Tandil is located in the centre-southeast of the Buenos Aires Province. Its name has mapuche origin, deriving from two words: “Tan� (fallen down), and “Lil� (rock), in clear allusion to the moving rock which is a popular landmark. This giant rock which oscillated from a mountain and was worldwide famous fell down on 29 February 1912. The town is not only famous for its several tourist attractions; it is also popular for the life quality and the warmth of its residents towards tourists.

It was on 25 September 1983 that Mrs Gladys Herminia Quiroga de Mota, a simple woman, mother of two daughters, with scarce biblical and theological knowledge, saw the first apparition of Virgin Mary, who asked her to build a Sanctuary and indicated where it should be placed. People from all over the country come to this place, particularly every 25th, in order to pray, beg and thankVirgin Mary. The new Sanctuary includes other Marian images such as Nuestra Señora de Luján (Our Lady of Luján), Ntra. Sra. de Guadalupe, Ntra. Sra. de Fátima, Ntra. Sra. de Lourdes, among others, who are worshipped by pilgrims. San Nicolás is a unique place due to its religious spirit. The visitor will be able to take a souvenir from the city from any of the many street vendors. They offer, among other things, praying beads, blessed water, religious books, medals with the Virgin´s face on them and crosses. Apart from the Sanctuary, the main tourist attraction, this city has the Regional Forestry and Botanic Park “Rafael de Aguiar�. This park represents an option for the visitor to admire indigenous species.

Between Pinamar and Cariló we can find Ostende and Valeria del Mar. The four of them make up an area with offers options suitable to all tastes and budgets. Pinamar, distinguished and exclusive; Ostende, more affordable and less glamorous; Valeria del Mar, a place for family vacationing; and Cariló, a top resort which observed strict urbanity norms which make it remain a tourist villa. Pinamar is the largest of them, with over 10,000 inhabitants. It is a city characterised by its nightlife, beach resorts, cafés and restaurants which summon the whole national jet-set, as well as by its excellent sports facilities, including a racing-car circuit and some golf courses. Most hotels and houses are remarkably distinguished-looking. Its nightlife attracts thousands of young people and its gastronomic offers seduce the most demanding palates. Cariló is in turn a quieter, even more exclusive place than Pinamar. It is located on forested sand dunes. A wide sand avenue meets the end of the forest and joins the whole town. In both cities, the beaches are the main attraction, but sports, mainly golf and tennis, are the most important complementary activities. In summer, the beaches are also filled with amateurs playing polo, rugby and pato.

Miramar, or the “city of kids�, as it is called, is ideal for visiting as a family. As well as having many relaxing beaches, Miramar is a safe place. Children can rent bicycles and be totally independent from their parents. You will come back to your routine completely unwound, because Miramar is the ideal place to have a good rest. Evening activities area ideal for kids, with a pedestrian precinct used as a meeting place, and a number of clubs and discos on the coast. The city is small enough to be crossed in only a matter of minutes.

Mar del Plata is the best-known beach resort in Argentina. Every summer, tourists from all over the country come to the city in order to enjoy its beaches and casino. Tourist activity continues all through the year, as many Argentinean citizens living in Buenos Aires go there on mini breaks. Since its foundation in 1874, Mar del Plata has not stopped growing. The fishing industry finds in Mar del Plata one of the most important centres in the country and provides 70 per cent of the city’s income. Over its first 50 years, Mar del Plata was filled with huge houses belonging to the local aristocracy. Tourists were at that time the well-off, but in the 1940’s the trade unions, strengthened by government policy, built huge hotels to provide accommodation for workers, who now had paid holidays. It was then that Mar del Plata changed its nickname to “ the happy city�, or simply “la Feliz� (“the happy one�). Mar del Plata has wonderful nightlife in summer. As well as the Casino, the biggest in the country, there are a great variety of theatres with performances in all different genres. Hotels usually offer performances by magicians or singers. There are also clubs where the youngest meet after going to the beach. The traveller who chooses Mar del Plata will find a most lively city, with a wide range of activities to choose from and renovated beaches.