| tina offers a host of great vacation activities. You can | | | | sun kissed Mendoza which nestles at the base of the |
| admire volcanic landscapes, lakes, forests, canyons | | | | Andes. A two-hour flight from the capital, Mendoza |
| and waterfalls, and shop in the chic boutiques of | | | | has been the hub of Argentina's wine country since |
| Buenos Aires. But to taste the spirit of the country, try | | | | European settlers brought the art of winemaking in the |
| these quintessential Argentinean activities - tango tours, | | | | 19th century. Nowadays, Mendoza is home to more |
| wine tasting in the Andes, and whale watching. You'll | | | | than one thousand wineries. |
| have a vacation like no other and touch the beating | | | | Mendoza offers many wine tasting tours to the many |
| heart of Argentina. | | | | wineries of bogegas as they're known locally. |
| Tango | | | | Mendoza is also home to the continent's largest wine |
| To connect with the spirit of Argentina, you need to | | | | museum. If you're a real wine lover, try and go in |
| immerse yourself in the national dance, the tango. In | | | | March when the week-long Vendimia Festival is held. It |
| fact, the tango is more than just a set of dance steps; | | | | commemorates the gathering of grape crop with a |
| it's an expression of the spirit and passion of the | | | | range of events at the bogodas. |
| people. The tango has its origins in the bawdy houses | | | | Whales |
| of late 19th century Buenos Aires. It was spurned by | | | | The next unique Argentinean tour takes you to |
| the upper classes for many decades but it finally | | | | windswept Patagonia to watch the whales in Peninsula |
| captured their hearts. In fact, the Perons were great | | | | Valdés. Some 600-700 whales sport offshore |
| aficionados of the tango. Later, rock and roll nudged | | | | here during their mating season. |
| the tango out of favour for a while, but it didn't stay | | | | If you want to see the whales, you'll have to time your |
| down for long. | | | | visit carefully. The season for whale watching runs |
| Nowadays, the tango is undergoing a definite | | | | from May to December, with September and October |
| renaissance and you can take many tours devoted to | | | | being the best months. This is when the whales come |
| this sultry dance culture. Not only will you learn to | | | | to the peninsular for their mating rituals. Boat trips to |
| master this most sensual of dances, but you'll have | | | | observe the whales usually also include visiting sea lion |
| vibrant nights out in this passionate city that few | | | | colonies and cormorants. |
| tourists get to see. | | | | Other than whales, the Peninsula Valdes is home to |
| In the daytime, other than taking tango lessons, you | | | | such fascinating fauna as marine wolves, Magellan |
| can visit tango museums to study the culture, traditions | | | | penguins, and dolphins. |
| and milestones of the Argentine Tango. Many of these | | | | So when you visit Argentina, don't just wander around |
| museums are the converted residences of former | | | | gawking at the monuments. Choose one of these |
| tango stars. | | | | unique tours and really connect with this exotic country |
| Wines | | | | and its flamboyant people. Before travelling to |
| The next key to the Argentine heart is to learn all | | | | Argentina, make sure that the hotel reservations are in |
| about the country's wines. Argentina is a producer of | | | | place. Hotels in Buenos Aires and hotels in Mendoza |
| world-class wines and a tour not only allows you to | | | | can easily be booked in advance through the Internet, |
| swirl them around your palate but also to experience | | | | and then you will be able to enjoy Argentina at the |
| one of the country's most evocative regions, that of | | | | best. |
