A weekend in Tucuman

Do you like the idea? Sergio Dobusin, a reader of Ser Argentino from Misiones, proposes the following plan: Friday evening/night: Arrival at Tucumán airport and from there to Raco (just 40 km from the airport). They will be waiting for us with an amazing regional dinner: tamales, humita and obviously tucuman empanadas. The village of Raco is in the middle of the Yungas, a perfect combination of jungle with mountain ranges. We stayed at “La Pedrera”, a traditional family home from the area converted into a small lodge of 6 rooms, with a beautiful park of almost 2 hectares, lots of green, barbecue and a spectacular pool. You want something else? There is: a lot of silence, good service and tranquility.On Saturday we relax in the pool, and if we have a spirit of adventure, we take a walk or a horseback ride around the area, appreciating the Yungas, the mountains and spectacular views. It won't take us more than 4 hours.In the afternoon, something different: 13 km from Raco is Siambón, a beautiful mountain village, which houses a Benedictine monastery on top of a hill. We can visit it and also buy its authentic regional products: sweets, alfajores, honey and even wines. The corollary, incredible: every day, at 18:40 on time, the monks delight us with the sung mass, the famous Gregorian Song. They follow the beginning of St. Augustine: “He who sings well, prays twice.”A very special moment, of great spiritual and ecumenical value. I am Jewish, but being there, in that magical setting, in that stone monastery on top of the hill, listening to those monks sing, excites everyone, without distinction of beliefs. Sunday, if driving is what we like: San Javier, Villa Nougues and Yerba Buena, three amazing places in the surroundings of San Miguel de Tucumán. Historically, they are the traditional summer villas of the Tucumanos, with their stately homes that give a very particular setting to the promenade. At noon, a rich roast accompanied with a good wine from the Calchaquíes valleys to close the visit with everything. In the afternoon, back home. We stayed two nights in Tucumán, and returned completely renovated: nature, culture and relaxation, what else do we need?