Page 157 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

THE P A MP AS  155

0 Balcarce
Road map C3. 32 miles (52 km) NW
of Mar del Plata. * 42,000. @
n Calle 17, 67, (02266) 425-758.
_ National Potato Fiesta (Mar).
∑ balcarce.mun.gba.gov.ar
Most Argentinians associate
the name of Balcarce with cars,
potatoes, and small traditional
cookies called alfajores. The land
around the town is especially
good for growing potatoes,
Rows of tents lining Miramar beach on a sunny day grains, and aromatic grasses for
the many cattle-rearing farms.
8 Miramar calmer and more picturesque This low-key resort town is pop-
than the high-rise beachside ular with Buenos Aires fami lies.
Road map C3. 28 miles (45 km)
S of Mar del Plata. £ @ n devel op ments that plague the The town is famous as being
Calle 28, 1086, (02291) 420-190. busier resorts to the north. Half the birthplace of Juan Manuel
∑ miramarense.com.ar a dozen beaches, pretty woods, Fangio, and the Museo del
a lake, an amphi theater in the Auto movilismo Juan Manuel
Well-known as a resort for Parque Miguel Lillo, fossils at Fangio is a popular tourist
families and children, Miramar Punta Caballido, and the site. Along with soccer stars
is known as Ciudad de los thriving fishing harbor provide Maradona and Messi and tennis
Niños y de las Bicicletas (City of enter tainment for families. There player Guillermo Vilas, Fangio
Children and Bicycles). Popular is ample opportunity for hiking, remains a legendary sportsman.
during the 1980s, it is now cycling, dune trips, and rafting He was a record-making Formula
somewhat faded and lacks the on Río Quequén. Windsurfers, 1 driver during the 1950s, the first
smart restaurants, trendy bars, jet-skiers, and sailors enjoy decade of Formula 1 racing. He
pretty houses, and hotels of the the gusting sea breezes off won the world championship
resorts to the north. A small Necochea. Popular five times, the
surfing commu nity sets up among divers is same as Michael
shop every summer to make Punta Negra, just 3 Schumacher until the
use of Miramar’s extremely miles (5 km) from the latter took his sixth
pow erful wave breaks. center. A little farther title in 2003. The
High-rise buildings up the coast is Cueva museum is housed
overshadow the main prom- del Tigre, famous for in a century-old
enade, but a short walk away its fishing spots. Juan Manuel Fangio in building, filled with
is the Vivero Dunícola A small Danish one of his racing cars Fangio memorabilia
Florentino Ameghino, a group community and a and a collection
of forested dunes. Here, there significant Basque commu nity of old cars. The most impres sive
is a barbecue area, a small thrive in the town. Some Basque exhibit is located on the top floor
nature museum, a children’s restaurants here specialize in – the original Mercedes-Benz
playground, and the Bosque local seafood. Silver Arrow that Fangio drove
Energético (Energy Wood), to victory in 1954.
where an unusual variety of Also worth visiting in Balcarce
conifers and pines grow. are the town hall and cemetery
entrance, both of which were
designed by archi tect Francisco
9 Necochea Salamone in Art Deco style. The
town is also the arena for the
Road map C3. 60 miles (97 km) SW
of Miramar. ~ £ @ n cnr Aves annual National Potato Fiesta.
79 & 2, (02262) 425-983. Cerro El Triunfo (Triumph Hill),
∑ necochea.gov.ar located a mile (2 km) away, is good
for walkers and trial motorcyclists.
Residents of towns deep inside
the southern Buenos Aires E Museo del Automovilismo
province and northern Juan Manuel Fangio
Patagonia often choose to visit Cnr of Dardo Rocha & Mitre.
Necochea over Mar del Plata. Tel (02266) 425–540.
The waters are cool here, but Open Jan–Feb: 10am–7pm
summer daytime tempe ratures Mon–Fri; Mar–Dec: 10am–5pm Mon–
soar as high as 33° C (91° F). The The lush forest in Parque Miguel Lillo, Fri; 10am–6pm Sat, Sun, & hols. &
7 - = ∑ museofangio.com
resort’s wide strip of dunes is Necochea

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