Page 278 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

276  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Estancias
Estancias are ranch-style houses
set in the countryside, and offer
a taste of country life. They are
found all across the interior
and visitors have the luxury
of choosing from a wide and
varied range of options. The
architectural styles of these
estancias are varied, from
Italianate mansions to adobe
haciendas and century-old
prefabricated buildings.
There are primarily two types
of accommodations available – The spa at Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza (see p281)
working and guest estancias. Self-Catering and
Working estancias remain primarily Buenos Aires province as well
dedicated to cattle or sheep as across Argentina. Specialist Cabin Complexes
farming and offer a more authentic travel agencies can also There are several self-catering
ranch experience. Guests take organize estancia stays; Lan options. Most cities have apart-
part in farm activities and evening & Kramer Travel Services is hotels, which have standard
meals are enjoyed together with one of the most reputable. hotel features, but also larger
the owners. Patagonia and Alternatively, visitors can also rooms with a kitchenette and
Tierra del Fuego have the contact the ranches directly. small eating area. In the south
largest numbers of such ranches. of Argentina, cabañas (cabin
Guest estancias, on the other hand, Bodegas complexes) are extremely
are dedicated solely to tourism. common, especially in the
There are many of these in the Catering to the luxury travel Patagonian Lake District. The
Buenos Aires province as well as market, several bodegas cabins typically consist of a
in the Andean Northwest and (wineries) in Argentina’s master bedroom, kitchen,
Argentinian Litoral. At both types wine-growing regions offer lounge, and spare bedrooms.
of ranches, visitors can enjoy a host exclusive lodging. Most are Most are designed in the style
of activities that range from horse- located in Mendoza, although of Alpine log cabins, situated
riding and fishing to bird-watching, some bodegas in Salta also within shaded woods or
trekking, and biking (see pp306–11). feature wine lodges. All boast on riverbanks, and are well-
Many estancias have offices extraordinary settings and equipped with phone and cable
in Buenos Aires, where English- stunning mountain views, and television. The cabin complexes
speaking staff take bookings offer insights into the world are ideal for families and
and answer queries. The NGO of viticulture (see pp212–15). anyone wishing to avoid more
Estancias de Santa Cruz Guests can take part in nondescript, but equivalently
handles reservations and many activities from wine priced, three-star hotels.
enquiries on behalf of many tastings and vineyard visits to
ranches in the Patagonia and the annual harvest. A growing
Tierra del Fuego regions. Red trend is the incorporation of Rented Apartments
Argentina de Turismo Rural a wine spa, where treatments For longer stays in Buenos Aires,
and Estancias Argentinas are based on grapes and other several agencies specialize in
both represent estancias in the wine products. short- and long-term rented
apartments for foreign visitors,
fully furnished with modern
appliances. Buenos Aires
Travel Rent and Buenos Aires
Stay are two well-established
rental agencies with over 500
apartments to offer, while Oasis
Collections offers a more soph-
isticated range of properties.

Youth Hostels
Argentina is served by an
extensive network of youth
hostels and most cities have
at least one establishment
Communal living space on a sunny balcony, Ostinatto Buenos Aires Hostel (see p278) recognized by Hostelling

276-277_EW_Argentina.indd 276 05/08/16 10:42 am