Category: South America

Ushuaia (founded in 1884) is the capital of the southernmost Argentinian province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands; south of the Great Island of Tierra del Fuego, near the Beagle Channel, the city is considered the southernmost of the world. There is a deep water port that is closest to Antarctica and is surrounded by the Martial and Olivia Mountains and valleys. Its climate is subpolar oceanic comparable to that of Reykjavik, Iceland. The weather is often cloudy and misty and snowfall is common and can occur at any time of year as the temperatures remain always around 0 ° C but is also exposed to prevailing winds west, the westerlies which bring softness and moisture throughout the year. The williwaws, sudden and violent winds, are often a hazard to navigation. During most of the first half of the twentieth century, the city developed around a prison for especially dangerous criminals; their main activities were cut timber on land surrounding the prison and build the city. Today, almost the entire economy of Ushuaia is related to tourism in a direct and indirect way. To visit or see: Tierra del Fuego National Park (where you will see Lapataia Bay and the border with Chile); the museum’s southernmost of the world (ethnographic and historical heritage of the province); the southernmost lighthouse of the world (famous for the novel by Jules Verne); among others.

Tips

There’s a variety of hotel facilities, from the hostel to the five-star one even as campsites.
Several activities invite the visitor to discover this part of the world; you can take a boat or ship to go to the Beagle Channel to see cormorants, Magellanic penguins and sea lions on the surrounding islands. The ideal is to take a few days to see the glaciers also, Cape Horn, the Cordillera, etc. Yachts and charter ships make the crossing to the Falkland Islands and Antarctica.
From June to September (winter), the city is also a trail ski resort and known worldwide for its quality background snow.
You can also go fishing, horseback riding, trekking, fly over the area by small plane or simply walk to discover the place and its nature.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second largest city after Sao Paulo, world famous for its carnival, beaches (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon) and the statue of Christ the Redeemer on the Corcovado. 20% of its inhabitants, the cariocas, live in favelas (poor district on the slopes of hills (morros) and unfortunately it is the serious urban problem of the city. Rio has more than 90% of its territory covered with tropical forests and the best known is the Foresta de Tijuca which is even inside the city.

Tips

If you want to have a wonderful view of the beaches and even of the Christ, go to the Pao de Açucar (Sugar Loaf; rocky peak of almost 400 meters).

If you want to do a little road to get a good view, cross the Rio-Niteroi Bridge (13 km) you will see the Guanabara Bay and the city of Rio and its beaches. If you have a little time, Nitéroi has also beautiful beaches to spend the day.

Even though there are 2 subway lines, the best way to get around is by bus or taxi. Always ask the driver for the price because they will usually charge you a fixed price for tourist destinations. For safety, ask a taxi in the reception of your hotel. Generally, you can arrange with the same taxi to pick you up at the end of your visit.

If you like the beach, Ipanema and Leblon are more beautiful than Copacabana and a little quieter.

If you want to know a favela there are guided excursions that will allow you to know a little more of the inhabitants of the city. For your safety, do not try to go alone.

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Villa La Angostura is a town in the province of Neuquén, at 780 meters over sea level, in Argentina, and the capital of the Department of Los Lagos. The city is located in the South of the province, in Northern Patagonia, on the northwest shore of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. It’s in the northern sector of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, surrounded by lakes, forests and mountains, it is considered one of the most beautiful cities of Andean Patagonia. It’s a few kilometres from Cardenal Samoré, which allows to cross the border with Chile and with other nearby towns such as San Carlos of Bariloche and San Martín of los Andes, it forms a popular tourist corridor both in summer and in winter. The city is bordered by mountains : Bayo (1,782 m), Inacayal (1,840 m) and Belvedere (1 992 m). It has an average annual temperature of 8 ° C, although the variation between summer and winter is remarkable, with a maximum of 30 ° C and – 15 ° C respectively. The summers are hot and dry. The humid climate of the Andean Patagonia generates significant snow in July, August and September. The geography of the place enables a wide variety of sports and well-defined activities according to whether it is in the summer or winter season. During the winter the most practical are the skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering; during the summer: water sports, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. Sport fishing, occupies a very important place ifor the tourism and is recognized internationally (trout and salmon).

Tips

You can stay in the city and visit different interesting places nearby like Villa Traful (about 7km), the border with Chile (42km), San Carlos de Bariloche (87km), San Martín de los Andes (92km). You can rent a car or go on excursions with local tourism companies.
If you like hiking, go to Port Angostura (town port) which gives you access to the Mansa Bay and a beautiful beach. From there, you can go on a trip to get to the wood of Arrayanes.
If you go in February, there is a 3- day festival ‘ Provincial festival of gardens’ that rewards the most beautiful gardens of the city and the winner is exempt from property tax. There are parades of cars, street performances, circus, music, a craft fair and a gastronomic fair with tasting of regional products.
If you go in winter, every Friday, you can see the ‘ Torches’ falling’ organized by the local ski school. It is a group of skiers going down with torches lit from the main runway of the Bayo Mount. At the program: hot wine and music.

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