Planning to take off this winter but not sure where to go? Maybe you fancy skiing in the Alps or browsing the Christmas markets in Germany. Perhaps you had not considered South American Patagonia, an incredible region of nature and activity in the south of Argentina. Here’s why Patagonia should be your first choice for a winter destination.
Winter elsewhere means summer in Patagonia
Winter can be overwhelming in the Northern Hemisphere: short days, long nights, extreme cold, and the panic of ending it all before the year is out and the holidays begin, not to mention the Christmas parties and non-stop booze! Well, in Patagonia, you will experience the carefree summer of South America, where the days are hot and long and the drinks of the day are ice cold beers to quench your thirst in the scorching heat. Patagonia is huge, but whether you’re in the deep south of Ushuaia, north of El Bolsón, or east of Puerto Madryn, you’re guaranteed hot, dry days to beat the winter blues.
Get a well-deserved break from the city
Patagonia really is made up of a few central hubs like El Calafate or Bariloche, but in between is a vast expanse of nothing. Many of the cities and towns themselves are rural settlements that are a long way from the urban craziness of Buenos Aires or Córdoba, and as such, Patagonia is the perfect place to come and reconnect with nature and your inner self when the city begins to take its toll. Stay at an estancia for the true Wild West experience of the South.
Escape the clutches of the holiday season
In Argentina, Christmas really isn’t a big deal, and even less so in Patagonia. If you’re the kind of person who chafes at the onslaught of the holiday season before Halloween is cold in its grave, Patagonia is the place for you. Gone is the rush of Black Friday shoppers looking for those first bargains, and there’s a noticeable lack of decorations and advertising associated with Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere. So sit back, relax and forget about putting up the tree.
immerse yourself in nature
Speaking of trees, the closest thing to a Christmas tree that you will find will be in the strips of forest that can be found throughout Patagonia. Whether you’re hiking in the Andes, visiting the Lake District or following the trails of adventurers in Ushuaia, natural landscapes abound and are some of the best preserved and unspoiled on the planet. Patagonia is a hiker’s paradise, and it’s not for nothing that this is where the world’s most passionate hikers come to experience some of the world’s best trails and routes.
See one of the most famous mountain ranges in the world
One of the things these particular hikers come for is the mountains. It is impossible to mention Patagonia without referring almost at the same time to the incredible Andes mountain range that runs along the border between Argentina and Chile, effectively becoming the backbone of South America. This imposing mountain range is home to some of the most impressive peaks in the world, such as Mount Fitz Roy and the Paine Massif. Hikers delight, because there is no better place to explore the wonder of the Andes than Patagonia.
Visit some of the largest ice fields in the world
Argentine Patagonia is also home to Los Glaciares National Park, whose main attraction, and one of the main destinations in the country, is the formidable Perito Moreno Glacier. Forming part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which is made up of 48 glaciers in total, the Perito Moreno has a length of 30 km. It is also the third largest freshwater reserve in the world, making it an important natural and geological entity. It is also notable for being one of the only glaciers in the world that continues to grow while many recede due to climate change.
Make friends with amazing wildlife
Patagonia is the natural habitat of native flora and fauna, but also of many animals that come south to reproduce in spring and summer. While in the northern hemisphere the winter months are a time of hibernation for many animals, the fact that the seasons are reversed in the south means that an incredible variety of wildlife migrate south to mate in the waters of the Atlantic off to the coast of Argentine Patagonia. Head to Puerto Madryn in Chubut until December to see penguins and the southern right whale.
Ditch the turkey and eat some lamb
For many of us, winter is synonymous with Christmas and Christmas is synonymous with turkey. But how many of us actually enjoy the giant bird? It often comes out overcooked and dry, so at Christmas in Patagonia, why not try a delicious Patagonian lamb that is cooked in the traditional way over an open fire, “a la cruz”, or on the cross, as they say here. ? . Lamb is a typical Patagonian dish, and it is a challenge to find such a delicious bite of this meat anywhere else on the planet.
Get fit by hiking
Christmas and winter are often a time of excess, of sitting by the fire and eating mince pies and drinking wine until you fall asleep. However, Patagonia in summer is about as far from the couch as you can get. Rather than engage in the Battle of the Bulge, hit the hiking and trekking trails that can be found throughout the region. You won’t have to feel guilty about eating a good meal afterwards, because you’ve earned it. And you will return to work in January feeling amazing, the envy of all your colleagues.
cleanse the soul
Patagonia is both a spiritual and a tourist destination, because the energy that vibrates from the mountains and the forests and the rivers can be felt wherever you go. Coming to Patagonia will give you a new chance at life, it will wipe the slate clean and it will make you feel that you can conquer anything that life throws at you on the other side. There are many yoga retreats and work programs for those looking to nurture their spiritual side, especially in places like El Bolsón.
Start the New Year as you intend to continue
Forget buying the gym membership and vowing to be a better person next year. Most of our New Year’s resolutions only disappoint us when we don’t keep them. But if you spend the season in Patagonia, you are guaranteed to have an experience of a lifetime, something that will stay with you forever. There is no better way to start the year than with a summer in Patagonia, and you will be ready to face the year ahead with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. Try it, you won’t regret it.
