Archives for June 2017

“No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.” A very famous Spanish phrase which translates to “Don’t wait for tomorrow to do something you can do today.” And we are here to prove you why you shouldn’t wait any longer to choose this Latin American country for your next travel getaway. Lying in the lowest point of the South American continent, this fairy large country has more to offer to the world than just footballers like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. If it wasn’t for its neighbors, Chile, the country would look like a reigning peninsula sandwiched between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific oceans. Separated by a whopping distance of approximately 12,000 kms from Australia, we bring to you some of the top reasons why you should fill Argentina inside your travel bucket list:

• The El Ateneo Grand Splendid.

Starting with a rather strange destination, The El Ateneo Grand Splendid is considered as one of the most astounding bookshops in the world. And if you are a bookworm, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be heading to this place before anywhere else. Located at the Santa Fe avenue in the capital city of Buenos Aires, was first designed as a theatre with a seating capacity of approximately 1000 people in the early 20th century but was later renovated and converted into a bookshop by the start of the 21st century by Grupo Ilhsa. The architecture and other structural details still replicate the old era of this place and the atmosphere it creates for its visitors is beyond comparison. The place is filled with chairs for book readers to indulge in their favorite book before making the purchase.

• The Cerro de Siete Colores

Known as The Hill of Seven Colors in English, this spell bounding location is situated in the Jujuy province and borders the Quebrada de Purmamarca region and is also known as The Hill of Seven Skirts by the local population. The distinct color of the hills is attributed to a series of geological events including marine sediments and the movement of water bodies around it due to shifting tectonic plates. And in case you plan to visit this place, then the best time to adore it is during the first 45 minutes after dawn. That is the time when the hill stands out in its hueing glory. You can even complete your dream of international camping at this place as OZCodes provides you with amazing discounts on camping hammocks!

• The soaring Aconcagua

And just in case you thought we wouldn’t discuss The Andes! We present to you the highest mountain outside Asia, the Aconcagua. Located in the Mendoza province in the city of Mendoza, the Aconcagua Mountain is a part of The Seven Summits. It stands astoundingly tall at about 7,000 kms (6,961 kms to be exact) and can be easily seen even from Chile! And that is because it is located only around 15 kms away from its border. This humongous mountain is littered with glaciers and Ventisquero Horcones Inferior is the longest of them all which runs for around 10 kms in total.

PS: Is it just us who had a hard time pronouncing Aconcagua?

• Iguazu Falls

From lengthy glaciers to deep water falls, this country has it all. Such is the beauty of these falls that when Eleanor Roosevelt saw the Iguazu Falls, she exclaimed: “Poor Niagara, Poor Niagara!” Located in the Misiones province bordering Brazil in the north, the Iguazu Falls are an outlet of the river Iguazu and are the largest waterfall systems in the world! Yes, you read that right. The large number of falls are formed due to the presence numerous islands along the line of the Parana Plateau. And in case you have heard of the Devil’s Throat water fall, then think no further, it is the highest water fall within the Iguazu falls.

• La Casa Rosada

This architectural beauty is the office of the President of Argentina and the executive house. The term Casa Rosada means Pink House in Spanish and quite literally looks like one. The beautiful design of this building and its bright baby pink color has helped it to reach the list of National Historic Monuments of Argentina. La Casa Rosada consists of a museum which contains articles and souvenirs of former presidents of this country.

• The city of Ushuaia

Capital of Tierra del Fuego and located in the Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province (the names keep getting difficult), is geographically one of the most southern cities in the world. Fenced by the mountain range of the Martial Glacier, Ushuaia is located along the Beagle Channel in the Bay of Ushuaia. It is one of the major tourist attractions in southern Argentina and is the starting point of several cruises.

• Parque Nacional Los Glaciares

The Los Glaciares National Park is the largest national park in this already huge country and covers an area of more than 7,000 square kms! It was formed in 1937 and was soon declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park owes its name to the numerous glaciers that are a part of it thanks to the presence of gigantic ice caps on The Andes mountain range. The park consists of two lakes, the Lake Argentino and the Lake Viedma, which divides the park into two distinct areas and flow as a feeder to the Santa Cruz River which ultimately opens into the Atlantic. The northern area of this national park contains mountains that are popular among mountaineers and trekking enthusiasts.

• El Chalten

Ask any Argentinian and he/she would have called this list incomplete without El Chalten. Located in the Santa Cruz province is a mountainous village called El Chalten. Known for its numerous trekking spots, this village is known as the trekking capital of Argentina and is perhaps one of the most breath-taking places in the world! This place gets its name (which means smoking mountains) from the locals who believed that this place was once a volcano.

Conclusion

According to Soon.News Argentinian’s are considered as the friendliest and kindest people on earth. The local population is ever so helpful that there is absolutely no chance for you to get lost or feel unsafe in this part of the world. So what’s stopping you from packing your bags and booking the very next flight to Argentina?! Learn Spanish, enjoy new food, discover the culture.