Argentina

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Argentina is well-serviced by numerous bus networks, with bus services criss-crossing the length of the country. Argentina’s train services however are in a dilapidated state, and are not truly a feasible option for travelling around the country.

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Argentina is the second largest country in South America, and covers a total area of 2.7 million square kilometres. The geography of Argentina varies signficantly across its major regions, including the swamps of the Chaco plain, the grasslands of the Pampas, and rugged wilderness of Patagonia.

The climate of Argentina varies with region, ranging from the subtropical climate of the north, to the temperate climate of the Pampas, and to the cold and dry climate of Patagonia. Depending on when and where you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

There are 11 properties in Argentina listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ar). Argentina’s listed properties include:

Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas – featuring ancient cave art and paintings that date back thousands of years
Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Park, which contain fossil remains of a wide range of Triassic Period dinosaurs and plants
Península Valdés – home to many rare marine animal species and a conservation ground of global significance.

Many vibrant festivals and events held throughout the year in Argentina. One of the most important days on the national calendar is Independence Day. Held on July 9th, celebrations and festivities are held nationwide, with live music and partying filling the streets. In March, Buenos Aires plays host to the Buenos Aires Tango Festival. The largest tango festival in the world, the national dance of Argentina is celebrated through live performances and classes held across the city. Like elsewhere in South America, the Catholic festival of Carnival is celebrated with exuberance and enthusiasm in Argentina. Kicking off with a festival in Gualeguaychu in January, Carnival season carries on acrossthe country until late February, and features many colourful parades, processions and parties.

The Argentina Reader: History, Culture, Politics, by Gabriela Nouzeilles and Graciela Montaldo
Argentina: A Modern History, by Jill Hedges
On Argentina, by Jorge Luis Borges
The Motorcycle Diaries, by Che Guevara.

Argentinan cuisine is a mix of Mediterranean influences (specifically Spanish and Italian) and native agricultural products. Asado (barbeque) is of national importance in Argentina, with many friends and families gathering around an open fire for a grill. Grilled meat in Argentina is often accompanied by chimichurri, the tangy green salsa made from parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, chilli flakes, olive oil and lemon juice. Empanadas are a favourite of Argentinians – a pastry filled with meat, potato, and boiled eggs, empanadas make for a very popular street food. The history of Italian migration into Argentina has left its mark on Argentinian cooking, with pizzas, pastas, and other Italian-inspired dishes such as milanesa (fried veal or chicken topped with an egg) staples of Argentianian cuisine.

Traditional beverages in Argentina include fernet (a dark-brown liqueur made from herbs) and yerba mate (a form of herbal tea made from the mate leaf).

Generally speaking, Argentina is safe to travel in, though always exercise common sense while travelling. Be advised that yellow fever, malaria, dengue fever and other mosquito-borne viruses are risks in Argentina.

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Argentina runs at 220V and 50Hz. Argentina uses Type C and Type I electric plugs, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.