The big news from Argentina in mid-2005 is that the country is now officially out of default. The government has renegotiated its debts with the World Bank; exports are up; and unemployment is down. However, the International Monetary Fund warned in early July 2005 that the biggest risk to Argentina's economy is inflation, currently at 10%. President Néstor Kirchner is still popular (a refreshing rarity in any country in South America), and the peso is holding steady at about 3 to the dollar. For the lucky visitor, it's business as usual. Crime is down and everything is still incredibly affordable. There has never been a better time to visit Argentina.
Getting There and Around
On June 8, 2005, Lan Chile (www.lan.com) began operating its first domestic route within Argentina, launching an airline subsidiary called Lan Argentina. Twice-daily operations have begun from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, competing directly with Aerolineas Argentinas' (www.aerolineasargentinas.com) flights on the same sectors. One-way fares begin at $86.
The introduction of this service comes after Southern Winds Airlines (which is on the brink of collapse) suspended operations to Mendoza. We highly advise against making future bookings on Southern Winds until their situation stabilizes. The government withdrew its subsidies following a drug scandal involving airline officials, and as a result, the airline may be forced to shut down altogether.
LanArgentina has also just launched flights to Bariloche and Cordoba from Buenos Aires to fill the projected gap left behind by the almost-defunct Southern Winds. Flights to Cordoba are priced from $40 one-way and to Bariloche from $90 one-way.
Skiing In Argentina
Tourism in Argentina's ski resorts is booming, with a majority of the foreign visitors hailing from Brazil, Spain, Italy, and the United States. Skiing in Argentina, even in the low season, represents a 50% savings over a ski holiday in Europe or North America -- and adventurous skiers are arriving in droves. In early July 2005, almost all the main ski resorts in the country were open (the result of an early, heavy snowfall), and the hotels were reporting near-full capacity. Late August to early October remain the best months to ski in Argentina -- it's the end of the season, hotels become available, and great deals are to be had.
At Las Leñas Ski Resort (www.laslenas.com), brand-new snow machines ensure a long, even skiing season. The low-season rates beginning August 28 and running through the close of the season on October 8 are a bargain: Lift passes are 54 pesos ($19) for half a day and 80 pesos ($28) for a full day. Low-season packages at the popular Piscis Hotel in Las Leñas for 7 nights of lodging and 8 days of skiing (includes daily ski passes, breakfast and dinner) begin at $901 per person. Contact Moguls Mountain Travel (6707 Winchester Circle, Boulder, Colorado; tel. 888/767-0679; www.skisouthamerica.moguls.com) for full information regarding these discounted ski packages.
Mendoza
The big news from Mendoza this season is the new air tours provided by Altos Andes (www.altosandes.com.ar). For $80 per person (minimum of 2 people) you can take a 40-minute aerial tour of Mendoza city and the surrounding vineyards aboard either a small Cessna or Piper propeller plane. A more spectacular 2-hour trip circumvents the Aconcagua volcano for $350 per person. Altos Andes office is located in Mendoza Peatonal Sarmiento 133 (tel. 0261/429-4032).
Mendoza's wines continue to win awards world-wide. Familia Zuccardi's Tempranillo was voted the best Argentine red at the London Wine Fair recently. The Grepevine Wine Club (www.thegrapevine-argentina.com) now meets every Sunday evening at 7pm at La Escondida at Julio A. Roca 344 in the center of Mendoza. For reservations, call tel. 0261/4297522 or 0154/694514. The price is $22 per person and includes a full wine tasting, snacks, and a talk by a wine expert in English. The Grapevine also offers personalized wine tours to the surrounding region tailor-made to fit each traveler's needs. The Grapevine's talented staff can usually get you into those vineyards that never seem open for visitors. They also have up-to-the-minute information on wine releases and can help with shipments of wine back to your home country.
Patagonia
El Chalten's first luxury hotel finally opened its doors in April 2005. Los Cerros (www.loscerrosdelchalten.com), a sister property to the swanky Los Nostros (which overlooks the Perito Moreno), has announced its all-inclusive package rates for the 2005-2006 season. For 2 nights, the price is $608 per person; for 3 nights the price is $834 per person in a standard room. These rates include airport transfers, three meals per day (including tea in the afternoon and happy hour in the evening), admission to the Los Glaciares National Park, and discounts on guided excursions to Fitz Roy.
San Carlos De Bariloche
The luxurious Llao Llao Hotel & Resort (www.llaollao.com) has just begun construction on 42 new rooms facing the main building of the hotel. Expect the work to continue until the end of 2006. The hotel remains open with all its facilities available to guests, but be warned that some noise and dust will be prevalent during this period. The hotel will be redesigning its golf course beginning in August 2005 for a period of 5 to 6 months. During the construction period, only parts of the green will remain open for play.
Tierra Del Fuego
Cruceros Australis (www.australis.com), the region's leading cruise company offering luxury cruises around Cape Horn and the Beagle Channel has announced the addition of a second ship. The Via Australis will join the Mare Australis in November 2005 as part of a fleet expansion program. The Via Australis will carry 136 passengers on twice-weekly trips departing from either Ushuaia in Argentina or Punta Arenas in Chile. The Mare Australis (which carries 129 passengers) will continue offering twice-weekly departures from either port. Promotional rates are being offered during the shoulder season (Sept-Nov and Mar-April) beginning at $490 per person for a 4-day trip. For further information and reservations, call the Cruceros Australis office in Florida at tel. 877/678-3772 or 305/695-9618 or check their website for complete itineraries and details on these promotional rates.
Punta Del Este, Uruguay
American Falcon Air (www.americanfalcon.com.ar) is now flying its Boeing 737s to Punta del Este twice a week from Aeroparque airport in Buenos Aires. Flights operate on Friday and Sunday. One-way fares begin at $60.
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