Around Salta city

There are many lovely places close to Salta where Salteñosgo to relax: the smart leafy suburbs of San Lorenzo, or the Dique Cabra Corral for fishing and water sports, or jungly Campo Quijanoon the way to Quebrado del Toro .

Dique Cabra Corral

Salta makes a big deal of its only big lagoon - one of the largest artificial lakes in Argentina, the Dique Cabra Corral. It's a popular place for fishing pejerrey, the tasty local delicacy, and for enjoying a bit of beach life, with water-skiing, fishing, camping and restaurants also on offer. The nearest town is the quaint gaucho town of Coronel Moldes, which, while not perhaps worth a special trip, has a quiet charm all of its own. There's a strong sense of community, with wonderful local precessions of gauchos on the celebration days of the Patron saints, Fiesta Patronal (1 August).

Fincas around Salta

One of the great experiences of staying in this beautiful region is the access to the landscape and its people offered by a stay at its estancias, or fincasas they're known in this part of the country. The great thing about staying in an estanciais that you get to know real Argentines, and spend time with them in their homes as if you were a friend. Most owners speak English, are naturally extremely hospitable, and delighted to have guests from abroad to talk to. Stay for at least a couple of days to make the most of the facilities, which will usually include horse riding, a pool and lovely places to walk. There are many fincas throughout the region, but the following are some of the most distinctive within easy access of the city. Some are owned by Salta's aristocratic families and now welcome tourists, like El Bordo de las Lanzas www.estanciaelbordo.com, with its immense tobacco plantation where you can ride for hours, dine with the owners and stay in splendid accommodation. Others are more modest affairs, offering less formality, but the kind of welcome that makes you feel like staying for days. Los Los www.redsalta. com/loslos, near Chicoana, is a historical family house with superb views and fabulous riding in the jungle. Santa Anita www.santaanita.com.ar, near Dique Cabra Corral, has twice won 'Slow Food' prizes for its superb goat's cheese, and has good horse riding. Not strictly speaking an estancia, but a luxurious place to stay, La Casa de los Jazmines www.houseofjasmines.com, near La Silleta, offers utter luxury and a spa in an exquisitely modernized old house. Nearby, El Manantial www.hotelmanantial.com.ar, is a peaceful retreat with lovely views.