Argentina is a country of immense beauty and proportions. Its geographic diversity spans the most breathtaking terrain from Antarctica, through the wild, glacier-filled mountains of Patagonia and massive open plains of La Pampas to the deserts and tropical jungles in the north.

The country can be enjoyed for its natural wonders alone, but no visit here could be called complete without stepping into its soul, its capital city. The elegant Buenos Aires is home to 40 percent of the population, and is a buzzing metropolis with a rich, passionate and tortured history that is integral to its character. It is Europe and South America contained in one geographical location, with elements of the unknown around each corner. It is familiar and strange at the same time, but at its very core, wonderfully welcoming.

Along the elegant avenues of the fashionable districts, sophisticated diners observe passers-by while they sip strong coffee or enjoy smooth cervezas. There is a constant smell of meat grilling from every corner and sidewalk that reveals the Argentine passion for 'asado'. Neither glamour nor passion is in short supply in this cosmopolitan hub where Porteños are equally versed in football, politics and fashion.

There are disparities between the rich and poor, with many people living in near slum conditions in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Since 1992 the economy has teetered near collapse due to corruption and government mismanagement, prompting regular and sometimes violent demonstrations. However it is business-as-usual as far as tourism is concerned; in fact, the resultant devaluation of the peso has made the country much more affordable for travellers.

Cabildo

Address: Calle Bolívar 65 Buenos Aires

Admission: $1 Tuesday to Friday 12:30am to 7pm, Sunday 2pm to 6pm

Telephone: (011) 4334 1782

Casa Rosada

Address: Hipólito Yrigoyen 219, Plaza de Mayo Buenos Aires

Admission: Free Museum: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Sundays 2pm to 6pm. Guided tours are available

Telephone: (0)11 4344 3802

Cathedral Metropolitana

Address: San Martín and Rivadavia streets, Plaza de Mayo Buenos Aires

Admission: Free

Telephone: (0)11 4331 2845

La Recoleta Cemetery

Address: Calle Junín, Plaza Francesa Buenos Aires

Admission: Free Open daily. Guided tours are available.

Plaza Dorrego

Address: Buenos Aires

Teatro Colón

Address: Cerrito 618 Buenos Aires

Telephone: (0)11 4378 7100

La Boca

Address: Buenos Aires

Iguazú National Park

Address: Northern Argentina

Admission: ARS$100 (adults); ARS$70 (children 6-12 years); other concessions available. Daily 9am to 7pm (October to February), 9am to 6pm (March to September)

Córdoba

Address: Northern Argentina

Mendoza

Address: Northern Argentina

The Pampas

Address: Northern Argentina

Patagonia

Address: Southern Argentina

Tierra del Fuego

Address: Southern Argentina

Perito Moreno Glacier

Address: Los Glaciares National Park Southern Argentina

Telephone: Los Glaciares National Park Administrative Centre: (0)2902 491 005

Floralis Genérica

Address: United Nations Park, Recoleta Buenos Aires

Nueve de Julio Avenue

Address: Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires Zoo

Address: Ave Sarmiento and Ave Las Heras Buenos Aires

Admission: General admission (Entrada general) is $15 or the more advanced pass (pasaporte) is $22. Tuesday to Sunday and holidays from 10am. Open daily during school holidays

Telephone: (0)11 4011 9900

Museo de Los Ninos

Address: Shopping Abasto, Av. Corrientes 3247 Buenos Aires

Admission: ARS$15 (adults); ARS$30 (children). Concessions available.

Telephone: 054 11 4861 2325

La Calle de los Títeres

Address: Centro Cultural del Sur Buenos Aires

Admission: Puppet shows run from March to December Saturdays from 3pm and Sunday from 4pm. Closed in January and February.

Telephone: 4305 6653

Bosques de Palermo

Address: Buenos Aires

Galileo Galilei Planetarium

Address: Av. Sarmiento y Figueroa Alcorta, Palermo Buenos Aires

Admission: Open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Fridays to Sunday 1pm-7:30pm

Telephone: (0)11 4771 9393

Buenos Aires Botanical Gardens

Address: Av. Las Heras at Plaza Italia Buenos Aires

Mountaineering

Trekking

Rafting

Tango

Fishing

Wedding and Honeymoon

Horse Riding

Gran Cafe Tortoni

Address: Avenida de Mayo 825 Buenos Aires

Food Type: Café

Cabaña las Lilas

Address: Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 550 Buenos Aires

Food Type: Local

Café Victoria

Address: Roberto M. Ortiz 1865 Buenos Aires

Food Type: Café

Sucre

Address: Mariscal Jose de Sucre Buenos Aires

Food Type: Local

Cabana Las Lilas

Address: Alicia Moreau de Justo 516, Puerto Madero Buenos Aires

Food Type: South American

B'art

Address: Borges 2180, Palermo Buenos Aires

Food Type: Spanish

Lola

Address: Roberto M. Ortiz 1805, Recoleta Buenos Aires

Food Type: International

De Olivas i Lustres

Address: Gorriti 3972, Palermo Buenos Aires

Food Type: Mediterranean

La Cabrera

Address: Cabrera 5099, Palermo Buenos Aires

Food Type: Local

The Sushi Club

Address: Ortega Y Gasset 1812, Palermo Buenos Aires

Food Type: Japanese

Ligure

Address: Juncal 855, Microcentre Buenos Aires

Food Type: French