Lakeside Tourist Paradise,

Villa Rumipal, Cordoba, Argentina

By Roy Heale

Tercero River Reservoir

During the Argentine summer months of December, January, and February many tourists turn to the outdoors for leisure activities under the hot sun and during the warm days. The Calamuchita Valley in the Sierras of Cordoba Province is one of the most well known tourist destinations with those who enjoy lakeside outdoor activities.

Villa Rumipal is one of the workers settlements established during the construction of the Tercero River dam during the first half of the twentieth century. The closest city is Santa Rosa de Calamuchita, located just seventeen kilometers away. The sleepy small town with tree-lined quiet streets is peaceful, relaxing, and offers a full range of activities in and around the lake.

Quiet Tree Lined Streets

Nestled on the shore of the very large Tercero River Reservoir and including several waterways which contribute to this vast lake, this is a place where boating, fishing, swimming, and more water sports prevail in the crystal clear waters. El Torreón and Corcovados Beaches are the most popular and offer a range of activities.

The climate is ideal for outdoor life, including events such as the Lake Provincial Festival and its traditional swim across the lake, the Criollo Holy Week, the endurance championships, plus model airplanes tournaments with radio controlled flights. These are all memorable events for visitors throughout the year.

Posada Chapaq Nan

Lago Hotel

Villa Rumipal has a lakeside camping site, numerous cabin rentals, and two new hotels (Lago Hotel and Posada Chapaq Nan) near the waterfront plus several local cafes and restaurants offering Argentine specialty dishes. It is recommended to book early due to the immense popularity in the summer months and the limited number of accommodations available.

Local Restaurants

Enjoy this summer playground situated beside one of the regions largest lakes.

Oktoberfest Celebrations in Argentina?

Villa General Belgrano, Cordoba

Villa General Belgrano

By Roy Heale

Reputedly the third largest celebrations of Oktoberfest outside of Germany can be found in the small central Argentine town of Villa General Belgrano of the province of Cordoba.

This small mountain hamlet of approximately six thousand residents is named after Manuel Belgrano, the creator of the National flag, and is perched on a hillside of the Sierras of Córdoba. Founded in 1930, by two German land speculators, the Alpine quality of the village attracted immigrants from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria.

Local Beer Gardens

Newcomers to the village, along with the original settlers, landscaped the mountain ranges with red-roofed, wood-frame homes, microbreweries, pastry and chocolate shops imparting that unique Bavarian style which distinguishes it today. Now pedestrians enjoy the magical Bavarian atmosphere as they stroll around the scenic townsite.

Bavarian Architecture

The village economy flourishes on a year round steady flow of tourists (peaking in October) with an appetite for German delicacies like apple strudel, leberwurst and spätzle plus of course local brewed beer.

Newsstands sell the German language weekly Argentinisches Tageblatt among other German newspapers, and some of the churches offer Sunday services in German and Spanish. Like many isolated immigrant communities, Villa General Belgrano has respected traditions that fell out of favor in Germany long ago, however even though the mother tongue can still be heard, it is being lost with the passage of time.

Entrance To Festival Grounds

For more than fifty years Argentina's National Beer Festival has been held in the district of Villa General Belgrano, thus commemorating the German celebration of Oktoberfest. This event is celebrated during eleven intense days in the Beer Park---a central venue especially designed for the occasion. The attendants drink several liters of beer, which are served in giant German mugs. The main beer brands, both national and international, take part in this traditional festival, in which their premium, regular and special products are promoted at various stands. At certain times, the celebration moves into the center of the city, where there is a parade of the communities that have contributed to the formation of the present European identity of Villa General Belgrano. Thus, delegations from Germany, Denmark, Scotland, Spain, the Canary Islands, Yugoslavia, Sweden, Portugal, Brazil, Greece, Italy, Armenia and Ukraine show off their traditional costumes, expanding the cultural spectrum of the festival.

In the afternoons, the simultaneous opening of the beer barrels is carried out. People gather with their mugs held out trying to get some of the free spurts of beer. According to tradition, drinking the beer from those barrels is supposed to bring people good luck.

Opening of the Kegs

The pagan ritual which became known as Oktoberfest originated in Munich, Germany, five centuries ago, in which worshipers believe in the sparkling goddess that enters the body like an icy stream as she takes hold of the spirit. Argentina welcomes the continuance of this long standing German tradition upheld in the natural beauty of the Sierras de Cordoba.

Find some lederhosen and head to Villa General Belgrano in October for a traditional beer festival and fun times in a European atmosphere.

