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Eco-tourism: Penguins in Patagonia

Jan 082013

If you are interested in seeing penguins and learning more about them through contact with nature, then it is well worth visiting one of the penguin colonies located in Atlantic Patagonia. The two main locations are Punta Tombo and Península de Valdés. The best time to visit these areas is between September and April, because once autumn starts, the penguins begin migrating to warmer shores.

Tours can be taken individually or in groups with the assistance of a guide. Each reserve has walkways that help avoid altering the natural environment. They also allow spectators to watch the penguins up close while they nest, court, incubate their eggs and forage at sea.
The chicks are born in November with a thin layer of gray feathers. The little ones quickly develop swimming skills and end up weighing up to 11 pounds. Petrels and orcas are their main enemies. However, fishing nets and oil spills have been the greatest danger posed to them for many years.

The Punta Tombo colony, located a few miles from Puerto Madryn, is the main penguin watching tourist destination. It is the country’s largest colony (more than one million penguins). A tour of the rookery and its vicinity takes an entire day and departs from Puerto Madryn. Access to the reserve is by gravel road. The first stop is at a 1.8 mile wide beach full of Magellanic penguins. In the same reserve you will see gray or southern Dominican gulls, skuas, royal and black-necked cormorants, terns, ducks and oystercatchers.

Another popular destination is Península de Valdés where in addition to seeing Magellanic penguins you will see giant whales. The peninsula has several protected areas: the Gulf of San José Provincial Marine Park which is an excellent location for scuba diving among reefs; the Punta Norte Wildlife Reserve with sea lions, elephant seals, skuas and penguins; the Punta Delgada Wildlife Reserve with penguins and elephant seals; the Lobería Puerto Pirámides; the Golfo Nuevo Provincial Wildlife Reserve; and the Isla Pájaros Reserve.

Puerto Pirámides is the only town with tourist services in Península de Valdés. Most travel agencies offer a visit to the town of Gaiman, a former Welsh village, during the return trip to Península de Valdés (which is usually taken from Puerto Madryn). There you will be able to enjoy delicious teas with homemade cakes and sweets.

Cabo Dos Bahías is the other major coastal reserve in Patagonia, located approximately three hours south of Trelew and 19 miles from Camarones. Here you will find penguin colonies, guanacos, foxes, rheas and sea lions. The town of Camarones integrates the brand new Ruta Azul (Blue Route), and is also the starting point of the bi-oceanic corridor. Fishing and scuba diving are the most popular activities that attract tourism to this area.

OFFER: Eco-tourism in Puerto Madryn

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Routes through the Mendoza wineries

Argentinian Cuisine, Mendoza Argentina, Visit Argentina No Responses »

Jan 082013

Mendoza, located in the heart of the Cuyo region of Argentina, became the eighth wine capital of the world due to the quality of its grapes. The province produces almost 10 million hectoliters per year, making it the most important wine growing region in South America.

There are more than 1,200 wineries, many of which open their doors to visitors. Along the Mendoza wine route you will find small and large companies offering guided tours, wine tasting courses, tastings and the chance to reap during harvest time. In addition, some of the largest rural estates have opened exclusive hotels in their vineyards, offering wine therapy, wine museums, sparkling wine tastings paired with art exhibitions, picnics with wine experts, horseback riding, mountain biking and dinners between oak barrels. The López winery is a classic example located in General Gutiérrez in the state of Maipú, and is always ready to provide travelers with the best service. The basic tour is free and includes a reception with an institutional video that shares the story of this company which has been in the same family for more than 100 years. The tour also includes a visit to different facilities such as the pressing and milling areas, huge stainless steel tanks for fermentation, aging and cutting presses and is topped off with a small wine tasting. The winery is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm and Saturdays and holidays from 9:30am – 12:30 pm.

The Norton winery, located 14.6 miles from RP 15 in the state of Luján de Cuyo, owns almost 700 hectares of cultivated land. Visits to this winery include folklore classes and seasonal activities.

Valentín Bianchi, located in San Rafael, offers free tours every half hour Monday through Saturday and includes wine tastings and product sales.

Navarro Correas, located 6 miles from the capital city, welcomes travelers in a warm and modern location with showrooms and a wine bar.

