I sent this to my husband to peruse. Except for the part in Uruguay, this is the kind of trip I'm lo

Less than 2 months prior to our departure we decided to take this long dreamed of trip to Argentina. compare international airline ticket prices As much as we wanted to include the southern part of the country, we accepted the reality that we only had time to focus on the northern part of this huge and varied country. As I started to get into the nitty gritty planning including domestic air flights and schedules it quickly compare international airline ticket prices became overwhelming and frustrating, even for me, who has had years of experience planning trips.
compare international airline ticket prices We really could go on for pages raving about Isabel. We have never seen anyone work so hard! She is caring, diligent, detail-oriented and has a great sense of humor! She speaks and writes perfect English. She responded to emails so quickly - at all hours of night and day! She reconfirmed flights, made dinner reservations, watched and kept fingers crossed so that we would not have any problems - it truly felt like we had a guardian angel on this trip!
Believe me, this is a major accomplishment in Argentina! We know there were many things out of Isabel's control (AR flights for one thing) but we got extremely lucky this trip, and Isabel was a big part of that!
The day of our arrival in Buenos compare international airline ticket prices Aires, Isabel came to our hotel at 6pm to present us with our travel vouchers and an amazing one page calendar with our whole itinerary. I loved this! I have never had anything like this before and it was so handy to keep in my purse at all times. It was at this time we paid Isabel in USD cash the booking fee for her services. We felt it was very fair and reasonable for the many many hours she spent booking our trip and then all of the time she spent caring about us while we were traveling.
We were extremely happy with all of the hotels compare international airline ticket prices Isabel booked for us. She is very conscious of cost, location, and helpfulness of staff at the hotels. The majority of hotels were way beyond our expectations. There were several times when we arrived at a hotel and learned from the front desk that Isabel had called to make sure we had arrived!
Before we left, I found a suggestion on Trip Advisor about getting an Argentinian sim card before departure so that I could give my phone number to family in case of emergency. Also, because I had heard so many horror stories about flight delays and cancellations I thought it might be wise to have a phone to call Isabel if we needed help.
Yes, you can also buy a sim card when you arrive in Buenos Aires but I did not want to waste our time dealing with that and I wanted the phone number ahead of time. "Ferncollector" compare international airline ticket prices lives in Buenos Aires and was absolutely fantastic. He was so helpful and was more than happy to help with any questions we might have about travel in general. In addition to Isabel, we felt we had another "friend" in Argentina. compare international airline ticket prices (as it turns out - we barely needed the phone because we had no problems! - lucky us).
Picked up Avis car at their downtown location right near Iglesia de San Francisco. Very convenient. Walked compare international airline ticket prices there from our hotel, Ayres de Salta, picked up car, and then back to hotel to check out and collect luggage.
This is our first driving experience in Argentina. A little crazy getting out of Salta. Many intersections do not have traffic lights so you just push your way through. It was supposed to be straight shot out of town and on to Route 68 but there was an important directional sign that was missing and we could not get on the right road. Ended up, lost, back in Salta and had to ask directions. compare international airline ticket prices Thank god husband speaks excellent Spanish or we may never have left Salta. This delayed us about 45 minutes.
Drive took about 3-1/2 hours through Quebrada de las Conchas. Saw burros, goats, chickens, cactus, red clay, amazing mountains. Mostly road was nicely paved and then suddenly a detour and turn to gravel.
Fabulous hotel! This is what we were hoping for in Argentina! Very spacious and immaculate, decorated with local art, gorgeous landscaping including many potted cacti. Beautiful pool area. Just a couple blocks from lively main square.
5 hours on Ruta 40 - unpaved rocky road averaging about 25 miles per hour, praying car would not break down. A bit stressful! Saw very few other cars or people. Scenery is beautiful through tiny villages with beautiful churches, spectacular rock formations, vineyards, fields of cacti.
DINNER: La Monumental (pizzeria and parrilla) - maybe the best dinner so far. Outstanding steak( la churrasco de filet), sides, very reasonable. It was not until we left that we discovered the sister restaurant across the street. Will probably go there for our last night.
DINNER: La Monumental (sister restaurant across the street from the pizzeria where we ate before). Basically same menu plus more items. Seems fancier and has outdoor seating which is very popular. Lots of families. Ordered the exact same dinner we had at the other restaurant. Very good.
HOTEL: Sheraton Iguazu. Yes, the moment you enter the hotel and see the falls in the background, you feel the high room price is worth it! Our "falls view" room #242 was very nice and it truly was incredible compare international airline ticket prices to wake up to that view!
Recollected and rechecked bags to MVD. Flight left one hour late at 5:40pm. One hour time change so arrived at 7:15pm. Very modern and easy airport. Got Uruguayan pesos at ATM and shuttle to Thrifty car rental. Very helpful staff and quite reasonable car rate (compared to Salta). It was close to 9pm before we hit the road. Very windy, rainy, compare international airline ticket prices dark - but thank goodness good road - in fact, so good, it is a TOLL road, 50pesos each toll. Finally compare international airline ticket prices reached
DINNER: was a problem - we walked to Manatiales (about 20 min) - first to Cactus y Pescados - no one there at 8:30p and prices extremely expensive. Walked across the street to Talabrasa - again we were the only ones there but prices a bit more reasonable and the waiter was very nice.
LUNCH: Mercado del Puerto in the Ciudad Vieja. Very fun! A must! We walked there from our hotel. It was a long walk! Walked partway on the Rambla and then turned off when we saw the beautiful Palacio Salvo and walked to Plaza Independencia. Taxied back to hotel.
1) Uruguay: we enjoyed traveling to Uruguay. It was interesting to see Punta del Este and we were only able to afford to go there because it was early December and the high season craziness had not hit yet. Still, we found it to be very expensive and many restaurants had not opened compare international airline ticket prices yet for "the season."
The Kryon in La Barra was very nice and we loved the owners but instead of 3 nights there it might have been better to spend one night In Punta del Este to have access to more restaurants and maybe even spend one night in Colonia. compare international airline ticket prices Dinner was a problem all 3 nights that we stayed at the Kryon in La Barra.
2) Recoleta vs Palermo - we purposely wanted compare international airline ticket prices to experience both areas. In the end, we vote for Recoleta and when we return to Buenos Aires we will look forward to staying at the Ayres Recoleta Plaza again!
Nice report, another traveler compare international airline ticket prices hooked on AR. After our first trip we went back two more times and would go back again. Having a great travel agent down there is a good move, glad all worked out, all of our trips have gone smoothly too and I also credit that to working with a truly marvelous local TA.
Your report was a combination, for us, of wonderful reminders of past visits (The NOA) and good ideas for this coming year (Uruguay). So, many thanks for this detailed and interesting TR. And Welcome Home !
I sent this to my husband to peruse. Except for the part in Uruguay, this is the kind of trip I'm looking to do next Oct. or Nov. Although I expect everything to cost way more by the time I get to Argentina. I had seen this on FT also.
Due to a recent upgrade, if you have been using a social sign on prior to 2/28/13, you will need to create a Fodor's password and link your new and old accounts. If you don't have a Fodor's password, please request one by emailing us at registration@fodors.com . We apologize for any inconvenience.