Hotel Urbano---Vacation on the River at Carmelo, Uruguay

Hotel Urbano, Carmelo, Uruguay

By Roy Heale

Nestled along the banks of the Arroyo de las Vacas river creek, Carmelo is a small town located in western Uruguay, noted for its wineries, beaches, and laid back lifestyle. The river runs along the east and south part of the city and serves as a port for the town. On its north bank there is the Puerto Carmelo-Tigre, where small catamaran boats carry passengers across the Río de la Plata to Argentina.

Relaxed Lifestyle

A swing bridge, the Puente Giratorio de Carmelo, which opened on May 1st 1912, passes over the river joining the north part of the city with its small southern community. Here another port along the southern banks of the river hosts a marina for private boats plus the CarmeloYacht Club. Along the coast there is the extensive white sandy beach Playa Seré, a large green space park with picnic areas and parillas (BBQs) for public use, a small zoological garden, and a Casino Hotel. It is here where every day the locals enjoy long sessions of drinking mate while sport fishing in order to catch bogas and pejerreyes from some of the breakwaters which go hundreds of meters deep into the waters.

Playa Seré Beach

Another attraction is the mouth of the Las Vacas waterway where numerous sports watercrafts and sailing boats traverse the area to enter Carmelo. The yacht pier and the nautical campsite, where it is possible to camp by the river, are distinctive and popular.

Independence Square

There are two main plazas in the city. One is Plaza Artigas, with a monument to the foundation of the city in 1816, the church Templo Histórico del Carmen plus the city museum and archive. The other, more central, Independence Square---also known as Sculptures Square---is the commercial hub of the city. The main business street is 19 de Avril, which connects at the south end with the bridge to the southern shores.

Puente Giratorio

In this small resort town there are two choices for your accommodations. One is in the resort community by the river beaches and the other is in the heart of the small downtown. The Hotel Urbano is the perfect choice on a quiet side street in the downtown area. It is just a couple of blocks from the Main Plaza Indepencia which is the heart of the city. This modern, bright and clean hotel offers almost twenty spacious rooms in different sizes and sleeping configurations. There are singles, doubles, triples, superiors, and suites to select the ideal size for your own requirements. On the second level there is a large outdoor patio and sun deck to spend those quiet moments. The main floor lobby café/bar offers a complete buffet breakfast with pastries, breads, fruits, juices, coffee, tea, ham, cheeses and more. There is also a relaxing street level outdoor patio for those who like to dine or sit outside. Rooms are reasonably priced and the buffet breakfast is included. This ideal hotel is a great home away from home when visiting the beautiful and historic town of Carmelo.

 

Hotel Urbano Café

 

Second Floor Terrace

Spacious Rooms

During the summer months this is a very popular outdoor destination for Argentines and Uruguayans who want to escape the big city heat and bustle to relax in the tranquil country atmosphere. Inexpensive catamaran ferries operate daily by Cacciola from Tigre, Argentina to Carmelo and provide an extremely enjoyable 2.5 hours passage through the Rio de la Plata Delta islands.

 

Cacciola  Ferry

For More Information:

http://www.carmelohotelurbano.com

 

www.welcomeuruguay.com/carmelo/index_i.html

www.cacciolaviajes.com

 

Nuvo Hotel, Calgary, Canada

 Nuvo Hotel Suites

 

 

 

By Roy Heale

In the heart of Calgary's downtown is the trendy residential community known as the Beltline where comfortable and safe urban living is a recognised characteristic of the neighbourhood. Modern new high rise apartments blend with older historic buildings and everything architecturally in between to form a truly pleasant living environment for those who want to be close to the downtown commercial district. Naturally, this community is home to several new boutique hotels for the convenience of business and leisure travellers who want to share this urban experience. One of the most popular is the stylish Nuvo Hotel Suites which is perfect for a short visit to Calgary or an extended stay in the city.

This small boutique hotel is in an ideal location to walk a few blocks to the downtown business sector of Calgary, or the trendy and renowned 17th Avenue entertainment district. The suites are spacious and well appointed with all amenities including a kitchen for simple meals in your room. This is particularly good as the hotel is located just across from a Safeway supermarket with a great take-out deli section. There is a small work station area for a computer enabling guests to keep in touch while traveling. The staff are very efficient, friendly and helpful. Some parking is available but needs to be reserved in advance of arrival if possible. They offer free high speed WiFi and long distance calling within North America. Some units even have their own washer and dryer for the convenience of those on long term stays.

At Nuvo Hotel Suites, the guests' comfort is a top priority and as a unique Calgary boutique hotel catering to a multitude of needs, they strive to provide an affordable, comfortable and convenient experience.

All of the hotel suites offer a spacious queen bed, with a top of the line mattress. If you require more sleeping areas, rooms are available with pull-out couches or a second bed. The property is a 100% non-smoking facility to protect the guests' health and comfort during their stay. Impressive value is available in this exceptional downtown Calgary hotel which offers executive suites displaying unique artwork and contemporary furnishings.

