Buenos Aires, the home of sensuous tango and the Superclásico football derby; delicious asado and the sprawling La Recoleta cemetery where you can visit Evita’s tomb. This fascinating amalgam of the Old and New World is all these things and more. It’s a city of variety and diverse, often European-influenced, culture, with stunning architecture, from the famous Casa Rosada, to Santiago Calatrava’s strikingly asymmetric Puente de la Mujer bridge. And for relief from downtown’s buzz and its busy ‘Subte’ underground, the cool greens of waterside Reserva Ecologica Costanero Sur always refresh.

World-class empanadas, steak and wine
When it comes to accommodation, there’s plenty of choice. Could it be the TripAdvisor-topping Alvear Palace near Recoleta? Or how about the boutique Kenton Palace on Defensa? Just minutes from Plaza del Mayo, this is where generations of porteños (‘port people’) have celebrated and mourned Argentina’s highs and lows.

And if you’re feeling hungry you can enjoy world-class empanada, steak and superb Malbec and Torrontés wines. Whether dining in classy Palermo or local café-pizzerias like Vittorio on Hipolito Yrigoyen, the welcome is as warm as the Buenos Aires night.

Fly south to rugged Tierra del Fuego
In contrast to the busy city life, why not leave 24-hour tango-radio behind and fly south to Ushuaia? Relax en route with Theroux’s book ‘Old Patagonian Express’ or the late Gustavo Cerati’s classic Argentine rock. In three hours you’re in Tierra del Fuego – the stepping-off point for Antarctica and self-styled ‘world’s southernmost city’ (even though Puerto Williams, across the Beagle Channel, is actually further south).

Book a window seat for the magnificent, if turbulent, approach, followed by a short cab ride to get you to the Hotel Albatros or Hotel Canal Beagle. Then enjoy a boat trip to see penguins, seals and guillemots close up before supper at Kalma Resto or Tia Elvira near Ushuaia’s heart.

Impressively rugged scenery
Tierra del Fuego National Park is a must-see. A day’s excursion from Ushuaia immerses you in its impressively rugged scenery and wildlife, including Cauquenes (South American Geese) and grey foxes. Finally, before leaving, ride the Tren del Fin del Mundo steam train and take windblown selfies at the southernmost end of the 30,000 km Pan-American Highway.

Impressive and different as they are, Buenos Aires and Tierra del Fuego are just two of many contrasting highlights you could enjoy in Argentina. Book your trip and be amazed.