About Argentina and the Area
DATES: Courses start the first Monday of each month; other dates on request
*2008 Holidays (no classes): Jan 1, Mar 20-21, 24, Apr 2, May 1, Jun 16, Jul 9, Aug 18, Dec 8, 25
Buenos Aires
A sprawling metropolis that rises from the Río Plata and stretches more than 194 square kilometers (75 square miles) to the surrounding pampas, the fertile Argentine plains. Block after block of tidy, high-rise apartment buildings interspersed with 19th century houses continue as far as the eye can see. Dozens of suburban neighborhoods, each with its own particular character and well-groomed parks, surround the downtown area.
Unlike most South American cities, whose architectural styles reveal a strong Spanish colonial influence, Buenos Aires looks more like Paris, with wide boulevards lined with palatial mansions. Flowers are sold at colorful corner kiosks, the smell of freshly baked bread fills the air around well-stocked bakeries, and cafés appear on every block.
Major sites in Buenos Aires include Casa Rosada, the official presidential residence and government headquarters; Catedral Metropolitana; Centro Cultural Recoleta, with its art shows and concerts; Museo Historico Nacional, outlining the official history of Argentina, and many other sites of great historical value.
Bariloche
It is one of the most important tourist resorts of Argentina, and is the most populated town of Rio Negro Province. It lies 770 meters above sea level, and is 1,650 km from Buenos Aires. The city offers year-round entertainment options. In the Winter, skiing and snowboarding are the activities of choice, with the primary attraction being the famous Catedral slopes. After the varied wildflowers bloom in Spring, preferred activites revolve around hiking. The Summer season offers an abundance of options, such as trout fishing, rafting, trekking, and hiking. Autumn brings the change of colors, and the first snowfall.
Cordoba
Cordoba is the colonial capital city of Argentina on the edge of the Sierra Chica mountain range with approximately one million inhabitants. It has the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities of 
the country, founded by the Jesuits in 1622, and the center of the city is rich in Spanish colonial architecture from the 16th century. Prior to the rise of Buenos Aires, Cordoba was Argentina's center of arts and learning, a place of scholars and priests, churches and universities. Though in terms of national importance the city has fallen behind the capital, it still retains an independent spirit and distinctive grace. Its name comes from the surrounding province, which embraces an unusually scenic section of the Andes, the Sierras de Cordoba.
Located in the geographical centre of Argentina, the areas surrounding Cordoba offer opportunities for traditional and adventure tourism as the hills and valleys are filled with springs, crystal clear rivers, artificial lakes, the huge salted lake of Mar Chiquita (heaven of ornithologists), and rupestrian (cave) paintings in Cerro Colorado. The Punilla Valley and Cuchi Corral have exceptional natural atmosphere for aerial activities, such as parachuting and ballooning, and on San Roque Lake windsurfing, yachting and all types of nautical sports draw people from all over. The Calamuchita Valley has lakes and clear rivers surrounded by mountains, an ideal area for swimming, mountain climbing and trekking, cycling, horse riding, fishing and other types of adventure tourism. In Traslasierra Valley, across the Sierras Grandes, there is Pampa de Achala. On the peak resides the Quebrada de los Condoritos National Park, one of the only places in the world where you may see the highly endangered condor, largest bird on earth, in its natural habitat.