Argentina by Train - From Buenos Aires to Rufino - Laboulaye

Laboulage is in the Cordoba province right across the border from Santa Fe where Rufino is. It was named after a Frenchman who never stepped in Argentine soil, but was friends with President Sarmiento.

It is also the end of the railway line for cargo trains and not passenger trains, so I had to take a taxi to make it there which cost me double of what I paid for the train ride.

Cordoba province has a different pace from Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, in the sense that people are less preoccupied in making money and have a more tranquil way of life.

The town is quite picturesque except for the amount of mosquitoes that abound. I spent Saturday and Sunday and went back Sunday evening to Rufino to catch the train back.

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Day Trip Cuesta Blanca

Another interesting place to visit for the day is Cuesta Blanca which is only 50 clicks away from Cordoba Capital.

It has a main river with cute waterfalls that can be used as natural swimming pools with sand beaches.

Also there is a trail which is called "Sendero Bosquecito Serrano" which runs for two kilometers and brings you to a hill where you can see the surrounding areas and then down to the beaches, all while enjoying local flora and fauna.
 

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Day Trip to Alta Gracia - The Lourdes Sanctuary

While in Alta Gracia there is another place worth walking to. Its The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes which stands at the other side of the city looking from the main square.

But still in walking distance it´s a big field with a stone church and some religious amenities that offers a place of pece to relax in.

 

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Day Trip to Alta Gracia - Museo Nacional Estancia Jesuitica

The Museo Estancia Jesuitica is also located at the main square and is part of the same complex as the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

It can be visited in less than an hour and comprises the main house of the Estancia, where the Jesuit religious lived. It has a nice garden with fruit trees which were blooming when I was there.

This Site is at the heart of the foundation of the city of Alta Gracia, named after an Invocation of the Virgin Mary to whom the person that received the lands was devoted to.

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Day Trip to Alta Gracia - Santuario de la Merced

Under pain of stating the obvious I will mention the Santuario of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that is smack in front of the main square in Alta gracia and which you will inevitably see.

It is a cute small church attached to the former Jesuit "Estancia" and now Museum. 

Built more than 400 years ago in a Baroque style and richly ornamented with gold leaf it also holds the remains of the city´s founder Don Manuel Solares.

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Day Trip to Alta Gracia

Alta Gracia is one of those small cities very close to the City of Cordoba  that is worth visiting for the day, being only 40 clicks away yo can be there in an hour and spend the day there.

It is the site of one of the Jesuit "Estancias" that are spread around Cordoba, and it has several museums to visit including the house where the "Che Guevara" lived when he was a kid.
 

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Strolling around Nueva Cordoba

Nueva Cordoba is neighbourhood adjacent to the downtown area which is worth visiting to check out its beautiful classical mansions, most turned museums or public venues.

Unfortunately during this last trip the museums in the city of Cordoba were closed due to covid restrictions, but in a normal time, there are enough museums to render a whole day of visits.
 

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Where to stay, Selina Cordoba

I have shared places where I stayed in the Past, even the Tango Hostel in the city of Cordoba. Since i am normally out all day I only consider a good bed and clean bathroom in my Hostel pick.

But this time I wanted to rest so i was going to spend some daytime hours at the Hostel, hence I chose one with a Swimming pool.

The Selina Cordoba located at San Lorenzo 163, was pretty good in its location, comfy bed and abundant breakfast, thus earning my praise and consideration for future stays, since its a chain that keeps its standards in all its Hostels.

 

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Sacred Heart Church

 

Having talked about Cordoba´s religious architecture and considering that during my last stay I was doing photo op on churches, i have to tell you about one of the most beautiful churches in the City.

The Church of the Sacred Heart is located in neighbourhood of Nueva Cordoba which was an addition to the city after its Colonial splendour.

Also called the church of the Capuchins, since it belongs to the Capuchin religious order a branch of the Franciscans, its official name is the Sacred Heart church. 

