Bariloche, Argentina

Located on the scene shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake, San Carlos de Bariloche, often just referred to as Bariloche, is South America’s top ski destination and the perfect gateway for the Royal Holiday member looking to experience the great outdoors of Argentina. The majesty of Patagonia has awed visitors and locals alike for centuries, and Bariloche is the ideal base station for adventuring, from mountaineering and skiing to fishing and boating. Royal Holiday members have the advantage of choosing between four excellent locations in Bariloche, making it easier than ever to experience this gorgeous destination.

Royal Holiday members looking for a romantic vacation have a wide choice of studio-style lodgings; those interested in condominium-style housing will enjoy the fully equipped units at the Super Resort Bariloche Centro, while more deluxe appointments can be found at the Panamericano Bariloche Resort & Casino, which features a stream running through the resort as well as exciting adult entertainment. Families will enjoy the spacious accommodations at the condominium resort Hostería Posada del Angel, which features a mix of studio and ambassador units, while the largest groups will want to seek out the comforts of the Aldea Andina Adventure Resort, which offers presidential suites suitable for six adults. Any of these resorts will provide visitors with a quick trip to the waters of Nahuel Huapi Lake, and all of them come with the amenities Royal Holiday members expect, including childcare and child-focused activities at the family-friendly resorts.

Located in Argentina’s Río Negro province, Bariloche received its name from the Mapudungun language of the indigenous people of Argentina and Chile. The first European settlers arrived in the 1500s, but years of conflict between Spaniards and the indigenous tribes of the Poya people led to volatility until much later. Becoming a firm part of Argentina only after the border treaties with Chile in 1881, the city’s prominence as a tourist destination first became notable after the redesign of the city in the 1930s, when the planners decided on an alpine style that resulted in the nickname “Little Switzerland.” Royal Holiday travelers visiting today will find a bustling resort town, as the area has become extremely popular among Argentineans and foreign travelers alike.

The town’s most notable features are the mountains surrounding the city center, with peaks like Cerro Nireco, Cerro López, and Cerro Catedral, among many others, extending more than 2,000 meters into the sky. The excellent climate makes for incredible skiing conditions, and Royal Holiday members visiting during the peak winter season will want to obtain passes to the legendary slopes of Cerro Catedral. Bike rentals can be easily obtained for a ride down the Circuito Chico around the lake, while those who’d like to see the incredible sights from atop the mountains without climbing will want to take a trip up the chairlift to the peak of Cerro Campanario. A walk through downtown Bariloche will provide a pleasant day, especially if Royal Holiday travelers stop to sample the excellent craft brews or some of the famous chocolate; known as the Chocolate Capital of Argentina, Bariloche is perfect for the vacationer looking to satisfy a sweet tooth.