Many local attractions are nearby, including the Saddledome, the Calgary Tower and the Calgary Stampede Fairgrounds. After a day of perusing the city's offerings and exhibits, guests enjoy the multitude of dining and shopping options in close proximity to their Calgary accommodations. Some balcony rooms are available with a view of the breathtaking Calgary skyline, and all the rooms have windows which open to allow fresh air to circulate. Those traveling for business purposes will appreciate the complimentary Internet and phone services, and the automatic coffee maker available in each room offers the perfect beginning to your day in the privacy of your own room. Numerous local restaurants and bars, shopping amenities, recreational facilities and cultural experiences are easily accessible from Element Hotel. Just a few short blocks from the hotle is The 17^th Avenue Entertainment District which is recognised as the heart of Calgary for dining and shopping.

Some Local Dining Options Include:

* Balo Vietnamese Restaurant

* The King and I

* Brewsters 11th ave

* Ric's Grill

* Janice Beaton Fine Cheese and The Farm Restaurant

* Laurier Lounge

* Bonterra Trattoria

* The Coup + Meet

* Bumpy's Cafe

* Nellie's Cosmic Cafe

* Blowfish Sushi

Nuvo Hotel Suites offers the unique combination of contemporary styling, modern connectivity, and sophisticated, stylish decor to make your stay easier and more enjoyable. The friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to help you with everything from a local restaurant recommendation to a last-minute photocopy need.

Facilities of NUVO Hotel Suites: 

Bedroom: Alarm clock, Wardrobe/Closet, Extra Long Beds (> 2 metres)

Kitchen: Dishwasher, Microwave, Coffee machine, Kitchenware, Refrigerator, Oven, Stovetop, Toaster, Kitchen

Living Area: Seating Area

Media & Technology: Radio, Cable Channels, iPod dock, Flat-screen TV, Telephone

Food & Drink: Breakfast in the room

Internet: Free WiFi is available in the hotel rooms

Parking: Guest parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs CAD 18 per day.

Services: Express check-in/check-out, Laundry, Fax/photocopying

General: Non-smoking rooms, Family rooms, Heating, Allergy-free room, Non-smoking throughout, Air conditioning, Fan, Ironing Facilities, Iron

This is an affordable boutique hotel option in a perfect Calgary downtown location providing spacious, reasonably priced accommodations for short or extended visits.

For More Information Visit:

www.nuvohotelsuites.com

Great Boutique Hotel in Beltline Community

Hotel Elan, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

By Roy Heale

In the heart of downtown Calgary the trendy, residential community known as the Beltline is close to the business center of the city plus the hip restaurants, clubs, and boutiques of the 17^th Avenue Entertainment District. For this reason a number of boutique hotels have recently located themselves in this area providing accommodation options for business and leisure visitors to Calgary. Perhaps the newest addition is the Hotel Elan which opened in June 2013 after an extensive period of renovations converting an apartment building into luxury suites for discriminating travellers.

Spacious Living Area

At Hotel Elan no detail is overlooked when it comes to comfort, luxury, and space. From the custom designed bathroom fixtures to the stylish furniture that has been imported directly from Italy, each suite has been created to make your stay unlike any other hotel you’ve ever experienced in Calgary. This is the only boutique hotel in Calgary to offer combined accommodation and private in-suite meeting spaces designed specifically for business travellers but also appreciated by vacationers to the city.

Large Bedrooms

Situated just one block from Calgary’s renowned Uptown 17th Avenue SW, Hotel Elan is in a vibrant part of the City that is home to over 200 boutique shops as well as numerous restaurants, lounges, and pubs. The downtown business district is just a short walk from the hotel. If you have your own vehicle, you can enjoy the benefits of their heated, secure underground parkade for a moderate nightly cost. It is also situated in the heart of the car-2-go zone---Calgary’s newest mode of transportation.

Hotel Elan has been designed to make you feel pampered and well looked after whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure.

Balconies For A View

Hotel Amenities:

Suites:

All suites offer meeting spaces for 4-6 people

•47″ flat screen TV in the meeting space/living room

•Complimentary High Speed Internet – Secure Wireless and Hard Wired

•Complimentary, unlimited calls anywhere in North America

•Natural light with access to a private outdoor balcony

Fitness Centre:

•Google map enabled treadmill – you can go for a run on a wide variety of trails all over the world

•Elliptical trainer

•Recumbant Bike

•Weight machines

•Bosu Ball

•Stretching area with free weights

Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast Buffet

•Delicious, fresh, and healthy breakfast offered weekday mornings from 7:00am to 10:00am and weekends from 8:00am to 11:00am

The spacious rooms and suites offer the perfect combination of contemporary style and thoughtful functionality. The simple elegance of this boutique hotel will ensure that you stay in comfort and style. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, you’ll find everything you need.

