Argentina
Argentina ‘Passion Yoga Retreat’
Argentina is about 3,900 km (2,400 mi) long from north to south, and 1,400 km (870 mi) from east to west (maximum values) and is the second largest country in South America, the capital being Buenos Aires.
Argentine culture has significant European influences. Buenos Aires, its cultural capital, is largely characterized by both the prevalence of people of European descent, and of conscious imitation of European styles in architecture. The other big influence is the gauchos and their traditional country lifestyle of self-reliance. Finally, indigenous American traditions (like yerba mate infusions) have been absorbed into the general cultural milieu.
It is the eighth-largest country in the world by land area and the largest among Spanish-speaking nations, though Mexico, Colombia and Spain are more populous.
Argentina’s continental area is between the Andes mountain range in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east.
It borders Paraguay and Bolivia to the north, Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast, and Chile to the west and south. Argentine claims over Antarctica, as well as overlapping claims made by Chile and the United Kingdom, are suspended by the Antarctic Treaty of 1961.
The history of Argentina is to vast to write all about here but did you know that the ‘hand in the cave’ is in Argentina and over 10,000 years old and among the oldest evidence of indigenous culture in the Americas.
Cueva de las Manos, over 10,000 years old, is among the oldest evidence of indigenous culture in the Americas.
The earliest evidence of humans in Argentina is in Patagonia (Piedra Museo, Santa Cruz), and dates from 11,000 BC. After the Inca Empire invaded a big part of Argentina and eventually the European explorers arrived in 1516.
Spain established the Viceroyalty of Peru in 1542, encompassing all its holdings in South America, and founded a permanent colony (Buenos Aires) in 1580 as part of the Governorate of the Río de la Plata.
Buenos Aires increased its political power and influence because of this, and became the region’s chief port flourishing commerce with Spain..
I would like to mention here that the first kind of independence was in 1810 followed by some messy political stuff by the Primera Junta.
In 1813, an Assembly convened to declare independence, but it could not do so because of political disputes. A Civil War ensued between the provinces joined into the Federal League and the Supreme Directorship.
Argentina increased in prosperity and prominence between 1880 and 1929, while emerging as one of the ten richest countries in the world, benefiting from an agricultural export-led economy, as well as British and French investment.
Driven by immigration and decreasing mortality, the Argentine population grew fivefold and the economy by 15-fold. .
Just after the 2nd World War General Juan Peron and his rather popular wife Eva entered the Argentina history and I might presume early here for some of you, but basically the rest is History including the dirt that came with it.
Not wanting to spend much time on this episode to open old scarred wounds we go straight into the flora and fauna, music, food and the birth of Tango.
With this said, I do have to admit that we will bypass the football history of Argentina only to tell you a little tit bit here that , the Argentine Football Association (AFA) was formed in 1893 and is the eighth oldest national football association in the world.
The 1891 league tournament in Argentina was the third in football history, after England and the Netherlands, ha! (I am from Holland and my husband is from Argentina!) Now we are in the sport section anyway, I should mentioned that the game Polo was founded in Argentina as well. Enough now.
Ok, so flora, Argentina has its own national flower the Ceibo which we will see on our travels through Argentina and more to be explained, touch and see of the flora and fauna of Argentina.
We are finally getting to one of our favorite section and that is the dining and wining..ooops.
Mate (an herbal beverage) in a traditional gourd
Besides many of the pasta, sausage and dessert dishes common to continental Europe, Argentines enjoy a wide variety of indigenous creations, which include empanadas (a stuffed pastry), locro (a mixture of corn, beans, meat, bacon, onion, and gourd), humitas and yerba mate, all originally indigenous Amerindian staples, the latter considered Argentina’s national beverage. Other popular items include chorizo (a spicy sausage), facturas (Viennese-style pastry) and Dulce de Leche, a sort of milk caramel jam.
An asado with sliced provolone
The Argentine barbecue, asado as well as a parrillada, includes various types of meats, among them chorizo, sweetbread, chitterlings, and morcilla (blood sausage). Thin sandwiches, sandwiches de miga, are also popular. Mind you , the Argentines have the highest consumption of red meat in the world, which is not such a good thing, but most of their life stock are happy cows, grazing freely around being fed on natural and often organic feed.!!
