Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Spas and Luxury
Holidays
Famous for its spa, the
Park Hyatt in Mendoza
uses wine-based oils
for massages. Llao Llao
Hotel and Resort near
Bariloche also offers
health treatments.
In Buenos Aires, many
hotels such as Faena
Hotel & Universe (see
p278) have spas offering
a range of treatments.
The revamped Cielo
Spa at the downtown
Four Seasons is a
favorite with porteños.
Argentina's largest spa
town is Termas de
Río Hondo (see p192) ,
which is said to have
“healing” waters.
In the Air
The wide blue skies in Argentina
can be explored by balloon,
helicopter, glider, or paraglider.
These activities are ideal even
for beginners. Bariloche and
Córdoba are established centers
for all airborne activities, and it
is possible to arrange gentle
balloon flights across the
rolling Pampas. Operators such
as Lan & Kramer (see p277) in
Buenos Aires plan all kinds of
flights for learners and more
experienced pilots.
Tango
The tourist industry has
attracted dozens of tango
operators, from cowboys to
expert historians, who can
enrich a trip through the lesser
known barrios in the capital,
where tango was born and
evolved. Tango-themed hotels
such as Lina's Tango Guest
House and Mansión Dandi
Royal (see p278) , as well as
major service providers such
as Kallpatour , can organize
tango shows and lessons to
be combined with sightseeing
trips in Buenos Aires.
Hikers at Parque Provincial Aconcagua
Skiing and
Winter Sports
The winter sports season starts
in early July and lasts until early
October. Luxury ski resorts
include Las Leñas (see p223) in
Mendoza province, Villa Cerro
Catedral near Bariloche, and
Chapelco Ski Resort near San
Martín de los Andes. Managed
by local Mapuches is Batea
Mahuida near Villa Pehuenia in
Neuquén. An operator that can
arrange ski trips is Ripio in the
capital. Glacier tours are
available through local
operators such as Calafate
Mountain Park in Calafate and
Camino Abierto in Patagonia.
For ice climbing, Compañia de
Guias de la Patagonia in
Ushuaia is recommended.
offers a wide range of 4WD
tours across the roads of
Traslasierra, while fans of
quad biking can also try
Kumbre in Tandil. Another
Argentina-based specialist to
contact is Canal Fun and
Nature in Ushuaia.
Walking and Climbing
With several beautiful sierras
and challenging summits,
Argentina is a walkers' and
climbers' heaven. The Chaltén
and Fitz Roy area, Córdoba
province, and the sierras of
Tandil and de la Ventana offer
all levels of challenges. Huilén
Viajes y Turismo in Villa
La Angostura offers a wide
range of services for walkers,
riders, climbers, and rafters in
the lake region. Mendoza has
long attracted serious rock
climbers and experienced
walkers and Andes Vertical ,
offering hiking expeditions
and guided climbing in the
Andes and Patagonia, offers a
package tour for climbers who
want to ascend Aconcagua.
Centro Andino Buenos Aires ,
a team that plans mountain-
eering trips, has branches in
the capital and in major
climbing centers such as Men-
doza, Bariloche, and El Chaltén.
Wine and Food
Many vineyards now have
organized tours and tasting
sessions (see pp214-15) . Those
in the Mendoza region with an
international reputation include
Salentein (see p282) , Club Tapiz ,
and Cavas Wine Lodge (see
p281) . The Grapevine in
Mendoza is good for tours led
by knowledgeable, locally based
experts. Other regions are less
deve loped, but Terra Riojana is
opening doors to fascinating
cellars in San Juan and La Rioja.
Arblaster & Clarke , based in the
UK, are highly respected. They
plan detailed tours to explore
bodegas and their exclusive
vintages, and can combine tours
with trips to Chile and Uruguay.
Food trails have just started to
become popular. Buenos Aires-
based Alejandro Frango
organizes meals out for
individuals and small groups,
during which local food
delicacies are explained.
Paraglider at Cerro Otto in
Bariloche, Patagonia
 
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