Well Appointed Kitchens

Room Amenities:

•Complimentary Dedicated 15 MB secured wireless and hard wired internet access for the most secure highspeed connection in each room

•Multi-layered walls that provide incredible soundproofing between all rooms and halls to ensure a restful and quiet night’s sleep

•Luxurious pillow top mattresses

•Italian furnishings throughout the bedrooms

•Thermostatic temperature control water valves in all showers to ensure the perfect water temperature every time

•Heated floors and toilet seats in all bathrooms for added comfort

•Dimmable light fixtures in every room ultimate lighting control

•Windows that tilt open in every suite

•All suites have bedrooms separate from the living/meeting space

•All rooms and suites have Lavazza Luxury Italian Coffee brewed in a Cuisine Art machine

•Complimentary local and North America wide calling

•Wake up call system that guests can use to set their own alarm each day

•iPod and iPad dock

•Luxurious contemporary sofas in suites

 

Convenient Work Areas

 

So whatever the reason for your visit to Calgary the Hotel Elan is sure to please and satisfy every travellers needs. The ultimate luxury of the heated toilet seats is truly unique and very welcome on a cold winter Calgary day!

For More Information Visit: http://hotelelan.ca

Gay Pride 2013 Mendoza, Argentina

Photos from Gay Pride in Mendoza, Argentina from Saturday December 7th., 2013 provided by: Modigliani Art and Design Suites---the best gay accommodations in Mendoza.

 

Argentina's National Flower Festival Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Floral City Park, Escobar, Argentina

 

 

 

By Roy Heale

Anyone who has wandered the streets of Buenos Aires would probably have noticed the countless flower vendors offering their remarkably fresh blooms at very low prices. This phenomenon is due to the fact that Escobar---the so called Flower Capital of Argentina---is just under a one hour drive from the heart of Buenos Aires facilitating reasonable prices and fresh supply.

Floral Displays

Celebrating spring each year Escobar hosts the National Flower Festival and this year marks the 50^th Anniversary of this fiesta. Starting at the end of September and for the first two weeks of October visitors to the park known as Floral City can enjoy floral displays, lush grounds, and of course Argentine specialty foods including fresh fruits and a variety of meats cooked on a large outdoor Parilla----BBQ.

Fresh Fruit Sundaes

Outdoor Parilla

The last Saturday includes a parade of floral floats in the evening with the reigning Queen of the National Flower Festival presiding over the celebrations.

Visitors travel from all over Argentina to celebrate spring and you might even see gauchos---cowboys---from the Pampas in traditional costumes. Entertainment stages offer local folklore dancers in costume and regional musicians playing Spanish favorite tunes.

Gauchos From The Pampas

There is a nominal admission charge to help offset the Festival costs but an afternoon strolling around the park and enjoying magnificent spring flowers, trees, and shrubs is priceless!

The town of Escobar is easily reached from Buenos Aires by local buses and the journey takes just less than one hour. From the heart of Escobar a short inexpensive taxi ride will take visitors to the park.

So if you happen to visit the city of Buenos Aires at the launch of Spring, then be sure to take some time to stop and smell the roses!

For More Information Visit: www.fiestadelaflor.org.ar

Gay Friendly Vacation Cottage Rentals, Vaqueros, Salta, Argentina

Peaceful Vaqueros, Salta, Argentina

By Roy Heale

Located in the foothills of the Andes at 4000'above sea level, Vaqueros is a small country village at the northern edge of the city of Salta, Argentina. With a resident population of about 4000 persons, here you will see traditional Argentina Gauchos (cowboys) on horseback making their way around the hamlet, enjoy a small town atmosphere and great low prices in restaurants or local shops.

Vaqueros Town Center

Visitors can experience horseback riding on the mountain trails, hiking around the hillsides, or take a guided quadricycle tour. Or you can stroll along the trail of the Artisans, a circuit to appreciate popular local arts and crafts fabricated in wood, leather, clay and wool.

Gay-friendly accommodations are available located just 100 meters from the river and about the same distance from the village center. Luis Pezzini offers traditional Argentine cottages with all amenities from US$50 per night and they sleep up to four adults. With digital TV, WiFi, heating, and comfortable furnishings these living quarters are perfect for a country get-away and yet remain close to the city of Salta.

Comfortable Cottages

There is regular bus service (about every 15 minutes) to the city or a remise ride for about US$5.00 to downtown Salta. Your host is also very knowledgeable on the local area and can help with outdoor activities or tour advice.

Save money and enjoy the low cost of living in Vaqueros while you enjoy the beautiful North West Argentina vacation attractions and the historic city of Salta. Find out why they call this Salta La Linda ---Salta The Beautiful!

For More Information Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/alquila.ensalta 

or email: luisunide@gmail.com