Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
256
Carlos Paz, in summer, is famous for its theatrical cabaret acts, with well-known actors
from Buenos Aires transplanting themselves here for the season. The best-known venues
are
Teatro del S ol,
Calle Gral Paz 250 (
&
354/142-2393
), and
Teatro Candilejas II,
Pasaje Nini Marshal (
&
354/142-2314
).
3
LA FALDA
70km (50 miles) NW of Córdoba
An excellent base from which to explore the Punilla Valley, La Falda (literally, “lap of the
mountain”) lies betw een the Valle Hermoso (Beautiful Valley) and the S ierras Chicas.
Argentines come her e for r est and r elaxation, not wild enter tainment. Crisp, clean air;
wonderful hikes; and quiet hotels ar e the draw. The city's main tourist site is the once-
prestigious (but now decrepit) Hotel Edén, which entertained international celebrities in
the early 20th century.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
Frequent buses travel from both Córdoba and Villa Carlos Paz. The
most comfor table is
TranSierras
(
&
354/842-4666
), costing about $3.50 (£2.40). I f
you are driving, y ou have the option of going first to Villa Carlos P az and then to La
Falda via the N38. Or you can bypass Carlos Paz by taking the new A73, which branches
off from the N20 a few miles before Carlos Paz. The trip takes 2 hours fr om Córdoba.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
tourist office
is inside the old train station at A v.
España 50 (
&
354/842-3007
). Open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 9pm, S unday
10am to 5pm. It provides city and regional maps as well as hotel, restaurant, and tourist
information.
GETTING AROUND
You can walk ar ound the small center , but y ou will pr obably
want to hir e a driv er, rent a car, or sign up with a tour operator to explor e the S ierras
Chicas (although y ou can always hike as w ell). La F alda's main r oad is A venida Edén,
which extends from the town center to the old Hotel Edén.
WHAT TO SEE & DO
You come here first and foremost to relax. Once that's accomplished, visit the once pres-
tigious
Hotel Edén
(east end of A v. Edén). During the first half of the 20th centur y, it
hosted the likes of Albert Einstein, the Duke of Savoy, two presidents of Argentina, and
other members of Argentine high society. The hotel fell out of favor after World War II,
because its owners had been Nazi sympathizers. Boarded up by 1960, the castlelike hotel
was left to r uin. The insides have been completely gutted, but, amazingly , the entrance
fountain still operates. N inety-minute guided tours r un daily betw een 10am and 6pm.
Admission is $7 (£4.75). There's a bar adjacent to the ghost lobb y with pictur es of the
grand old dame in its day . Outside the city, various adventure agencies offer horseback
riding, trekking, mountain biking, hang gliding, and 4WD ex cursions into the S ierras
Chicas. Contact Polo Tour, Av. Edén 444 (
&
354/847-0795
), for details. You might also
consider taking a taxi, which is inexpensiv
9
e, to ward La C umbre, wher e numer ous
handicrafts shops and stands dot the r oad.
