Infinitely enchanting, Argentina has an exhilarating variety of scenery -from the snowcapped Andes mountains to the fertile Pampas lowlands, from dusty plains to lush rainforests. Its locals likewise have a passion equal to all this natural abundance. Warm, friendly and unrelenting despite the country’s turbulent history – Argentines have a lust for life evident in their love for football, for good food and wine, and, of course, for partying. So if you’re thinking South America, you can’t just skip Argentina.

Buenos Aires

Argentina's capital city is so strongly influenced by European culture it's known as the 'Paris of South America.' Buenos Aires is full of sightseeing opportunities, with opera houses, museums and cathedrals to rival any in Europe. Birthplace of the Tango, this cosmopolitan business center is rich in charm and culture. Puerto Madero, the city's oldest port, has been transformed into a vibrant restaurant and boutique center.

Attractions

• Casa Rosada or "Pink House", Argentina's equivalent to the White House. The presidential palace, with a museum open to the public, its most famous feature is the balcony from which Evita Peron addressed and inspired members of the working class.
• Plaza de Mayo, the downtown plaza where the Casa Rosada is located, and Argentina's political epicentre. This is where the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo still converge and draw international attention. The group is comprised of mothers who seek information on the disappeared ones, or desaparecidos, who have not been seen since what the Argentines call the Dirty War. The Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo or town hall are also located in the Plaza.
• Recoleta Neighborhood, considered the most fashionable quarter of Buenos Aires. With upscale boutiques and cafes, Recoleta turns into a street fair with live music on weekends. The Lady of the Pilar Church, the Cultural Center and a famous gallery known as the Palais de Glace are located here.

Puerto Madryn

Once home to Welsh settlers, Puerto Madryn is known today for wild life, which Argentina protects in its scenic, remote preserves. Puerto Madryn is also the gateway to many natural splendours, such as Punta Tombo National Reserve, as well as Argentine Patagonia - a small city that serves as a base for exploring the region's remote wildlife preserves and paleontological sites.

Attractions

• Punta Tombo Nature Reserve, a national reserve and one of South America's largest breeding grounds for birds and mammals.
• Magellan Penguins, where hundreds of thousands of these birds return to the shores every September. View them up close on marked trails.
• Paleontology Museum, with a collection that forms a 300 million-year history of Patagonia. The Chubut Valley in Patagonia has long been a Mecca for paleontologists.

Puerto Madryn

The gateway to Patagonia, Puerto Madryn serves as a great base camp for explorers of all levels and abilities. You can venture into one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. This glacier-dotted landscape sometimes resembles a moonscape more than terra firma. Rich in wildlife and native flora, the Andean national parks and the Peninsula Valdes are also within reach of Puerto Madryn.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and one of two main cities on the island territory of Tierra del Fuego. Shared by Argentina and Chile, "The Land of Fire" features unforgettable scenery and trails of discovery framed by the sea, forests, lakes and mountains.

Attractions

• Tierra del Fuego National Park, protected land that includes the beautiful Lakes of Fagnano and Roca, the Beagle Channel and the southernmost sub-Antarctic forests.
• Horseback riding, rock climbing and diving to explore the area’s natural beauty.