Five destinations not to miss in Argentina

Mar del Plata, founded in 1874, was a planned seaside city for Argentina’s upper class. The natural attractions of undulating coastline, broad beaches and rugged rock outcroppings was a dramatic backdrop for the architecture of Argentina’s Golden Age (1870 - 1940). Many of the same architects who designed the French inspired palaces in Buenos Aires were commissioned to create summer homes in Mar del Plata.The pre-1950 city is a combination of Norman, Alpine chalet, French châteaux and English Tudor. The beach front Casino Central (1939) an Alejandro Bustillo palace, is an immense curving brick structure and still a focal point of the resort’s social activity. The interior art deco frescos are both beautiful and surprisingly sensual.The puerto de Mar del Plata on the coast south of city center is an important port for the south Atlantic fishing fleet. The Banquina de Pescadores dock area hosts a number of fresh seafood markets and restaurants.Mar del Plata provides a mix of accommodations from budget hostels to luxury resorts. The city stays open in the off-season with a year round life.There is frequent bus service to Mar del Plata, 260 miles south of Buenos Aires.Argentina’s third largest city, 165 miles north of Buenos Aires, Rosario stretches for 20 miles along the wide Rio Parana. From the 1880s through the 1940's Rosario was the Chicago of Argentina, distributing the cattle wealth of the pampas to the world. This wealth built a cosmopolitan landscape of broad boulevards, French art nouveau and Spanish revival palaces, office buildings, apartments, department stores, shopping arcades, hotels, parks, museums, theaters and an infamous red light district.Slow economic decline since the 1940s was reversed in the early 2000s and a pride in the city’s history has resulted in large scale restoration of its architectural heritage. Today the city has some of the finest art nouveau and deco architecture and accommodations in Argentina, a terrific riverfront promenade that stretches for miles and a chic arts and entertainment area in its former red light district.Rosario received a Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice 2010 Award as a Top 10 Emerging Destinations in the World. Its restaurants feature much sought after fresh Parana River fish. Rosario’s an easy four hour bus ride, or drive, north of Buenos Aires.Córdoba (1573) is Argentina’s oldest city. Located 400 miles west of Buenos Aires, it is easy to reach by comfortable long-distance bus or frequent flights from the capital. Córdoba’s the nation’s second city and considered the heart of its Spanish heritage. Its growing economy is due to the success of industry, its seven universities and its geographic location between the Argentine Atlantic and Chile's Pacific ports.Córdoba's first two centuries were momentous. It quickly became the largest city in the southern sector of the Viceroyalty of Peru as an important trading center along the Royal Road. The original 17th century buildings of the Manzana Jesuitica are an UNESCO World Heritage site and still part of the University of Córdoba (1613).Córdoba provides city life with the intellectual stimulation and youth of a university town. Accommodations of all types for the business traveler, tourist or backpacker abound. A couple of days at least for the historic center and the Manzana Jesuitica, and the city makes an excellent base for day trips to explore the surrounding hill towns of the Sierras de Córdoba, famous for hang gliding.View the list »
Street tango in Rosario, Argentina

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Argentina is the eighth largest country on earth and still underpopulated. Most Argentines live within a few hours of Buenos Aires. Ushuaia is closer to Antarctica than the capital, and Salta’s 800 miles northwest in the foothills of the Andes mountains. It’s no wonder that most visitors, especially from North America, spend time at only two destinations, Buenos Aires and Iquazu Falls.

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To visit one of the great cosmopolitan capitals and a natural wonder of the world during a one week trip to Argentina is a fine accomplishment. Yet the drama of Tierra del Fuego, the formidable Andes, the profound natural wonders of Patagonia, the Parana Delta, millenniums of archeological splendors in Salta, the energy and soulfulness of the tango and ancient Andean music, the agricultural wealth of the pampas, mile high vineyards and the creativity of their cuisine can’t be experienced in only two locations.

With a little more time, and not much more money, it’s easy to experience the diversity of this spectacular country. These five destinations cover the length of Argentina and a good slice of its cultures. Spend three to four days in any of the cities.

Distances are long, but Argentina has an excellent road and air system. All five cities are served by direct flights from Buenos Aires. An alternative is travel by bus. Argentina’s luxury bus companies provide safe, comfortable and reasonably priced service that prides itself on sticking to schedule. Long distance travel on overnight buses with seats that recline 180º (cama suite) are available on major routes from Buenos Aires. Blankets, pillows and meals are included.