Trapiche, located inCoquimbito, Maipú, is among the first exemplary wineries founded in 1912. Surprisingly, it utilizes one of the most ecological farming practices known as biodynamics, which uses only plant and animal waste from its own farm as fertilizer. The completely renovated building is open Monday through Friday from 9am – 5pm and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10am – 3pm.

The Salentein winery, located in the picturesque region of the Uco Vally, gives its visitors the possibility of touring the traditional wine routes, as well as visiting the gastronomic and cultural center of Killka. Guests can stay at the exclusive Posada Salentein which offers 16 rooms and personalized service. Here you can enjoy delicious meals prepared in clay ovens, grilled or barbecued meats and fresh local fruits and vegetables. There are several activities offered to guests such as architecture and art tours, horseback riding on the estate and the ability to cook alongside the chef.

Among the most luxurious lodges is Algodón Wine Estates, where in addition to the production of excellent wines, there is a golf course, a gourmet restaurant and an elegant rural-style lodge with wood burning stoves, a library and a pool with solarium. Located in San Rafael, it is home to organic vineyards hydrated by melted ice water. Courtesy visits are available Tuesday through Sunday between 10am – 4pm. There are also options that allow you to develop special blends.

Tips:

It is recommended that you make reservations before visiting wineries in order to book the best tours, in the pertinent languages and in small groups.
You can tour the wine routes on your own or with a guided tour. If you decide to tour on your own, make sure that you have a designated driver since most tours require driving.
Any time of year is good for visiting wineries. However, harvest time in Argentina is during the summer months between January and March or April, according to the region.

Offer: Wine colors in Mendoza

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Puerto Madero, the most modern neighborhood in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires tourism, Cultural tourism in Argentina, Luxury tourism in Argentina, Visit Argentina No Responses »

Jan 072013

The neighborhood of Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires combines luxurious glass towers, cultural spaces, green oases, amazing nightlife and exquisite cuisine.

This neighborhood is an interesting case of urban restructuring. For decades it was an abandoned space within the city, the Old Port, which in a few years’ time became one of the most modern areas of Buenos Aires. Below is a short video regarding the history of the neighborhood.

It is very interesting spending a few hours walking around the neighborhood. Among its particularities, Puerto Madero is notable for being the only one of the 48 neighborhoods of the city which pays homage to Argentine women who excelled in politics, the arts and medicine. Here you will find streets, boulevards and parks bearing their names.
One of the most unique symbols of Puerto Madero is the “Women’s Bridge”, designed by Santiago Calatrava, depicting a couple dancing tango.

Next to the neighborhood are the Southern Promenade and the Ecological Reserve. The first is a recreation area which hosts sports activities, shows and fairs every weekend. The second is an important refuge for the coastal river ecosystem. Its 350 wooded acres offers guided walks, bicycle paths and mammal, reptile and bird watching. If you are walking along this area, do not miss the Fuente de las Nereidas. This spectacular work of art, created by the sculptress Lola Mora in the early twentieth century, depicts the birth of Venus and is a must-see!

Since its inception in 1989, Puerto Madero has been positioned as an important gastronomic center with first-class bars and restaurants. Some locations combine live music, dance floors and cinema complexes.

There are a number of buildings for architecture lovers to admire, such as the Malecón building – a 12-story tower built in 1999. There is also the Porteño Mill which opened in 1891 and is a true icon of the functional architecture of the port city. All accommodations are top notch and are a magnet for high-end tourism. If you are looking for accommodations in this area at an affordable price, please click here.

Another star of Puerto Madero is the Yacht Club located at Dock 4. It is a three-story floating clubhouse with 250 moorings, as well as electrical, water, cleaning, television, marine maintenance and repair services. Very fashionable, don’t you think?

Source: Tur Noticias

Active tourism in Patagonia: Calafate, El Chaltén y Ushuaia

Best quality-price offers, Patagonia Argentina, Visit Argentina No Responses »

Jan 072013

DAY 1 CALAFATE

Arrival at Calafate Airport
Transfer to the “ALTO CALAFATE” 4* Hotel
2-night stay in a double-occupancy room. Includes breakfast.
4×4 afternoon excursion to the Balcón del Calafate. This amazing vantage point gives you a view of the source of the Perito Moreno Glacier, the peaks of the Chaltén Mountains which reach a height of 3,375 meters and Torre which reaches 3,128 meters. On the right you can see the Santa Cruz River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean after traveling more than 186 miles. Below, you can see the city of El Calafate.

