Chance meeting in Buenos Aires

What a special treat it was to bump into Daniela Garzon, our friend's daughter, who was traveling in Argentia. We met on Friday night at Chabad Recoleta and then for lunch on Shabbat. On Sunday night we caught up at the lobby of our hotel for conversation and drinks.

Buenos Aires

We have been to BA several times and always enjoy it. This time we had a wonderful guide who took us around and we saw a lot. We went to several art museums and took a Jewish tour of the city where we saw the main synagogue and the Jewish Community Center which had been bombed killing several hundered people. You will notice that Jewish building now have poles in front to create a barrier so cars cannot come close to the building.

One of the most favorite pictures I ever took

From the dining room, I looked out at beautiful scenery and one day saw this could formation and was mezmerized by it. I had never seen clouds formed that way.

A Piece of Heaven- Estacia El Colibri

Stéphanie and Raoul Fenestraz share their Argentinean dream by creating an authentic experience with an all-inclusive concept at Estancia el Colibri. Member of Relais & Châteaux and located at the foot of the Sierras de Córdoba in Santa Catalina enjoy an unforgettable stay. With its dark wood floors, colonial style and mottled furniture, it is above all a charming hotel, inspired by the Argentinian estancias of the beginning of the century, though the call of the great outdoors is omnipresent. We were their only guests for the few days we were there so they upgraded us to the best suite. It was almost as big as our apartment! I made a video but it was to big to include. The staff was amazing- so accommodating and helpful. The chef made all our food kosher, bought new pots and had Norman light the oven in the morning. The property includes a farm which we visited, a wonderful garden where they grow herbs, fruits and lots of their own vegetables. They have chickens, ducks, lambs, sheep galore. Acres and acres of beautiful landscapes!!

Flying to Estancia El Colibri

We flew north to our next destination and saw such amazing cloud formation, I need to share them with you!!

Lakes around Bariloche

We rented a boat for the day and took a wonderful trip around the lakes. Of course, we had a captain and our tour guide with us!! What a beautiful country!!

LLao Llao Resort in Bariloche, Argentina

We had spent 2 nights in Llao Llao many years ago and I always dreamed of going back. It is so beautiful there and there is so much to do and see that 2 days was not enough. Here are some photos of the grounds which are gorgeous...

More crossing the lakes...

We got on and off buses and boats to cross over from Chile to Bariloche, Argentina. We had spent a few days there a number of years ago and wanted to return to spend more time at the fabulous Llao Llao Hotel. It was well worth the trip!! More in the next post about our stay there!

Crossing the lakes from Chile to Argentina

Leaving Mari Mari was difficult but getting to Peurto Varas to start our boat trip was special too. Puerto Varas is a popular tourist destination with its distinctive German-inspired architecture, wide variety of hotels and inns, a casino, a beach and striking views over the lake to the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. Puerto Varas is the starting point for bus-and-boat crossings of the Andes, through spectacular forested mountains reflected in shimmering lakes, to San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. The trip is best made west to east which we did. Sunset on the lake in Peurto Varas was special.

Mari Mari Natural Reserve is Patagonia’s premier luxury wilderness resort with an amazing 9,000 acres, including 13 miles of Pacific oceanfront. There are villas, stables, an organic farm, a marina and an original farm house. The staff is wonderful.The views are enchanting!! And the sunsets over the Pacific are amazing.

Another wonderful trip to South America

After 3 years plas of no travel, we planned a trip to the Lake District of Chile and Argentina with the fabulous Raj Sanghrajka of Alluring Americas. He had created over 6 wonderful trips all over South America and we were going back to Chile and Argentina for the 5th time to see new places. Raj created the perfect trip which I will share with you. Our firat stop was Santiago, the capital of Chile. We sightseed new places and returned to others. Then we were off to a new luxury resort in Northern Patagonia, right on the Pacific coast. Mari Mari