Argentina Travel Highlights Top 10

Buenos Aires. One of the world's great cities. Unless you're a real metrophobe, you won't want to leave BA—if you don't get caught in a mid-summer heat wave, that is.

Iguazú Falls. Possibly the world's most impressive waterfall, set amidst an exotic jungle backdrop. Access from: Puerto Iguazú or Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil)

Perito Moreno Glacier. Watch and listen as blocks of ice the size of houses crack and fall from this behemoth's 60 meter high face. One of the few advancing glaciers on the planet. Access from: El Calafate

Mar Del Plata. Argentina's favorite seaside resort, Mar Del Plata is more than a party-infused beach town. It's also a modern city with a healthy dose of art and culture, a short hop from BA by plane or several hours by bus.

Bariloche & the Lake District. A favorite Argentine summer retreat, the Andean resort city of San Carlos de Bariloche is set on the shores of stunning lake Nahuel Huapi. It also makes a great base for exploring the national parks to the north and south.

Península Valdés. Fans of marine life will be thrilled by this marine reserve, which in spring serves as a breeding ground for large numbers of whales, seals, and penguins. Access from: Puerto Madryn

Ushuaia. Soak up the ends-of-the-earth atmosphere of the world's southernmost city and explore neighboring Parque Nacional Tierra Del Fuego, all the while enjoying vistas across the beautiful Beagle channel.

Wine country . Mendoza is Argentina's wine and adventure sports capital. Activities range from climbing Cerro Aconcagua, the highest peak outside the Himalayas, to a leisurely tour of the surrounding vineyards.

Salta. A charming colonial town in the country's extreme northwest, Salta makes an excellent base for exploring the area's dramatic and diverse natural attractions—including a ride on the Train to the Clouds, which peaks at a giddy 4200m (13,780 ft).

Iberá Natural Reserve. Described as an American Serengeti, the wetlands of Iberá offer the visitor a chance to get up close and personal with some of its diverse array of animal species, including capybara, marsh deer, howler monkey, maned wolf, paraná otter, caiman, water boa, and over 300 species of birds. Access from: Colonia Pellegrini