sunnyville

Hello!
I have never really used a forum before, but I was hoping someone could help me with my planning. I will be going to Argentina for 2 months, starting in February. Here is what I have planned so far...
Start in Buenos Aires, I will be taking 2 weeks of spanish classes at Amauta spanish school here, before starting my trip so that I can have some knowledge of the language, then I will be going to Iguazu for 3ish days. After Iguazu I am going to start to work my way south down Argentina. And this is where my plans end. From there I just plan to kind of wander around where my heart takes me. I am a photographer so I am looking for amazing sites, things that I can't find anywhere else, and anything unique or really different. Do my plans sound ok so far? Also what is the easiest way to get around? Money isn't a huge problem but I would prefer to spend as little as possible. Does anyone have any personal experience at Amauta? I looked at their website of course but it is always comforting to hear people own experiences! Thanks!!

avrooster

Hi, sunnyville!

Welcome to the Fodor's Argentina forum!

May I suggest you research this forum, looking for ideas?

Perhaps my "More suggested reading" thread will help:

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...ed-reading.cfm

Have a great time in our country.

MarnieWDC

Oh yes, Av Rooster will point you in the right direction.

And do read all the Trip Reports by Crelleston which will give you excecellent travel, site and photographic ideas.

I think you may prefer to get around on the buses (best class) that are so comfortable and reliable in Argentina.

This is a nice (albeit a couple of years old) blog on Spanish Schools in BsAs. http://www.consultingrehab.com/2010/...-we-love-ours/

My DH and I decided to go with a private turor: Gabriella Farrante. She was an excellent teacher and I am happy to recommend her: www.gabrielaferrante.com - she could also be an excellent supplement to any program. We have met with her for two years and hope to continue when we return to BsAs in the astral summer.

crellston

"I just plan to kind of wander around where my heart takes me" Definitely they way to go! We did exactly that for 3 months in 2008 and had a fantastic time.

I totally agre with amarnie's suggestions to use the excellent bus system to get around the country. It is much, much cheaper than flying especially when you consider that most long journeys are overnight thus saving on accommodation costs. Ejecutivo class is extremely comfortable with lay flat beds, decent food and wine etc.

The climate will obviously be a big consideration in deciding where you go. We were there from Oct - Dec and had pretty good weather but it varied dramatically as we travelled around.

It is really difficult to suggest highlights as there were so many, but Salta and the North Weat and Iguazu would be at the top of my list.

Here is a link to our blog which provides some more detail and photos of the places we visited.
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...ai/1/tpod.html

Argentina starts at entry #70 . Happy to answer any questions you may have.

PS take loads of memory for your camera. You will need it!

Southam

Inter-city bus travel is highly developed. The distances are long but the buses can be luxurious. Until recently it has been hard to make reservations from abroad but you will be able to go to the terminal at Retiro (in BA) and put your new language skills to the test since the buses are privately owned and there is plenty of competition in this maze of agencies. Here is one link to help you start your research http://www.omnilineas.com/
Before that, research transportation from the airport, followed by a study of the subway and of the municipal buses (which again are web of private operations which, once understood, can carry you lots of places very cheaply.)
This board contains plenty of advice about the delights of Buenos Aires and Argentina. You can find out about red wine and red beef in plenty of places, for instance, but how about the Closed Door style of restaurants in private homes?
After you have done some basic research on the Internet you can pose specific questions that will stimulate well-informed suggestions and debate from experts such as AVRooster.

sunnyville

Thank you all so much! I will have to look into the buses, seems like lots of you are suggesting them, so they must be worth it! I am going to book my classes at Amauta, but thank you for the blog about the other schools Marnie!! And Crellston your trip looks like it was AMAZING! I also looked around your other trips, I am extremely jealous of all of the traveling you have done! Again thanks for all the advice, I will have to do more research, but this is all a great way to help me know where to look! If I have any questions I will definitely be coming back here, you all are so nice and helpful

flintstones

Hi, sunnyville; IF you are considering to include the NW of Argentina in your plans, I suggest you think about taking at least six days to cover the area.
If you have to choose the dates remember thas as later in the year as beeter because of the rains in the NW.late february better than early february,.... April the best!
Salta - Cafayate - Purmamarca - salt flats - Tilcara - Humahuaca, are places you can not miss....
If you nees furhter info, pls do not hesitate, ask!
Warm regarsd,
Angie/flintstones

sunnyville

Flintstones, I will have to keep that in mind, do you think I should schedule in a week to do the NW of Argentina? I was considering it... So should I head North first then after my classes at Amauta, and then start to work my way down? Or could I maybe visit that part after I head south? What makes more sense do you think? Probably heading north and then going down, though my flight home is out of Buenos Aires, so I would have to head back up anyways... Let me know what you think!

flintstones

A week is a good amount of time to see the best. I think that if you are going to IGuazu you can take a direct flight to Salta as the bus ride form Iguazu to Salta seems to be too much.
Salta - Purmamarca - Salt Flats,
Purmamarca - Uquia - Humahuaca - Tilcara - Salta
Salta - Cachi -
Cachi - Cafayate-
Cafayate wine tsting and goat cheese factory and maybe the visit to some wineries would be a good programme for a light day
Cafayate- Salta and one day for Salta itself.
What Do you think? I think you will see a lot !!
Have fun!
Flintstones

sunnyville

Hi Flintstones! This looks like a great suggestion to see most of the highlights in the NW area. I especially love the winetasting and cheese factory idea, after all it is a vacation!
It looks like from late Febuary-April would be the best time to organize something like this according to the weather patterns. But I think I would like to start from the top of Argentina and head to the South ofver the 2 months. Mendoza is definatly another draw for me after reading this blog that my friend posted on her wall, I do love a good Argentinian wine! Winetasting would be right up my alley! http://www.southamericatravelblog.co...ns-in-mendoza/
Do you have any recommendations for the Mendoza area that is a must see?
Looking forward to your insider info!