normandy (which has a distinctive French style), the Iglesia Stella Maris (a church with an impressive marble altar), the Torre Tanque (an 88m/289ft tower offering good views) and the Villa Victoria (once a literary salon). The Banquina de Pescadores is a picturesque wharf near the port with many restaurants and cafeterias. Mar del Plata is also the site of the largest gambling casino in Argentina. Elsewhere Other well-known resorts on the Atlantic coast include Villa Gezell, Pinamar, Miramar and Necochea, the latter being well known for the Parque Miguel Lillo, a large green space beside the beach, whose pine woods are popular for cycling and riding. New resorts are constantly springing up along this stretch of coastline. Most can offer deep-sea fishing and watersports. Further south, some 650km (407 miles) from Buenos Aires, lies Bahía Blanca, the largest southern city, whose massive port makes it one of the country’s major commercial centers. The Pampas The area known as the Pampas consists mostly of flat agricultural land and contains the provinces of Buenos Aires and La Pampa as well as parts of Santa Fe and Córdoba. The area is well known for its horse-breeding tradition and cattle ranches. La Plata Located 56km (35 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires, La Plata is the capital of the Buenos Aires Province and an important administrative, commercial and cultural center. It has one of the country’s best universities. South of La Plata lies the Sierra de la Ventana, whose scenic peaks attract many hikers and climbers. One of the most popular peaks for climbing excursions is the Cerro de la Ventana (1136m/3408ft), which is located within the Ernesto Tornquist Provincial Park. Santa Fe The capital of the Santa Fe Province is linked to Paraná, capital of the Entre Ríos Province, via a tunnel beneath the River Paraná (see below). Mainly important as an agricultural and industrial center, Santa Fe’s colonial past is still visible in its streets and squares, though there are also many modern buildings. The nearby city of Rosario, on the west bank of the River Paraná, was where the Argentinian flag was first raised and its biggest attraction is the impressive, boat-shaped Monumento Nacional a la Bandera (Monument to the Flag). La Semana de la Bandera (Flag Week) is celebrated annually in June. Nearby is the town of Rufino, an important center for cattle raising. Walking and trekking are popular in the Lihue Calel National Park, an area consisting mostly of desert, located some 226km (142 miles) southwest of the city of Santa Rosa, and known for its pink granite rock formations (reaching up to 600m/1968ft). Misiones, El Chaco & Mesopotamia The Misiones Province has a subtropical climate and is nearly surrounded by Paraguay and Brazil. It is most famous for its Jesuit missions and the spectacular Iguazú Falls. El Chaco is a sparsely populated area of nature reserves and parks. Mesopotamia usually refers to the area between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers and comprises the provinces of Entre Ríos and Corrientes. Posadas The capital of the Misiones Province is joined to Paraguay by a modern bridge. The province is well known for its old Jesuit missions, and the most impressive Jesuit ruins can be visited at San Ignacio Miní, some 50km (32 miles) east of Posada. Jesuit carvings and art are on display at Posada’s Museo Regional. The gigantic Yacyreta Dam lies 200km (125 miles) upstream from Posada. Iguazú Falls Puerto Iguazú is the gateway to the majestic Iguazú Falls (parts of which are located in neighboring Brazil). The falls are located within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Iguazú National Park, whose subtropical rainforest provides a habitat for over 2000 identified plant species and 400 bird species (for details of hiking trails, see the Activities section). The Iguazú Falls are formed by the River Paraná which, before reaching the edge, divides into many channels. The most impressive of these is the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), which can be approached via a system of catwalks (some of which may occasionally be closed owing to flooding). At their highest point, the falls have a vertical drop more than one and a half times the full length of Niagara Falls. Visitors can catch a good view of the falls from a tower near the visitor center, which also organizes free trips to the Isla San Martín, another good lookout point from which to catch an extensive and crowd-free view. El Chaco The capital of the Chaco Province is Resistencia, which prides itself on being a ’city of sculptures’ (there are over 200 of them), and is a major crossroads for Paraguay and excursions through the Chaco to the northwest. The Chaco National Park is a large expanse of swamps, grasslands, palm savannahs and forest, which is rarely visited as camping is the only available accommodation. Interesting