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BARILOCHE
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Bariloche
San Carlos de Bariloche is a city in the , situated on the foothills of the Andes, surrounded by lakes (Nahuel Huapi, Gutiérrez Lake, Moreno Lake and Mascardi Lake) and mountains (Tronador, Cerro Catedral, Cerro López). It is famous for skiing but also great for sight-seeing, water sports, trekking and climbing. Cerro Catedral is one of the most important ski centers in South America.
History
The name Bariloche comes from the Mapudungun word Vuriloche meaning "people from behind the mountain" (furi = behind, che = people). The Vuriloche pass was used by the Mapuches to cross the Andes and was kept secret from the European priests for a long time.
Settled primarily by Austrians and Germans about 1895, it was first named after pioneer Carlos Wiederhold, who established a little shop near the present city centre after crossing the Andes from Chile. In letters addressed to him, he was erroneously addressed San Carlos instead of Don Carlos, which is why the city was called San Carlos de Bariloche. The city has the appearance of an alpine town, and a population of 93,600 (, 1991: 77,600).
Bariloche was officially founded on 3rd. May, 1902, by a decree of the Executive Branch of the National Government. In 1909 there were 1,250 inhabitants, telegraph, post office, and a road connecting the city with Neuquén. Commerce, however, continued to depend on Chile until the arrival of the railroad in 1934.
Between 1935 and 1940, the Directorate of National Parks carried over a number of urbanistic works, giving the city a characteristic beauty. Among them: the Civic Center (home of a Library, a Theatre, a Museum, the City Hall, the Post Office, the Police Station and the Customs), the Cathedral, Llao Llao Hotel, and others.
Tourism
Tourism, both national and international, is the main economic activity of Bariloche, all year around. The main ski station is the one at Cerro Catedral. During the summer, beautiful beaches such as Playa Bonita and Villa Tacul welcome sun-bathers and some brave lake swimmers (the waters, from melting snow, are always very cold. Lake Nahuel Huapi averages 14 °C in the summertime). The fishing season is another great attraction. Bariloche is the biggest city of a huge Lakes District, and serves as a base for many excursions in the region. Trekking in the mountains, almost completely wild and uninhabited with the exception of a few high-mountain huts, is also a popular activity. The city is also famous for its chocolates.
Besides tourism and the many activities and services associated with it, Bariloche is home to first class scientific and technological activities. The Centro Atómico Bariloche is a research center of the National Atomic Energy Commission, where basic and applied research in many areas of the physical sciences is carried out. One of its departments is the Instituto Balseiro , a higher education institution with a small and carefully selected number of students, that awards degrees in Physics, and in Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering, and Masters and Doctorate degrees in Physics and in Engineering....
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Hotels in Bariloche
 | Hotel Isla Victoria  |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | Parque Nacional Nahuei Huapi |  |
| For unforgettable events and conferences, the lodge provides fully equipped function rooms. Staff will be happy to help you organise a tailor-made programme.
Experienced guides offer a variety of activities around the island, whatever the weather and whatever your physical ability. Take your pick from hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, kayaking, and snorkelling.
A peaceful library is available for more reflective moments. ... more | | |
 | Apart Hotel Las Piedras  |
Score 6.5 from 1 reviews | | Av. Rolando, 127 | |
| Our apartments are located in the centre of the city and lie close to the Nahuel Huapi lake.
Sports fans and nature lovers will enjoy exploring the beautiful Nahuel Huapi National Park. A wealth of activities and excursions guarantee a varied and enjoyable stay. ... more | | |
| | Hotel Tunquelén |
Score 9.5 from 1 reviews | | Av. Bustillo km 24.5, Villa Llao Llao | |
| Among the hotel’s facilities are a children’s club suitable for guests aged between 3 and 12 years. Trained staff organise a range of recreational activities and sports, and a children’s restaurant is provided.
Also available is a flexible function room which can accommodate up to 400 persons. The hotel would be happy to help you organise your business meeting or special event.
Within the complex you also find a massage room where you can enjoy a relaxing massage and treatments tailored to your individual needs. ... more | | | | More hotels in Bariloche |
| Buenos Aires City Tour |
3 hours |
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This tour allows you to discover all the magic of Argentina's capital city. This orientation tour of Buenos Aires is perfect for any first time visitor to the area.
The tour includes the magnificent Recoleta and Palermo neighborhoods, with the beauty of their parks and buildings, the Colon Theater, one of the five most important opera theaters of the world, Mayo Square, the Cathedral, the traditional Mayo Avenue, the Congress Square, and many other buildings and palaces of special architectural, historical and cultural value.
Your tour continues with a visit to the old San Telmo, residence of the 'portena' aristocracy until the end of the XIX century, Caminito Street in La Boca - a colorful neighborhood of Italian immigrants, and the recently recycled area of Puerto Madero. On Sundays the tour includes a stop over at the San Telmo fair.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Argentinean Fiesta Gaucha |
8 hours |
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This is a visit to a typical 'Estancia' (Ranch) of the Argentinean wet pampas, one of the most fertile natural prairies of the world and famous for its meat and cereal production.
Guests will be received with local Argentinean food - 'empanadas', 'asado', fine Argentinean wines and will be able to enjoy folkloric songs and dances and a show of Creole skill. On Sundays the tour includes a stop over at the San Telmo fair.
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Patagonia Museum "Francisco P. Moreno"
Inaugurated by Parques Nacionales in 1940, the museum is located at the east end of the Centro Cívico.
It was named after Francisco P. Moreno, who explored the Andes and Patagonian rivers, and donated to the government the lands which were to become Argentina's first National Park (see information on Nahuel Huapi National Park).
The museum's first director was Enrique Artayeta. Parques Nacionales acquired the museum's first anthropological and historical collection, which has since increased along with the findings of researchers.
There are various sections, including natural history, prehistory, ethnography and regional history. There is also a Temporary Exhibition room, a public library containing some 3000 books, a Design and Research Department, a collection storeroom and a theater. The museum is administrated by the National Parks superintendence and supported by Asociación Amigos del Museo -Friends of the Museum Association- which has existed since 1985.
The "Centro Cívico"
Inaugurated on March 17, 1940, this was Argentina's first civic center. Designed by architect E. de Estrada, it was built from "ciprés" and "alerce" wood and stone quarried from Carbón mountain. A monument to Julio A. Roca stands in the center of the square. The Centro Cívico was declared a National Monument in 1987. The square is surrounded by buildings hosting the Police Station, the ex-post office and ex-customs offices (now an exhibition salon), the Offices of the Municipal Secretariat of Tourism, the Town Hall, Museum and Sarmiento Library. There is a large clock in the Town Hall tower. When it strikes 12 noon and 6 p.m., 4 figures that represent the area appear: an Indian, a missionary, a "conquistador" and a laborer.
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