| As any proud Argentinian, I always try to invite my | | | | stunning red gorge of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, |
| readers to see the marvels of my beautiful country. If | | | | scattered with verdant oases. |
| you happen to travel this far south, you can't miss | | | | • Wander around the Ischigualasto National |
| these sights: | | | | Park, a desert valley also referred to as 'the valley of |
| • Take in the chocolate box scenery of | | | | the moon', owing to its distinctive rock formations and |
| glacial lakes, mountains and forests of the southern | | | | fossils dating back some 180 million years. |
| Lake District around Bariloche; then follow 'the route of | | | | • Gaze at the Andes mountain range topped |
| the seven lakes' through spectacular mountain passes | | | | by Mount Aconcagua (6,995m/22,944ft) (website: the |
| to San MartÃn and on to LanÃn National Park, | | | | highest mountain in the Western hemisphere, located |
| dominated by the extinct, snow-capped LanÃn | | | | within the Aconcagua National Park. The nearby Cristo |
| Volcano (3,776m/12,386ft). | | | | Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue is a famous |
| • Stroll through the capital's chic Recoleta | | | | monument at almost 4,000m (13,120ft) above sea level, |
| district, famous for its Cementerio de la Recoleta | | | | offering magnificent views. |
| (where many members of Argentina's elite are buried) | | | | • See the top spots of The Pampas and visit |
| and the renowned Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes | | | | the scenic peaks of Sierra de la Ventana (website: |
| (Museum of Fine Arts) (website: | | | | note the traces of colonial past in Santa Fe; and |
| • Marvel at the multi-coloured houses and | | | | glimpse the pink granite rock formations of Lihue Calel |
| artistic talent of La Boca, where Italian immigrants | | | | National Park. |
| settled to work in the shipyards and the tango was | | | | • Be dazzled by the sheer power of |
| supposedly born. | | | | Iguazú Falls (website: view this majestic series of |
| • Soak up the atmosphere of the San Telmo | | | | cataracts at |
| district of Buenos Aires (website: with its many cafes, | | | | Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), which can be |
| antique shops, tango night spots and a Sunday flea | | | | approached via a system of catwalks over the |
| market on Plaza Dorrego. | | | | thundering water; and take a boat trip through the mist |
| • Visit one of Argentina's oldest cities, | | | | and spray at the base of the falls. |
| Corrientes, and see the church of SantÃsima Cruz | | | | • Be struck by nature on the Valdes |
| de los Milagros and the San Francisco convent. | | | | Peninsula; see herds of seals, sea lions and take a |
| Corrientes is also the land of the chamamé, a | | | | whale watching boat trip. Then visit the penguin colony |
| characteristic type of rhythmic music derived from the | | | | at Punta Tombo. |
| polka (website: | | | | • Feel the chill in Los Glaciares National Park |
| • Discover the architecture of colonial Salta | | | | with the Perito Moreno Glacier as its centerpiece, |
| before stopping in on the nearby pre-Incan ruins at | | | | where huge icebergs calve and topple into Lake |
| Santa Rosa de Tastil; then travel through the arid, | | | | Argentino. |