Since all of you have been so helpful, I want to report our past trip --April 22- May 6. Many thanks to Dr, Dawggy, avrooster, Sweet Polly and scarlett and all the others who have shared their experiences.
We arrived in Buenos Aires to a fine mist which ended mid aft. Stayed at Loi Suites Recoleta a perfect location. The hotel room was large and faced the street-windows were soundproof. Staff friendly. We stayed 2 nights. Flew Lan to Iguazu Falls and stayed at the Sheraton. Rained all the time we were there.however, we brought our own ponchos and umbrellas so we set forth . Train took us to the Diablo area where we walked over metal grates to the Falls. Wonderful sight and no sense in trying to stay dry as there was water blowing from the Falls. Happy to have stayed at the Sheraton as we could return to our room and change into dry clothes. Ate in the lobby bar and some times in the dining room. Stayed 2 nights and then returned for 4 nights to Loi Suites. Had a city tour, Senor Tango show which was marvelous, Tiger and Parana tour, and Gaucho tour. San Telmo and Gaucho were on a Sun. and there was only a short time for the San Telmo market.If you want more time at San Telmo on Sun. take another day for the gaucho tour. Ate at El Tirapiche,El Mirasol, and Lola. Great food. Many cafes open all day so we could eat light lunches. Strolled down Florida St. Throngs of people.
After 5 days flew to Bariloche and stayed at Llao Llao Resort. Rain! The resort was lovely. One aft took the free shuttle to town but stores were closed for May Day. From Bariloche we took the Andes Lake Crossing. Another experience! Some rain and some sun. Stopped at Puerto Blest for lunch where our Luggage was then trucked to Peulla. After Puerto Blest we went to Puerto Frias for custome for leaving Argentina. Bussed to Puella and entered Chile customs. Not very involved as most of the items were never checked. Arrived at Hotel Puella for 1 night. The hotel is not very nice and had little to offer. A better choice is the hotel next door, the Natural Hotel. Weather was cool but if you were there in their summer, not a good scene. No airconditioning and no screens on the windows. Better to do an all day crossing or stay at the Natural Hotel.
Finished our crossing in Puerto Varas and stayed at Cabanas del Lagos. Small rooms but overlooked the lake. Ate dinner at the hotel and had salmon and chicken. Good service and food. We are early diners so only on other table was taken. Breakfast was good-typical buffet.
Flew Lan to Santiago and met by a transfer. Taken to Hotel Orly. This hotel had positives and negatives. Friendly staff and good location with restaurants and walkable streets with shops and lots of people. However, the room was small and altho we were in the back could hear noise from the surrounding bars on Sat. eve. Small lobby with mostly English-speaking people staying just for a night. Toured Valpo and Vina del Mar--lovely. Flew home on May 6th. Cost for 2: Lan flights round trip to and from BA to Iguazu, one way from BA to Bariloche, one way from Bariloche to Santiago was 1200 American dollars. Not sure if this was overly expensive. Total trip cost for the 2 of us was $8200 which included the internal air fare,tours some private and transfers to and from the airports. The guides actually waited at the counter of Lan and made certain we had boarding passes. We had a great time and would like to return to BA.

Thanks for your report, Fancyh!

Question: what is this "Gaucho tour" you took?

I hope you will be back soon, perhaps to visit our NW!

avrooster: The gaucho tour is a touristy day on a ranch outside of BA. There were horses to ride but they were led in a line by a rancher somewhat like kids on pony rides. Lunch was served and there was a display of the gaucho tricks with their horses. Also, there was a musical presentation. Lots of tour groups and it would be a one time tour to do. Kind of hokey!

Hi, I know you posted this months ago.. but I will be visiting BA in a few weeks and also wanted to go to an estancia for a day-long outing with my husband and 2 teenagers. Can't decide on which one. So, can you name your gaucho-tour that you said was kind of hokey and touristy?

Just found your email as we have been out of town. The name is Fiesta Gaucha Santa Susana. The Estancia was a pleasnat change from busy B.A.. Hope this helps. Have fun.