Dove Hunting Argentina Thrills

Need to find a perfect place for dove hunting? Cordoba is one of the exciting cities to visit with its wide dove hunting spots. Whether you are new to hunting or a veteran in the field, this place will definitely satisfy your desire.

Cordoba is a great and historical city near the geographical center of Argentina. The city was founded by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera, who coined the name after Córdoba, Spain on July 6, 1573. It was one of the first Spanish colonial capitals of Argentina and made famous for its dry white wines and olive oil. Not only that, the place continues to provide the best dove and pigeon hunting spots in the world.

Dove hunting in Cordoba was started by a Spanish businessman, Paco Riestra, who himself is a passionate hunter. He manages 2 of the most popular lodges in the area, the Estancia La Macarena, Corboda’s oldest and most recognized hunting lodges, located just 90 minutes from the Cordoba International airport, which has 5 rooms wherein 3 of which are suite rooms and Estancia El Rocio suitable for foreign guests and hunters.

In Estancia El Rocio, regular rooms as well as their suite rooms are fully equipped with amenities to make a wonderful stay. Guests are pampered with their delicious dishes and swimming pools that are surrounded by trees. For those light travelers specifically those who do not want to bring with them their shot guns, the lodges offer them clean and well-maintained 12 & 20 gauge Beretta’s and Benelli’s.

Dove hunting doesn’t go with the season. Anytime of the year visitors can go hunting because of the abundance of doves of different varieties all throughout the year. It is estimated that the numbers of dove ranges from 18,000,000 to 20,000,000 on the 4,000 acre private fenced, Los Chanares Ranch. Anyone interested to come and visit the place would find it easy since there are daily flights going to Cordoba from Buenos Aires and Santiago Chile. Flights arrive at mid morning giving more time for travelers especially dove hunters to discover the place.

There are a number of shooting areas exceptionally made for new and experienced hunters. They are well-organized by the director of hunting depending on the shooters capability. Most hunters, may it be new or experienced could easily shoot for an estimate of 1,000 rounds per day.

It takes short drives in coming to the area as most shooting fields are near the lodges. It is very accessible giving visitors more time to unwind and enjoy their food and refreshing swimming pool.

Doves in Cordoba have different kinds. There is the Mourning Dove which reproduction only occurs once a year. Another type is the Golden Eared Dove which reproduces 5-6 times in a year and lays about 3-5 eggs per nest. This massive reproduction of doves disturbed farmers in Cordoba as they would lose about 40% of their crops which includes corn, milo, sorghum, and wheat. Thus, they very much welcome dove hunters in their place to help them lessen the dove population.

So, are you just going to read stories about Cordoba? Or, would you rather experience this once in a lifetime adventure?

Eating in Buenos Aires on $30 a Day

With an exchange rate of 3 pesos per dollar, Argentina is certainly a deal for the American tourist and the nomadic Yankee traveler.  However, because inflation here is on the go-go-go, prices are on the rise, and it is not the dirt-cheap cosmopolitan metropolis it once was.  However, it is still very possible to live a good life in Buenos Aires for relatively few American dollars; it is just that now, things such as eating cheaply require a little planning, which can even make things more fun.  Who knows, your quest to find cheap eateries may even lead you to new culinary discoveries.

 

As an American now making pesos as an English teacher in Buenos Aires, and also as an American with a never-ending appetite, I have searched high and low for the cheapest way to culinary delight.  Let’s start with breakfast.  When my boyfriend and I first arrived in Buenos Aires, we had dollars, and were frequenting cafés in the Recoletta, Barrio Norte, and Palermo neighborhoods for café con leche and croissants or fresh fruit.  Soon, though, these rendezvous began to take a toll on our finances; Recoletta and Palermo are chic barrios that are soft on the eyes, but no so soft on the wallet.  Our morning coffees & fruit were beginning to cost us about 30 pesos a day, with the café con leche itself costing 7 pesos each. 

 

After we moved to San Telmo, we discovered the joy of café con leche for 3 pesos.  These cheap cups of joe can be found at any number of the corner Ma & Pa-run cafés that dot the streets of this barrio, as well as the neighboring Montserrat and San Cristobal neighborhoods.  Often for 4 or 5 pesos, you can get a café con leche, a glass of orange juice and a little chaser of sparkling water, as well as a basket full of medialunas, croissants encased in a sugary glaze.  Delicioso.  And affordable.

