Argentina, my country, is known for : Economic and political unstability (crashes, too many crashes and changes!! ), Beef, Landscapes, Pampas, Tango..yes BA "screams" or whispers Tango, Beautifull women, Corruption and Patagonia. I am not into soccer :)
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Bariloche, the Perito Moreno glacier in Calafate and Ushuaia, guess maybe the highlights for first timers to the south of Argentina .... south ...reeeally South. Bariloche city located over lake Nahuel Huapi and the seven lakes tour is a excellent start for visitors interested in Patagonia.
(After a two hours trip from domestic airport Jorge Newbery in BA city, one arrives to a small airport distant 20 minutes by car from Bariloche center.) I enjoyed a lot doing this tour ( Seven Lakes) in a rented car together with my wife as it provides enough time ( own timing) to stop here and there to feel the place, smell, breath its air, watch how nature dances its ballet according to sun light, take some pics., get a good "choripan" ( Just a saucege + bread) and a glass of Malbec, of course, and to thank that we were lucky to be experiencing "heaven" in earth.
I am "working" on a great trip ( pics inclueded in this case) I did 2 years ago when together with 25 class mates turning our 50s. we did 3 days rafting over Manso river ( south of Bariloche) and horseback riding, crossed the Andes Cordillera ( Rocky mountains frontier w/ Chile) to a very beautifull and peacefull Chilean lake only reached by horse or air ( NO roads !)
A web site that may help visitors to know more about the area is
http://www.interpatagonia.com
More specifically in Bariloche:
http://www.interpatagonia.com/bariloche/----paseos_i.html
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| Favourite spots: |
Hotel Llao LLao, 20 minutes by car from Bariloche center, has breathtaking views ! Expensive to lodge at (About U$S 350 a night), but don´t loose the chance to visit it, maybe just for a nice cafe, tea or maybe lunch, won´t regret it. The short trip from B. center to the Hotel will provide the chance to watch the very nice houses and hotels over Nahuel Huapi lake. Bariloche and sorroundings cater to different budgets, I am just focusing on a expensive Hotel.
Villa La Angostura is a lovely small village located 70 minutes aprox. from Bariloche. Somehow hip and luxurious hotels have been built in last 5 years, with very nice view to the lake, a good option for a relaxed lunch while day touring is a must go in my opinion. Some v
Then, if posible, visit San Martin de los Andes, another lovely small city, quieter and less touristy than Bariloche. Many small B&B around.
Unfortunaltely, for both foreign visitors and Porteños, Bariloche is far away from Buenos Aires ( 2 hours by plane
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| What's really great: |
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Paisano or Gaucho from Bariloche
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Breathtaking sightseeings, lakes, nature, birds, trees, flowers, light changes, and clean very clean and thin air. Relaxed walks in Bariloche city, Treeking, Fishing, Horseback ridings, rafting, wingparachute from the montains......and at the end of the day a great spa..ahhhhh...can life get any better :)
Asado´s (Barbecues) of Patagonian lamb, some good wine/s and of course smoked trout ! . Try a Mate "session", our very local drink through a straw (kind of strong tea) while at the lake side, locals will surely be eager to invite you or show the "How to´s" for a mateada.
Some nice small beer brewerys for a pint in Bariloche city are a must !. .
Argentinos will generally be very friendly with visitors.
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| Sights: |
Seven lakes tour.
Villa La Angostura
Villa Traful
San Martin de los Andes.
Junin de los Andes.
Manso river ( rafting)
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| Accommodations: |
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Please always be carefull with this ..
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LLao LLao Hotel: Unique. Luxurious, expensive, breathtaking views, very nice spa and restaurant. Breakfasts are top !
Give a look at their wesite:
http://www.llaollao.com/
Aldebaran Hotel, in Peninsula San Pedro located 40 minutes from Bariloche center. Very quiet, lovely, smaller than L.L.
Many more nice hotels to choose !
Also the area has some great spots for camping, just be very carefull while cooking at the camping, uncontrolled fires will kill the beautifull forests, fauna and put people in bad danger.
Try interpatagonia.com for some research on hotels, activities, tours and general information. Belive there´s a hotel or hostel almost for all budgets.
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| Nightlife: |
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the beauty and the beasts
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Sorry, not much on night life, give me a good dinner and a nice Malbec and "asap" will be "dreaming" on by next day adventure !
Here one of my "visions" while dreaming, I titled it the beauty and the beast imagining a Pork BBQ :)
There are some "boliches" (night clubs) to dance, social activities among locals are mainly home BBQs/ dinners, or just dinning out.
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| Hangouts: |
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Our gang ready for rock n roll .
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The Manso river rafting.
Horseback riding the Cordillera de los Andes ( Rocky montains)
Many more spots / activities ..one for each day !
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| Restaurants: |
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Wow ! dont forget to try a good BBQ.
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My prefered Parrilla is Lo de Jose in Bariloche center ( where locals
and every year´s visitors enjoy as a non tourity spot)
El Patacón is more upscaled and fun , give a look
http://www.elpatacon.com.ar/galeria.htm<-br />
For a romantic meal LLao LLao´s restaurant
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| Other recommendations: |
While in Bariloche center:
Its fun to visit the many stores that offer chocolate..warning : remember about the calories "thing" :)
For smoked goodies Ahumadero Weiss has been many years in the market .
While in San Martin de los Andes: Quila Quina is a cozzy quiet village with some beautifull houses on the park and very near San Martin by car.
While in Junin de los Andes: In january the stockyards is fun.
Horseback riding is alway a great way to discover the Andes.
IF visiting Bariloche in summertime, fishing fans prepare your flies !
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Published on Saturday April 15th, 2006
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Wed, Apr 19 2006 - 04:32 PM
 by jesusferro
Tue, Apr 18 2006 - 08:43 AM
by mistybleu
Santiago,
Nice report with some great pictures.
Amanda |
Mon, Apr 17 2006 - 09:12 AM
by bear495
Very nicely written, Santiago. This makes me want to leave right now.
Russ |
Mon, Apr 17 2006 - 05:50 AM
 by rangutan
| For your first report congratulations and very well done. I see that pictures are added now, that makes a vast difference and i'm sure the rating will go up. Any chance for backbackers to get there overland? Only luxury accomodation? |
Sun, Apr 16 2006 - 07:42 AM
 by marianne
Santiago,
I am sure this is a very good spot to visit. It would be nice if you add some more specific information. At the moment your description is very general. Also some photos would give me a good impression of what to expect. After reading I do not have a clear impression of this place and will have to read a travel guide for more info. If you click on ' edit this report' , you can add photos and more text. I look forward to reading more as I am sure this is a special place. |
Sun, Apr 16 2006 - 06:01 AM
 by frenchfrog
| You should add photos, it will make your report look much better. |
Sat, Apr 15 2006 - 02:01 PM
by eirekay
| This is a trip I would love to make! Thanks for sharing! |
Sat, Apr 15 2006 - 01:03 PM
by isaacmolina
| Señor Santiago, por que no ilustra el texto con las fotos del asado y un postre de dulce de leche mas una botella de Rioja argentina? Ganaría puntos esta crónica. |
Sat, Apr 15 2006 - 10:06 AM
by davidx
| A lot of information here but 4* would usually be the top for a report without photos and this one has some very short sections. As a general rule keep a report secret until you are sure you have put all you can in it. |
Sat, Apr 15 2006 - 10:05 AM
by jorgesanchez
| Che, Santiago, sos barbaro! Que lindo report. Con algunas fotos le habria dado 5 puntos. |
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