The Argentine wine industry, long among the largest outside Europe, has benefited from growing investment since 1992; in 2007, 60% of foreign investment worldwide in viticulture was destined to Argentina. The country is the fifth most important wine producer in the world, with the annual per capita consumption of wine among the highest. Mendoza accounts for 70% of the country’s total wine production. “Wine tourism” is important in Mendoza province, with the impressive landscape of the Cordillera de Los Andes and the highest peak in the Americas, Mount Aconcagua, 6,952 m (22,808 ft) high, providing a very desirable destination for international tourism., hence we will visit this region as well and do a bit of tasting of the local vino!
Last but not least: The TANGO
Tango, the music and lyrics (often sung in a form of slang called lunfardo), is Argentina’s musical symbol.
The Milonga dance was a predecessor, slowly evolving into modern tango.
By the 1930s, tango had changed from a dance-focused music to one of lyric and poetry, with singers such as Carlos Gardel, Hugo del Carril, Roberto Goyeneche, Raúl Lavié, Tita Merello and Edmundo Rivero.
The golden age of tango (1930 to mid-1950s) mirrored that of Jazz and Swing in the United States, featuring large orchestral groups too, like the bands of Osvaldo Pugliese, Anibal Troilo, Francisco Canaro, Julio de Caro and Juan D’Arienzo. Incorporating acoustic music and later, synthesizers into the genre after 1955, bandoneon virtuoso Astor Piazzolla popularized “new tango” creating a more subtle, intellectual and listener-oriented trend.
Today tango enjoys worldwide popularity; ever-evolving, neo-tango is a global phenomenon with renown groups like Tanghetto, Bajofondo and the Gotan Project.
ON this tour you will not only lift your legs in a yoga position but we will have some fine classes ourselves as well to try this erotic, romantic dance.
Argentina ‘Passion Yoga Retreat’
Thursday 14th Oct – Friday 29th Oct
US$ 8,500.- for 16 days and 15 nights
or a ten days and 9 night Yoga Retreat
US$ 3,500 . contact us for in detail itinerary
‘Small groups, great guides, superb retreats’
(Included Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
For bookings Yoga Tours Argentina please click here
Buenos Aires
Day 1 – Oct 14th (Thu): Arrival / Buenos Aires.
Welcome to Argentina. Buenos Aires, ‘the Paris of the Americas’ is one of the world’s greatest cities, rich with personality, history, culture, style and intrigue. You’ll be met at the Ezeiza International Airport and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the tony Recoleta neighborhood. For the early morning arrivals a light lunch is available. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner together with tango entertainment since that will be as well your introduction to your tango lessons that you will enjoy during your stay with us. We will get to know each other and go over the itinerary for the next couple of weeks. (L,D)
Activity of the day: Tango performance
Accommodation: hotel……..?
Day 2 – Oct 15th (Fri): Buenos Aires
Tango Argentina
Morning yoga, we would like to start the early morning yoga class with a herbal Mate infusion prior to our downward dogs at 7am.
So pls try to come at 06:30 to enrich your body with this Argentian herbal infusion. After our yoga class, each day we will enjoy breakfast followed by some relaxing time, depending on the activity of the day.
Before lunch, we’ll head out on a tour of Buenos Aires, taking in the colorful La Boca neighborhood, the birthplace of the tango San Telmo, the parklands of Palermo and the boho-hip ‘hood of Palermo Viejo.
We will enjoy lunch together after that you will have your afternoon free for shopping, strolling, museum visiting. We will meet up for dinner and your first Tango lesson!. (B,L,D)
Activity of the day: Tango lessons, sightseeing tour, free time
Accommodation: Hotel
Wine tasting in Mendoz
Day 3 – Oct 16th (Sat):Mendoza, Chacras de Coria
Today we will fly to our next destination so we will enjoy our yoga class, breakfast, shower and pack for the airport for our flight to the country side.