nature reserves within the area include Estricta Colonia Benitez (in eastern Chaco) and the Pampa del Indio Provincial Park. Campo del Cielo is an area famous for its meteorite fragments dating back some 6000 years. Formosa The capital of Formosa Province is a good starting point for excursions to the northern Chaco. Interesting buildings in the city include the Casa de Gobierno, which has been declared a national monument. Apart from Formosa’s annual week-long Fiesta del Río (a nocturnal religious procession), one of the main regional attractions is the massive Río Pilcomayo National Park, an area of swamps, marshland and savannah on the Paraguayan border, whose Laguna Blanca is an ideal spot for birdwatching. Corrientes Corrientes, the capital of its namesake province, is one of Argentina’s oldest cities. The General Belgrano Bridge over the Paraná River joins the city to Resistencia, the capital of the Chaco Province (see above). Among Corrientes’ oldest churches, the Santísima Cruz de los Milagros and the Convento de San Francisco are worth a visit. In the north of the province lies the Esteros del Iberá, an area of marshland, lagoons and lakes providing a refuge for hundreds of bird species, reptiles and mammals such as swamp deer and capibara (the world’s largest rodent). There are numerous remains of Jesuit settlements in the vicinity, notably at Yapeyú, the birthplace of José de San Martín. Cattle ranches ( estancia ) can be visited at San Gará, Atalaya and San Juan Poriahú. Well known for its fiestas and carnivals, the Corrientes is also the land of the chamamé , a characteristic type of rhythmic music derived from the polka, celebrated in the annual National Chamamé Festival . Paraná The capital of the Entre Ríos Province can be reached from Santa Fe via the Hernandarias Tunnel under the River Paraná. East of Paraná, near the border with Uruguay, Concepción del Uruguay has numerous spas and river beaches (on the River Uruguay), notably at Banco Pelay and Itapo. The nearby city of Gualeguaychu is famous for its carnival, which rivals those of Rio and Bahía in Brazil. Further north, some 360km (225 miles) from Buenos Aires, lies the El Palmar National Park, whose main attractions are the old yatay palms, some of which are nearly 800 years old. Córdoba, Mendoza & the Andes Córdoba Located on the bank of the River Primero, Córdoba has preserved much of its colonial past and character. Some of the most interesting colonial buildings include El Cabildo (the Town Hall) and the Casa del Obispo Mercadillo. One of the best streets in which to see colonial buildings is the Calle Obispo Trejos. Also worth seeing are the churches of the Compañía de Jésus, San Francisco and San Roque. Argentina’s first university, the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba was founded here. The scenic mountain hinterland known as the Sierras de Córdoba is dotted with colonial hermitages and tourist towns: Cosquín hosts an annual folklore festival and la Falda is a popular resort for excursions to the Sierra Chica. Around Córdoba, numerous Jesuit churches can be visited: Alta Gracia, 35km (22 miles) southwest of the city, is one of the best known. Also of interest is the town of Jesús María, which hosts the Fiesta Nacional de Doma y Folklore , an annual celebration of gaucho horsemanship and customs. Mendoza The Mendoza Province is Argentina’s main wine-producing region and the annual grape harvest festival, the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia , is held in the provincial capital, Mendoza, at the end of February and the beginning of March. Founded in 1521, Mendoza is characterized by tree-lined streets and a large network (some 500km/32 miles) of irrigation channels. The Andes mountain ranges can be seen in the distance from many parts of the city, whose universities, museums, theaters and art galleries testify to a lively cultural life. Interesting museums include the Museo Sanmartiniano (for history) and the Museo Popular Callejero (architecture). Most wineries near Mendoza offer tours and tasting. Some of the province’s main wine cellars are located in San Rafael. Near the border with Chile lies the famous Mount Aconcagua (6995m/22,944ft), the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere, located within the Aconcagua National Park. A good starting point for exploring the area is Uspallata, located in a serene valley surrounded by mountains. Some of the best ski resorts can be found at las Leñas (one of Argentina’s most prestigious winter sports resorts, open from June to October), the Valles del Plata and los Penitentes. Also worth visiting is the striking Puente del Inca, a natural stone bridge over the River Mendoza; and Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), a famous monument in the high Andes, nearly 4000m (13,120ft) above sea level, offering magnificent views. San Juan San Juan, capital of the San Juan