Recently in Argentina Category

High-Altitude History in Argentina

Friday February 26, 2010

MAAM.jpgSalta is one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America, with historic houses, temples, and colonial convents making it seem frozen in a simpler time. But to really see some relics from Argentina's past, pay a visit to the Museo Arqueologia Alta Montana (Museum of High Mountain Archaeology), which is filled with items from the Incan era around 500 - 600 years ago. An exhibit on the Qhapaq Ñan Inca trading route - the Inca Trail between the regions of Pasco and Huanuco - illustrates the tremendous endurance and fortitude it took to simply transport goods between villages, while collections of cookware, clothing, jewelry, and weapons show the struggles the Incan people endured to survive in the high mountains. The stars of the museum, however, are the mummified remains of three people who were sacrificed at the summit of 22,058-foot Volcán Llullaillaco in an attempt to appease the gods. The high altitude preserved them so well that their discovery in 1999 prompted a wave of interest around the world, as the unlucky trio revealed new details about the lives of the Incas and their belief system. Buried along with the victims were more than 100 valuable objects, such as gold and silver statuettes, textiles, and spondyllus (carved shells). It's a fascinating look at a culture that had such a great influence on the region, yet remains a mystery in many ways. The museum is a short walk from the Sheraton Salta Hotel.

[image via cafayate.wordpress.com]

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Hitting the Café in Buenos Aires

Tuesday February 23, 2010

lasvioletas.jpgIn addition to its famous steakhouses, Buenos Aires is dotted with picturesque cafés full of people enjoying perfectly pulled espresso and lovely snacks ‐ the perfect way to wile away an afternoon while staying at the Sheraton Liberator Hotel.

If that afternoon includes perusing the contemporary Latin American art in the MALBA, visit its glass and marble cafe, Café des Arts. The bright and airy space showcases artful pastries, like the little brioches dappled with dulce de leche, and more substantial meals even on a rainy day.

Gran Café Tortoni is Argentina's oldest café, and as such is considered a must-see for visitors to Buenos Aires. That makes it a bit less relaxing than other cafés, but no less worthwhile: the owners keep tourists from coming in for a peek during peak hours. For another eyeful along with your cupful of coffee, visit the second oldest café in the country, Las Violetas. Its stained glass and columns will charm you as you enjoy tea time or perhaps something more substantial.

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The Big Pink House of Buenos Aires

Monday November 9, 2009

La Casa Rosada (The Pink House) is one of Buenos Aires's most photographed buildings, and for good reason. The striking Italian-style palace captivates observers at any angle with its majestic columns, intricate detailing, and, of course, its pastel pink color. Known among Porteños as the Palacio Presidencial (The Presidential Palace) or the Casa de Gobierno (Government House), it's the seat of the executive branch, where President Cristina Elizabet Fernández de Kirchner shows up for work every day. But perhaps more famously, it boasts the balcony where Eva Peron made her final farewell speech, saying, "don't cry for me, Argentina." Befitting a democratic institution, the palace's pink color is the result of a political compromise in the 1860's, when President Domingo Sarmiento blended the red and white colors of opposing political parties in order to diffuse tensions between them. It seems to have worked. Not all of the palace is accessible to the public, but guided tours of a few main sections are available, and there's also a museum filled with art, exhibits, and memorabilia. Then there's also the chance you might just stumble upon some spontaneous tango performances outside. Starwood has five properties in Buenos Aires, including the Park Tower, Buenos Aires, a Luxury Collection hotel.

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Patio de Cafayate.jpgHere's some good news for members who love racking up Starpoints toward free travel. You can now earn up to 1,000 bonus Starpoints simply by staying at one of more than 500 participating hotels and resorts across North America and Latin America this summer or fall. It couldn't be easier, simply register here and then book a stay at some of Starwood's most exciting destinations, from the Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki to the Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort. Say, for example, you've always wanted to visit Argentina's wine country. You could enjoy a stay at the Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa (pictured), a Luxury Collection property with spectacular views of the Calchaquí Valley vineyards, and get 1,000 bonus Starpoints for future travel anywhere in the world. Free travel is a wonderful thing, so register and stay by November 30, 2009 and watch the Starpoints add up.

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From the windows of the Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, the views are unbeatable. A sprawling city, comprised of myriad neighborhoods stretches out below. From San Telmo with its tango plazas, and Recoleto with its marvelous Design Center, each has its own distinct style. But no neighborhood can compete with Palermo Soho when it comes to shopping. The trendy barrio boasts the largest concentration of cool shops in the city.

Start your excursion at Calma Chicha, a colorful emporium filled with throw pillows and butterfly chairs covered in vivid fabrics and soft cowhides. It's smack dab in the middle of Honduras, the district's main thoroughfare stretching from Avenida Raul Scalabrini Ortiz to Avenida Juan B. Justo. A few doors down, Papelera Palermo is a stationary lover's dream come true. Stock up on wonderfully rustic photo albums, notebooks with Aztec inspired covers, and paper in every hue imaginable. For candy colored soaps head down Gurruchaga to a modern boutique where the Sabater siblings continue the family business by offering time-tested soaps reinvented for a new generation. If you can tear your nose away from the box of magnolia scented soap leaves, loop over to Armenia where you can plop down on one of Bar 6's velvet settees or sidle up to a farm table and refuel on tostados and stir fries before heading back out for the second leg of your Palermo Soho spree. You won't want to miss the dozens of independent designer fashion boutiques that line these picturesque streets. Do you have a favorite? We'd love to know. Watch the video for more great ideas on what to do in Palermo Soho.

