Argentina

Since the collapse of the Peso, Argentina has gone from the most expensive country in South America to one of the cheapest. This has made Argentina into a hot destination for budget travellers for the first time.

I never made it to Patagonia, because it was winter, but I had a great time in Buenos Aires - a sophisticated European-style city with great food (if you're not vegetarian), and great nightlife.

Domestic flights have suddenly become a bargain, so you can go to the far-flung corners of this vast country quickly and cheaply. I flew to Salta, a pleasant colonial city up in the foothills of the Andes. More...