For a Half Day

Tigre: A pleasant day trip from Buenos Aires, Tigre is a pretty town on an island in the Paraná Delta, just 30km (19 miles) away. The focus of activity is at the River Terminal (the Estación Fluvial) from where you can take a boat trip on the waterways of the Paraná Delta and even stop off for a stroll along the leafy lanes on some of the islands. Those wanting an adrenaline rush will not be disappointed - one of Latin America's largest amusement parks, Parque de la Costa, Vivanco 1509 (tel: (011) 4002 6000; website: www.parquedelacosta.com.ar), is here. Only a few blocks away from the station is the daily Puerto de Frutos (fruit market), which is now a market for local handicrafts. Trains leave from Buenos Aires' Retiro Station (Linea Mitre) regularly and the journey takes 45 minutes. For more of a scenic ride change at Olivos and take the Tren de la Costa (tel: (011) 4002 6000; website: www.trendelacosta.com.ar). You can obtain more information from the Tigre Tourist Office, Calle Mitre 305 (tel: (011) 4512 4400; website: www.tigre.gov.ar). Travel Line Argentina and other tour companies offer full-day excursions to Tigre and the Paraná Delta (see Bus Tours in Tours of the City). Alternatively, take a taxi.

For a Whole Day

San Antonio de Areco: Around 100km (60 miles) from the city, San Antonio de Areco is a rustic town with leafy streets that trades on its gaucho heritage. Gauchos are, or were, the Argentine cowboys who work on the estancias (cattle ranches) of the Pampas. The gaucho traditions have almost entirely died out, except where maintained for the benefit of tourists. There are many souvenir shops selling mainly gaucho handicrafts made from leather, silver and ceramics and the town has preserved many of the stone paved streets, mansions and buildings from the 19th century. One of these buildings is now the Museo Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes, which recreates a traditional estancia, complete with gaucho artefacts. Better still is a visit to a real estancia. Nearby Los Dos Hermanos, (tel: (011) 4765 4320; website: www.estancialosdoshermanos.com) provides a warm welcome to visitors on day trips, but bookings are essential. Horseriding is the real reason to visit, although sulkys (traditional, horse-drawn carriages) are available for those who don't want to ride. There's a lovely swimming pool and a hearty barbecue lunch is included on day trips.
  
Buses to San Antonio de Areco leave daily from Plaza Once and the Retiro bus terminal and the journey takes two hours. The Areco Tourist Office, Calle Arellano 115 (tel: (02325) 1565 8300; website: www.arecoturismo.com.ar), can provide more information. Several tour companies (see Bus Tours in Tours of the City) offer day trips to estancias close to Buenos Aires, as does the online company Estancias Travel (tel: (11) 4315 8084. website: www.estanciastravel.com).