Dear friends and colleagues,
Buenos Dias! Yes, I’m back from Argentina. And what a trip it was! So many incredible sights and moments.
I’m itching to visit you all and share my renewed enthusiasm and honest opinions, but for now, here’s a synopsis of my trip – all planned and expertly handled by Attipica DMC. I’m delighted to have spent time with Barbara, Inés and their growing team, and have been blown away by their infectious enthusiasm, energy and professionalism. Rest assured your clients will be in safe hands from the moment they arrive.
In other news, it’s the LATA Parliamentary Reception this week. I’ll be in attendance in the company of Carlos from Costa Rica’s Travel Excellence. We’re both really looking forward to seeing many of you there.
Blumar were all glammed up and looking fabulous at Rio’s Belmond Copacabana Palace Carnival Ball last week. Do get in touch for 2020 Carnival packages if this extravaganza of samba and sequins is on your clients’ radar.
A Wander with Wendy in Argentina
Buenos Aires
I must confess that sometimes I struggle with big cities but I was particularly struck this visit by the greenery of the Argentine capital. The tree-lined streets make a few nights here a real pleasure and I can’t wait to bring you up to speed with the eight hotels I stayed in or visited, including Palermo’s gorgeous Jardin Escondido de Coppola.
After dark, Buenos Aires comes into its own. A real highlight was a night out at a Milonga, in the company of a professional dancer who enthralled me with the history of the Tango – originally used as a form of communication between the immigrants arriving during the 19th century. Thankfully, for me, dancing at a Milonga is entirely optional but if you’ve got your dancing shoes on and get a head nod, you’re on! Attipica can organise lessons.
Tigre
As a respite from hotel inspections, fine dining and shopping, I enjoyed a very relaxing morning out in the Tigre delta. I was pleased to see it hasn’t changed since my last visit and is still a peaceful trip out of the city.
San Antonio de Areco
Spend a night or two to fully experience a working estancia, but if time is tight, a daytrip out to this sleepy Pampas town with its cobbled streets, gauchos and silversmiths includes a mouth-watering (and very carnivorous!) lunch at La Bamba.
Iberá Wetlands
My first visit to this area – I was immediately hit by the heat and vast open space. It’s flat. Very flat. And watery with swamps, lagoons, and rivers. The earth here is that gorgeous rich rusty red colour, the vegetation lush.
Rincon del Socorro
The road out from Posadas to Rincon del Socorro is much improved – what once used to take a bone-shaking nine hours is now down to around five. With its heart-of-the-wetlands location, the wildlife here is literally on your doorstep – you don’t have to venture far to see (or hear) a plethora of mammals and birds. Mind blowing. There’s also good chance of seeing snakes! You may even see a snake that doesn’t look like a snake because it had a capybara for lunch…
Puerto Valle
Hotel Puerto Valle is stunning and the only luxury lodge with private access to the Ibera Wetlands. With it being only a 40-minute drive from Posadas, it’s just the ticket for your clients who like sumptuous bedding, luxury amenities, air-conditioning and exquisite dining.
Bariloche and The Lake District
The spectacular mountains and lakes here are perfect for lovers of the great outdoors. Seven Lakes Road (part of Ruta 40) links Bariloche to San Martin de los Andes via Villa La Angostura and is almost a destination in itself. Accommodation highlights abound including the secluded Rio Hermoso Mountain Hotel with its impressive range of outdoor activities, and the sumptuous Relais & Chateau Las Balsas Hotel on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. And I must just mention Estancia Peuma with its new Yurts. Glamping rocks in this beautiful part of the world!
Southern Patagonia
El Chalten – the trekking capital of Argentine Patagonia
Mt Fitzroy aka El Chalten aka Smoky Mountain. Aka invisible mountain this trip. Hey ho, I’ll just have to go back! I fell in love with Hosteria El Pilar – it’s been built in the style of the original houses that were pre-fabricated and brought across by British colonisers. A quirkier option is Ecodomes Patagonia (yes, more glamping!). Both are out of town and neither has wifi/mobile signal but they’re right at the start of the ‘Laguna de los Tres’ hike.
Estancia Cristina
If experiencing the Patagonian wilderness is your clients’ priority, I absolutely insist they spend a few nights at Estancia Cristina. Talk about exceeding expectations – I cannot over emphasise the wow factors of this gem of a property and its location! I got to hike their spectacular Fossil Canyon and we didn’t see another person all day. In High Season no less. Its history is also fascinating.
El Calafate and Perito Moreno
Caught up with Argentina’s most famous glacier. A daytrip to Nibepo Aike with its stunning setting is the perfect way for those with less time to experience a Patagonian sheep ranch.
All too soon, I was back in Buenos Aires for a very comfortable final night at the Park Hyatt Palacio Duhal. Of course, I was sad to be leaving but this trip has left me genuinely impressed by the flair with which Argentina manages its tourism. I’m delighted to have strengthened my relationship with Attipica, and am indebted to them for rekindling my love affair with Argentina and its people, whose life-affirming style and warmth will stay with me forever.
Ready for more? Me too! As I said earlier, I’m dying to tell you more, so don’t hesitate to contact me for a spot of destination training and/or to be introduced to my clients in Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica.
Very best wishes y saludos,
Wendy