Our next destination will is Mendoza, Argentina’s spectacular wine county. Transfer to rural wine lodge in the sweet Mendozan village of Chacras de Coria. A light Butekyo breathing class will prepare us prior to the intoxication of the fabulous wines of this region. Evening reception at the winery’s small boutique bodega (winery). (B,L,D) Image is copyright by Maximiliano Schoffel.
Activity of the day: Flight to Mendozan, wine tasting
Accommodation: Hotel Chacras, www……………
Day 4 – Oct 17th (Sun): Mendoza, Chacras de Coria
Followed by our early morning yoga class, we will depart to the Uco Valley for one of the fine wineries.
Mendoza Winery
Here you will see, feel and taste for yourself those grapes that make it all happen here. Countless rows of Malbec vines are tucked up beneath towering snowy peaks. It’s a quiet and quaint countryside. We’ll travel in a private small bus. We will be back latish afternoon to give you some free time and digest the scenery you have just enjoyed. In the lodge were we are staying a class of olive oil making will be presented to us by a local olive oil producer where we can taste and learn all about this versatile oil.
Dinner is free for you to sample yourself what this town has to offer. (B,L)
Activity of the day: Winery lunch, nature walk, olive oil making and tasting class
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 5 – Oct 18th (Mon): Mendoza, Chacras de Coria
Cooking class
Today we will start a bit later with our yoga class but will do a two hour session of a deep Iyengar practice. Today we will focus on diet, herbal remedies, Ayurvedic science and how to incorporate those in our daily life. Hence this day we will shop at the market and buy produce, learn about Mate, and drink the non alcoholic body replenisher complimenting it with the diet that goes well with you. We do this the Argentina way and enjoy a fun and tasteful (lol) cooking class from the produce we bought on the market. Lunch will be on your own but dinner is well…..one of the best and at most a pot luck one!(B,D).
Activity of the day: Cooking class with shopping trip for fresh produce.
Accommodation:
Day 6 – Oct 19th (Tue): Mendoza, Chacras de Coria
Mount Aconcagua
After our early morning yoga class we will enjoy a tour to the majestic Mr. Aconcagua, the 2nd tallest one after the Everest.
We will stop for a short walk amidst the raging rivers and natures best; learn about some of the plants that grow here and enjoy a pick nick lunch before heading back to our lodge.
We will be back later afternoon and maybe our massage therapist can book you in to massage those legs. You are entitled to one full body massage treatment during your holiday so make sure you let us know in advance for when.
Usually we will ask you in the morning. Dinner will be on your own. (B,L)
Activity of the day: Bus tour, walk/hike, massage possibility 1
Accommodation:
Day 7 – Oct 20st (Wed):
Mendoza – Bariloche
Today we will fly to our next destination so we take it easy in the morning and you will have free time after your yoga class which we will start this morning between 07:00 and 07:30. Just before lunch we will head out for the airport and fly to Bariloche in the Lakes District of Northern Patagonia.
This is a land of alpine lakes, rivers, high peaks, thick forests and wide open plains.
Welcome to Patagonia! We’ll head out for dinner at our favorite grill house, tucked inside a hobbit-like building with the typical local architecture style. (B,L,D).
Activity of the day: Flight to Bariloche, dinner with entertainment, massage possibility 2
Accommodation:
Day 8 – Oct 21st (Thu): Bariloche
Nahuel Huapil National Park
After our regular morning yoga session we will do a bit of cycling today through this mind blowing landscape. We will go on a cycling tour touching the tip of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. (B,L).
Activity of the day: Bicycling, lunch
Accommodation:
Day 9 – Oct 22nd (Fri): Bariloche
After our morning yoga class and plenty of Mate, we will enjoy this landscape from a kayak and visit the waters of Patagonia.
We will discuss with you on the spot for how long, but surely
you will enjoy this day to the max and come back to our lodge with rosy cheeks.
Patagonia by kayak
Not to forget that this same evening we will have our 2nd tango lesson, dinner is where ever you would like to go, but its on your own. (B,L).