Photo: Courtesy of Marcelo Sola

DAY 2 CALAFATE

All-day excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier which includes mini trekking.

The excursion departs from Calafate and lasts all day. The road trip to the glacier is 50 miles long. The first overwhelming feeling you will experience is when you reach the “curve of sighs”, the very moment you see the glacier for the first time. Here you will have an opportunity to stop and take photos before continuing the journey to the port. After embarking and reaching the south side of the glacier, the trek on the Perito Moreno begins. Countless crevasses, drains, small lagoons and fragmented ice blocks create a magical environment. Here you will be mesmerized by bright whites, deep blues, light crystals, small waterfalls down below and yarns of pure water that invite you to take a drink.

DAY 3 CALAFATE -EL CHALTÉN

Passengers are picked up at the hotel by a bus which takes them to El Chaltén (3-hour trip).
Arrival at El Chaltén
Transfer to “LA ALDEA” 4* Hotel
3-night stay in a double-occupancy room. Includes breakfast.
Free afternoon ideal for preparing for the next day’s activities.

DAYS 4 and 5 EL CHALTÉN

During these 2 days you will have the option to choose between 4 hiking activities with different levels of difficulty and lengths of duration.

PIEDRA DEL FRAILE: Bus transfer to the Electric River located 11 miles from El Chaltén. From there you will take an easy walk on flat terrain. It is a two-hour long and tranquil walk through forests and small streams until reaching Piedra del Fraile, Father Agostini’s base camp for his explorations of the region. From this location you will have a unique view of the northeastern wall of the Fitz Roy Mountain. The area includes the Los Troncos Refuge where you can have a bite to eat and which also offers camping accommodations. It is necessary to purchase a ticket since this is a private camp. Duration: 2 hours. Distance: 3.7 miles. Difficulty: Easy

RIO BLANCO: The path begins with a few undulations which take you through a beech forest to the Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint, where you will arrive after a 1.5 hour hike. There you will enjoy an incredible frontal view of the glacier and its lagoon, located at the foot of the Fitz Roy Mountain. It is another 30 minutes to the Poicenot Camp and an additional 15 minutes to Rio Blanco. The return trip to the town is taken through the Laguna Capri and descends the last bit of this path. Approximate duration: 7 hours. Total distance: 11 miles. Difficulty: Intermediate

PLIEGUE TUMBADO: This path begins at the entrance of the town at the National Park Information Center. This trek provides the best panoramic views of the main peaks, Fitz Roy and Torre, as well as the thickest forests. At the 1.5 hour mark you will reach the first lookout point, called Pampa de las Carretas, where you will have the first view of Torre and Fitz Roy Mountains. The panoramic views continue as you follow the trail. Here you will have perfect view of Lake Viedma, the Huemul Mountain and the Paso del Viento to the Río Túnel Valley, exit door to the Continental Ice sheets. In Pliegue you will have views of the Fitz Roy River, lakes, glacier and Torre Mountain, and from the Madre e Hija Lakes you will have a view of the Fitz Roy Mountain. Duration: 7 hours. Difficulty: Intermediate. Total distance: 9.3 miles.
LAGUNA TORRE: This trek is one of the most popular in the region leading to one of the most beautiful and difficult mountains in the world, Torre Mountain. The trail begins in the village and follows the Fitz Roy River upstream with a slight slope at the beginning, which later becomes a tranquil hike reaching the first viewpoint at the 1.5 hour mark. From there you will have a beautiful view of Torre Mountain, the Adelas and part of Fitz Roy massif. The road continues with mild undulations approaching the river to Camp De Agostini, after approximately 45 minutes. After an additional 10 minutes you will arrive at Laguna Torre, after crossing the moraines. From here you will have a spectacular view of the Torre Mountain, flanked by the Egger, Standhard, Bífida and Adelas Mountains with their stunning glaciers spilling into the lagoon. The same path is taken for the return journey. Approximate duration: 6 hours. Total distance: 14 miles. Difficulty: Intermediate.

