Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Estancias
Estancias can be found all
across the Argentinian interior
and visitors have the luxury
of choosing from a wide
and varied range of options.
The architectural styles of these
estancias are varied, from
Italianate mansions to adobe
haciendas and century-old
prefabricated buildings.
There are primarily two types
of accommodations available -
working and guest estancias.
Working estancias remain
primarily dedicated to cattle or
sheep farming and offer a more
authentic ranch experience.
Guests take part in farm
activities and evening meals
are enjoyed together with the
owners. Patagonia and Tierra del
Fuego have the largest numbers
of such ranches. Guest estancias,
on the other hand, are dedicated
solely to tourism. There are
many of these in the Buenos
Aires province as well as in the
Andean Northwest and
Argentinian Litoral. At both types
of ranches, visitors can enjoy a
host of activities that range
from horse-riding and fishing
to bird-watching, trekking, and
biking (
see pp306-11
).
Many estancias have offices
in Buenos Aires, where English-
speaking staff take bookings
and answer queries. The NGO
Estancias de Santa Cruz
handles reservations and
enquiries on behalf of many
ranches in the Patagonia and
Tierra del Fuego regions.
Red
Argentina de Turismo Rural
and
Estancias Argentinas
both represent estancias in the
The spa at Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza
(see p281)
Self-Catering and
Cabin Complexes
There are several self-catering
options. Most cities have apart-
hotels, which have standard
hotel features, but also larger
rooms with a kitchenette and
small eating area. In the south
of Argentina,
cabañas
(cabin
complexes) are extremely
common, especially in the
Patagonian Lake District. The
cabins typically consist of a
master bedroom, kitchen,
lounge, and spare bedrooms.
Most are designed in the style
of Alpine log cabins, situated
within shaded woods or on
riverbanks, and are well-
equipped with phone and cable
television. The cabin complexes
are ideal for families and
anyone wishing to avoid more
nondescript, but equivalently
priced, three-star hotels.
Buenos Aires province as well
as across Argentina. Specialist
travel agencies can also
organize estancia stays;
Lan
& Kramer Travel Services
is
one of the most reputable.
Alternatively, visitors can also
contact the ranches directly.
Bodegas
Catering to the luxury travel
market, several bodegas
(wineries) in Argentina's
wine-growing regions offer
exclusive lodging. Most are
located in Mendoza, although
some bodegas in Salta also
feature wine lodges. All boast
extraordinary settings and
stunning mountain views, and
offer insights into the world of
viticulture (
see pp212-15
).
Guests can take part in
many activities from wine
tastings and vineyard visits to
the annual harvest. A growing
trend is the incorporation of
a wine spa, where treatments
are based on grapes and other
wine products.
Rented Apartments
For longer stays in Buenos Aires,
several agencies specialize in
short- and long-term rented
apartments for foreign visitors,
fully furnished with modern
appliances.
Buenos Aires
Travel Rent
and
Buenos Aires
Stay
are two well-established
rental agencies with over 500
apartments to offer, while
Oasis
Collections
offers a more soph-
isticated range of properties.
Youth Hostels
Argentina is served by an
extensive network of youth
hostels and most cities have
at least one establishment
recognized by Hostelling
Communal living space on a sunny balcony, Ostinatto Buenos Aires Hostel
(see p278)
