Travel Ideas

[Gringo80]

I'm looking for travel ideas.

My wife is going back to the US to visit her family from Dec 28 to Jan 15. I don't mind staying home alone but I'd also like to consider places that I could go to for a refreshing week. I'm a senior citizen but I have no problem travelling.

Some considerations:
We were just at a nice beachfront hotel in Costa del Este. I wouldn't mind going back for another stay.
We live outside CABA and I've reserved an Airbnb in Puerto Madero for a few days but I'm open to cancelling this reservation if I find somewhere that'd be more fun and more interesting.
We're going to Rio/Buzios in April.
I've lived in Argentina for quite a while but the only trip we've taken within Argentina was to Bariloche and San Martin. I found it to be a beautiful area but dull.

So, any suggestions?

 

[Frank2000]

I am in the same boat. I would like to find places to visit in Argentina or other countries close by such as Brasil, and especially would like recommendations for hotels and etc... I wouldn't mind finding a nice retreat where they feed you freshly made healthy food and offer some nature excursions. I have never been to Buzios, but it seems like a great place to visit. How did you like Bariloche and San Martin? Any tips?

So far I have been to Villa Gesel and Carilo. They are nice places to visit and enjoy the ocean but nothing to write home about, and the window for nice weather is very narrow.

 

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Iguazu falls?
Area around Mendozo - Valle de Uco?
Cafayate

 

[Gringo80]

We enjoyed our visit to Leblon, Rio last year and are looking forward to going back. We had an apartment near the beach and found LeBlon to be very safe and pleasant. On that trip we also went to Paraty, which we loved, and Ilha Grande which we also loved but both involved several hours of travel from Rio.
I was in Buzios years ago and remember it as an interesting place so I'm going to show it to my wife this year.
I've tried to unsuccessfully find an interesting beach area in northern Brazil but they seem to be all about beach activities. At our age we can't spend too much time in the sun so we look for places where we can enjoy a little beach time in the morning and see historic or cultural sites in the afternoon. LeBlon in Rio was excellent for us.
We were in Bariloche and San Martin in shoulder season. It was really a beautiful area, with lots of lakes. Especially the Mapuche lands in San Martin. However, beside driving around and looking at the lakes we couldn't find much to do.
True, the good weather window at our ocean beaches is narrow. We were at the Almarena hotel last week and had mostly cool rainy days, that's why I'm thinking of going back in January. I highly recommend the Almarena Hotel: indoor pool, beautiful jacuzzi, great food, free bikes and beach chairs. The town of Costa del Este is nice too, lots of restaurants, game arcades for the kids and wonderful horseback riding on the beach.
We liked Iguazu but we're not motivated to go back.
I searched Tripadvisor/Things to do for Valle de Uco. It looks like basic wine country, I'm uninspired. Same for Cafayate.

I'm wondering about Santiago, Chile?

 

[wineguy999]

San Juan is nice.

 

[Ries]

Everybody is different in what they like.
I enjoyed Mar Del Plata for a week, but slightly off season, would not like to be there when there are literally 1 million tourists there.
We like a relaxed few days at Hotel Ostende, near Carilo, its old fashioned and friendly.
We have gone to Tandil many times, its a small, walkable city, good food and interesting day trips, and there are several more rural hotels within ten minutes of downtown.
We have done multiple road trips, in several provincias, including touring Salamone Architecture in the Provincia.
We have spent a week driving around Catamarca, including the amazing termas at Fiambala. Again, requires some work, but driving up in the dry Andes is so beautiful, and the traffic very light. Far more gigantic BMW motorcycles than trucks on the high end of ruta 40.
Earlier this year we drove around Tucaman and Santiago Del Estero. Not luxurious, but very interesting, crafts, architecture, mountains, deserts, and, yes, more termas.

 

[FrankPintor]

Santiago de Chile could be very hot by January, and for such a big city there's not a whole lot to do. I'd go for the south of Chile (you might just miss the high season, when everyone leaves Santiago for the south). You'd need a car, I think, to cover the territory in reasonable comfort.

