Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

14  INTRODUCING ARGENTINA

14 Days in Day 2: Alta Gracia and
North Argentina Villa General Belgrano
Make the road trip southwest to
• Airports Arrive Aeropuerto the small town of Alta Gracia
Internacional, Córdoba. (p186), founded by Jesuits in
Depart Aeropuerto the 17th century. Visit the Jesuit
Internacional, Corrientes. sights, in particular Iglesia
• Transport Flights are Parroquial Nuestra Señora de la
recommended between Merced, whose nave shimmers
major stops in Argentina’s with Baroque detail. Afterwards,
north (Córdoba, Salta, stroll across to the Museo del Che
and Puerto Iguazú). Guevara. “El Che” spent much of
Aerolíneas Argentina’s his childhood in Alta Gracia. This
Visit Argentina pass museum conserves the Guevara Hiking the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s
offers visitors connections family home. Throat) ravine in Quebrada de las Conchas
within the region. From Set high in a green valley,
major towns, go by Villa General Belgrano (p187) Plaza 9 de Julio. On the square,
road (car rental/local is the last stop on the road take in the statues of medieval
bus services) to reach southwest. Home to a population saints at the Cabildo de Salta,
nearby sights, or join of German descent, it has a and don’t miss the Museo de
an organized tour. vibrant atmosphere. Enjoy its Arqueología de Alta Montaña
chocolate shops and jolly beer de Salta, the resting place of
• Booking ahead Molinos:
cellars, then return to Córdoba. the mummified LLullaillaco
Visit to the 18th-century
Hacienda de Molinos. Children. On surrounding
Day 3: Jesús María and streets, seek out the exuberant
Santa Catalina façade of the Iglesia y
Follow the Jesuit trail north to Convento San Francisco and
Day 1: Córdoba Jesús María (p188), a sleepy the beautiful Iglesia y Convento
Córdoba (pp184–5) captured town with 16th-century origins. San Bernardo. The Museo
the imagination of early Spanish See sacred relics at the Museo Casa Uriburu, meanwhile,
colonizers and missionaries, Jesuítico Nacional de Jesús is an impeccably conserved
and historical buildings ring María and visit a centuries-old family mansion. Dine on
its Plaza San Martín. Here, winery. Santa Catalina (pp190–91), regional specialties at a peña
wander the cloisters at Cabildo 13 miles (20 km) north, is a (folk-music venue).
Independencia 30; spot the Jesuit estancia dating from 1622.
trumpeting angels on the façade A UNESCO site, it is perfectly Day 5: Parque Nacional Los
of Iglesia Catedral (Argentina’s conserved. Wander its evocative Cardones, Cachi, and Molinos
oldest cathedral), and admire courtyards and workshops Climb the Andean foothills west
Peruvian Cuzco-school paintings before returning to Córdoba. from Salta. The route winds
at the Museo Histórico upwards, traversing fertile
Provincial Marqués de Day 4: Salta valleys before turning arid and
Sobremonte. Afterwards, visit the The scenery takes on new leveling out at Parque Nacional
cluster of Jesuit buildings near drama at Salta (pp196–9), Los Cardones (p195) at almost
the plaza. Head to the Manzana situated at 4,000 ft (1,200 m) 12,000 ft (3,650 m) above sea
de Las Luces, before descending above sea level in northwest level. Follow the road through
underground to the Cripta Argentina. Forested Andean the national park, stopping at
Jesuítica del Noviciado Viejo. slopes overlook its colonial viewpoints overlooking starkly
beautiful cactus forest. A short
distance from the park’s western
border, Cachi (p195) appears,
a colonial village framed by the
eight-peak Nevado de Cachi.
Admire the cactus-wood altar
at Cachi’s Iglesia San José, and
bargain for weavings at the
market square. Afterwards, make
a short journey south to Molinos
(p194) for an overnight stay at
the 18th-century Hacienda
de Molinos (p281). Guests can
unwind at the pool and sip a local
Torrentés wine while watch ing
the Andean sunset, and dine on
The Palacio de Justicia, one of many fine buildings in Córdoba expertly prepared regional fare.
For practical information on traveling around Argentina see pp324–31

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