 

A few hours after one’s memorable date with a croissant and coffee, it is already time for another date, this time with lunch.  Lunch at a restaurant gets unexpectedly pricey, as such things as bottled water can be sold for upwards near 7 pesos a pop, with tap water being virtually unattainable in any café.  The most economic way to have lunch in Buenos Aires is to go to a grocery store and plop down with your goods for a picnic, the good old fashioned way.  It is cheap, and a great way to learn the layout of the land, and to do some people watching while you’re at it. 

 

Grocery stores–supermercadeos or autoservicios in Spanish—come a dime a dozen per street.  No matter which one you choose, it will certainly have logs of salami hanging from the deli counter.  The salami here is scrumptious, juicy and full of spice and flavor.  You must buy one.  Sliced and topped with a hunk of fresh mozzarella cheese makes it a perfect picnic snack.  On your way to check out at the store, grab a bottle of Quilmes to wash down your salami and cheese.  I guarantee a liter will not cost you more than 3 pesos. 

 

After you’ve got your goods, you will not find any shortages of plazas or small green spaces.  I specifically recommend the river-front in Puerto Madero.  The picnic benches overlooking the water make it a primo-picnic spot on a sunny day.  However, any plaza will do just as well, from Plaza de Mayo to Plaza Italia to Plaza Evita.  Bring out the meat and cheese, crack open the beer, and there you have it, a muy affordable bon appétit.  

 

After a day like this, of maybe cutting back here and there, it is time to get excited for dinner.  Dinner in Buenos Aires is a late affair, usually taking place around 10 pm.  It is never rushed; this meal is as much for the social aspect as it is for the nutrient aspect.  And the dinner menu in Buenos Aires is truly mouth-watering.

 

As I’m sure you have heard, the steak in this city is something to write home about.  The city is filled with parillas, or steak restaurants, that serve tender and juicy servings of red meat cooked to perfection.  It would be a crime to visit the Paris of the South without trying a parilla.  Just like the café con leche, parilla lines the city, but the most affordable ones are found in the San Telmo, Montserrat, and San Cristobal areas. 

 

My other favorite food in Buenos Aires is the pizza. I know, I know, coming from the US you want to try something exotic.  But trust me, the pizza here seems exotic compared to what we are used to.  The mozzarella cheese is softer in Argentina than in the States, which is not always a good thing, but when we are talking about being melted on top of a delicious focaccia-style crust, the softer the better.  Toppings range from green olives to shrimp to thick pieces of salami to fresh leaves of basil.  It is not the cheese soaked, grease drenched pizza of home (that don’t get me wrong, is sometimes just what you need).  In Argentina, it is the barely greasy, fluffy, and delicately flavored pizza pies that must not go uneaten when one is in Buenos Aires.  Please, at my insistence, order a grande and enjoy.

 

And there you have it, an affordable and highly edible three meals in Buenos Aires.  Remember to top everything off with a glass, or two or three or four, of famous Argentine Malbec, and your day will truly be complete.

Visiting Cordoba

The second largest city in the country of Argentina is the city of Cordoba. Established in the fourteenth century, and home to one of the first universities on the continent, today Cordoba is called “la docta” for its many educational opportunities. During the 1950s the city faced industrialization programs led by the government, which has left it today as a leader in the motor vehicle and software industries as well.

 

Visitors to the city can view many of the city’s well preserved buildings dating from the 1600s, though the industrialization period did expose some structures to the affects and interference of modern architecture and construction. Luckily entire blocks are now under preservation and protection and the city continues to retain its beautiful and antique charm.

 

In additions to the dozens of historic buildings open to the public, there are also numerous museums, some belonging to the colleges and universities that fill the city, and others simply focusing on a specific subject or collection. There are currently museums of modern art, historic Latin American Indian collections, science museums devoted to the prehistory of the continent as well as the other sciences. There are technology museums dedicated to the industrial focus of the city as well as those educating children about technology. The history museums of the city could easily fill a few days’ itineraries and include everything from art history, to coin collections and a review of Cordoba’s fascinating past.

 

Because the city was built for scholarly pursuits there remain many green and open spaces where the pace and noise of a thriving city can be easily escaped. The two million residents of Cordoba have over twelve large gardens and public parks to visit. Some regularly stage craft or artisan fairs, and some make all sorts of family activities available each weekend.

 

Additionally, because Cordoba is still a college town it offers fantastic cultural venues both day and night. There are many excellent theaters and clubs, including annual festivals in the theater and cinematic arts. There are some major sporting events held in the stadiums built by some of the universities and regularly scheduled games take place throughout the year.

