Seniors Seek Out Salta

 Senior travelers opt for quality time in Salta, a provincial capital in mountainous northwestern Argentina. Known for its Spanish colonial architecture and Andean heritage, the city centers on Plaza 9 de Julio.

This elegant, cafe-lined square is bordered by the neoclassical Salta Cathedral and El Cabildo, an 18th-century town hall turned historical museum. Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña (MAAM) nearby houses Incan artifacts, including mummies.

Salta is said to be the most Spanish city in Argentinaby physical appearance: so much so that tourists visiting from Spain often find a strong resemblance between Salta and cities in Andalucia. The local culture, however, is a blend of Spanish and gaucho traditions, lending the city a distinctive identity.

Founded in 1582, it’s now the most touristed spot in northwest Argentina. The city center features a number of impressive buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th and early 20th centuries. A very popular option is to hire a cab to explore the surrounding area. 

Seniors Find Jewel-Box-Size Getaway 

I have come across articles by the NY Times noting that Salta has traditionally served primarily as a supply center for the Spanish mining sites located in present-day Bolivia. A concerted effort to encourage new hotels, restaurants and shops is now paying off in a stream of visitors attracted to Salta’s updated colonial charm.

Today, the old city center is recognized as a jewel-box-size getaway, perfect for exploring on foot and finally appreciated for its rich cultural offerings, grand neo-Classical buildings and thriving night life. The famed Hispanic architecture of the city makes it unique among other cities in Argentina.

For senior oenophiles, plan a trip along the Route of Wine consisting of more than twenty wineries. The relation between winemaking and the Province of Salta is already over three centuries old, in fact, the Jesuits who arrived in these latitudes were the first ones to introduce the vines and they were experts in wine making. 

Seniors Enjoy Fertile and Scenic Sites

In one of the most fertile and scenic sites ever created by nature, 367,550 people call Salta home. The Province of Salta, boasting a mild climate, is a premier senior tourist destination year round.

For panoramic views of Salta, take the famed cable car from the Parque San Martín to the summit  of Cerro San Bernardo and inhale some crisp mountain air as you admire the views.

Museums, churches, historical buildings, squares and cafés give evidence of the colonial influence, in one of the most jealously guarded historical quarters in Argentina. There can be no doubt that the past is carefully preserved in Salta.

Senior travelers, perhaps you already know about Empanadas, humita, locro, huaschalocro and tamales that are the traditional dishes from northern Argentina. I have been to the northwest area of Argentina. We have close Argentine friends in nearby Corrientes on the huge Paraná River.

 Enjoy your stay. -jeb