Japan Travel - Japan

Japan Travel - Japan Travel Planner - Plan Your Trip to Japan  You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors > Plan Your Trip to Japan > Japan Travel - Japan Travel Planner - Plan Your Trip to Japan Travel Go Japan Essentials Clickable Map of Japan Japan Pictures Japan Travel Tips Japanese Geisha Japan 101 - Fact about Japan Articles & Resources Japan Maps Picture of Japan / Web cams Best of Japan / Attractions Hotels/Accommodations Tokyo / Cities / Regions Japanese Translators Japanese Culture Etiquette / Living in Japan Japan Weather / Geography Japan History / Samurai Japanese Penpal / Chat Plan Your Trip to Japan Air Travel / Train Travel Restaurants / Japanese Food Japanese Gift / Japan Books Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Japanese Gifts Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Japan for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Japan for Visitors Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Clickable Map of Japan Japan Photos Japan Hotels and Inns Recent Discussions Japanese Cooking School in Tokyo Need help with gift new U.S. business Most Popular New Year Cards Japanese Geisha Christmas in Japan Japanese Tattoos Free Japanese postcards - Japanese new year cards - japan fr... What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Related Topics Japanese Cuisine Japanese Language Asia for Visitors Anime PlayStation Games Japan Travel Planner From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Japan is a country that lies to the east of the Asian Continent. It's only the size of the state of California in the US (145,869 square miles), but there are about 125 million people living there. Japan consists of four major islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) and many small islands. There are four beautiful seasons in Japan, visitors enjoy different scenes and events from each season. The modern Japan is rather westernized, but there are many places you can visit to see the old Japan. Here is all the information you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Japan. Before Going to Japan This is where you find all the necessary information: Visas, customs, maps, travel deals, money, weather, travelogues, travel agencies, and more. Getting Around Japan Everything from which airline (or train or ferry) to take to get to your destination, to how to get around once you've arrived. Find Flights to Japan by Kayak Where to Stay in Japan All the best places to stay in Japan: Japanese inns (ryokan), hotels, hostels, and guest houses. Find Japan Hotels by Kayak Dining in Japan All the best places to dine in Japan. Includes information about Japanese table manners . Best of Japan / Japan Attractions The top attractions, sightseeing, entertainment, shopping, sports, and other cultural experiences in Japan. Japan 101 / Living in Japan This is a real grab-bag of information: How to use the phone, banking, history, tradition, media, business, currency, time zone, and information on living, working, and studying in Japan for those of you who just can't get enough. Japan Images Take a look at interesting images of Japan! Japanese postcards, Japan photo galleries, and live cams. Japan Hot Topics          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 Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo

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Ski Vacation Gear Guide

Plan a ski vacation  You are here: About > Sports > Skiing Sports Skiing Essentials Ski Resort A to Z Snow Reports Plan a Ski Trip Ski Equipment Learn to Ski Articles & Resources Beginning Skier Downhill Skier Cross Country Skier Snow Reports/Weather Ski Resorts Ski Vacation Gear Guide Picks FAQ's Ski Fitness Mountain Cams and Pictures Competitive skiing Latest News Specialized Skiing Expert Skiing Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Skiing newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Skiing Plan a ski vacation Skiing Blog « Mammoth Mountain California on Christmas Day | Main | Top Ski Schools » From Apply Now , Your Guide to Skiing . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! December 27, 2004 Plan a ski vacation When its time to make a few turns you're going to need all the information to plan a good trip. Start planning today . Think about a few days in Whistler, a weekend in Taos or a month at Vail. I'm getting lightheaded just thinking about it. Email to a Friend Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Ski clothing Ski tips Ski schools Ski pants Ski Resort Index What's Hot Winterplace Mt. Holly Las Vegas Ski Area Ski Windham Paoli Peaks Related Topics Snowboarding Adventure Travel Surfing / Bodyboarding Sports Medicine Weather        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 Winterplace Mt. Holly Las Vegas Ski Area Ski Windham Paoli Peaks Headlines Killington Resort to Re-Open Saturday for the 2005-06 Ski and Snowboard Season The Killington Resort in Vermont will Open this Saturday... Free Ski Deals - Discount Ski Deals Find the best free ski deals and best discount... Breckenridge in Colorado - Ski Season Opened Nov 11 Strap on your skis, brush off your board and dig... Top 10 Ski Schools Take lessons from the top instructors at the top...

