By Jennifer Ciotta
Besides visiting Lucas Bridges' Tierra del Fuego in the countryside of Argentina, there are many other spectacular sites. The first is Iguazu Falls, located in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed park with the same name. The vertical drop of the falls rivals Niagara, since they are one and a half times longer at their highest point. Located in the rainforest, there are over 2000 plants species, 400 kinds of birds and a generous amount of hiking trails. A tower at the visitor center provides a stunning and less-crowded view of the falls, while a trip to the neighboring island of San Martin offers an even more remote panorama.
One of the oldest towns in Argentina is Corrientes. The province of Corrientes has everything in regards to sightseeing and family fun. The remains of Jesuit settlements, including the birthplace of Jose de San Martin, spot the area. Within the marshlands, lakes and lagoons of the north have a wide variety of birds, mammals and reptiles, including the capibara, the worlds largest rodent. Two beautiful churches, still in tact, are Santisima Cruz de los Milagros and el Convento de San Francisco. Lastly, Corrientes holds a yearly festival dedicated to its traditional folk music, resonant of today's polka.
Finally, a stop to the country's capital is a must. Buenos Aires is a dual city, ranging from the uber-cosmopolitan to the historical buildings. The best example of the duality is the Evita Museum, bringing past and fashion together. On display is former First Lady Eva Duarte de Peron's extensive clothes collection from her couture dresses worn while making speeches on behalf of the poor to her amazing shoe collection worn while marching for womens rights. The exhibits are both in Spanish and English, and guided tours are available as well. Forget the tango; jazz is alive in Buenos Aires. Palmero Viejo, the New Orleans of the city, contains fifteen corners of restaurants accompanied by jazz music. Groups rotate every night, giving tourists a wide sample of songs, and prices of the restaurants will not hurt a budget. Besides the old churches and stone buildings, Puerto Madero is a sight worth visiting, since the warehouses and docks, from the 1800s, have mutated into Manhattan-esque lofts and a trendy night scene.
Advertisement:
