Sally Ogle Davis and Ivor Davis insite on Argentina.

When we first visited Argentina three years ago two stark and contrasting facts were immediately apparent: the pitiful state of the local economy and the absolute bonanza of travel bargains.

Friends had told us of making hotel reservations in Buenos Aires for $200 a night which, when they arrived, were now $80 — same hotel, same room, different exchange rate.

Fast forward to 2007, and while this fabulous and vibrant country is still feeling the aftereffects of an economic perfect storm, Argentina is slowly and inexorably climbing back onto its feet.

The peso — before the fall in December 200l — was once pegged 1-to-1 to the US dollar. It is now 3.10 pesos to the greenback, which means that, even today, prices are half what they were before the collapse.

If you fancy a change of pace from our own Ventura County backyard by heading to the land of the gaucho, don’t feel guilty about taking advantage of their hard times. They want you there. Your dollars help their recovery, so take your next vacation in the Big Apple (Buenos Aires that is, not New York). And enjoy.

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