From Buenos Aries to the glaciers
 

We'll be in Buenos Aires in the first half of December--our first excusion south of Mexico City. We'd like to see the glaciers in Patagonia(?). Is this a good day trip by air, more of an overnighter, etc? And what's a reasonably priced way to go there. I don't think we'll be driving, but is that a good idea. And while I'm here, I'd be glad to get any suggestions of things to do in Buenos Aires and further afield.

Driving would take 4 or 5 days in each direction. Even flying you should think in terms of 5 to 6 days. It is certainly not an overnighter. It is a more that 3000 kilometres from BA to Patagonia.

How many hours is that on a plane? I sometimes fly from L.A. to Honolulu for a weekend and that's 5.5 hours each way and I'm fine. Happy Travels!

Can anyone suggest how to make a brief trip to the glaciers--mabye 2 1/2 days? Thanks

We haven't gone yet, planning a trip for March 2009, but our plane tickets are 5 hours flying time for BA to El Calafate (with a 45 minute stopover in Ushuia). We will be staying for 3 nights. From all the research I have done, it is not uncommon to go there for 2-4 nights. Of course, that is not to say that there wouldn't be plenty to do if you stayed there longer.

LAN has a direct flight from AEP to FTE... takes 3.5 hours.

We were there just a couple of months ago - end of July. Definately not an overnighter! You will want to take the time to see it all and not be rushed. Bare minimum 2 days. Fly down from BA is about 5 hours. El Calafate - the nearest city - is a small town. The airport has 2 gates. But it is a very beautiful small town. There are a number of glaciers to see and explore. Get a hold of some literature or google all there is and decide what you want to see. We did an excursion on a catamaran that was awesome. And if you can - book it VIP status, the extra money is worth the views/seats. You can glacier trek as well complete with a guide and lunch on the glacier. We stayed at Hotel Mirador which was very nice. The only drawback was it's distance from the "downtown" area for shopping and dining. We didn't mind the walk which was about 1 mile.
Since you're in the area, drop (Fly) down to Tierra del Fuego! About an hours flight from El Calafate. Spend at least a few days there, there is lots to see and do. Enjoy the scenery, the food.