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  • Córdoba (1573) is Argentina’s oldest city. Located 400 miles west of Buenos Aires, it is easy to reach by comfortable long-distance bus or frequent flights from the capital. Córdoba’s the nation’s second city and considered the heart of its Spanish heritage. Its growing economy is due to the success of industry, its seven universities and its geographic location between the Argentine Atlantic and Chile's Pacific ports.Córdoba's first two centuries were momentous. It quickly became the largest city in the southern sector of the Viceroyalty of Peru as an important trading center along the Royal Road. The original 17th century buildings of the Manzana Jesuitica are an UNESCO World Heritage site and still part of the University of Córdoba (1613).Córdoba provides city life with the intellectual stimulation and youth of a university town. Accommodations of all types for the business traveler, tourist or backpacker abound. A couple of days at least for the historic center and the Manzana Jesuitica, and the city makes an excellent base for day trips to explore the surrounding hill towns of the Sierras de Córdoba, famous for hang gliding.
  • Argentina’s third largest city, 165 miles north of Buenos Aires, Rosario stretches for 20 miles along the wide Rio Parana. From the 1880s through the 1940's Rosario was the Chicago of Argentina, distributing the cattle wealth of the pampas to the world. This wealth built a cosmopolitan landscape of broad boulevards, French art nouveau and Spanish revival palaces, office buildings, apartments, department stores, shopping arcades, hotels, parks, museums, theaters and an infamous red light district.Slow economic decline since the 1940s was reversed in the early 2000s and a pride in the city’s history has resulted in large scale restoration of its architectural heritage. Today the city has some of the finest art nouveau and deco architecture and accommodations in Argentina, a terrific riverfront promenade that stretches for miles and a chic arts and entertainment area in its former red light district.Rosario received a Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice 2010 Award as a Top 10 Emerging Destinations in the World. Its restaurants feature much sought after fresh Parana River fish. Rosario’s an easy four hour bus ride, or drive, north of Buenos Aires.
  • Mar del Plata, founded in 1874, was a planned seaside city for Argentina’s upper class. The natural attractions of undulating coastline, broad beaches and rugged rock outcroppings was a dramatic backdrop for the architecture of Argentina’s Golden Age (1870 - 1940). Many of the same architects who designed the French inspired palaces in Buenos Aires were commissioned to create summer homes in Mar del Plata.The pre-1950 city is a combination of Norman, Alpine chalet, French châteaux and English Tudor. The beach front Casino Central (1939) an Alejandro Bustillo palace, is an immense curving brick structure and still a focal point of the resort’s social activity. The interior art deco frescos are both beautiful and surprisingly sensual.The puerto de Mar del Plata on the coast south of city center is an important port for the south Atlantic fishing fleet. The Banquina de Pescadores dock area hosts a number of fresh seafood markets and restaurants.Mar del Plata provides a mix of accommodations from budget hostels to luxury resorts. The city stays open in the off-season with a year round life.There is frequent bus service to Mar del Plata, 260 miles south of Buenos Aires.
  • Founded by conquistadors in 1582, Salta was an important Andean link in the critical silver trade of the Viceroyalty of Peru - the silver treasure chest of the Spanish Empire. Yet for millenniums proceeding the Spanish, indigenous civilizations flourished and populated the majestic Andes. Two civilizations still share the Andean northwest.Salta is the capital of its namesake province 800 miles northwest of Buenos Aires. Set in a lush mountain valley, the population of a half million is a mix of indigenous and European. The city’s architecture is a stunning celebration of historic preservation in maintaining its Spanish colonial roots.Accommodations, restaurants and museums abound and are easy to reach in this compact, walkable city. The many museums are varied and well worth a visitor’s time. Take a day trip into the Andes on the Tren a las Nubes. Relax at any of the cafes on leafy Plaza 9 de Julio. Ride the Teleferico, a Swiss made cable car that climbs 1500 foot San Bernardo Mountain. It’s particularly enjoyable late in the afternoon to catch the sunset and Salta light up below.Salta is served by frequent overnight cama suite bus service and non stop flights from Buenos Aires.
  • Charles Darwin wrote of Tierra del Fuego’s extraordinary ecosystem in the 1830s. Yet Ushuaia, the city at the end of the world, remained a sleepy backwater until the 21st century. The town traditionally provided services for vast sheep estancias and ships making the passage around Cape Horn, less than 50 miles south. The Panama Canal severely curtailed the economy by mid 20th century.Yet natural beauty has created a tourism boom the past few decades with winter skiing, summer sailing and mountain hiking. Naturalists revel in the protected glory of channel islands and the vast national park with abundant wildlife. Ushuaia’s also the port of origin for most Antarctic cruises.Today Ushuaia, stretching along a narrow strip of land on the Beagle Channel, bustles in season. There are a great variety of shops, restaurants and accommodations from large mountain-side resorts with panoramic views, modern hotels in town to B & Bs, cabins and hostels.Ushuaia is connected by frequent non-stop flights to Buenos Aires, 1,500 miles north. Travel by bus will take three days each way, although you get to explore Argentina’s south Atlantic coast.
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, International Travel Examiner

As a chef, food, wine and travel writer, Marc seeks out the culinary stories of a region and a culture whether that be in the remote Andes Mountains or the streets of Philadelphia. He is on the Board of Directors of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, a member of the...

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