Why Take a Vacation in Argentina, Patagonia? A Beautiful, Historic Area Patagonia is arguably the most beautiful area of South America one can visit, offering some breathtaking natural and cultural attractions. The region’s first inhabitants were South American Indians who survived the difficult climate to farm the steppes in order to feed themselves and survive. Although Patagonia constitutes a quarter of Argentina’s land mass, its population is mostly employed by ranches and farms. Until tourism took off, agriculture was the main business of Patagonia. Numerous Natural Attractions So why should you visit Patagonia? What are its attractions? Lake Argentino is a giant, stunning lake overlooked by the town of El Calafate, some 325km from Rio Gallegos. Both the lake and the town are fascinating to the visitor. If you want to enjoy the sights of glaciers amidst untouched countryside, head for Chalten which is also home to colonies of rare birds at the Capri and Dirty Lagoons. Mountaineers from all over the world are drawn to Mount Fitzroy and Mount Tower, both massively popular destinations. Things to do in the Towns and Cities Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, situated next to the Beagle Channel. If you fancy doing some hardcore shopping then you will certainly appreciate this tax free zone and the various local and imported goods on offer. Ushuaia is also a good base for exploring the rest of Patagonia, Argentina’s most beautiful region. Inside the town there are two excellent museums as well as the newish Jail at the End of the World which features wax models of its previous inmates. Not far from northern Patagonia is Argentina’s illustrious capital city Buenos Aires, whose landmarks include The Obelisk, The National Congress and Plaza San Martin. More Information There are plenty of web resources that can offer you information on Patagonia and Argentina. Here are some of them: http://www.travel-library.com/holidays/south_america/argentina/patagonia (General guide to the region from a tourist point of view). http://www.responsibletravel.com/trip/Trip100463.htm (Alluring holiday offers to the region). http://www.patagonias.net (Reliable and wide-ranging guide to Patagonia, including its accommodation, natural wonders and travel practicalities). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonia (Comprehensive historical and factual background to Patagonia). The Benefits of Holidays in Patagonia Aside from trekking, hiking and climbing the amazing terrain of Patagonia, there are further options a holidaymaker can take vis a vis their health. Some operators can book you into spas featuring 3 types of water: hot underground spring water, briny water from the ocean and fresh water from the summits of mountains. Spas in Patagonia also offer Jacuzzis, hydro-massages, spring water fountain, facial treatments, steam saunas and thalassotherapy sessions. Patagonian Cusine You would be seriously missing out if you visited the region without sampling its astonishing cuisine. In the mountain areas typical dishes range from salmon, venison and trout originally brought by immigrants from Central Europe. This cooking also influence the mapuches natives resulting in such excellent fusion dishes as curanto. Central Patagonia is abundant with lamb and so all kinds of unique and exciting meals are prepared with this great red meat. Similarly, the Atlantic coast enjoys large amounts of seafood and fish. In Chubut you should try the world famous Welsh cake. Amongst the best places to eat in Patagonia must rank La Cocina (Avenue Libertador 1245) in El Calafate, known as the gateway town to the Glaciers National Park. La Cocina serves hearty and huge bowls of soup, ravioli and amazing fruit salad topped off with Calafate berries (legend has it that whoever eats these berries is destined to return to Patagonia for another visit). The service is quick and amiable and the décor traditional and appealing to the visitor. Patagonia is famous for its steak, given that its agriculture is so devoted to cattle. For the most tender and juicy steak in Argentina, try Ruca Mahuida (Lionnel Terray 104, El Calafate), where the meat literally melts in your mouth. The surroundings are remarkable too, with a panoramic view of the mountain range visible out of the window. The sheepskin-upholstered chairs lend Ruca Mahuida a cozy, cabin-like atmosphere and the small wooden bar is somewhere to get intimate. The Best of the Rest Amongst all the other places worth visiting in Patagonia, Los Glaciares National Park has to be a real highlight, with its romantic footbridges leading between glaciers. It’s worth doing proper tours of Patagonian ranches such as Estancia Alice and Estancia Roca, to enjoy horse riding and cattle driving. Watch whales in their native habitat at Golfo Nuevo before heading to the Catedral Ski Centre at Colonia Suiza. The remarkable thing about Patagonia is its enormous range of weathers and terrains. You can take many of these in with a historic train ride through Bariloche towards the Patagonian Plains, passing Lanin Volcano park, Junin de Los Andes where hunting still goes on and the fly-fishing reserve of Lake Puelo and its National Park. If fishing is something you love to do then try Mount Tronador, Lake Gutierrez and the Manso River. For hippie-style handicrafts visit the picturesque town of El Bolson. An Eclectic Holiday Destination All in all, Patagonia is an enormously varied and beautiful destination with something for almost every tourist of every creed and every persuasion. If you enjoy excellent food – especially red meat and seafood – then you will be happy in all manner of eateries whether in the cosmopolitan cities or in the rustic settings. Those with a physical bent and a love of energetic exercise will enjoy themselves the most, with mountains to climb, plains to walk, horses to ride and fish to catch. However, not all the things to do are restricted to the middle of nowhere. The cities offer some first-class shopping and nightlife which should be sampled as much as anything else Patagonia has to offer the interested visitor, no matter where in the world they are coming from. Anyone with even a vague aesthetic sensibility or affinity with nature will be stunned by the huge range of terrains and vistas available in the mysterious and ancient region of Patagonia.