Mexico Travel

Mexico Hotels, Mexico Resorts, Mexico All Inclusive Travel Guide Mexico Vacation Reservations, Information, Maps, Activities Acapulco Hotels Resorts, Cancun Hotels Resorts, Cabo San Lucas Hotels Resorts, Puerto Vallarta Hotels Resorts, Los Cabos Hotels Resorts, Mazatlan Hotels Resorts, Manzanillo Hotels Resorts, Mexico City Hotels Resorts, San Jose del Cabo Hotels Resorts, Playa del Carmen Hotels Resorts, All Inclusive, Online Reservations, Travel Guide, Information, Maps, News, Activities, 6 Star, 5 Star, 4 Star Hotels Resorts in Mexico. Home Airfare Search Hotels-Condos Search City Tours Package Trips Travel Offers Travel Store Travel Tips Travel News Travel Tools Travel Books Message Board RESOURCES Diving Resources Mayan Ruins Mexico Airport Codes Mexico Resources Mexico Rental Resources Reservation Resources Web Travel Resources Contact Si-Mexico Mexico...Beyond Your Expectations! For Airfare & Hotel Packages Check Here! Last Minute Deals To Mexico Click Here! For Last Minute Deals To Mexico Beaches Click Here! Take A Video Tour Of Mexico and Find Out Why it'sBeyond Your Expectations! Visual Tour: Mexico Looking For Adult Only Resorts In Mexico? Click Here! Featured City Puerto Vallarta - "No Limits Bay!" Protected by the second largest bay in the American continent, Baha de Banderas, with over 40 km of golden beaches in the center of the Mexican Pacific and surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental lies Puerto Vallarta, a paradise whose special charm is due to its blend of colonial and cosmopolitan features. The best way to enjoy Puerto Vallarta is to wander through Viejo Vallarta, with its traditional cobbled streets, white-walled houses, wrought-iron balconies and red tiled roofs; visit the Templo de Nuestra Seora de Guadalupe, with its unusual dome, a replica of the crown worn by Empress Charlotte in 1860; admire the original murals by the artist Manuel Lepe in the Palacio Municipal; walk along the jetty with its esplanade of bronze statures and wide variety of shops with something for everyone; explore the galleries displaying contemporary Mexican art; sample the varied gastronomy in one of its open-air restaurants while gazing at a beautiful sunset or enjoy a traditional Mexican evening complete with folkloric ballet. To the north lies Marina Vallarta, the largest sports port in Mexico that attracts luxurious yachts and sailboats from all over the world and is surrounded by deluxe hotels, shopping malls and golf courses. Next to it, in the state of Nayarit, is Nuevo Vallarta, the most recent tourist resort in the bay. In Puerto Vallarta you will find more than one way of recharging your batteries, since there are hundreds of opportunities for recreation, particularly water sports such as diving, sailboat regattas, fishing, skiing and Jet Skis as well as gentle boat rides round the bay to watch dolphins, turtles and humpbacked whales, just some of the natural attractions that make this one of the worlds favorite destinations. ... More... Puerto Vallarta Video Tour! >Re-Opened Hotels In The Mexican Caribbean After Wilma< Top Destinations Acapulco Hotels Resorts Travel Guide Cabo San Lucas Hotels Resorts Travel Guide Cancun Hotels Resorts Travel Guide Ensenada Hotels Resorts Travel Guide Mayan Riviera Hotels Resorts Travel Guide Mazatlan Hotels Resorts Travel Guide Rocky Point Hotels Condos Travel Guide Playa Del Carmen Hotels Resorts Travel Guide Puerto Vallarta Hotels Resorts Travel Guide San Jose Del Cabo Hotels Resorts Travel Guide Destinations Cities Hotels-Resorts-Inclusive Acapulco Hotels Aguascalientes Hotels Akumal Hotels Cabo San Lucas Hotels Cancun Hotels Chichuahua Hotels Cozumel Hotels Cuernavaca Hotels Durango Hotels Ensenada Hotels Guadalajara Hotels Guanajuato Hotels Hermosillo Hotels Huatulco Hotels Ixtapa Hotels Juarez Hotels Kantenah Bay Hotels La Paz Hotels Loreto Hotels Los Cabos Hotels Manzanillo Hotels Mayan Riviera Hotels Mazatlan Hotels Merida Hotels Mexico City Hotels Monterrey Hotels Morelia Hotels Oaxaca Hotels Patzcuaro Hotels Playa Del Carmen Hotels Playa Paraiso Hotels Puebla Hotels Puerto Aventuras Hotels Puerto Escondido Hotels Puerto Morelos Hotels Puerto Penasco Hotels Puerto Vallarta Hotels Punta Bete Hotels Punta Maroma Hotels Rocky Point Hotels Saltillo Hotels San Carlos Hotels San Jose Del Cabo Hotels Tijuana Hotels Tulum Hotels Veracruz Hotels Villahermosa Hotels Zihuatanejo Hotels Xcaret Hotels Xpu Ha Hotels MedToGo Mexico Health & Safety Travel Guide - Where will you be when you wish you had it? $19.95 + tax Home | About Us | Disclaimer-Privacy Policy | Site Map 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Our Partners: World Countries Info | Juarez Travel Guide 2005 Si-Mexico Hotel And Resort Travel Guide. All rights reserved. Site Design & Maintenance Forbes Communications Corp. Hosting Graffic Traffic

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 --