Argentina Europe without the Euro!
This is not Mexico, its Europe! Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America, is a modern city of 13 million people. In the early 20th century the city was rebuilt in the French archetiture style of the time. In fact there is only one authentic Spanish style building left in the city. Buenos Aires also has a strong Italian influence. The Boca area where the original Italian immigrants settled, bought the world the Tango. The area is a must see to get feel of the city's love of music and dance. This colorful neighborhood retains its blue collar Italian favor and frenzied love of soccer. BUT! Move across town to the 16 lane blvd in the xxxx section and you see luxury hotels, fine restaurants and designer shops like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vinton, Yves St. Laurent, etc.... Yet, you pay in Argentinean pesos which are 33 cent to the dollar. Don't forget the "Petrones" The pink house where Eva Sopke to the crowds, her grave which even today hundreds of people visit everyday and .
Their passion is beef and the Tango---both done with style! The Argentina Tango is fast and furious. You must take lessons and see at lease one tango show in Buenos Aires. They have some of the best beef in the world. Still mostly grass feed. But, beware, the Argentineans like their beef well done. If you want that American medium rare cook.ask for it up front. In small café's you will not always have a choice, so be prepared to chew.
An hour flight takes you to the Mendoza region. It is the 5th largest wine producer in the World. It has all the wines you would find in France, Italy and California. Mendoza City is the heart of this region. It is just beginning to build large hotels. Most in wine country have less than 25 rooms. Fine restaurants and wineries that provide gourmet meals are plentiful. From Mendoza City you can visit dozens of vineyards. This is their Napa Valley yet much bigger. I fell in love with the Malbec red wine, it has replaced Cabernet sauvignon with my steak dinner. Torrentes in an interesting white wine that starts like a chardonnay and finishs like a pinot grigio. And best of the entire region is sheltered by the Andres Mountains with peaks second only to the Himalayas----beautiful!
I just come back from Argentina and I only saw a small part of this country. There are the ranches of the xxxxx region, the glaziers & penguins of the region, Igausus falls and of course skiing in the Andres. So there it is Europe without the Euro!
