Iguazu Falls

Any visit to Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro, should include a trip to the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, which straddle both sides of the Argentine-Brazilian border. The falls display the grandeur of 20 Niagaras, as the Rio Iguazu plunges hundreds of feet into the ravine below, there forming part of the Parana River. The view is spectacular on either side of the frontier. It takes about half an hour by taxi or bus to cross the border from Brazilian hotels to the boat landing on the Argentine side for an easy ride to La Garganta del Diablo, or Devil's Throat, one of the best cascades. National parks on both sides offer rain forest mini-tours and other boat rides. Catamarans take you up to the falls and behind some of them for an exciting encounter with the force of nature. It's very wet, so dress appropriately. Go with a loaded ready-to-shoot camera, and don't even think about opening your camera to change film or lenses near the falls.

One of the better places to stay is the Bourbon Foz Do Iguacu Hotel, an elegant resort and convention center on the Brazilian side accommodating up to 6,000 guests. Standard rooms are spacious, quiet and well appointed; ask for one in the rear with a garden view. Four restaurants offer a variety of types of food and service that should satisfy most culinary preferences. Other attractions include three outdoor pools in a gorgeous garden setting, an adventurous children's water park and a spa offering the usual services as well as a large indoor pool heated to the temperature of a hot tub. Staff at the exceptionally helpful concierge desk will arrange excursions to the falls and the jungle.

The Tropical Das Cataratas Hotel, on the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls, was the first hotel at the falls and is the only one located inside the Brazilian national park. It has the most commanding view of the falls from its dining room and front rooms. Take the walk that begins opposite the hotel to the bottom of the falls for 20 minutes of rushing water splendor.