For a proper answer, the least we need to know is at what time of the year you are coming.

Besides that, I suggest reading this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/south-america/more-suggested-reading.cfm

Have a great time in our country.

As Avrooster's rightly points out, tihe time of year is key to your choice as the weather will vary dramatically with the seasons. That aside, I would forget about Mendoza. I loved Salta which has some of the most impressive and varied scenery I have seen anywhere. Renting a car or hiring a guide and driver and driving a loop of the north west is the best way to make the most of the area. 5-6 days is about the right amount of time IMO and doesn't leave a lot of time for Iguazu.

If you are city lovers, then BA has a lot to offer, maybe including some side trips to Tigre delta and Colonia de Sacremanto in Uruguay combined with a couple of days in Iguazu, surely one of the wonders of the natural world.

Lots of photos of these places from out trip in 2008 are on our blog ( entries # 75 on)

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/candcthai/1/tpod.html

We are looking to be there from Feb 15 - 22

Thanks

For that time of the year, I suggest you research our South.

Have a great time in our country with your family, KBagh.

avrooster

We are not planning patagonia or bari loche. Any reason Salta and Iguazu are not good at this time? Is it unbearably hot?

Well, the north will be quite hot. Having said this, if you can tolerate Singapore in the middle of Summer, you will be fine.... so there is no real reason to rule out a visit to the area just because it is Summer. Some regions of the north of the country will have quite a temperature amplitude, so it may be 38 C at say 3pm but it can go down to 12 C during late evenings.

Salta is an amazing place to visit, the Calchaqui Valleys.... are you guys into Wine...?

But for 7 days, I would think one side-trip (I would choose Iguazu Falls as a first choice) for 2 nights 3 days would be just right.

Then, if you want another day out of town, it would be easy to make day trip arrangements to go to either Colonia del Sacramento by Ferry or to the Tigre Delta, by 1 hour train ride - where I would highly recomment Delta Unplugged for a great day....

thanks Gaucho & Marnie. It looks like we are leaning towards 4-5 days in BA (with 1-2 day trips from BA) and 2 days in Iguazu.

However, one recommendation was 1.5 days in BA, 2.5 days in SALTA, fly to IGuazu, 2 days in Iguazu, and spent last day in BA again. Is that too hectic?

Its hard for others to decide what is hectic for you... youre the one(s) doing the actual itinerary so Im not sure we are the best folks to ask. Having said this, one thing you must build into any itinerary is that if your internal Argentina flying will be on Aerolineas, then you may very well deal with flight delays. This can make planning a little more interesting.... to say the least.

As Gaucho says......I would add that, IMO, 2 days in the NOA, Salta region would be more expensive and frustrating than wonderful......come back another year and spend 5-7 days there and you will be enthralled. Chopping it into 2 1/2 day (with airport waits and wastes of time would not, again IMO, be worth it.

Forget about Salta - never thought I would say that as I love the north west, but you just don't have enough time. It needs at least 5 days, preferably more. BA plus Iguazu is a popular combo for good reason. If you get tired of BA ( v. Unlikely!), then a day trip to Tigre or maybe Colonia is another option.

Yup 5 days in BA and 2 in Iguazu it is. Thanks all. Appreciate.