Hello everyone,
my husband and I are planning a 10-day trip to Argentina in mid to late March. We're just starting to plan. I have very little idea where to go, what to see, and where we ought to visit. Can anyone describe the main attractions and suggest places to visit? We're very excited about Buenos Aires, but wonder about Iguazu Falls and other areas - what are the most important and best places to see and why? Is late March a good time to go climate-wise? We are newlyweds, early thirties and we love good food, history, ambling through city streets, seeing beautiful architecture, and generally trying to blend in and observe foreign cultures. I speak fairly fluent Spanish. We're just starting the planning process, and we'd love any advice on making the best out of a 10-day trip. Also, any advice on getting the best prices for flights? Thanks so much for your help.

Get a guide book.
We used Frommers as well as Fodors and Lonely Planet.
Get a map.
You need to visualize where everything is so you can plan your days, Buenos Aires is a huge city.
What made you decide on BA?
I would suggest reading up on the things that appealed to you in the first place, guide books will help with the typical tourist attractions.
Buenos Aires is full of History, good food and lovely friendly people. . the Architecture is wonderful too..as well as the gardens and parks.
You are going to be happy that you speak Spanish.
We flew Continental, it was $1200 each from Portland Or to EZE.
Get a remis to take you to your hotel.
My suggestions:
MALBA
Bella Artes Museum
Recoleta Cemetary & flea/craft market
Sant Telmo & flea market
Palermo-shopping & eating
Puerto Madero..

We were there in the Spring ( Oct/Nov) it was fantastic, everything was green, flowers were blooming and days were warm and sunny, ev enings were cool.
Rain one day.
I hear fall is great too, we will be there in March or April also
Hope this helps get you started.

Great suggestions, thank you. We chose BA because I speak fluent Spanish, we love to travel, and have heard it's a wonderful blend of Latin and European influences. We were looking for a big trip to take before starting a family, and Thailand, our original choice seemed too daunting and far away for a mere ten days. Another question: where to go for a relaxing jaunt to a beach nearby toward the end of the trip?

I did a trip report when we got back, I will see if I can link it here for you..I am too lazy today to remember everything lol
I did not do this but so many people go to Mar del Plata and to Punta del Este, the beaches are supposed to be quite nice..
Also look at Buenos Aires forums in the Argentina forums on TripAdvisor
You will absolutely love BA ... I have photos of the parks and the area around Casa Rosada, with old French buildings next to a Spanish style church with a glass tower in the background. . I never got tired of the sights, the streets, the buildings and everything.
We were there for a mere 12 days, get used to the fact that you will barely see anything and you will need (need!) to go back asap
ciao~

Here it is .. enjoy

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34898749

You will love BA. There's lots of history, neighborhoods, restaurants, etc. to keep you busy for the whole ten days if you wanted to to. But it sounds like you want to get out and see as much as you can (good for you!)

Iguazu is fabulous and definitely worth the trip. You would fly there from BA, and should plan on spending 2 days there.

As for beaches, Mar del Plata is closer but Punta del Este is nicer, so that is a personal choice. You may instead want to consider going to Uruguay just for a day or two via Buquebus (ferry service). I haven't been to Colonia but have heard it's a nice city and might be a speedy way to pack in a visit to another country during your stay. Many people also enjoy a stay on an estancia.

Just remember that Argentina is actually a very large country. In ten days you won't be able to see everything... pick the few things that you will truly enjoy so that you don't spend the whole time traveling.

Buen Viaje!

Hi Imarent if you speak Spanish my good advice is buy everyday ( ask the front desk to have it delivered to your room ) the daily newspaper LA NACION. This is a good paper that will inform you of all the events taking place while you are there. Also of some exciting promotions that wineries do in good restaurants.

thanks to all for great suggestions! Any ideas on where to get the best price for flights from Washington/ NYC area to BA?

United flies direct from Washington, DC.

Another wonderful place to visit is the northwestern part of Argentina, the provinces of Salta and Jujuy. But, for ten days, you would only be able to do this and BsAs. We had about 9 days in Argentina, and it was just enough to fit this in. I posted a report on our experience.

My other choice would have been to go to Iguazu, but we decided that the Salta region seemed to offer so much for us in terms of culture, scenery, food and wine, that we decided to try it, and had no regrets!

Not to confuse you more, but the Patagonia region is also supposed to be incredible.

I think that you could do Iguazu, the beach and BsAs in your time frame, but if you picked either the northwest or Patagonia instead of Iguazu, you would not have time to go to the beach as well.

i also wanted to say that we flew Aerolineas Argentinas, and were prepared for disastrous delays and cancellations, but our flights ran like clockwork. Their prices are quite high, but you get a price break on domestic travel if you fly down into the country on them. (we did not fly down there on them, because there were no direct flights from NYC). Use an agent in Argentina to book your internal flights, because you can definitely get a better rate. You will still have to pay the foreigner's rate, but I guarantee it will be lower than trying to book it from the States.

I agree with Skatedancer, Salta and Jujuy area is the most suitable for your interests, History, Culture, Good Food, Wonderful sceneries... and more... Good wines, colourful mountains you will satisfy your expectations.
Good advice! The weather is great this time of the year.
Warm regards.
Flintstones

Thanks to all for great suggestions!