I’ve added another country to my resume: Argentina!  The CTP Group was invited on a familiarization trip to Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls.

Some highlights:

*  It’s not often that an airline would be listed as a “highlight,” but LAN Airlines does a splendid job. Even in coach! Good food, modern planes, attentive service.  Why can’t the U.S. legacy airlines emulate these basics?

* Hotels – In Buenos Aires there are many splendid properties. We stayed at the trendy, Philippe Stark-designed Faena Hotel …. all black, white and red (velvet) all over. An old industrial warehouse building converted to an opulent hotel, complete with whimsical (i.e., artsy) decor such as the unicorn heads adorning the dining room (handy hat racks!). Park Hyatt, Four Seasons, Alvear Palace and Caesar Park are all stunning 5-star properties.

* Tango – What a gorgeous, sexy dance! We saw the brilliantly choreographed and gorgeously costumed Rojo Tango show at the Faena. A few nights later, we went to a neighborhood dance hall where the locals dance tango. Hardly gorgeous and sexy – but very entertaining. Imagine a large, brightly lit auditorium, where the men (mostly elderly) sit in chairs against one wall, with ladies (all ages) sitting against the opposite wall! Once eye contact is established, the gentleman crosses over to ask the lady to dance. (Shades of junior high dances!)

* Food and wine – Argentina is heaven for carnivores! Beef (as good as you’ll ever eat) + very drinkable Malbec wine = a superlative combination. And then there’s the dulce de leche. Thick, creamy caramel that Argentinians eat with a spoon! The French and Italian influence is very prevalent, and the Spanish have contributed the timing – restaurants don’t open till 9 PM!

* Local color – I’ve been constantly disappointed by “antique markets” the world over. Always full of cheap, junky imports. But the Sunday San Telmo Market is a treasure trove. I didn’t have time to do it justice … a very frustrating (but economical) proposition for me! La Boca neighborhood is full of wildly colorful homes. Its heritage: Italian immigrants scavenged corrugated panels from nearby warehouses and meatpacking plants to build their homes – and used whatever paint was left over. The result is an odd assemblage of rickety structures painted in a riot of wild colors. Very picturesque!

* Iguazu Falls – I’d seen the falls from the Brazilian side some years ago, but the experience from the Argentinian side was spectacular. Walking along an extensive series of catwalks, we were up close and personal – above and below giant sheets of water. The roar and the mist was amazing. And my latest favorite adventure …. taking a small boat into the falls! We motored right into the dump zone and got totally drenched … see video that I published to YouTube:  “Awesome Argentina”

* Argentinians – Everywhere I went, I met lovely people. Truly helpful and friendly.

Argentina is an easy place to visit … I highly recommend it!