Argentina for 2 weeks - summer 2007

In 2007 my niece (college student) and I (clergy) plan to spend the last
week of June and the first week of July in Argentina. Since we can't see
everything in that amount of time, what are the "must do's" ... Iguassu
Falls? Bariloche? El tren de las Nubes? Una estancia? Activities in BA?
(Nos podemos defender en espanol.) And what travel agency is recommended
for those on something of a budget?

<RevGeo@ga.net> wrote in message
news:yPDFg.5770$Sn3.4766@newsread3.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> In 2007 my niece (college student) and I (clergy) plan to spend the last
> week of June and the first week of July in Argentina. Since we can't see
> everything in that amount of time, what are the "must do's" ... Iguassu
> Falls? Bariloche? El tren de las Nubes? Una estancia? Activities in
> BA?
> (Nos podemos defender en espanol.) And what travel agency is recommended
> for those on something of a budget?

Some comments:

First, although you wrote "summer 2007" in the title of your post, remember
that it will be midwinter in the Southern Hemisphere. If you are skiers,
Bariloche or any of the other ski resorts in Argentina will be worth a
visit.

The "train to the clouds," in Salta province, has not run for about a year
or more. Initially there was a mud slide that put it out of operation, then
I think the company went bankrupt. The Argentine government invited bids for
a new contractor to run the operation, but from what I hear there is still
no word on when service will resume.

There are so many things to do that you might get a better response if you
list your own tastes.

There is a travel agency in New York that I have seen recommended; I don't
recall their name, but I'm 99% sure that their toll-free number is
1-800-ARGENTINA.

Good luck!

John: The information re the train is most helpful ... I had no idea. I am
aware that June/July is their winter. Is winter in BA like our Miami?
Atlanta? or like Chicago?

<RevGeo@ga.net> wrote in message
news:OwHFg.9726$xp2.1280@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> John: The information re the train is most helpful ... I had no idea. I
> am
> aware that June/July is their winter. Is winter in BA like our Miami?
> Atlanta? or like Chicago?

Winter in Buenos Aires is definitely not like winter in Chicago, but I've
never been there in that season. I understand that it might snow in the
capital once in a hundred years, and I think that it rarely gets down to
freezing, but the city is a humid one, so even temperatures in the mid- or
upper 30s can be unpleasant if it's a damp day. I see lots of
recommendations for "layering" clothing, so that you can take off a sweater
or jacket, for example, if the day warms up, or put it on when the
temperature drops.

RevGeo@ga.net wrote:
> John: The information re the train is most helpful ... I had no idea. I am
> aware that June/July is their winter. Is winter in BA like our Miami?
> Atlanta? or like Chicago?

Hi there!

Winter in Bs As is like...none of the above! Like John pointed out, it
rarely gets below freezing, and has not snowed in about 100 years.
That said, the temperature does dip down into the low 40s, high 30s
(and this winter it went below freezing a couple times, as it was
uncharacteristically cold for a while.) It IS humid, however, and also
can be quite windy, so don't let the temperatures fool you...it will
often feel colder than it is. I'm from Maine, so on some days in the
Bs As winter, I can walk around in a t-shirt and draw stares from
bundled-up porteños, but layering clothing is a good idea. Not cold
like Chicago, but definitely not warm like Miami or Atlanta!

Have a GREAT TIME in this wonderful country!

Shaun

Juan, gracias por la informacion. Pienso que necesito pasar no menos que
tres semanas en su pais. Me gustaria mejorar mi castellano y, al mismo
tiemp, conocer a Argentina. Tengo un "bachelor's degree" en ingles y un
"masters" en teologia. Mi esposa es maestra de matematicas - ensena a los
ninos que tiene trece anos - y ella tiene su "masters" en educacion. Se
puede ofrecer unas hora de instruccion en ingles y recibir, como pago, la
misma cantidad de horas de instruccion en castellan? - George