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 - Modern Cordoba

There are some fine examples of Modern architecture in Cordoba alongside classic and colonial buildings. Some examples are the city hall (Centeo civico) called " The beehive" by common folk and the Bicentennial Park (Parque del Bicentenario) which are in important  areas of the city.

 

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.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - Postre Balcarce

Definitely a Must eat in Balcarce is the "Postre Balcarce" a cake invented in the city which has its namesake, The "Postre Balcarce"is a luscious cake filled with meringue, dulce de leche and cream which you will find in any resto, bakery or cafe in Balcarcee.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - Saint Joseph´s church

Another building you will not miss is The "Saint Joseph parrish" located also across the main square in Balcarce.

Also worth visiting due tu its beautiful architecture and relaxing atmosphere far from the outside heat.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce - Museo Juan Manuel Fangio

As I mentioned before, Balcarce´s main attraction is the "Juan Manuel Fangio Museum", located smack downtown facing the main square.

Juan Mnuel fangio was an Argentine racing car driver from the 50´s . He won the World championship for drivers 5 times and kept the record during 46 years till he was beaten by Michael Schumacher.

I really like the museum not only for its contents but also for its architecture mainly inspired by the Mercedes Benz museum in Germany.

Long weekend in Tandil - Visiting Balcarce

108 clicks from Tandil and 422 kms from Buenos Aires sits the picturesque city of Balcarce, also conveniently located 75 clicks from the nearest beach.

Balcarce is worth while visiting either to rest somewhere close to the coast without the crowds, or to see its main attraction which is the Fangio Museum and even to check out some edifices built by famous Argentine architect Francisco salamone.

Long weekend in Tandil - Where to stay

De Passo hostel is at Larrea 802, not too far from the Bus terminal and very close to the Dique area.
It is a small family run hostel with only two rooms with bunk beds and a dining room, very cozy and quiet.

Long weekend in Tandil - Cerro "El Centinela"

The "El Centinela " Hill or cerro in Spanish is located 5 km south of Tandil and is 300m high. From there you have a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings.

You can get the by Car, Bus or bike and even walking (pack lunch) and there is a lift that brings you to the summit, but its easy climbing.

Also a great place for sunsets its main attraction is the Rock they call "The Sentinel" which is perched at one of the cliffs in the hill.

Long weekend in Tandil - the Land of Salame and Cheese

You have arrived at salami paradise, Tandil specializes in all sorts of Salami,hams and cheese.

You can go to several restaurants that specialize in "Picadas" a platter selection of all the different types of Salami and cheese.

Or you can go to any delicatessen and buy yourself some cold cuts and have a pic-nic.

Long weekend in Tandil - nightlife

Tandil has its own night life with a downtown area full of restos, pubs and Ice cream Parlours.

You can indulge eating good pampean meat, a cold cut Picada or just a cold beer, they even make their own craft beer.

Long weekend in Tandil - El Castillo Morisco

Another sunset attraction is the "Castillo Morisco" at the "Parque independencia" was a donation of the Spanish community in Tandil, which sits at the top of the hill in the park.

It is a great spot to watch sunsets and sunrises and easy to climb.