nantravel

We are getting close to making some plans, would appreciate input. We are most interested in BA, the Pampas and Cordoba as well as Salta/NW. Our tastes run more to history/art/architecture, and the above sound like they would fit the bill. My thought was 3 days BA, 1-2 nights Pampas, back to BA for flight to Salta for 4 days, return to BA for 2-3 days. Cordoba sounds interesting but it seems flights between won't work, and Cordoba is quite a drive from BA. Thoughts? DH, our college-aged son and I will be traveling; may be met by a friend from the US. Alternate plan would be 5-6 days in BA, fly to Salta, trip to pampas and then flight home. Will we miss Cordoba? Reading about Salta it sounds terrific. Also, thoughts on traveling over Christmas/NY. We probably won't be able to get there till close to Christmas. My thinking is BA is best place to be at Christmas?
Thanks!
FYI we have traveled in SA before, both Peru and Brazil so prefer an Argentine vacation this trip.

tower

It's the height of summer..can get very hot in Argentina. You might consider a visit to the Iquazu falls (Argentine side)...if there is service from the falls to Salta should be less than a two hour flight. You can take a car from Salta after your 3-4 day stay, drive along the eastern slope of the Andes to Mendoza and wine country and swing back eastward toward Cordoba...comfortably, I think you can do the drive in 4-5 days. I did a similar loop around Bariloche, after an Andes river crossing from Chile.

Hey Rooster, where are you when we need you????(Hope you are well!)
Stu

crellston

i would definitely include Salta. Rental a car and drive a circuit of the region. 4-5 days would be good. a link to our blog of our time there http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/1/tpod.html entries 75 -80.

there are flights from Salta to iguazu so you could include a couple of nights there.

we were in BA one Christmas and found it to be very quiet. New years is probably a lot different

avrooster

Hi, Stu/tower!

I did not reply because, at that time of the year, I would only go South, but it's a matter of taste.

So, my only contribution would be to tell the OP to read all about the "blue" rate of exchange, which would make the trip dramatically cheaper.

Stu: when should we expect you down here?

Have a great time in my country.

tower

AV...wish I could return..but overseas travel is off the table for now. At soon to be 86, I have other mandatory priorities, though I'm biting the bullet and applying for a new passport. Might fool myself! But being solo for the secoond time in my long life, it's hard to imagine. My memories of that long SA trip are my most pleasant, especially your welcoming country, blue dollars of not. Bob and Karen are still trucking along, in Bali and Thailand right now. Stay well, Mr. Rooster!
Stu

avrooster

Great! Get that passport and haul your U no what over here, pronto, while you are still young!! LOL!!!

thursdaysd

Nothing wrong with solo travel! In fact, lots that's good.

nantravel

Booked the tickets tonight. We arrive late evening Dec 22 and return to US Jan 8. I am thinking of spending 1 night in BA and then heading to NW area for 5-6 days, then return BA to be there for New Years and to have time in Pampas. I know everyone recommends Iguazu but it is just not of interest to us. Crellston, thank you for the link to your blog! I have read some of your entries and seen your beautiful pics in other postings on this sight.

Somewhere I read that it would be possible to drive Salta area and then head for Mendoza? Is that crazy? We could then fly back to BA from there. Thoughts?

flintstone are you there? Any input on best place to be on Christmas Day? This is the fun part after the many gyrations to get a decent flight booking--should have booked two weeks ago I think. Thanks to all for input and suggestions.

nantravel

Here is itinerary as it has developed
Day 1 arrive BA, stay two nights
Day 3 Fly to Salta for 6 night trip in NW--Salta, Pumamarca, Quebrados, Cafayate, Quilmes
Day 9 fly back to BA. At least one overnight trip to Pampas, day trip to Colonia. Hoping to book a week in a flat and then end up at Hotel Mine again.

We considered driving from Salta to Cordoba via Cafayete and Catamarca, but ultimately decided against the long drive, and we wanted to be in BA for NYEve, and to avoid long long drives since we have both been working very long and hard hours this year.

All flights purchased and good progress in at least making inquiries for hotels. Mine is booked for first two nights of the trip. Thanks to all for guidance and suggestions! Hoping to do a tango tour (probably more than one); may do the bike tour too! I saw some luscious looking estancias tonight so hope one of those works out for us as well.

Still no luck getting the official site to pay the reciprocity fee to come up--get the gray screen of death (maybe because it is a weekend?) I do see some other sites that may assess a fee for this; but I am reluctant to go that route yet. Will keep all apprised of my progress--the embassy site does come up and the instructions, but when I press "continuer" I get the "Safari cannot bring up this page" message.
Work for another day I guess

thursdaysd

Have you tried a different browser?