Activity of the day: Kayak tour, cold water splash and a tango class
Accommodation:
Day 10 – Oct 23rd (Sat): Bariloche
Explore Patagonia by Horse
This morning yoga session will be a deep Iyengar leg stretch to prepare ourselves for what is to come to day.
We will discover the Seven Lake route on the back of a hourse!!
….Not much more we are able to add to this besides the mind blowing scenery you will enjoy. (B,L).
Activity of the day: Horse back riding, and all that comes with it!.
Accommodation:
Condor watching
Day 11 – Oct 24th (Sun): Bariloche
We take our yoga to a new level today, setting up a studio on the edge of the Patagonian Steppe. Taking things a bit easy after all we had a few intensive days of kayaking and horseback riding. Today we soak up the spectacular site of the of at a historic local estancia (ranch) where we will be able to see condors searing the skies. (B,L).
Activity of the day: condor viewing, the ins and outs of a working estancia
Accommodation:
Day 12 – Oct 25th (Mon): Bariloche
Rafting on Manso River
Early morning yoga session.
Followed by a good meal to give us enough power and energy.
We will join the forces of mother nature in this exhilarating day of tackling the Manso river and rafts!.
One of the best in the world and surely not to miss!!. (B,L).
Activity of the day: rafting
Accommodation:
Day 13 – Oct 26st (Tue): Bariloche
After our usual early morning yoga session, we’ll head out to make a special visit to a handful of local artists and artisans at their private studios tucked in the Patagonian forests. This will include some hands-on workshops and chance to express ourselves! We’ll stop for lunch in the quiet artists village of Colonia Suiza. For dinner, we’ll join a local barbecue master for a homemade, authentic and traditional Argentine asado. (B,L,D).
Activity of the day: Artisan tour, workshop, asado-making dinner.
Accommodation:
Day 14 – Oct 27th (Wed): Bariloche
Final day in Bariloche to explore the sights of town. Afternoon optional hiking (not included). Our final night in Patagonia will be a spectacular meal overlooking the shores of the alpine lakes and mountains. (B,D).
Activity of the day: Half-day city tour, shopping. Dinner.
Accommodation:
Day 15 – Oct 28st (Thu): Bariloche – Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires Street Tango
Our last yoga session this morning, we will do an intensive breathing class and go to the max of stretching, so many new muscles have been exercised, I am sure some of us didn’t even know we had a few of those!. Our flight back to Buenos Aires only take just over 2 hours and we will arrive in the afternoon.
We will settle in our hotel and do last minute shopping before we have our last dinner altogether and to show are knowledge of the Tango dance.
Time to exchange addresses and good memories, lift those legs a last time on the tunes of Tango, enjoy the people and say thanks to all that is living… (B,D).
Activity of the day: Tango, free time and shopping.
Accommodation:
Buenos Aires final day
Day 16 – Oct 29th (Fri): Buenos Aires
This is our last day in beautiful Argentina, the birth place of my husband, I wished I had met him ten years prior but such is life, as much as my husband gave me a life changing experience, we hope that this trip did the same to you. Depending on your flight departure, airport transport is of course available. If you would like to stay longer, pls inform us before you get on this trip! B
Activity of the day: packing bags, whipping a few tears away….saying final goodbyes.
Cost US$ 8.500
Included:
16 days/15 nights
-16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 8 dinners
-Accommodation in charming lodges and inns based on double occupancy
-All in-country transportation, including in-land flights!
-Yoga lessons
-Wine tours and tastings
-Cooking classes
-Olive Oil tasting and preparing classes
-Hikes and walks
-Horseback riding
-Whitewater Rafting
-Tango lessons
-Tango shows
-Massage
-Artisan workshop tours
-Condor-viewing tour
-Kayak touring
-Museum tour
-Historic sight tour
-High Mountain tour
-Bilingual private tour guide
Not included:
-International Airfare
-5 lunches, 7 dinners
-Extra daily optional activities
-Airport departure taxes
-Excess luggage charges
-Tips and Gratuities
-Cancellation and travel insurance
