ARGENTINA bustling with youth, culture and style Travelscape Andrew Lloyd Webber introduced many of us to Argentina, in his hit musical, “Evita!” when Eva Peron first sang to her admirers from a balcony in Buenos Aires. And although politics do shape a country, Argentina is today more about polo, soccer, the tango and a vibrant nightlife than inflation, unemployment and fiscal responsibility. The city bustles with youth and style and the hotel scene is no exception, The handsome Buenos Aires Grand is only a couple of years old and up-to-the-minute in comfort and technology. They have a fine fitness center as well as a solarium, pool and good-looking bar and restaurant. For one of the most elegant hotels anywhere, consider the Algodon Mansion, the only Relais & Chateau in Buenos Aires. It offers ten luxurious suites, a spa and a rooftop pool. Buenos Aires is a walkers’ city with colorful neighborhoods to explore 2015 and cafes, in which to settle December and do some people watching. The mix of Spanish, Italian, English and German immigrants have produced a population of extraordinarily handsome n denizens. And the gorgeous Courier upscale stores they patronize do them justice, Fine leather handbags, jackets and coats can be found in both Towers the Palermo and Recoleta neighborhoods. There are also stunning clothing, silver, jewelry and wine shops. Shore The Cemetereo de Recoleta, an North 46 and for sale. historic ten-acre cemetery where generations of Argentina’s elite are buried, is the most famous attraction. Patriots, presidents, poets and the wealthy and powerful are interned in the more than 5,000 mausoleums in this ornate, tree-lined Cemetereo, but it is the simple black marble grave of Eva Peron that gets the most visitors. Inscribed with her picture and the famous “Don’t cry for me, Argentina” epitaph, hers is one of the many sites in the fascinating Recoleta Cemetery that is a national monument. The most authentic of Argentina’s creations is the sultry, romantic tango. There are tango schools, tango shows and demonstrations in Dorregop Park in the San Telmo district. But to miss the show at El Viejo Almacen is to miss the heart of Argentina. Easily the most fantastic, colorful and heart-stopping performance in town, it is an experience never to be forgotten. No visit to Argentina would be complete without a stop at Iguazu Falls. Situated inside a verdant national park, which is home to more than 2,000 species of plants, hundreds of birds, mammals and insects, it is one of the wildest wonders of the world. Shaped like a wide horseshoe and forming a natural border with Brazil, Iguazu is made up of 275 white cascading waterfalls that spread across a gulf of nearly two miles. You can spend hours here hiking as well as wandering the many access paths, bridges, ramps and spray-drenched catwalks that go right over the falls. The fearless line up, remove their shoes, don protective rain gear and board “The Great Adventure,” a rib-soaking motorboat ride that ventures into the white foam of St. Martin’s Falls. It is easily one of the most awesome and terrifying experiences of a lifetime. The stunning I guazu Grand Resort Spa and Casino is a welcome place to dry off after a day at the Falls. Located only fifteen minutes from Iguazu National Park, this beautiful property has a top-flight spa, spectacular gardens, a 52-foot indoor heated pool, tennis courts and the most glamorous casino in Latin America. Wonderful meals are served on the patio in the garden or in the El Jardin dining room, and there are demonstrations in the preparation of Yerba Mate, a popular native tea that is known as a stimulant. However, after a day at Iguazu Falls, few will need a stimulant. Blessed with hot sun and sandy soil, Argentina has a thriving wine industry. With its malbecs, syrrahs, cabernets, chardonnays and chenin blancs, the country’s Mendoza Province, located on the foothills of the Andes, is the fourth largest wine producer in the world. The 2,000-acre Algodon Wine Estates in San Rafael features acre upon acre of halfcentury old olive groves, as wellas vineyards, walnut, pear and plum orchards, natural water reservoirs and charming tree-lined roads. Algodon is also in the hospitality business with delightful villas built in 1921 that have been fully restored to their original farmhouse design. They have spacious bedrooms, living rooms and bathrooms, swimming pools and wraparound stone patios that offer a stunning view of the countryside. There’s a championship golf course that runs through the lush vineyards and olive groves, and a first-class tennis center. It’s rustic “Chez Gaston” serves the best in traditional Argentine gourmet fare. One need not be an oenophile to love Algodon Estates. Along with exceptional winery tours and tastings, they offer water sports, biking, horseback riding and the chance to explore historic mountain villages. And in case visitors can’t pull themselves away, it’s possible to own a piece of Algodon Wine Estates. Homes on the property are magnificent by scape Roberta Graff
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