Built with donations from wealthy families that lived in this neighbourhood during a wealthy period in Argentine history, the job was given to Italian architect Augusto Ferrari who designed the Temple in Neo Gothic style whit dyed cement fixtures and with only one tower purposely built like that and not the fruit of a shipwreck or other calamities attributed to the ship carrying the second tower.

If you go I do recommend you take the tour to one of the towers where you can see the surrounding areas and get acquainted with more details about this marvelous work of architecture.

Long Weekend in Cordoba - Cordoba´s religious architecture

 

Cordoba is very rich in its traditions and stands out among other argentine provinces by its religiousness, which is reflected in its religious architecture, mostly colonial, there are hundreds of beautiful churches in the province and in the Capital city they can be found mostly in the historic downtown area.

It is very worth while taking the time to visit some of the churches which hold a lot of the religious heritage of the province

Long Weekend in Cordoba, Argentina

 After four months of laziness and Covid travel restrictions I´m back with some travel tips, this one about a trip I took to Cordoba province here in Argentina during the carnival week end.

I normally stay at a hostel in The Capital city, That´s also called Cordoba, and from there I take buses that bring you to all the nearby cities and towns that have attractions.

In Passing snapshot - snooping for food

A pooch from the nearby train snoops for food inside the train at one of the stops at the "tren de las sierras Cordoba,

In Passing snapshot - Cordoba cruizer

caught this Police cruizer in the city orf Cordoba, Northern Argentina, as I mentioned with the bmw cruizers of London, I do like the looks of a nice car in a police cruizer paint, but I do'nt think that police should have better vehicles than what the average person can affford, since this vehicle is an expensive unit here in Argentina.

The City Tour bus in Cordoba

While staying in the City of Cordoba in Argentina, I had the chance to do the City tour on a Vintage bus from London.

The tour takes you to most points of interest in the Capital, and has two stops. At the equivalent of 10 bucks in pesos it is worth taking it.

Prost from the Oktoberfest at Villa Gral Belgrano, Cordoba

Had the chance to travel to Cordoba province in Argentina and go to the picturesque town of Villa General Belgarno, located two hours away from the Capital.

This year they celebrated their 53rd Oktoberfest. Needles to say that the town is German colony in Cordoba, where you can find the best strudel, sausage and beer in Argentina.

The event lasts 10 days and is packed full of German goodies. I personally eat the best sausage and sauerkraut outside of Germany I ever had.

There were many locals in their typical German dresses and delegations from all the mayor ethnic groups in Argentina, and it goes without saying that you can drink all the beer that your wallet can handle.

Cordoba - the Tango Hostel

During my last visit to the City of Cordoba in its namesake province in the Argentine North, I stayed at the Tango Hostel, located at Simón Bolivar 613.

Its one of your regular Hostels with a common are a and bunk bed accommodation, good wi-fi and a basic breakfast.

It also has a nice back yard with BBQ facilities. Its strong point relies on being 15 blocks away from the Bus terminal, 1o from the  Casco Histórico and a few from "La Cañada" and the "Patio Olmos".

Holy week in Cordoba - La Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón

If you´re into Neo Gothic architecture, you should'nt miss out visiting the "Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón " in Cordoba. Also known as the capuchin church, you´ll find it at the intersection of Buenos Aires and Obispo de Oro streets.

Built from 1924 til 1934 it was part of the Europeanization of Cordoba that took place in the Barrio "Nueva Cordoba" with the construction of Palaces and important government building that emulate the glories of the Old Continent.

The church could be in better shape, but it still holds its appeal both internally and externally. It has two towers which represent the mortality of men ( the one without a cuppola) and the immortality of the soul.

In all one of the many churches in Cordoba city that are worth visiting.

Holy week in Cordoba - La Universidad Nacional de Cordoba

Cordoba´s national University, located at the "Manzana jesuitica" is one of the most prestigious universities in Argentina, the forth oldest in the Americas, besides having been declared a World heritage site by the U.N.

Founded by the Jesuits in the 17th century, it still functions as an University, but can also be visited. It has been completely restored and holds a Library with unique books.

Since it was taken from the Jesuits when they were expelled from the Spanish domains in the 18th century, it has switched hands till it settled as a state run university.