DAY 6 EL CHALTÉN – EL CALAFATE- USHUAIA

Bus transfer to the Calafate airport en route to Ushuaia
Arrival at Ushuaia airport
Transfer to the “LAS LENGAS” 4* hotel
3-night stay in a double occupancy room. Includes breakfast.

DAY 7 USHUAIA

All-day off-road Lake excursion:

This tour allows you to scuttle waves and travel through impossible muddy roads and is great for all ages. On this trip you will cross the Andes, 9 miles on the shores of Lake Fagnano until reaching a beach where a shelter awaits you for a delicious barbecue and wine lunch amidst an ancient forest.

Attractions: Valle Carvajal and Tierra Mayor, Paso Garibaldi, Lake Escondido, Aserradero Bronzovich, Castoreras, Lake Fagnano.

Duration: 8 hours.

Meals: Snacks + Barbecue with salad and dessert. Drinks included (wine, sodas, mineral water). Transportation: Land Rover Defender. 8 passengers + guide and vehicle.

DAY 8 USHUAIA

All-day excursion to the Tierra del Fuego National Park

This is the only Argentinian National Park that combines sea, mountains and forests. Here you will see Lapataia Bay, the shores of the Beagle Channel and the most impressive flora and fauna including red foxes, woodpeckers, steamer ducks, condors, eagles, beavers and peat bogs.

After a .5 mile trek you will have the option of taking a semi-rigid boat to Isla Redonda. You can also paddle through the beautiful internal lakes of the Park using inflatable canoes. These activities give you a different perspective of this majestic place.

Attractions: Ensenada Bay, Beagle Channel, Lapataia Bay, Lake Roca, Isla Redonda or the Ovando and Lapataia Rivers.

Duration: 8 /9 hours

Meals: Snacks + Picnic (Local cuisine appetizers, hamburgers, chorizo sandwiches). Drinks included: mineral water, wine and sodas.

Day 9 USHUAIA

Transfer to the Ushuaia airport for travel to the next destination.

PRICE: $1399 USD/per person for double-occupancy during March & April 2013 (Does not include Easter week). Does not include airfare or entrance to the National Parks. Can be combined with trips to Buenos Aires or Iguazú.

See more active experiences in Argentina

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Once you are subscribed to our newsletter you will have immediate access to our “Tourist Destinations in Argentina” guide with information regarding the different regions, main attractions and activities. In only 34 pages you will have a clear panorama of what you can see and do in Argentina.
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Wine tasting in Buenos Aires

Argentinian Cuisine, Buenos Aires tourism, Visit Argentina No Responses »

Dec 222012

Some say that happiness is the sum of small moments lived to the fullest. For me, traveling is the utmost pleasurable experience. It consists of a combination of several things: marveling at the transparency of a lake, experiencing the silence of the mountains, smelling the fragrance of pine trees in the middle of a forest, coming in contact with a seemingly impossible architectural masterpiece, feeling the excitement of admiring art, laughing at local humor, feeling an intimate connection with nature, enjoying a sublime meal, etc. This is what I hope to bring to my readers. First hand experience of all the richness Argentina has to offer.

One of these wonderful experiences, considered by Trip Advisor as the fifth most popular activity while visiting Buenos Aires, is a private wine tasting in the Palermo Hollywood neighborhood of the city.

This is an intimate event which provides wine tasters with first-hand knowledge of limited production Argentinian wines. The range includes famous Argentinian wines such as Malbec and Torrontés, and lesser known makes such as Bonarda and Tannat. They also offer tastings of Sparkling wines, Merlots, Syrahs and Blends. Each tasting includes 5 glasses of wine, 5 gourmet tapas and a talk where you will also receive restaurant and tourist recommendations for Buenos Aires. You also have the opportunity to purchase the wines that you like the best.

I attended this event and enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.

RESERVE: Private wine tasting ($48 dollars/person)

CLICK here to find out more

If you would like to receive exclusive information, subscribe to our newsletter and download the FREE “Guide to Argentina”

Once you are subscribed to our newsletter you will have immediate access to our “Tourist Destinations in Argentina” guide with information regarding the different regions, main attractions and activities. In only 34 pages you will have a clear panorama of what you can see and do in Argentina.
You will receive a monthly newsletter with discounts and exclusive content.