Province was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1944. Today, the city is characterized by wide, tree-lined streets and fairly modern buildings. Around 60km (38 miles) southeast from here, the small town of Vallecita attracts large numbers of pilgrims who come to visit the famous Difunta Correa shrine (with the busiest times being around Easter and Christmas). The city of Agustín del Valle Fértil is a good base for excursions to the Ischigualasto National Park, a desert valley also referred to as ’the valley of the moon’, owing to its distinctive rock formations and fossils dating back some 180 million years. The Andean Northwest Jujuy The capital of Jujuy Province, San Salvador de Jujuy, was once a stopover for colonial mule traders. It has an interesting Indian market, the Mercado del Sur and, at Termas de Reyes, thermal baths overlooking the scenic canyon of the River Reyes. North of the city lie the colorful dry landscapes of the Quebrada de Humahuaca and its isolated peasant villages. The indigenous village of Purmamarca is surrounded by the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors), whose layers show different geological periods. Further up stands the Paleta del Pintor (Painter’s Pallet), named after its view of the multi-colored surrounding mountains. The Calilegua National Park lies on the province’s eastern border. It has abundant birdlife, some dense subtropical cloud forest and offers good views of the Gran Chaco from Mount Hermoso (3600m/11,808ft). Salta The city of Salta, capital of Salta Province, is reputed to have the best preserved colonial architecture in Argentina. The most significant buildings are grouped around the central square, including the Cathedral, the Cabildo (Town Hall) – which houses the Museo Histórico del Norte, the Museo Colonial and the Museo de Bellas Artes – and the Iglesia San Francisco. The province is well known for its spectacular train journey, el Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds), which ascends the Quebrada del Toro and climbs up to the puna (plateau). The climax of the trip is the crossing of the la Polvorilla viaduct (4182m/13,716ft above sea level). Around 100km (63 miles) south of Salta, the Quebrada de Cafayete is a landscape of barren sandstone known for its distinctive formations, such as the Garganta de Diablo (Devil’s Throat). Surrounding Cafayete are many vineyards, which flourish in the warm, dry and sunny climate. Los Cardones National Park is known for its large cacti (cardó), reaching heights of up to 6m (20ft). Tucumán Another Andean province offering green valleys with subtropical vegetation surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Within the Tafí Valley lies the Parque de los Menhires, named after its interesting collection of stones decorated by Tafí Indians. Also worth a visit are the ruins at Quilmes, an ancient fortified citadel built by Quilme Indians. Catamarca This province is flanked by the Sierra del Colorado in the west and the Sierra Graciana in the east, with San Fernando del Valle del Catamarca being the provincial capital. The region is popular for hiking, trekking and horseback riding tours to the surrounding mountains. Santiago del Estero The provincial capital of Santiago del Estero Province, named after the province, is the country’s oldest city, with numerous churches and old colonial buildings. The province is renowned for its spas and warm thermal pools, the most popular being at Río Hondo and las Aguas del Sol. La Rioja This province has a large variety of mountains, canyons, gorges and red-earthed plains. The Talampaya Canyon is one of its most famous natural attractions, owing mostly to its peculiar rock formations. The town of Nonogasta has many vineyards and wine cellars open to visitors. La Puerta de Talampaya is well known for its petroglyphs. Patagonia Comprising the provinces of Río Negro, Neuquén, Chubut and Santa Cruz, Patagonia – the southernmost portion of South America (located in both Argentina and Chile) – is a vast region with numerous parks and nature reserves. The Patagonian coast is home to large herds of seals, sea lions, blue whales and thousands of penguins. Río Negro One of the best-known resorts in the southern Lake District is San Carlos de Bariloche, which is surrounded by lakes, glaciers and forested mountains and which has both modern tourist amenities such as shopping areas and casinos, as well as hiking, mountaineering and picnic sites. Skiing is possible in Gran Catedral, a well-known resort with modern facilities. The nearby Nahuel Huapi National Park contains the massive Nahuel Huapi Lake, stretching over 100km (63 miles) to the border with Chile. Within the lake area lies the Isla Victoria, a natural sanctuary, which can be reached by private or organized boat trips. Traveling south, a road through spectacular scenery, passing the shores of three lakes, leads to El Bolsón, 