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Argentina is the land of meat eaters, and Buenos Aires is the capital of beef. More beef is consumed here per capita than any other country, so it's no surprise that there are some fantastic places for a steak all over the city. To kick things off, ask the concierge at the Park Tower for his or her favorite parrilla, or steakhouse. Or just head straight for Cabaña las Lilas, widely considered the top of the considerable heap — it made it onto famed New York Times food critic R.W. Apple's list of 10 restaurants worth flying to visit. Despite its status, the atmosphere is relaxed and the dress policy is casual, though known to be expensive.

Another option is La Cabrera in the trendy Palermo Hollywood neighborhood. Huge, perfectly grilled cuts of beef come accompanied by a plethora of sides. If the line is too long, try the sister location, La Cabrera Norte, just down the block, or head to one of the pre-gentrification hold-outs, Bar del Gallego, where steaks share the menu with hearty porkchops and many Italian specialties.

A tip for ordering your steak: tend to like theirs medium-well to well done. The term for medium is a punto, and rare is jugoso; make sure to specify when you order.

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Bosques de Palermo.jpgSometimes it seems like Buenos Aires never slows down, but there is one place porteños go when they need to escape to a peaceful, natural setting. Located in the Palermo neighborhood, Parque Tres de Febrero is a breathtaking 25 hectare urban oasis crisscrossed with walking paths and dotted with picnic areas that are perfect for soaking up the sun. Among the loveliest green spaces in South America, the park was opened in 1875 on property that once belonged to strongman Juan Manuel de Rosas, whose overthrow freed up huge tracts of land to public use. World-renowned architects and designers improved it throughout the years, adding a rose garden, botanical gardens, and a variety of outdoor works of art. It's a perfect place to relax and catch your breath after an evening of tango, but those who crave a bit more stimulation can explore the largest Japanese garden outside Japan or head to the Galileo Galilei Planetarium, a striking modernist structure that can project 8,900 stars, constellations and nebulas in its domed theater. As for me, I'll head to the boating lake and rent a rowboat for a tranquil afternoon out on the water, followed by an inspiring walk through the Poet's Garden. It's the perfect antidote to the intensity of Buenos Aires, and convenient to several Starwood properties, including the Sheraton Libertador Hotel.

[Image via buenos-aires.ws]

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Starpick the Sheraton Cordoba Hotel

Tuesday March 3, 2009

Sheraton Cordoba 200.jpgCordoba is one of the oldest cities in South America, rising from a modest Spanish colonial capital in 1573 to become the second-largest city in Argentina. With an enticing blend of European architecture and Latin American flavors, Cordoba is a pleasure to visit, and if you're itching to get away for a few days, consider a last-minute weekend here. It's not such a far-fetched proposition, thanks to Starpicks. The Sheraton Cordoba Hotel is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, so it won't take much to enjoy a trip to one of Latin America's most interesting cities. Start with a visit to the Museo Histórico Provincial Marqués de Sobremonte, one of the largest surviving colonial houses in South America. Then drop by the Manzana Jesuítica (Jesuit Square), the site of Argentina's oldest church and the seat of authority for the religious leaders who shaped the history of the region. If time allows, take a walk through the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, which has been conferring degrees since 1621. That's quite a tradition of scholarship. Back at the hotel, you can cool off with a dip in the pool or savor a meal at La Pampa restaurant, where the views are just as inspiring as the international cuisine. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list and start packing.

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Xul Solar Museum.jpgTo say that Oscar Agustín Alejandro Schulz Solari (1887-1963) was a multi-faceted artist would be an understatement. Throughout the 20th century, he carved out a memorable career as a painter, sculptor, and writer, creating a prolific and dynamic body of work that's still being reckoned with today. Adopting the working name of Xul Solar - an oblique reference to the intensity of the sun - he painted some of the most memorable avant-garde scenes of the era, ranging from "Fiordo," a dystopian image of a fjord separating a gray island archipelago, to "Ciudad Lagui," a jagged cityscape rising from a field and reaching into an azure sky as if sprouting like flowers. His work has to be seen to be believed, so if you're in Buenos Aires, be sure to stop by the Xul Solar Museum. Located in the late artist's house on Laprida Street, the museum has an unprecedented collection of his work, with pieces inspired by cubism, futurism, surrealism, and a few styles he created for himself. The more you get to know Solar's work, the more mysterious he becomes - after all, the guy invented imaginary languages just for fun - which makes a visit to this historic museum all the more enjoyable. Guests at the nearby Sheraton Libertador Hotel or any of Starwood's Buenos Aires properties will enjoy unraveling the enigma at this fascinating tribute to an inscrutable master.

[image via spamula.net]

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The beauty of Buenos Aires is visible at every turn, from the European architecture of its old town to the expansive river views along the Rio de la Plata. It's hard to pick a favorite neighborhood, but as far as parks are concerned, one green space is worth seeking out among others. The Buenos Aires Botanical Garden is located in the city's Palermo district, and has provided a verdant natural oasis to harried porteños and curious visitors since 1898. The garden was designed by a French-born Argentine architect named Carlos Thays, who made his mark all over the city by planting trees along the streets and creating major parks and plazas, but the Jardín Botánico was his masterstroke. The park is divided into three main gardens, with French, Roman, and Oriental styles providing a rich variety of scenery and perspective. Scattered throughout the grounds are five winter houses containing tropical plants, as well as a small art museum and collection of outdoor sculptures. It's a peaceful respite to the urban experience, and a short ride from the Park Tower, Buenos Aires, a member of Starwood's Luxury Collection.

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