PROVINCES

These immense green, mostly flat plains are Argentina´s agricultural heartland and the home of the gaucho. The area covers the provinces of Buenos Aires and La Pampa, and the southern areas of Santa Fe and Cordoba.

BUENOS AIRES Argentina´s capital is a world class sophisticated city, located in the province of the same name. Main attractions beyond suburban Buenos Aires lines are:

The city of La Plata, (59 kms from Buenos Aires) with its University, is the capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, also called a garden city for its squares and parks lined with different species of trees. Important points are the neogothic Cathedral, recently refurbished, the Observatory and the Natural Science Museum, with one of the world´s most important paleontological collections, and the nearby Kids Republic with a miniature city inspired in Andersen´s and Grimm´s tales.

The estancias, comfortable and peaceful residences, some showing farming activities and exhibitions of gaucho skills. accompanied by tasting Argentine asados. But if you are after real farming activity (not only that for tourists) you will have to choose those places farthest from BA city. If you plan to be in Buenos Aires in November do not miss the exciting gaucho parades held in San Antonio de Areco (115 kms from BA) for the Fiesta de la Tradición on 10th Nov (make reservations in time) , where the most genuine gaucho atmosphere has been preserved, with its museum and ranches.

The Delta is an ideal option for short nature outings with sailing tours from Tigre which will take you along the Paraná river and its islands covered with lush vegetation and populated by varied fauna. If no time for the Delta, you might visit BA city Reserva Ecologica to get an idea about Delta´s riches. And now also local reserves of San Isidro and Acassuso (Refugio Natural Educativo de la Ribera Norte). Bird lovers do not miss them.

Relatively close to Buenos Aires are several lagoons : Chascomus, Lobos, Junin and Monte (during summer swallows southern homeland) mostly catering for domestic tourism.

Hilly areas lies in the central part and you can go hiking and horse riding along the Sierras of Tandil and La Ventana (with its beautiful provincial park)

In coastal tourist centers the outstanding city is Mar del Plata, the natural capital of the coast (404 kms from Buenos Aires - 8 kms of beaches) and the country´s main fishing port, more exclusive Atlantic bathing spas are Cariló and Pinamar.

Carmen de Patagones in the extreme south is Buenos Aires door to Patagonia.

LA PAMPA (143.440 km2) shares with Buenos Aires the greener and richer portion of Argentina´s agricultural plains. Santa Rosa is its capital. 35 kms away from Santa Rosa is Parque Luro provincial reserve with flamingos, sea gulls, parrots, partridges and foxes, American ostriches and woods of caldenes. This is the place where Pedro Olegario Luro built the largest haunt reserve in the world in the middle of the pampas. The old part of the town has been turned into a regional museum. From Santa Rosa you can get to the Lilhué Calel National Park, with wildlife including puma, guanaco, rhea, native hares and a variety of wild chinchilla called "vizcacha" and typical flora of the steppes.

CORDOBA, 710 kms from Buenos Aires, is Argentina´s second city and one of the oldest (Santiago del Estero being the oldest, founded in 1553) in this part of the continent, and first Argentinian university city. This modern and vital city has preserved its historic center with churches convents and mansions form 17th to 19th centuries. The Cathedral, the Jesuit administrative quarters, Santa Teresa and Santa Catalina convents, Marquis of Sobremonte´s residence and others. The "Block of Enlightment" extending into the Camino de las Estancias and including beautiful Santa Catalina Jesuit ranch chapel and the church of St Isidore at Jesus Maria in northern Cordoba, have all recently received UNESCO´s approval as a new World Cultural Heritage

SANTA FE, 475 kms from Buenos Aires) was the birthplace of Argentine constitution (1853). Its main attractions are its historical monuments. The Convent of San Francisco, The Cathedral, The Church of La Merced, several old houses, Santo Domingo Church, the Government House. In Rosario, one of the main industrial cities in the country, has the National monument to the Flag, and the pioneering Universidad Nacional de Educacion a distancia (Distance Education).