As always in Chile, there are vineyard tours and experiences, some with lodgings. I don't know any of the vineyards in southern Chile, but there are definitely some, the grape growing area extends all the way to Araucanía. There are lots of lakes, where you can find a bungalow to stay (I can recommend a place on Lake Llifén). The lakes are preferable to the ocean, which never warms up at that latitude. Of the towns and cities, Valdivia would make a nice stopover, with the river market, and it's 20km from the sea. The casino hotel is nice. There are river tours, with traditional food included, and stopovers at the forts in Niebla and Corral, as well as Mancera island. The oldest tree in the world is in the Alerce Costero National Park about 2 hours drive south of Valdivia. Further south, you could take the ferry to Chiloé Island, and see Ancud and Castro. Cruises to the glaciers start from Puerto Montt.

Like I said, there are lots of lakes, the bigger ones have boat excursions. I would recommend the Lake Esmeralda trip from Petrohué to Peulla, where you can stay in the hotel. In fact, it would make an interesting way to return to Argentina, crossing the border by bus, then continuing on across more lakes until you get to Bariloche.

Driving is generally fairly easy, the Panamerican Highway is excellent all the way from Santiago to Puerto Montt. There are still gravel ("ripio") roads in country, but generally maintained. I would say Chilean driving standards are better than here. "Tolerancia cero" so no alcohol before driving.

And remember, the scenery is almost always amazing, with lakes, snowy mountain tops, volcanoes (possibly active) everywhere you go. It would be a memorable trip.

 

[Ale65]

I was also going to say look for termas and see which area appeals to you. Use them as a your relax base and book some local tours. One place that is under appreciated are the Termas de Carhue. Their water comes from Lake Recién,said to be on a par with the waters of the Dead Sea. You would need to be into the idea of spa days though,otherwise you might find the area dull.
You could also go to Angra dos Reis in Brazil. Reachable by plane to Rio de Janeiro and bus or private shuttle. Beautiful islands. If you are interested I can give you a lead on a shuttle company and people who do sailing tours between the islands.The sailing people have representatives here who can also orient you about the logistics of getting there etc.

 

[Frank2000]

We enjoyed our visit to Leblon, Rio last year and are looking forward to going back. We had an apartment near the beach and found LeBlon to be very safe and pleasant. On that trip we also went to Paraty, which we loved, and Ilha Grande which we also loved but both involved several hours of travel from Rio.
I was in Buzios years ago and remember it as an interesting place so I'm going to show it to my wife this year.
I've tried to unsuccessfully find an interesting beach area in northern Brazil but they seem to be all about beach activities. At our age we can't spend too much time in the sun so we look for places where we can enjoy a little beach time in the morning and see historic or cultural sites in the afternoon. LeBlon in Rio was excellent for us.
We were in Bariloche and San Martin in shoulder season. It was really a beautiful area, with lots of lakes. Especially the Mapuche lands in San Martin. However, beside driving around and looking at the lakes we couldn't find much to do.
True, the good weather window at our ocean beaches is narrow. We were at the Almarena hotel last week and had mostly cool rainy days, that's why I'm thinking of going back in January. I highly recommend the Almarena Hotel: indoor pool, beautiful jacuzzi, great food, free bikes and beach chairs. The town of Costa del Este is nice too, lots of restaurants, game arcades for the kids and wonderful horseback riding on the beach.
We liked Iguazu but we're not motivated to go back.
I searched Tripadvisor/Things to do for Valle de Uco. It looks like basic wine country, I'm uninspired. Same for Cafayate.

I'm wondering about Santiago, Chile?

It seems we have similar tastes. My wife and I have also been to Rio, and Paraty, and Ilha Grande. It was a great experience. I recommend staying away from the crowded beaches especially over the weekends. Unfortunately, the areas lack bathroom facilities and people have no choice but utilize the ocean in crowded beaches of the cities But if you go even 30 minutes south of Leblon, there are nice beaches and they are not crowded. Ilha Grande has incredible beaches and great food. Do you recommend any place to stay in Buzios?

 

[Gringo80]

It seems we have similar tastes. My wife and I have also been to Rio, and Paraty, and Ilha Grande. It was a great experience. I recommend staying away from the crowded beaches especially over the weekends. Unfortunately, the areas lack bathroom facilities and people have no choice but utilize the ocean in crowded beaches of the cities But if you go even 30 minutes south of Leblon, there are nice beaches and they are not crowded. Ilha Grande has incredible beaches and great food. Do you recommend any place to stay in Buzios?

Ugggghh. Thanks for the tip.
I had difficulty finding the right place for us to stay in Buzios. Ultimately I chose The Abracadabra Pousada. We're going in April.