Isla Martín García

Situated in the Río de la Plata just off the Uruguayan coast and some 45 km north of Buenos Aires, Martín García is now a provincial nature reserve and one of the best excursions from Buenos Aires, with many trails through the cane brakes, trees and rocky outcrops, and interesting birds and flowers.

This was the site of Juan Díaz de Solís' landfall in 1516, and the island's strategic position has given it a chequered history. It was used for quarantining immigrants from Europe, and then as a prison: four 20th-century Argentine presidents have been detained here, including Juan Perón, and in 1914 British sailors were interned here, as were survivors from the Graf Spee in the Second World War . Evidence ranges from stone-quarries used for building the older churches of Buenos Aires, to four gun batteries, and a faro(lighthouse) dating from 1890. The Museo Históricoin the former pulpería, houses a display of artefacts, documents and photos. Wildlife is varied, particularly around the edges of the island and includes laurels, ceibo and several species of orchid. Over 200 species of birds visit the island. Take insect repellent.

There are four weekly boat trips which run from Tigre at 0900, returning 2030, taking three hours. Reservations can be made through Cacciola www.cacciolaviajes.com, who also handle bookings for the inn and restaurant on the island.