The Unique History of La Plata

Argentina is home to some fairly large cities, and most with several hundred years of history behind them. These include the extremely sophisticated Buenos Aires as well as the college city of Cordoba. The third largest city in the country of Argentina is La Plata. While it is now over two hundred years old, the entire city was created using modern concepts in design, urban planning, and was even photographed throughout its construction.

The governor of the region, Dardo Rocha, decided to create a new city meant to serve the needs of provincial government institutions and a new university. Pedro Benoit was then hired to design the new city. He did so by developing it around an urban center – La Plata has a city center with two main, intersecting avenues that run along a diagonal. All other streets are built along a grid of six blocks by six block patterns which meet at small parks.

Rocha effectively created the design using standards of the day, and to take it even further opened up the architectural design of the main city buildings to an international competition. This is the reason today that the city has such a cosmopolitan appeal – its city hall was won by the German designers, who had their own European influences, and the Governor’s Palace was created by an Italian firm with concepts of their own.

La Plata is the home to some other unique “firsts”. In addition to being the first city on the South American continent designed by urban planners, it was the first city to install electricity throughout the entire town – as early as 1884 the streets of La Plata were lit by electric lighting.

It is also home to the largest church in the country – the Cathedral of La Plata. The city also contains one of the only two buildings designed by Le Corbusier (a Swiss architect known for his contributions to Modern Architecture) in the Americas – the Curutchet House was fully restored in the 1980s and is a national landmark of Argentina.

Clearly, any visitor to La Plata has a great deal to see and do. The many parks are lined with Linden trees, the streets are full of interesting shops and restaurants, and the University is known for its remarkable observatory and paleontology museums.

When planning a visit to the well designed city a traveler can count on a wide range of accommodation choices. In order to enjoy a great deal of savings in time and money visit HotelsCombined.com, where both a room and flight reservations can be made with a few clicks of the mouse!

The Sophistication of Buenos Aires

The capital city of Argentina is the remarkable Buenos Aires. Divided into an astounding forty eight districts it also contains one of the most diverse populations on the continent. With a total of around fourteen million citizens, that also makes it one of the most populated places in the world.

Many people choose to relocate to the city because of its open minded atmosphere of acceptance, which is one of the reasons the city has such a thriving gay tourism industry, as well as an open and readily accepted gay community.

In addition to its friendly and hospitable atmosphere, Buenos Aires is also one of the finest places in the world for those who like to walk, dine, shop, learn, dance or explore a new city. Buenos Aires is home to some of the largest parks in the country, including the promenade in the Palermo district of the city and the La Boca area of the city which boasts an enormous arts and crafts community.

If a more unique walking experience is desired, braver tourists visit the Cementerio de la Recoleta where the wealthiest residents bury their dead. The crypts are palaces in their own right, and the cemetery is populated by a staggeringly large community of friendly calico cats. A famous resident of the cemetery is Eva Peron, who was considered a leader of the people until her death at the age of thirty three.

The city is also well known for its love of the dance known as the Tango, which is the national dance of Argentina. Most visitors are encouraged to visit a “Milonga” in order to experience a true Tango dance. Traditional Milongas will be advertised in the local media and it is a good idea to plan on attending one, they are held in late in the evenings or during special matinee performances. In general, the population is happy to help teach newcomers some steps and some of the basic guidelines of the Tango, but if more formal training is desired there are an ample number of schools and dance academies available.

The city is also popular with shoppers who come for specialty crafts, such as “gaucho” or cowboy items made from leather, traditional baked goods, Tango shoes, and many other regional products.

When planning a trip to Buenos Aires a great deal of time and money can be saved by a quick visit to HotelsCombined.com. The site offers exclusive combination rates to those who book their airfare and accommodations together. Some of the finest hotels in the city can be found when looking through the listings at the web site.

The Highest Mountain in the Americas

Adventurers seem to enjoy tackling the tallest mountains and the deepest depths, so it is little wonder that the mountain known as the Aconcagua in Argentina should see many visitors.

It is the tallest mountain in the world outside of Asia – meaning apart from the most notorious mountain ranges of the world, the Aconcagua is the next in line. Its elevation measures over twenty two thousand feet in height, and was first successfully ascended in 1897. Since that time it has been named as one of the “Seven Summits” which has brought even more climbers to its base.

The Seven Summits are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents and mountaineering enthusiasts consider it a challenge to tackle each one. Though most experienced climbers actually view Aconcagua as an “easy” climb, especially if approached from a northern direction. Those who wish to make it more difficult for themselves will use the extremely difficult route located along the south and south west ridges of the mountain.

