beef with barbecues being big business (look for
parillas
and
asados
). Vegetarians are also well catered for with
dedicated restaurants and pizzerias aplenty. Empanadas
(snack-sized savoury stuffed pastries) are ubiquitous. Try to
resist addictive dulce de leche (a sweet spread made from
boiled milk) – Argentinians argue as much over favourite
brands as they do football teams! Heavenly helado (ice
cream) is another sweet sensation along with delicious
medialunas (pastries). Popular drinks are great coffee, tea-
like mate and unctuous hot chocolate. Argentinean beer
quenches the thirst, but the prize-winning (mainly red)
wines are sublime.
Suggestions and snippets
1. Having a few words of Spanish helps, although
English is widely spoken.
2. The country is absolutely immense – you can’t see
everywhere, even combining long-haul (thankfully
luxury!) buses with flying.
3. Accommodation ranges from simple to chic (such
as boutique posadas and hosterias) and includes
atmospheric estancias.
4. Credit cards at the ready to shop for stylish and
quality leather, polo wear and jewellery!
5. There are some truly amazing sights, so don’t forget
your camera!
than trekking or hiking) and neither will the clean, crisp
air. Reward yourself at the speciality shops with chocolate,
smoked trout and meat, and other local delicacies.
Wildlife wonders
Venture to new adventures on the vast steppe of Patagonia.
The Peninsula Valdes is a must, with plenty of attractions
to explore. The area’s gateway is Puerto Madryn, on the
Golfo Nuevo, which is renowned for diving and seafood.
Check out the excellent, interactive Ecocentro museum to
learn about protecting marine ecosystems. Having your
own wheels is recommended to properly see the delights of
UNESCO-rated Peninsula Valdes – and what rich delights
they are! From June to December there are migrating
southern right whales to admire by boat; year-round there
are enormous colonies of big, blubbery elephant seals and
playful sea lions to watch beneath the Peninsula’s steep
cliffs. For more wildlife wonders, head to Punto Tumbo to
see a veritable sea of Magellanic penguins (around half a
million!) on land and afloat. These cute creatures waddle
from beach to ocean or huddle with their chicks. It’s
amazing to see so many within touching distance – but no
souvenirs allowed!
Food, glorious food
Overall, meals are excellent, with a strong Italian
influence. Carnivores will devour the best succulent
