Punta del Este is a beautiful beach resort in Uruguay, perhaps the best known and most fashionable in South America. It spreads along a peninsula that juts out in the Atlantic Ocean with endless beaches of the most varied kinds. Its deep blue ocean, sand dunes, spectacular houses and gardens, good hotel infrastructure, marina and harbour, international airport, museums and art galleries, as well as a great setting to practice yachting, sailing, golf, polo and fishing, make Punta del Este the ideal place for a vacation. The area also boasts sophisticated shops, excellent restaurants, night-clubs and a luxurious

casino. Worthwhile day trips include the laid back village of José Ignacio, with beautiful beaches and striking sunsets, La Pedrera with its dramatic seaside cliffs, or Laguna de Rocha, a National Park with abundant wildlife, or even Cabo Polonio, a nostalgic seaside fishing village tucked into the sand

dunes along the ocean which can only be reached by horse-carriage or 4WD vehicles. Mai 10's recommended accommodations in this area vary from quaint hideaway inns to lovely bucolic farms and deluxe seaside resorts. Contact us and we will put together the ideal program that will meet your taste and wishes for a memorable vacation. Recommended stay is a minimum of 3 nights.

The north-west is the country's most historical and colorful region with its deep-rooted culture and traditions. Embedded between the inhospitable Puna and the endless plateau, lie the heavenly Calchaquí Valleys, known as the Sacred Valleys and the quaint Humahuaca Gorge, two regions that are full of contrasts: the dawn-light reflected on the Western Andean mountains and the colours of the sunset glowing on the Oriental Sierras; fascinating formations and ancient rock carvings, geological rarities, Inca ruins and petroglyphs; colonial churches and picturesque Indian villages; magnificent vistas and lonely roads; infinite extensions of desert country covered by gigantic cactus; the scent of mint and anise; the fruity flavour of the region's fine Torrontés wines; the mild dry climate at 6,000 ft., red peppers drying in the sunny slopes; tobacco, cotton and sugar-cane plantations; the colourful markets and handicrafts; the folk music; delicious regional cuisine; and the people of the valleys, proud descendants of two noble breeds.
Salta is probably the most seductive town of the Northwest, due both to its setting in the lovely Lerma Valley and the eye-catching contrast of its old colonial buildings and its modern urban architecture. Worth visiting are the strikingly beautiful cathedral, the colonial mansions and the Cabildo. Enjoy the serene folk music while dining on some of the regions most delectable specialties: empanadas salteñas, tamales, humita en chala, carbonada, locro, and quesillo.
The best way to delve into this magic region and experience true Argentine hospitality is by staying at Mai 10's choice of the estancias tucked away in the most captivating settings, offering lordly accommodations and magnificent cuisine. Take the breath-taking Train to the Clouds and cross the Chilean border to visit the striking Atacama Desert and stay at the fabulous Explora Hotel. Click on The Argentine Estancias and on Special Destinations to find out more. Recommended stay in this region is a minimum of 3 days.

The Iguazú Falls are perhaps the most overwhelming falls in the world. Iguazú means "Great Waters" in the Guarani Indian tongue. First chronicled in 1541 by Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca, these 275 waterfalls which plunge over a 250 ft precipice into the mysterious Devil's Throat gorge, must have been an incredible sight and sound amidst the dense tropical jungle. The water collapses at a rate of 6,000 cubic feet a second creating countless rainbows. The height is greater than Niagara's by approximately 70 feet, and their width by one half. The Argentine Iguazú

National Park is a pristine area of subtropical rain forests, with more than 2000 identified plant species, beautiful orchids, and amazing wildlife, as the black howler monkey, capybara, jaguar and puma, along with a myriad birds and butterflies. The falls are located on the limit between Argentina and Brazil, each side must be viewed for dramatic perspectives. Mai 10 arranges for special programs like exciting boat-rides to approach the falls, floating over the rapids, 4-wheel drives across the jungle, helicopter flights to encompass the awesome panoramic views, hikes through the jungle and along the waterfalls guided by expert naturalists, bird-watching, mountain biking and horseback riding, a spectacular experience in natures unleashed power, and side-trips to the imposing Jesuit Ruins of San Ignacio Miní settlement, founded in 1696, awarded world heritage status by UNESCO staying at a beautiful estancia in the region. Mai 10's choice for accommodations: Set right by the falls, the Hotel Sheraton Internacional, a modern construction in a privileged location inside the Iguazú National Park. As you walk into the lobby you are struck by the incredible sight of the picture window. Rooms have view to the falls and the jungle. You virtually walk out of the hotel and follow the paths and catwalks to the

falls. Also located by the falls, but on the Brazilian side, is the Hotel Das Cataratas, a charming pink-coloured Portuguese colonial hotel, the only hotel inside the Brazilian Iguassu National Park. It has 200 comfortable air-conditioned rooms and a beautiful courtyard with lush vegetation and beautiful pool. Here as well, you simply walk out and experience the most incredible panoramic views of the falls. The Iguazu Grand Hotel offers the best accommodations and service in the area, but not the best desirable location, as it is 15 minutes from the falls. It includes full amenities as executive suites, air-conditioning, health club, spectacular swimming-pools and casino. We recommend a stay of 1-2 nights in this area.