Argentina Holiday Guide | Elegant Resorts

Capital	Buenos Aires
Language	Spanish
Time Difference	-3 hours
Currency	Argentine Peso
Voltage	220V

Many people still regard Argentina, the second-largest country in South America, as the quintessential wild frontier – a land of drama and contrast – while the Argentine people are known for being outgoing, fun, and passionate about their culture and tradition, all summed up by Argentina's iconic dance form, the tango. Of course, Argentina is also famous for its polo playing and gastronomic delights, particularly its succulent beef, along with world-renowned wines that have been produced in the country for over four-hundred years. The cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires a must-see on a trip to Argentina; history abounds in this architecturally rich metropolis and, like many of the great cities of the world, you can visit at any time of the year and be entertained and enthralled by its cultural riches. Meanwhile, during the Argentinean summer, adventure-lovers flock to explore the hiking, biking and horse-riding trails and to traverse the flat plains of the Pampas, the high peaks of the Andes mountains and the extraordinary landscapes of Patagonia. In the Argentinean winter, the excellent snow coverage in the southern Lake District provides unrivalled conditions for skiers and snowboarders.

Mendoza

Wine and food aficionados will love exploring the wine route around Mendoza, renowned for its delicious red Malbec wine. The route weaves its way through world-class wineries and an impressive Andean landscape of snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes and bubbling streams and rivers, offering opportunities for wine-tastings, lunches and even cookery classes. The city itself is laid-back and cosmopolitan, and boasts a number of museums, galleries and parks, along with leafy avenues, cafe culture, bars, restaurants and five plazas, including Plaza Espana, which is beautifully tiled. Head to City Hall and make your way up to Terraza Mirador, where fabulous panoramic views of the city and beyond can be enjoyed.

Salta

Salta is a charming city in the Lerma Valley, boasting neo-Classical architecture and charming craft markets. Panoramic views of Salta can be enjoyed from atop the city's San Bernado Hill, reached via an ascent of 1,000 steps or a scenic cable-car ride from San Martin Park. Another must-visit during your stay is the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology, cataloguing over a thousand years of history and showcasing fascinating, though at times harrowing, exhibitions. Meanwhile, tree-lined Plaza 9 de Julio oozes local ambience, and as night falls, its bars and restaurants play host to Salta's enthralling nightlife; seek out a traditional folk music hall (pena), where locals gather and take it in turns to play guitar, sing and dance.

Bariloche

Nestled among the scenic Lago Nahuel Huapi National Park, picturesque Bariloche enjoys the most glorious lakeside setting in the foothills of the Andes and offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking, mountain-biking, fly-fishing, rafting, horse-riding, skiing, and more! The town is also the 'Chocolate Capital of Argentina', boasting a thriving number of chocolate shops and patisseries. A relatively 'new' town, Bariloche was officially discovered at the turn of the last century and its subsequent urban design was inspired by Central European style and Alpine architecture, which is still prevalent today. At present, the charming town is thriving and developing, and is home to a number of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and a casino.

Buenos Aires

One of the most inventive, cosmopolitan and enticing cities in Argentina, Buenos Aires will captivate you from the moment you arrive. Catch world-class Argentinian footballers in action, step inside one of the city's many restaurants for succulent regional steaks and glorious wines, or dance the night away at a traditional Milonga (tango night). If Argentinean political history with a dash of glamour appeals, you could do no better than to seek out a number of venues related to, perhaps, Buenos Aires' most famous resident, Eva Peron (Evita). Tour Casa Rosada, the pink-coloured presidential palace where Evita famously addressed her many followers from its northern balcony, and visit the Palermo district, where you can find a museum dedicated to the life and times of this folk heroine.

Iguazu National Park

Iguazu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting 250 spectacular waterfalls that straddle the borders of Argentina and Brazil, known as Iguazu Falls (translating to 'Big Water'). Taller than North America's Niagara Falls and twice as wide, this natural phenomenon includes a series of wooden platforms that allow visitors to get as close as safely possible to its thunderous display - which is set amongst a glorious lush forest. Take an eco-train trip to Devil's Throat Falls, the largest and most breathtaking gorge, or a 4WD trip along the eight-kilometre-long Yacaratia Trail, culminating in a thrilling boat-ride upstream to the mesmerising main falls: a glimpse of Mother Nature at her very best.

Argentina's climate can be divided into four main areas - East Central (Pampas), North Eastern Interior, Western and Southern (Patagonia) - cumulatively boasting great differences in latitude and longitude, along with changes in the terrain - swathes of land are relatively flat, whereas other regions are mountainous, such as the Andes. Because of these huge variations, some areas of Argentina are best visited during specific seasons. A great time to visit Buenos Aires , for example, is in the Argentinean spring (from September to November) and also during their autumn (from March to May). Rainfall can be high in Buenos Aires during their summer - for example, in January it averages around 107mm, rising to 121mm in March. Mendoza and the Lake District are perfect to visit during their autumn, when the leaves on the trees are turning colour, the temperatures are more comfortable and there are fewer crowds. Patagonia, meanwhile, is very appealing during the Argentinean summer (from December through to February), whereas Northern Argentina is best avoided in the summer, when it is extremely hot. Opt to visit this area in either the spring, winter or autumn instead. The ski season in Argentina lasts from mid-June right through to mid-October, with the winter months of July and August being peak times.

Temperature Guide

These figures show monthly average maximum temperatures and monthly average rainfall for Argentina.

	Temp °C	Rain mm
January	29	107
February	28	102
March	26	121
April	22	96
May	19	76
June	15	62
July	15	62
August	17	67
September	19	69
October	22	111
November	25	101
December	28	92

Flight Information
British Airways direct from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires.

Flight Time
From London Heathrow to Buenos Aires: 13 hours, 40 minutes.

Travelling With Children or Without an Adult

Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.

Visa and Advance Passenger Information

All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.

Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.

For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk

Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance. In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling. Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.

For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website. View the travel advice in full here: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina