Argentina is a country for both adventurers and romantics.

It is rugged, spirited, and extreme. It is sophisticated, elegant and glorious.

The 10-day sample itinerary here incorporates Buenos Aires, Bariloche and Patagonia. It would be easy to remove either Bariloche or Patagonia in order to substitute Mendoza or Iguazu Falls (for example), or add more time in Buenos Aires. These areas could also be incorporated into this itinerary if you have more than 10 days.

Day 1: Explore Buenos Aires

Fly into the Ezeiza International Airport where your driver will be waiting to bring you into the lively city of Buenos Aires. First, check into your hotel and drop your bags. Then head to the Museo Evita Restaurant for lunch. The restaurant’s patio is a unique outdoor space with lots of greenery.

After lunch your guide will take you on a private walking tour of Buenos Aires. You’ll learn about the Plaza de Mayo and the historic events that happened here. You’ll stroll through the cobbled streets of the oldest residential neighborhood in the city, San Telmo and browse its many antique shops. You’ll enjoy the dancers on Caminito street in the lively, colorful neighborhood of La Boca.

Then you’ll tour Puerto Madero and its upscale restaurants and tall office buildings. You’ll pass through the Retiro and Palermo neighborhoods to reach Recoleta. In the renowned Recoleta Cemetery you will find the eternal resting place of Eva Perón (Evita). The cemetery is a must-see, whether with a guide or on your own!

This evening you’ll go to La Ventana in the heart of the San Telmo district. In this well-known venue you’ll experience traditional tango and folklore on stage while enjoying typical Argentine dishes and wines.

You will have your pick of many incredible hotels in Buenos Aires. There is definitely something for everyone: various sizes, styles, and budgets! To show you the variety I’m highlighting two very different properties here.

The 5* Palacio Duhau is a gorgeous Park Hyatt hotel in the Recoleta district. The building dates back to 1932, and was privately owned by a family until 2002. The rooms are quite large (entry-level rooms start at 355-430 square feet), the outdoor gardens are stunning, and there is a surprising underground art gallery.

In trendy Palermo Soho you’ll find the 4* Jardin Escondido by Coppola. This is in the collection of The Family Coppola Hideaways. Francis Ford Coppola himself lived in this building while filming Tetro. There are only 7 rooms, and they each feel warm and inviting with hand-woven rugs and alpaca blankets. There is a pool in the courtyard, and although the hotel does not have a restaurant, hotel guests enjoy daily breakfast in the lounge and Coppola wines in the bar.

Day 2: Life on an Estancia

Today you will experience an authentic day in the countryside in San Antonio de Areco! The drive to San Antonio de Areco is about 1.5-2 hours, and takes you through the incredible Argentine Pampas. The Pampas are vast grasslands, and home to many estancias (ranches).

You’ll start with a walking tour of the historic village of San Antonio de Areco dating back to the early 18th century. Here you’ll get a glimpse into gaucho (cowboy) life with shops displaying fine silver and leather work by local artisans continuing these traditions. And while we typically think of Spanish and Italian immigrants making up much of Argentina, you may be surprised to learn that many Irish people also entered Argentina throughout the 1800s. Inside the town’s main church you will find many Irish family names on a list of those who helped build the church.

After the tour you will make your way to the exclusive El Ombu de Areco Estancia. Here you’ll have an opportunity to ride horses, then enjoy a typical country-style barbecue with the country’s finest meats. After lunch you’ll be treated to a special folklore show and a demonstration of traditional gaucho skills of horse riding and lassoing.

Day 3: Arrival in Bariloche

This morning your driver brings you to the airport for your 2-hour flight to the charming town of Bariloche in Northern Patagonia. This is one area of the country that sees all four seasons. So activities here will vary based on the time of year. You can find world-class skiing and snow-boarding at Catedral Alta Patagonia (July to September is peak season). Outside of winter months, you can still take the chairlift up to the top of Cerro Catedral for stunning views. And throughout Bariloche you will find hiking, horseback riding, fishing and more.

Bariloche offers beautiful hotels and lodges at various price points. The 5-star Llao Llao Resort is probably the most known, and most exclusive. It features heated indoor and outdoor pools, 18 holes of golf, spa and health club with sauna, a beach, a marina, and five restaurants. It offers tons of activities for the whole family: water sports on the lake, tennis, archery lessons, guided walks, mountain biking, and more.

A fabulous 4-star option is the Rochester Bariloche which also offers a heated indoor-outdoor pool, and spa with saunas. The Rochester has spacious suites and lofts, all of which have kitchenettes and stunning lakeside views. This is an incredible property at an incredible value.

Day 3: Bariloche Adventure

For travelers looking for an extra-special adventure, today you’ll experience the wonders of paragliding! No experience is required as you glide through the sky in tandem with your specially trained guide.

If paragliding is not for you, there are many other activities to take part in on the ground. Visit the town of Bariloche, take a walk to waterfalls, join a kite surfing lesson, get in a classic car for a tour of the region, or enjoy a private picnic with breathtaking views.

Day 4: Moreno Lake

Today your kayaking excursion begins when your guide picks you up for the drive to Lake Moreno in the Llao Llao Natural Reserve (if you are staying at the Llao Llao Resort, you can begin at its private beach). Your guide will have you paddling through beautiful forests, with magnificent views of Lopez, Capilla, and Catedral Mountains. You’ll arrive at a beach such as Playa de los Juncos for snacks and a rest. You can spend some time relaxing on the beach or swimming in the lake. Then you’ll paddle your way back to the vehicle. Once you’re back at your hotel, take the afternoon to relax at the pool or spa.

Day 5: Arrival in El Calafate

Spend a leisurely morning at your hotel before your driver arrives to bring you to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. El Calafate is strategically located between El Chaltén and Torres del Paine, and known as the gateway to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.

Your driver will meet you at the airport and bring you to your hotel. Once you’ve had your lunch and checked in, you’ll be picked up and taken to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, about an hour’s drive. Here you’ll board a catamaran for a “nautical safari” on Lago Argentino. From the boat, you’ll have amazing views of the glaciers this area is known for. You’ll disembark at the footbridges of the famous Perito Moreno Glacier at about 5:30pm, by which time most visitors will have left, so the experience will be even better!

There are many lodging options in the town of El Calafate and some estancias nearby. One is the 4-star Hotel Kosten Aike, located right in the town center and walkable to various shops and restaurants. The alpine-style building is all wood, and inside you’ll find handmade textiles, ironwork and paintings by local artisans.

Day 6: Arrival in Torres del Paine

The next morning you will take either a car or bus. The bus ride is about 3 hours south to Puerto Natales in Chilean Patagonia. This is a port city, the center of adventure tourism for the region, and the port for boats cruising the fjords. Puerto Natales is also considered the gateway to Torres del Paine.

You will be staying at Patagonia Camp, located on the shores of Lake Toro in Torres del Paine. If you’re taking a car, you can drive straight to the camp. If you’re taking a bus, Patagonia Camp will pick you up in Puerto Natales. This is a luxury camp with 20 deluxe yurts of various sizes. You will feel connected to your surroundings, but not lacking for anything. The bathrooms are a bit small, but the yurts themselves are spacious, have private terraces, and some offer jacuzzis. The camp works hard to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible.

Rates vary between shoulder season (Sept/Oct and Apr/May) and high season (Nov-Mar), and are per person. Rates include your yurt, all meals, house wines and standard liquors, a variety of daily shared excursions with guides and entrance fees to Torres del Paine National Park, and transfers to/from Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas.

Day 7: Torres del Paine

Patagonia Camp excursions are varied by activity, duration and level of difficulty. Today, you might choose a moderate hike of about 13 km, lasting about 5 hours. You’ll begin near Laguna Verde and wind your way through forests towards Paine Massif. You’ll hike through valleys and canyons, spotting frogs and ducks and various birds such as woodpeckers and condors. Upon reaching the Onda Lagoon you’ll have a wonderful view over Calafate Lake, the Baugales Mountain range, the Contreras Mountains and the imposing Cuernos del Paine. You’ll head west where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, and then continue to the Toro lookout for another spectacular view.

Day 8: Torres del Paine

Today, choose one of the camp’s “extras", a zodiac trip on the Serrano River. You’ll first take a 20-minute car ride to Puerto Chaltén where you’ll be given a special suit. You’ll set off on the Serrano River toward Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, enjoying magnificent mountain views along the way. You’ll disembark at Puerto Toro for a short walk to the viewpoint of the Serrano glacier and the lagoon full of floating ice. Enjoy a typical barbecue lunch, and head back to Puerto Chaltén.

Note: Extras are not included in Patagonia Camp rates and incur extra fees.

Day 9: Arrival in El Calafate

On your last morning at Patagonia Camp, you may choose to take a 2-hour self-guided walk to Los Azures Viewpoint. Or you may want to take the 90-minute hike to Toro waterfall.

Patagonia Camp will then bring you to Puerto Natales for your bus ride back to El Calafate, or you can take a car straight to El Calafate. This time, you’ll stay at the Imago Hotel & Spa so you can take advantage of a relaxing massage this evening after several days of hiking and trekking.

Day 10: Return Home

This morning your driver picks you up for your quick trip to the airport. You’ll take a flight through Buenos Aires, and then home. If you think you’d like more time in Buenos Aires, we can arrange a couple extra nights - there’s certainly a lot to see and do in this city! Or you can think about all the things you want to see and do on your next trip to Argentina!