Recently in Argentina Category

Salta 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]

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.

Sometimes 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]

To 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]

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.