Argentina

Officially called the Argentine Republic, Argentina is the geographically largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, not to mention Italian-speaking. Many elderly Argentineans of Italian descent speak a macaronic blend of Spanish and Italian that’s actually called cocoliche. Argentina is known for its pampas and gauchos, late-night bar scene, the tango, and fine steaks. A less famous but also excellent culinary specialty is its pizza.

The Argentine side of Iguazu Falls is not to be missed. Neither is the graveyard of Buenos Aires’ historical elite, Cementerio de la Recoleta, filled with statues and sarcophagi. To reach the summit of the Cerro Aconcagua volcano is a major yet rewarding undertaking requiring the better part of a month. Patagonia is great for those who like it cold, offering ice trekking and glaciers galore. The network of roads make long-distance busses a good way to travel around Argentina if you don’t have access to a car, and public transportation is well-developed in urban areas.

Argentine food can be described as mixture of native and Mediterranean European influences. Some of the local Criollo creations include empanadas, a mixture of corn, beans, meat, bacon, onion, and gourd called locro, and a tamale-like dish called humitas. If you’re health-conscious, you may prefer quinoa and squash to milanesas (fried meats). Yerba mate and wine are excellent beverage choices. Buenos Aires offers a full gamut of culinary options like the cosmopolitan city it is. You can find fresh-squeezed juices, granola, organic coffee, veggie lasagna, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian foods, and pretty much anything else you want.