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BARILOCHE
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
 | Edelweiss  |
Score 8.375 from 21 reviews | | Av. San Martin 202 |  |
| The 5-star Edelweiss welcomes you in downtown Bariloche, offering spacious, bright rooms facing the Nahuel Hupai Lake and snow-covered mountains.
Ranging between 20 m² and 30 m², the classic and superior rooms feature exclusive design, spacious bathroom, very comfortable beds, flat-screen cable TV and other luxurious amenities.
As a guest of Edelweiss, your days start with a varied breakfast buffet. At lunch and dinner times, drop by La Tavola Restaurant to enjoy the best of Argentinean cuisine and wineries.
A gym and indoor pool with great mountain views also available on site. At an additional cost, you can spoil yourself in the spa, which is open between 04:30 PM and 09:00 PM. ... more | | |
 | Kenton Palace Hotel  |
Score 7.85 from 32 reviews | | Morales, 338 | |
| The Kenton Palace Hotel offers an excellent location in downtown Bariloche, next to the Civic Center and a few meters from the Mitre Avenue and Nahuel Huapi Lake.
As a guest of this 4-star hotel, you are invited to relax in the spa, where Jacuzzis, sauna, Scottish showers, massages, gym and beauty treatments are found.
Next to the impressive lobby, you will also find a bar and the Araucaria Restaurant, which serves international dishes and regional specialties, such as Carpaccio de Ciervo, Trucha and Marmite de Ciervo.
The hotel’s suites have beautiful lake views and are 45 m² in size, including a Jacuzzi and a spacious living room.
The superior and standard rooms are about 29 m² and 20 m², respectively. ... more | | |
 | Pestana Bariloche Ski & Golf Hotel |
Score 0 from 0 reviews | | Rota 82, next to the lake | |
| This upscale boutique hotel offers a golf course and many leisure options in a green area surrounded by mountains. Downtown Bariloche and Cerro Catedral can be reached within 15 minutes by car.
Guests staying in the Pestana Bariloche Ski & Golf Hotel can work out in the gym, play tennis and squash, and relax in the sauna or in the indoor pool.
A Kids Club, horse riding, canoeing, boat rides, trekking and other activities are also provided by the hotel. In the winter, an exclusive transportation to the Cerro Catedral’s ski station is available as well. ... more | | |
 | Villa SofÃa Resort & Spa |
Score 7.95 from 68 reviews | | Av. de los Pioneros 200 | |
| Villa SofÃa Resort is located in Bariloche, a 10-minute walk from the town centre. The hotel has a well-equipped gym and spa. Wi-Fi and a generous breakfast are included.
The hotel has a range of comfortable and spacious rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. There is an indoor swimming pool and garden.
Villa SofÃa Resort and Spa has an onsite restaurant, serving traditional Patagonian dishes.
Free parking is available. Nahuel Huapi Lake is a short walk away. Villa Sofia is located 18 km from Cerro Cathedral and 14 km from the airport. ... more | | |
 | Blue Tree Bariloche |
Score 7.8 from 92 reviews | | Calle San MartÃn 441 | |
| The 4-star Blue Tree Bariloche is an upscale hotel situated close to the Nahuel Huapi Lake, the Civic Center and the Bartolomé Mitre Street, some of the city’s main attractions.
In addition to comfortable, well-equipped rooms, the Blue Tree offers a welcoming bar and restaurant with tasteful decoration and the best of Patagonian cuisine.
Guests of this hotel are also invited to enjoy the on-site sauna and gym, as well as to unwind and surf the net for free in the cozy lobby. ... more | | |
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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 CÃvico.
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.
| Buenos Aires by Night - Tango Show |
4 hours |
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The night life in Buenos Aires is famous worldwide because of all the variety of entertainment it has to offer to its residents as well as to visitors. A night out in Buenos Aires is next to none in entertainment value and variety, there is something for everyone, all in a safe and vibrant environment.
Enjoy a TANGO show that will contribute to make your stay in this magical city unforgettable.
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.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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The "Centro CÃvico"
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 CÃvico 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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