Shortly after Cordoba to the west into the Sierra, one finds pretty resort places, idyllic lakes and high mountian peaks.

This huge holiday region in Argentina is popular for its climate and its Mediterranean culture. One could mistake the landscape for northern Italy, Spain or Greece – only without the sea. One can find a good number of things to do in this mountain region. Here below are the most important attractions:

Alta Gracia is a quiet and pretty, small town that is approximately 40km southwest of Cordoba. With the Estancia Alta Gracia, a former Jesuit Farm dating back to 1643 and also was for a time the residence of a vice king, is a very attractive building. In the surroundings of Cordoba are a number of such handsome constructions. It was in Alta Gracia where Che Guevara lived during his youth (his former home was turned into a museum).

In a distance of 50km south one finds Villa General Belgrano. The “capital of beer” is easy to recognize by the exit signs in German, which feature a couple in traditional German costume. This idyllic holiday resort was constructed in the 1930’s by German immigrants. Survivors of the "Graf Spee", a German warship which sunk 1939 in front of Montevideo, live in this town. Within the pine forest are houses in Bavarian style and every year, the infamous “Oktoberfest” (Fiesta de la Cerveza) is practised here. This resort location is not only cultural, but also gastronomically quite non-Argentine (gulash, black forest cake etc.)

La Cumbrecita: Very pretty and quiet chalet village in the pine forest around Villa General Belgrano on the foot of the highest mountain of the Sierras (Cherro Champaquí, 2800 m). Trekking tours in the nearby surroundings and also mountain climbing can be practised.

Camino de la Punilla: In the northwest of Cordoba and north of the San-Roque dam unites this road several excursion destinations in the valley of Punilla. Through dense forests one reaches the relaxing Cosquin with its dry, soft air. Since 1961 a folk festival takes place every year, which lasts for several days. Also an excursion can be made from here to the Pan de Azúcar (Sugar Bread) – where you can see beautiful sights over the Pampas. One can also have a swim in the river.

Next, we would like to mention the European-looking tourist centre called "La Falda," (the skirt) situated within the vast forest. The next village is La Cumbre. It has a casino and a golf course and seems to be very exclusive. Here too, it is possible to make some hiking tours in nature or also go horseback riding and learn about the nature that surrounds you (for example to the San Jerónimo dam). La Cumbre is also a good place for paragliding (Paragliding-Weltcup 1999) and for mountain biking. Still further to the north one finds the idyllic Capilla del Monte, which has also a very nice landscape. From here are excursions possible to La Toma, a place with Quebracho trees and waterfalls (with Camping). One can also climb up the Cerro Uritorco (ca. 2000m) where apparently plenty of UfOs have been viewed. Or one takes a bath in one of the many hot springs of the area.

Crossing the Altas Cumbres: Spectacular drive from Cordoba in direction southwest over the plateau of Altas Cumbres (ca. 2000m) where one can get the impression of being on an alpine pass. Then the drive takes you down a steep slope to the idyllic Mina Clavero. Here one can swim, hike or visit the strange Museo Rocsen (museum) that holds over 11,000 artefacts of Peruvian mummies to antic motorcycles). On the way one passes the national park Quebrada del Condorito, which has a gorge in the centre, a nesting site for condors.