With cascading waterfalls taller than Niagara Falls and a love story that rivals Romeo and Juliet, Iguazu Falls is the perfect place to fall in love all over again. Legend has it that Guarani tribesmen would sacrifice young virgins to appease a monstrous serpent named Boi that inhabited the river. One day a warrior named Taroba fell in love with the chosen offering, Naipi, and the two ran off together. Boi, seeing the lovers escape, lashed its mighty tail and split the river, forever separating them and creating the Iguazu Falls. Whether the story is true or not, you and your loved one can stand together and witness the glory of more than 270 falls shared by Brazil and Argentina.

There is an array of accommodations in the nearby city of Puerto Iguazu.

Reservations: ARGENTINA@FriendsTravel.com

Discounted First class, Business Class, and Coach Airfares Worldwide.

I have walked the Fall’s , I have explored from a rubber raft in the River, I have flown over the Falls,

and trust me when I say this, Iguazu Falls is truly one of the most amazing places on the PLANET!
JESS Kalinowsky, Professional Travel Consultant

The small peninsula of Punta Tombo is on the Argentinian Patagonian coastline. Thousands of tourists gather here to be amazed, entertained, and educated by one of the most fascinating shows performed by nature at the Magellan penguin colony. Approximately half a million penguins come every year in order to breed. The first of them arrive in September and stay until about mid-March, but the best time to observe them is after November, once the babies are born. One of the greatest features of this Nature Reservation is the fact that you can actually walk among the penguins, follow them and learn their habits, see how they feed their babies, the rites of pairing, the fights for the defense of their territories, how they build their nests, and the unending walks they take to and from the ocean. This is a truly singular experience with wonderful photo opportunities. Penguins and their individual style of waddling and behavioral patterns are always entertaining.

Punta Tombo is also a paradise for other sea birds that have chosen this site to nest. Kelp gulls and dolphin gulls, skuas, two species of cormorants—the king cormorant and the rock shag—steamerducks, snowy sheathbills, and several species of terns and giant petrels all make their nests in this region. Be sure to bring your binoculars to enjoy the bird watching.

At Puerto Rawson the boat tours head out to sea where the dolphin sightings are a major attraction.

Usually the Commerson’s dolphins—called Toninas locally—and also known as bottlenose dolphins, can be observed year-round. This is one of the few places in the world where these dolphins may be watched in their natural environment. Semi-rigid boats leave from Rawson’s harbor in the afternoon because in the mornings the dolphins remain feeding in the ocean depths. Theses dolphins are not at all shy and love to dart back and forth in front of the boats’ bows and leap into the air performing a great show for the passengers on board. On one boat trip it is almost guaranteed that you will be able to observe numerous of these fascinating sea creatures having fun in their natural environment.

For a change of pace the next stop is a visit to the town of Gaiman where the first settlers arrived in 1865 by boat from Wales. These immigrants were escaping from the English domination of their homeland as well as from the attempt of the latter to impose their culture upon them. They were looking for a virgin territory to be able to establish the “New Wales” where they could follow their own rules and customs without being attacked. Patagonia offered this safe haven. Today much of the Welsh culture is still apparent in the historic buildings, architectural style, and street names. Even the Welsh language is still spoken and taught in the schools, and real Welsh Tea Houses are open for all to enjoy a traditional Welsh Afternoon Tea. The Welsh village essence and small farms retain the charm and character created by these original settlers even in today’s modern society. This is a bona fide step back in time with historical overtones for an incomparable Patagonia experience.

From wildlife to local history this day trip from Puerto Madryn is a fascinating education of the local culture and yore. The gay and gay-friendly staff at Flamenco Tour agency will be happy to arrange this journey for your enjoyment and will also ensure that you learn from your time spent with nature and yesteryear.

Reservations: ARGENTINA@FriendsTravel.com

JESS Kalinowsky Professional Travel Consultant

Friends Travel LLP

But that was not the way my experience in Buenos Aires turned out. I changed my flight to arrive in the Argentine capital two days before the cruise, and I’m glad I did. I found Buenos Aires easy to get around, inexpensive and offering lots to see. Whether you tack on a couple of extra days before or after your cruise, you won’t regret making time to see one of the world’s most vibrant cities.

During my short stay, I dined extravagantly on world-renowned Argentine beef, took in a tango show, hopped on a city tour and walked the city streets. If you have more time, you can also get out to an estancia (ranch), but if you decide to spend all of your time in the city, you will likely have opportunities to visit estancias on shore excursions during your cruise.

The first day you’ll spend a good portion of the morning getting through passport control and customs — and checked in to your hotel. If you’re fortunate enough to get a good night’s sleep on the flight to Buenos Aires, you’ll arrive rested enough to begin sightseeing right away.

As I walked through the city, I stopped in at hotels priced as low as $40 per night and as high as several hundred per night. The city’s most expensive hotel is the Alvear Palace Hotel, priced from $550 per night to $4,500 per night, and these rates do not include the room tax, but if you’re due for a splurge, this is the hotel for you.

I also peeked in at the Etoile Hotel, priced at $118 per night (breakfast and tax included) and located in the charming quarter known as La Recoleta, a neighborhood reminiscent of Paris with lively outdoor cafes, neoclassical mansions and world-class shopping.

Only a few steps away from the Etoile Hotel is the Recoleta Church and Cemetery, where Buenos Aires’ most illustrious departed lay at rest in ornate mausoleums. Among the most visited is the tomb of Evita Perón, much loved by Argentines for championing the causes of the working class.

