Pick Your Type of Adventure in Argentina

South America is a large continent located in two hemispheres, although most of it is in the Southern Hemisphere, and its 12 countries cover over 17 million kilometres of land. The landscape and climates vary, with subtropical rainforests located in the north and central areas of the continent, warm and cool desert climates along the western coastline and cold tundras at the southernmost tip of the continent. South America has much to offer travellers, from peasant villages to ultra-modern cities to everything in between.

Food and Wine Enthusiasts

There are many tours you can select from in South America, including food and wine tours that you can take in Argentina, Brazil and several other countries. Mendoza, which is located in Argentina, is well known for its wine and carries the motto of 'the land of sun and wine.' Even though it has been well established, new wineries are frequently being built in this area.

The vineyards of Mendoza feature the beautiful Andes Mountains in the background. This region is the leading wine producing area in Argentina, with more acreage planted than in Australia and New Zealand combined. The area has been traditionally known for its pink Cereza and Criolla Grande grapes, but Malbec has also been widely planted in the region. While touring the area, you can enjoy wines from the area with the asado, or barbeque, that is served throughout the area.

San Juan is the second most productive wine producing region in Argentina, but the climate is considerably drier. The area only gets about 150 millimetres of rain per year, and summer temperatures can get as high as 42 degrees Celsius on a regular basis. The Cereza grapes are popular in this region, but the area is known for its brandies, vermouth and sherry-style wines as well. A good wine tour will often include this region on its itinerary.

More Adventuresome Travel

If you would rather have a more adventurous holiday when you go to South America, there are several different tours you can book that will allow you to spend most of your time outdoors. If you enjoy camping, you can travel to the Patagonian Andes to book a camping tour with South America tours. You will spend your time hiking, visiting the Torres Del Paine National Park and going ice climbing on the Torre Glacier.

There are also opportunities to explore Argentina on your own by booking flying/driving tours to areas like Salta to see the colourful rock formations, or to hike areas of Tolar Grande. This area of Argentina includes a desert region, volcanoes and salt flats that you can visit. No matter what type of adventure you enjoy, you should be able to find it in Argentina.

There are many places for travellers to visit when they go to South America. From the Amazon River and the surrounding rainforests to cold Patagonia in Argentina, there is so much to see and do that you may want to take more than one holiday to the continent.

Visit Hunter Valley for a Weekend Getaway

If you are considering taking a wine tour in Hunter Valley, then you might want to book accommodations so you don’t have to worry about driving home after the tour. You can check into one of the nearby cabins or resorts, then go to visit the many world-class vineyards in the area. You can also book accommodations at one of the many wineries, so you don’t have to drive during your stay while you enjoy sampling different wines.

A Weekend Getaway

Located north of Sydney, Hunter Valley is a popular tourist area and attracts over two and a half million visitors each year. While many of these visitors are attracted to the area because it is the home of some internationally renowned wines, it is also known for its thoroughbred horse farms and as a coal mining region. It is also a popular wedding destination for city dwellers that want to get married in a rural community.

You can take a short drive from Sydney to enjoy a weekend in Hunter Valley and book accommodations at many wineries or farms in the area. Though some of the accommodations are no longer working farms or sheep stations, you can still book one of the available Hunter Valley cabins on working farms in the area. You might be able to help out with chores during your stay if you are inclined to do so.

More than Wine

The Hunter Valley has much more to offer than wine tours, if you want to visit the area but skip the taste tests. The Hunter River and Lake Macquarie both offer scenic tours you can take to see the area’s sights from a different vantage point. In addition, if you plan your trip for the first three Sundays of the month, you can ride on the Hunter Valley Steam Trains.

While staying in the area, you don’t have to do any more than sit on the back porch of your cabin and enjoy the quiet solitude. However, many of the area accommodations have spas where you can get pampered, or you can enjoy a day in the sun by their swimming pools. In addition, you can dine in your cabin or go to one of the many first class restaurants to enjoy the local cuisine, much of which is made from locally sourced foods.

Before heading back to the city, you can stop at some of the roadside markets and buy locally grown produce or take home fresh cheeses made in the area. You can also enjoy a meal, paired with a glass of local wine or handcrafted beer, at one of the many cellar doors in Hunter Valley.

There is so much to do in the area that you will want to go back to Hunter Valley and take in more of what it has to offer. Although a trip to Hunter Valley makes for a great getaway for two, it is also a great place to take the entire family on holiday.