The Aconcagua is under protection and is part of the Aconcagua Provincial Park. Because the entire range is under the protection of the Argentine government all climbers must register for a permit and pay the fee before they can begin any ascent.

The mountain contains several glaciers and is of constant interest to scientists and geologists who study its activity.

Anyone wishing simply to admire the mountain in all its glory can enjoy a stay in the Mendoza area of Argentina in order to do so. The city is actually a popular tourist destination in its own right, as it is the center of the wine industry in the country and plays host to the annual harvest festivals, including the Vendimia wine festivals.

The entire region surrounding Mendoza and the base of Aconcagua is full of scenic, natural and historic wonders. There is the natural stone bridge at Puente del Inca, considered one of the country’s most beautiful natural wonders. Visitors can visit Malargue and tour the area’s wonderful lakes and the Bosque Petrificado (petrified forest). There are some beautiful pre-Colombian ruins at Uspallata, where both an ancient mining operation took place and where the remains of petroglyphs can be viewed.

In the shadow of the tallest mountain in the Americas lies some of Argentina’s most beautiful and most interesting countryside. The city of Mendoza is a great place to serve as a base for a wider exploration of this fascinating region.

The Appeal of Patagonia

Unfortunately many tourists envision the area of Argentina commonly called Patagonia as a vast flat plain of cold wind and rain. This is unfortunate because the area is not entirely the same from end to end or corner to corner. Though it is at the southernmost area of Argentina, and South America, the area contains some remarkable geographic features, and lovely wildlife.

For example, an itinerary for the Patagonia region of Argentina could include a trek or hiking in the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, or through the Fitzroy Mountains. A wildlife enthusiast could enjoy observing the Magellanic Penguins in their natural environment or they could partake of seasonal activities which include the migration of whales and some seals.

Patagonia has much to offer, and many visits begin in the city of Ushuaia. Here visitors can embark for winter hikes and outdoor activities or they can prepare for a cruise to Antarctica. The city is located on the shores of the Beagle Strait, making it the ideal place to depart for the shores of the nearby continent.

In fact, the tourist industry in the city has grown to such a level that it alone is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. There are actually many hotels, restaurants, shops and even casinos that have appeared to answer the needs of the tourism trade in this part of Patagonia.

The town is also home to several fascinating museums including a maritime and military prison as well as the Museo del Fin del Mundo which educates visitors about the many birds that make this part of the continent their home.

From Ushuaia a visitor can hike the Glacier Martial or visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Another city popular with tourists of the Patagonia area is San Carlos de Bariloche, known for its natural scenic beauty, and its European atmosphere. The town has a reputation for outdoor activities as well as its many popular chocolate boutiques, which many people claim give it a Swiss village charm and appeal.

The city is the home of the Museum of Patagonia which covers the history of the region from pre-Hispanic settlement to the modern age. There are also several cruises that depart from the town, and these include all day tours of Lake Nahuel Hauapi and the National Park.

A comprehensive tour of the Patagonia region is easy to plan, especially with the right travel tools. At HotelsCombined.com airfare and accommodations reservations can be made with only a few quick clicks of a mouse!

The Andean Northwest of Argentina

Tucked up against the borders of Chile and Bolivia is the Argentinean area known as the Andean Northwest region. Here the terrain can be dramatically different from many other areas of the Argentina, and even the culture has been affected by the terrain. There are both high mountain peaks and dramatic salt flats, cactus plants and lush gardens.

Here the people behave much in the same way as their Chilean or Bolivian neighbors, and much of the tourist population is actually domestic rather than foreign. The terrain does attract many hikers and outdoor enthusiasts however and there are many support services and friendly natives happy to open their homes to such visitors.

Additionally, the Andean Northwest is also home to the nation’s most popular city of San Miguel de Tucuman, where it is usually called simply Tucuman. It is one of the most important locations, historically, for the entire country since the city contains the “Casa Historica”. This is the colonial era home where the nation’s Declaration of Independence from Spain was signed in 1816.

In addition to the Independence House, the historical area of Tucuman also contains the historic Government House, the Plaza Independencia, and one of the largest public parks in the country the 9 de Julio Park.

Another popular city destination in the Andean Northwest is Salta. Many visitors come to enjoy the wonderful natural scenery, but also to focus on the incredibly well preserved colonial architecture. The city is also home to the Museum of High Mountain Archaeology (MAM) which focuses on the Incan civilization. Their collection includes the famous, perfectly preserved bodies of three Incan children believed to have been sacrificed hundreds of years earlier. The city also plays host to an extremely popular weekly crafts fair and market where many travelers find wonderful treasures to bring home.