130km (82 miles) from Bariloche, known for its hops and fruit orchards. The Feria Artesanal , a market held in El Bolsón on Saturday (and on Thursday during summer), provides a good opportunity to sample local dishes. Possible excursions within the area include the trail to the Cabeza del Indio, a rock formation resembling the ’noble savage’, with good views of the Río Azul and Lago Puelo en route. Nequén The town of Junín de los Andes is well known for trout fishing and offers good access to the Lanín National Park (see below). Nearby San Martín de los Andes, located on Lake Lácar, is close to one of Argentina’s main winter sports destinations in Cerro Chapelco. San Martín is connected to Bariloche by a scenic road (also called ’the route of the seven lakes’), leading past spectacular lakes and through a landscape of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and gigantic trees. The region’s principal attraction is the Lanín National Park, a fairly untouched area dominated by the extinct, snow-capped Volcán Lanín (3776m/12,386ft), and characterized by rare plant and animal species (including raulí , a type of beech, and pehuén , the monkey puzzle tree). On the northern shore of Nahuel Huapi National Park (see above) lies Villa la Angostura, a resort whose main interest is the nearby Los Arrayanes National Park. Located on the Quetrihué peninsula (connected to Angostura by an isthmus), this park is best known for the El Bosque de Arrayanes, a forest of arrayán (cinnamon-barked) trees, many of which are over 100 years old. The Siete Lagos scenic road connects the park to San Martín de los Andes (see above). Chubut Puerto Madryn, founded by Welsh settlers, is a popular base for excursions to the nearby wildlife sanctuary at the Península Valdes nature reserve in Chubut Province, where large numbers of sea lions, elephant seals and penguins frequent the beaches. Further north, the Isla de los Pájaros bird sanctuary is home to cormorants, flamingos and egrets. A number of trails and spots in the area provide opportunities for observing colonies of sea lions and elephant seals, notably at Punta Delgada, in the sheltered bay of Caleta Valdés, below the cliffs of Punta Loma and the nature reserves of Punta Norte and Punta Pirámide – the latter also being the main base for whale-sighting trips to the Gulf of San José; the best time to see whales is from August to December. The Punta Tombo reserve is known for its vast colonies of Magellanic penguins (around half a million of which use the reserve as a breeding ground from September to April). Further south, near the sunny town of Esquel, is los Alerces National Park, which protects vast stretches of the tall and long-lived (400 years) alerce conifer trees. Santa Cruz One of the province’s main attractions is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed los Glaciares National Park, an area of great natural beauty, with rugged mountains and numerous glacial lakes, including Lake Argentino. Accessible from the busy tourist town of El Calafate, the park’s centerpiece is the Moreno Glacier, one of the earth’s few advancing glaciers. Huge icebergs calve and topple into Lake Argentino at the so-called Canal de los Témpanos (Iceberg Channel), and there are nearby catwalks and platforms from which to observe this event. It is also possible to visit the Upsala Glacier via a boat trip from Puerto Bandera along Lake Onelli and past floating icebergs. Tierra del Fuego Over half of this remote southern province belongs to Chile. Tierra del Fuego is the gateway to the Antarctic. Ushuaia The provincial capital is the world’s most southernmost city, located in a dramatic setting, with jagged glacial peaks rising from sea level to nearly 1500m (4920ft). The Museo del Fin del Mundo (Museum of the End of the World) has exhibits dedicated to the Indians, nature, local history and the many shipwrecks that happened in the area. The nearby Martial is within walking distance and yields spectacular views of the city and the Beagle Channel. The city of Río Grande is mostly a petroleum service center facing the South Atlantic and, though of no particular interest, the surrounding countryside offers good hiking opportunities (particularly around the Garibaldi Pass, where lenga tree forests show striking displays of red leaves during autumn). Some 18km (12 miles) west of Ushuaia, the Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina’s only coastal national park, comprises rivers, lakes, forests and glaciers. Ushuaia is also a major port for cruises departing to the Antarctic. Day-trips to Antartica, costing US$630 including return flights, lunch, and a tour, are possible from Malvinas Argentina International Airport. Sponsored Listings ( Add your listing ) advertisement Advertisement -- advertisement Why iExplore? About Us Advertise Site Map Privacy Policy Travel Agents Contact Us © 2005 Adventure Travel with iExplore --