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

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.

In Passing snapshot - The Lake that was´nt there

As Robert Cappa said " If your pictures aren´t good enough, its because you´re not close enough"
This photo is not of a sunset at a lake, but of a closeup of a small puddle on a rock.
It pays of to pay attention to small details even when your goal is to capture wide panoramas and the sunset.

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.

Long weekend in Tandil - Complejo del Dique

The area around the Tandil Dam called "Complejo del dique" is a recreational area comprised of parks and resting areas.

A nice place to start a walk that will bring you to the Independencia Park and the Castillo Morisco to watch the sunset.

Long weekend in Tandil - The Blessed Sacrament church

The church of the Blessed Sacrament is the main chuch in Tandil and sits right across the main square, with is facade rebuilt in 1969 in a classical style and its ornate interior.

It is worth visiting to admire its beautiful decoration.

Long weekend in Tandil - EL Calvario

Be it that your a religious person or not the "Calvario" or "Via Crucis" as the people call it is an interesting place to visit and is conveniently located in a central area of the city.

Created in 1943 it features the stations of the cross from the passion of Jesus, it is an easy walk that might take you 15 minutes unless you stop to take pictures of the beautiful sculptures.

depending on the time of the year it might be crowded or not, but even in the summer it is covered by trees that give a nice shade.

Long weekend in Tandil - The main square

Like most cities in Argentina you will find most of the city´s wonders around the main square, where there´s also a Tourist info office to get the latest news on activities.

Right there you will see the main church which is worth visiting along with the municipality right beside it.

There are some interesting buildings to be seen all around the central area of the city, where you can stroll at ease.

Long weekend in Tandil

                                                                                                                                                     

Tandil is a city in the Buenos Aires province 350 clicks south of Buenos Aires, approx 4 hrs drive.

It is an excellent place to spend some days chilling with amenities in the city and excellent panoramas in the outskirts.

I went there for the long weekend of Carnival this year and spent two full days in the city bicycling around, But distances are short and you can walk or bus to most attractions.

The city has several interesting aspects starting as an outpost city with a fort right at the frontier with the natives of the area and a time of prosperity due to its fertile land and also a moving rock that was its main attraction until it finally fell down.

The trip toTandil - El Mundo del Dulce de Leche

If in Tandil, DO NOT MISS OUT, for all you DDL fans. "El mundo del Dulce de Leche" is a store dedicated exclusively to DDL products.

Be it the creamy version, or solid bars. or liqueur, or candy, you can find it there. But you can argue that there are many places like this in Argentina and even Uruguay.

The catch is that here they have the Crafted country style versions that you will not find in the big cities, the ones that come in a cardboard tub by the kilo.

The trip toTandil - Renzo´s Helados

Now Tandil has a very good epicurean selection, one of them being "Helados Renzos located at Gral. Rodriguez 792.

Renzo´s is a local Ice cream parlour that has traditional home made Italian style ice cream, it even boasts original flavours like the Baileys Irish cream, and of course the dulce de leche made with local DDL.

The trip toTandil - Hostel Serrano

If your looking for a nice place to stay in Tandil you might want to check out the Hostel Serrano, located at Colon 1514, not far from the downtown area, and with very reasonable prices and service.

The Trip to Tandil - Epoca de quesos

If you go to Tandil you must try their cheese and salamis, Since the city is located in the heart of the Buenos Aires province, everything made out of milk is superb, hence its great cheese and Dulce de Leche.

There are many places that see good quality goods at a fraction of the price you pay in Buenos Aires. Epoca de quesos is  store-restaurant where you can either buy by the piece or sit and eat.

I must warn you that the prices are high since its the best in town and they will charge you 30 to 50 bucks for a platter with cheese and cold cuts. Nevertheless the quality and the service are very good.

The Trip to Tandil - Tandil and its Architecture

Since Tandil was always a prosperous city due to it being a hub for the surroundig "Estancias".

There are some samples of classical Arquitecture in the neighbourhoods and in its public buildings.

The Cervantes theatre allong with the Moorish Castle at the Parque Independencia are in Andalucian style.

The downtown area also boasts beautifull buildings such as the Cathedral and the city Hall.