Puerto Madryn

Forget the snowy peaks and glaciers, Patagonia also has wild oceans that teem with life. That's where Puerto Madryn tour guides come in. They can whisk you away to the wave spraying Golfo Nuevo and the rock-ribbed Valdes Peninsula, where splashing southern right whales, basking sealions, and rare penguins are the resident crowd.

From June to December, thousands flock to the city in search of a glimpse of the greatest mammals in the ocean. There are boat tours aplenty that can take you out into the water for an up-close glimpse of the whales, but it's also possible to witness the breaching pods from the sands of El Doradillo Beach. Scuba diving at Punta Loma nearby brings the marine wildlife even closer, with playful sea lions and corals inhabited by colourful fish. On-land, safaris to the Punta Norte on the Valdes Peninsula and Punta Tombo Natural Reserve showcase Magellanic penguins, elephant seals and seabirds between salt-caked coves and cliffs.

Summertime beach picnics and Patagonian estancias visits are on offer as well. Start with those to get your fix of Patagonian culture and cuisine, which is a curious mix of Spanish, South American, and Welsh heritage – centuries ago, sheep-rearing farmers came here from North Wales to tend to the land.