Puerto Madero

I never spent more than 9 pesos (about $3) to get anywhere in the city. I rode in a taxi for 20 minutes and spent only 9 pesos getting from my hotel near the trendy Puerto Madero docks (where reclaimed and restored warehouses feature some of the city’s finest restaurants and shops) to colorful La Boca. One porteño — as the 3 million residents of this port city on the Rio de la Plata are known — told me he sold his car when he moved to Buenos Aires, because taxis were so inexpensive.

While I used taxis plenty, I also walked. I made strides along six blocks from my hotel to Plaza de Mayo, a square dominated by the Casa Rosada (Pink House) presidential palace. Nearby, I stepped into the cathedral where San Martín’s repatriated remains lie (Martín helped liberate Argentina from Spanish rule in 1812) and strolled down the grand Avenida de Mayo, opened in 1894 and designed after the avenues of Paris.

La Boca

I hopped a taxi to the neighborhood of San Telmo, where I sipped coffee at Plaza Dorrego Bar while watching young people hanging out and old men play dominoes on the small square. Sundays, the square becomes an outdoor antiques fair.

From La Boca, I took a taxi through the slums along the waterfront, past trendy Puerto Madero, along Avenida del Libertador and the Malvinas War Memorial (a symbol of Argentina’s claim to the Falkland islands and its loss of the islands to Britain during a 10-week war in 1982), which was tauntingly constructed opposite the Tower of the English. The tower offers a free elevator to the top for panoramic city views.

Plaza Dorrego

For carne asadas, I stepped into Las Nazarenas, directly across from the Sheraton at 1132 Reconquista.

I started with grilled Chorizo sausage, followed by grilled provolone cheese topped with oregano and olive oil drizzled over. For my entree, I ordered Bife de Lomo, a small filet mignon and a glass of Malbec (the famed Argentine wine) to wash it down.

The next afternoon while walking through the city, I stopped at Havanna for an alfajor, the popular Argentine sweet. I’ve heard alfajores described as a Moon Pie with dulce de leche (caramel) instead of marshmallow. That’s a good description, although alfajores are typically smaller in circumference and thicker.

First, there is an exhibit that presents what La Boca looked like during the early 1900s when Italian immigrants poured in to the city. I walked through recreated rooms where multiple families shared living quarters and one bathroom. Next, we sat down for dinner, similar to the one I had Las Nazarenas, then followed that by returning to the exhibits, where actors portrayed what life was like for the immigrants. The show was lively and illuminating.

Afterward, we went inside a belle époque replica of a Parisian theater for a 60-minute tango performance that was mesmerizing. Though it appeared a difficult dance, I talked to travelers who took tango lessons while in Buenos Aires.

If your cruise ends in Buenos Aires your flight will likely depart for the United States late at night, giving you time to extract the final hours from a city that continues to surprise and delight all who make time for her. — Ralph Grizzle

ARGENTINA!@FriendsTravel.com  24/7/365

JESS Kalinowsky Professional Travel Consultant

Argentines adore steak and red wine dinners that stretch on for hours, the sultry nostalgia of tango dance halls, a nail-biting match between rival soccer titans and spirited conversations that keep the vibrant cafe` culture humming — and their fervor is contagious.

Visitors get the most out of their stay delving into these pockets of passion in Argentine life, rather than scurrying from cathedral to war monument — many of which are often less impressive than their European counterparts.

When London or New York City has called it a night, portenos — as Buenos Aires’ port-dwelling residents are called — are just putting on their dancing shoes, heading out until dawn to tango halls, clubs pounding experimental cumbia music or bars that only kick out frolickers once the sun comes up.

The city is also a bargain compared to Europe or the U.S. The Buenos Aires tourism industry has grown accustomed to the steady wave of visitors since the Argentine peso plummeted to a third of its value following a devastating 2001 economic crash. While some tourist hot spots have hiked up prices, there are ways to keep costs down while exploring portenos’ many passions.

Argentina@FriendsTravel.com

FriendsTravel.com

FriendsTravel.net

Argentina South America

The country’s northern half is rich in culture and natural beauty. The high northwest cradles ancient towns, where villagers honor their Andean roots. In the northern rainforests of Misiones, Iguazu Fall’s great waters roar on endlessly. At the edge of the wide Rio de la Plata, cosmopolitan Buenos Aires bustles to the staccato steps of the Tango. The dusty central pampas are home to the Gauchos, the cowboys who herd Argentina’s famous beef cattle. On the western border, Mendoza’s prized vineyards produce the world’s finest Malbec.

In the south, innumerable penguins, whales and sea lions struggle against the elements on the wild Atlantic coastline of Patagonia. Bariloche and Calafate compel exploration of the outdoors, tempting visitors with crystal blue mountain lakes, towering glaciers and perfect powder. And at the end of world, the sparkling port of Ushuaia is the last haven of ships bound for Antarctica.

Argentina offers you an endless collection of beauty. No matter what part this vast land has captured your imagination, our expert travel counselors will help you craft the perfect experience.

JESS Kalinowsky will make your First Class, Business Class or Coach air travel reservations from your hometown to South America, and your pre and post tour or cruise hotel reservations.

JESS Kalinowsky

FriendsTravel.com

FriendsTravel@earthlink.net
]]> http://argentinawithfriendstravel.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/argentina-south-america-with-friendstravelcom/feed/ 0 argentinawithfriendstravel