Argentina: Salta an overview - Part 1

Home to some of Argentina’s best colonial architecture, this wild westerly outpost makes the perfect base for touring one of the world’s highest wine regions.

While Argentina’s north-western Salta Province beguiles visitors with its wild scenery, high-altitude vineyards and Andean traditions, its laid-back capital, the city of Salta has only recently emerged on the tourist map. Peppered with cultural institutions and colonial relics dating back to the Incas, from oil paintings and textiles to mummies, Salta’s compact centre is ideal for exploring on foot. Soak up the regions landscape and the wine its unique terroir for Torrontes - a light, sweet white that thrives in the dry windswept climate. Celebrated during February and March the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, where you can take Part in the harvest celebrations, is a wonderful reason to visit.

The Museum of High Mountain archaeology focuses on the 1999 discovery of three Inca mummies on the summit of Liullalaico, a stratovolcano straddling the Argentina-Chile border. Uptown, it’s easy to lose an hour browsing the displays of indigenous artefacts at Museo Pajcha. Neoclassical architectural high lights include Salta’s Cathy pink cathedral, which dominates Plaza 9 de Julio, the city’s leafy main square, and the nearby church of San Francisco, with its 53m belfry.

To stretch your legs climb the 1000 steps up to San Bernardo Hill, just east of the centre, for fine views.

Guests are welcomed to Legado Mitico boutique hotel with a glass of wine in its cozy reading room. , consists of 11 rooms, elegantly restored colonial townhouse.

A few blocks north, the wine-themed Delvino boutique hotel has a lovely garden pool and an atmospheric in-house wine bar.
If your taste is a luxurious style cottage style hotel, then 10 min drive from the airport you will find Finca Valentina and next door there is a Chateux hotel spa as well.

Salteno cuisine has deep roots in Andean culture, and tradition guides very mouthful. Locals believe the empanada was invented in Salta, and while these stuffed baked pastries are ubiquitous. For those with a sweet tooth you should not miss the dulce de leche ice cream, As evening falls, Saltenos congregate at cafes around the main square.

Visiting Saltas allow a day to tour the cellars of Cafayate which boasts superb views across the valley along with a lovely torrontes and some seriously quaffable reads, is a must! !