“To infinity and beyond!”
-Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)

Tangueros (the real ones)

We have chose Argentina for our honeymoon. Our adventure will begin in Buenos Aires, where, by walking among streets, we will learn the beauty and culture of Argentina: we will look into antique shops in the neighborhood of San Telmo; we will dive into history at the presidential offices of Plaza de Mayo; and we wil explore the Microcentro. We won’t miss to visit the Cementerio de la Recoleta to meet the most influential people of Buenos Aires from the past. We will have dinners based on succulent steaks among the “parrillas” in thePalermo neighborhood. We will take a walk to Caminito and, while watching the street performers of La Boca, we will go shopping in the boutiques of Palermo Viejo, and attend a tango show (or take lessons!) in a typical milonga … Once we have become tangueros, it will already be time to move south and dig into the fertile and endless grasslands of the pampas.

Southern pampas

Walking through the picturesque hills of the sierras, in the southern pampas, we will reach the pleasant town Tandil, where we will taste the life of the countryside, along with meats and delicious cheeses. In the area of Sierra de la Ventana, along trails with breathtaking views, fitted with sunscreen and abundant supplies of water, we will sneak through one of the natural windows of rock on the summit of Cerro de la Ventana. From there, we will appreciate fantastic views of the surrounding hills and of the endless pampas … And, we will keep ourselves busy with outdoor activities: trout fishing, river bathing, cycling .. or we will just relax! There’s a long bus trip that will take us … to Patagonia!

Guanacho crossing

Magellan penguins

We will then reach Puerto Madryn, the gateway to the sandy Peninsula Valdes. This is one of the finest wildlife reserves in South America, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After renting a 4 × 4 car, we will be ready to tackle dirty roads with gravel, and to give way to sheep, guanacos, and nandùs (according to the local rules). We will be watching the southern whales in the waters and strolling along the coast, and we will spot many other animals, such as Magellan penguins, orcas, sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, nandùs, and many seabirds. To fully enjoy their company, even in the magical Christmas Eve, we will make a dream come true by staying at the beautiful estancia (ranch) Rincon Chico, in a good position for observing the animals, accompanied by experts in marine biology. We will give each other a good night by listening to the mysterious sounds of the whales, who knows, that perhaps their funny puffs at night would indicate to Santa Claus the road up to us. Moving further south, accompanied by a ranger, we will explore Punta Tombo, the largest reserve of nesting penguins in the continental South America, which houses a colony of over half a million Magellan penguins and other species of birds.

Beagle channel

After greeting elephant seals, whales, and penguins, we will proceed further south until the end of the world at the Tierra del Fuego. In Ushuaia, the last outpost of civilization where the ships sailing to Antarctica leave from, with a pint of beer in our hands, we will arrange a trip on the Tren de la Fin de Mundo to explore the silent  and enchanted forests of the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego. Navigating thegray metal waters of the Beagle Channel, with glaciers and rocky islands in the background, we will discover the magic of the southern seas, in search of the remains of marine life and of the native culture.

Perito Moreno glacier

Moving north, we will then reach El Calafate (which takes its name from the berry that, when eaten, will ensure our return to Patagonia!), eager to see (and to hear) the Glaciar Perito Moreno. Equipped with a waterproof jacket, we will witness the extraordinary spectacle of the giant icebergs that collapse crashing into the Lake Argentino. We will both try out fly fishing, to verify the rumors that the largest rainbow trout on the planet lives here. After a minitrekking with a walk through the forest of lenga, a quick lesson in glaciology, and a walk on the glacier with crampons, we will in the end deserve a dinner based on giant steaks, once back to El Calafate.

Iguazù falls

We will then move up to the north-east, where the placid Rio Iguacu that flows into the jungle between Argentina and Brazil falls suddenly from a basalt plateau. There, we will admire, from the ground, on a boat, or in flight, one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world: the Cataratas de Iguazu falls, of extraordinary grandeur and beauty. We hope in a beautiful sunny day to be able to see the rainbow shine and the wings of butterflies against the backdrop of waterfalls! We are sure that the power, the size, and the roar of the falls will remain forever in our memories. We will also visit the two parks that surround the Cataratas, between Argentina and Brazil, for a quick escape in the tropical jungle at New Year’s eve, where we will have close encounters with wildlife. We will give our farewell to the old year that goes away at the Sheraton Iguazu, in a unique location within the park and in the vicinity of the most spectacular stretch of the falls.

Quebrada de Humahuaca

Salinas Grandes

The new year will take us to the north-west of Argentina, at the foot of the Andes, where we will spend the last days of our surely unforgettable honeymoon, between traditional crafts, communities of Quechua language, llama, and native traditions. We won’t miss the charm of the sophisticated Salta, the most colonial city of Argentina, which will also be the starting point to visit the Quebrada de Humahuaca. In this spectacular valley cast between the Andes in the province of Jujuy, in the direction of Bolivia, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will be stare at the the rock formations characterised by an extraordinary variety of colors. Here we will try also the simple home cooking, such as as the locro (stew of corn, beans, beef, pork and sausage) or the llama fillet. We will reach the village of Purmamarca to admire the Cerro de los Siete Colores and pile up handmade items of wool in the poncho market that takes place every day in the main square. Armed with sunglasses, along the legendary Route 40, under immense skies of incredible blue, we will drive along the spectacular salt plains of the Salinas Grandes. The llamas that graze in the highlands and that we will meet along the way, will advise us on the way to the most typical traditional villages of the unforgettable Calchaquies Valley, where we will observe the weavers at work in their workshops. Through the arid and spectacular Quebrada de Cafayate, one of the most spectacular and memorable routes Argentina has to offer, we will arrive at Cafayate, Argentina’s wine capital. Here we will taste the cuisine of the north-west Andes, including quinoa and llama meat, along ith the famous, aromatic white wine Torrontés. In doing so, we will try and drow the sorrow of a journey that is about to end. Yet, the fresh and invigorating mountain air of Tafi del Valle will remind us that one final, exhilarating experience awaits us!

A gaucho

Returned in the province of Buenos Aires, we will become gauchos for a día de campo (countryside day) in San Antonio de Areco, one of the most beautiful cities of the pampas. We will stay at the estancia Ombu, where we will observe (and take part to!) the work of herdsmen (gauchos), ride horses, drink asado and taste the succulent asado (barbecue). We will spend the last two days in Buenos Aires and buy a new suitcase to fill with souvenirs and gifts, ready to return, with a heart full of color, excitement, and unforgettable memories!