Argentina

beyond the beaten path

The third-largest country in the Americas, Argentina encompasses such a variety of landscapes and natural wonders that it will leave even the most consummate adventurer speechless. You'll definitely need several weeks to barely touch the surface of all the ecosystems that crisscross the country, so make sure you have time before you start planning your trip! Nature lovers' must-sees include the spectacular Iguassu Falls and the incredible jungle ecosystems that surround them, home to an extraordinary variety of birds and animals. If you like self-drives, traveling along the famous Ruta 40 is by itself an unforgettable experience, and absolutely the best way to fully enjoy the immense landscapes that the country offers. One example is the stretch from Salta to Mendoza (the "Eden of the Andes"), passing from the boundless white expanses of the Salinas Grandes to the colors of the Calchaquies Valley, to the Green Forest with its ancient trees. The view of the highest mountain in all of America, the Aconcagua (about 7000m high), is breathtking to say the least, as is the Valley of the Moon in Ishigualasto National Park, so called because of its astonishing lunar landscapes. And while talking about Nature (that is, without even mentioning the extraordinary things Argentina has to offer in terms of cuisine, wines, rural traditions and local communities), Patagonia deserves a talk, and even a trip, of its own. One of the most incredible natural immersions in the whole world, the gateway to Antarctica will leave you astonished with its vertiginous mountains, skyrocketing deep-blue glaciers and beautiful forests. The landscapes here vary incredibly, which is of course also reflected in an extraordinarily varied fauna, from whales and penguins around Ushuaia to the guanacos and ever-elusive pumas in Tierra del Fuego National Park. From epic glacier hiking and glamping, to horse-riding expeditions, kayaking through the tsunami-waves of Grey Glacier, biking, fishing, sailing... the range of unique adventures here is literally limitless.