There are so many amazing places to visit in Argentina that one could easily spend a year travelling throughout this magnificent country, but if you are limited to just two or three weeks, one place you simply shouldn’t miss is the north-western province of Salta.

A familiar and friendly city where you instantly feel at home, Salta is the perfect place to come and relax, people watch, and discover the many hidden treasures that surround this colonial hub, such as the Quebrada de San Lorenzo Nature Reserve, the Teleférico San Bernardo cable car, and the Iglesia San Francisco.

Salta is also famous for its ‘Tren a las Nubes’ or ‘Train to the Clouds’, and extreme railroad adventure that will take you through 20 tunnels, across more than 30 bridges, and over a knee-trembling viaduct La Polvorilla that spans some 225m across a huge desert canyon.

If you want to stay active during your trip to Argentina, you can go white water rafting at Juramento River canyon, horseback riding at one of the many nearby ranches, or climb the 1,136 steps to the top of Cerro San Bernado for spectacular views of the city.

When it comes to wining and dining, Salta, much like the rest of Argentina, caters for every budget and every taste, but if you want to get a real feel for the city, join the locals on the Plaza 9 de Julio with a chilled bottle of Torrontés, before heading to a local restaurant for some traditional Salteño dishes.

Salteños firmly believe that they invented the empanada, so if you enjoy tasty savoury snacks after a bottle or two of Malbec, you can end your evening at Patio de la Empanada where the choice is virtually endless!