Posted 20 Jul 2011

Students planning on taking a gap year in Argentina should make sure they try Buenos Aires' most famous drink.

According to spokeswoman for Lonely Planet Heather Carswell, travellers might want to get a taste of mate – a type of bitter tea that is very popular in the destination.

Drunk through a silver straw – known as a bombilla – mate is prepared with a certain amount of "ritual", Ms Carswell claims.

"The way to drink mate is to put it in the container, cover it with your hand and shake it a couple of times, pour very hot water in it and let it simmer for 30 seconds," she explains, adding that it is then supped through the bombilla.

Previously, Ms Carswell has commented that Buenos Aires is the perfect base from which to explore the rest of Argentina.

Adding that the country is vast, she suggested travellers ought to bear in mind that journeys between the nation's destinations can involve long bus rides or internal flights.
 

Category: South America