The city of Salta is also commonly used as a gateway or base for a journey along the “Train to the Clouds” which is one of the most impressive feats of engineering in existence, running through nineteen tunnels and across twenty nine bridges, through thirteen viaducts and nine sheds until it reaches its final destination of over thirteen thousand eight hundred feet in altitude!

While some visitors to the Andean Northwest may opt for a stay in a local “pueblo” there are many comfortable and affordable hotel accommodations, and visitors can visit HotelsCombined.com to find the most appropriate location for their Argentine adventure.

See a Gaucho in Argentina

What is a “gaucho”? While many cultures have historic laborers who relied on their horses to get a job done – think of American cowboys and many military groups – in areas of South America there was, and still remains, the gaucho.

In Argentina the gauchos historically lived in the Pampas, Chacos and Patagonia grasslands. Originally they were thought to be strictly nomadic people, with generous and friendly natures. They lived off the land, relying on their inherited skills to locate food sources to survive.

While there is no documentary evidence as to the background origins of the gauchos, they soon became symbols of nationalist feeling in the areas they dwelt, particularly in Argentina. For example, the epic poem entitled “Martin Fierro” written by the Argentinean poet Jose Hernandez was actually a long complaint against the forces of modernization introduced through European influences. In the poem Hernandez reminds the readers of the gaucho’s role in Argentine independence from Spain, and in the Argentine culture.

Though such a poem did little to prevent industrialization or modernization, the primary industry of certain areas of Argentina meant the survival of the gauchos, and their culture. Today they are still seen riding their horses and working on large cattle farms.

The influence of the gaucho ways can be found in many areas of Argentine culture. For example, many foods and recipes are originally those of the gaucho, including the roasting of meats, and the reliance on mate (a strong caffeinated tea). Additionally, the gaucho has become a popular symbol throughout Argentine culture, appearing as the logo for clothing companies, the name of sporting teams or musical groups, and is often the focus of tourist’s visits to certain areas of Argentina.

Some themed tours are built around riding or trailing the gauchos in their day to day work, and while their activities are interesting the surrounding scenery can be quite spectacular as well. Many photographers take a trip led by a gaucho or one organized to follow them on a cattle drive.

For visitors looking to see and perhaps photograph the gauchos in person there are wide range of options available. Most journeys into Argentina will begin with a stop in Buenos Aires, and it is here where the tour will probably set out. To find an accommodation in the city, and to save money by combining both airfare and hotel reservations, visit HotelsCombined.com where an entire journey can be arranged in only a few moments!

A Brief Tour of Argentina’s National Parks

Most people are aware of the amazing variety in the overall geography of the country of Argentina. For instance, the country contains some of the Andean mountains, huge stretches of sea coast and the southernmost point in the Americas which all adds up to a huge range of landscapes and scenery. Many people may not be aware of how much of the nation’s lands are under preservation or protection. Almost every district or region contains a piece of land or even a collection of buildings that is considered a national treasure.

For example, the well recognized Iguaçu Falls and the entire area called the Tierra del Fuego are considered protected regions. The country has numerous designations, but the most common are parks, natural reserves, national monuments and regional parks.

The entire country has seven distinct “regions” that it has organized government around, one very well known region for natural tourism and outdoor enthusiasts is Patagonia, this is because a huge portion of Argentina’s parklands are there. For example, this is the area where the Los Glaciares National Park is located (which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The area is home to the Nahuel Hauapi site as well and the Peninsula Vales. In all of these locations visitors can see distinct wildlife, ranging from penguins and whales to endangered sea birds and unique plant life.

Of course, not all of the national parks or preservations are in the southernmost area of the country, this is due to the diversity of the environment throughout Argentina, and which includes areas of historic as well as geographic importance. This is the reason several towns have made the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in addition to many of the country’s naturally occurring wonders.
The other areas of the country that are home to parks include the Northern Andean region and the provinces of Salta, Jujuy and Santiago del Estero which are home to the Laguna de los Pozuelos, Las Cuevas and El Rey among dozens of others. In the Chaco, Rios and Misiones of the eastern corner of the country there are Iguaçu National Park, Colonia Benitez and Formosa, among many more.
A brief look at the amazing natural and historic wonders contained in Argentina makes it clear that a journey to visit only a few of the country’s sites is well worth the time and effort.

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