The Chance of a Generation

Today You Can Invest in "The Europe of South America" for About Half What it Would Have Cost You Last Year

Dear Agora Travel Reader,

The opportunity available to you right now in Argentina is the kind that comes around only once in a lifetime - if you're lucky. It's a chance to be in the right place at the right time. A chance to invest in First World property - distinctive, extraordinary, breathtaking property - for about half what it would have cost you last year.

Elegant, well-built apartments with high ceilings, wood floors, crown moldings, gourmet kitchens...acres on offer in flower-filled valleys and alongside clear, glacial lakes...mountain chalets with bloom-filled window boxes, nestled in Alpine ski towns...

Argentina has weathered the worst economic crisis in its history. But now, as the nation's economy begins to improve, you'll find tremendous opportunity and value...the chance to ride the tide of recovery...and profit...

The property values are excellent not only relative to what you might have paid in the past...but in comparison to what you'll pay right now in other, similar markets worldwide. In Buenos Aires, an elegant, cosmopolitan capital, you can pick up a 1,550-square-foot loft with a rooftop terrace in one of the city's chicest neighborhoods for $63,000. In Paris, a renovated loft in the 16th, about half the size, lists for a whopping $697,000.

In the gorgeous mountain enclave of San Martin de los Andes - where Argentina's upper-crust vacations and skis - you can buy 2.5 acres five minutes from the slopes for $100,000. In Aspen, CO you'd pay at least $500,000 for something comparable.

You'll find similar, extraordinary values in Chile, too. In Santiago's beautiful, clean, tree-lined Providencia neighborhood, you can buy a brand-new luxury apartment - three bedrooms, two baths, a terrace with great city views, and a park nearby - for $93,000. On the shores of Lake Villarrica in Chile's glorious Lake District, a one-bedroom apartment with expansive water and forest views lists for just $38,000.

But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here. Let me back up for a moment and fill you in on the many, many reasons beyond good-value real estate that Argentina and Chile make so much sense right now...sense not just for investors, but for retirees or anyone looking to spend a few weeks, a few months, or even full-time in a beautiful, affordable, welcoming First World environment.

Explore the two most European
countries in South America

Argentina and Chile, you should understand, are the two most European countries in South America. They boast first-rate infrastructure...and German-style efficiency...but Latin American style and prices. Plus, you can live here for up to 70% less than you can almost anywhere else in the world.

If you have an inclination to live abroad in a country where you have all the comforts of home and the ambience of Europe...but with Latino panache...this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

My colleagues and I have put together a special expedition to Argentina and Chile, scheduled for September 20-October 6, 2003. I hope you'll join us. It's the perfect way for you to see with your own eyes the places I'll tell you about here...to take in the full scope of the opportunity from there on the ground, firsthand. (Really, that's the only way to do it.) Throughout our journey, we'll travel in comfort to explore...

• Buenos Aires and Santiago - two genteel, sophisticated cities that are distinctly Latin American but boast an undeniably European flair. Sidewalk coffee shops...parks and gardens...world class shopping...unlimited cultural activities...
• The rolling, romantic pampas with its golden plains and wide open, unspoiled spaces...
• Exotic Patagonia - San Martin, Villa la Angostura, Bariloche and the serene, pristine Seven Lakes of Argentina
• The volcano-rimmed Lake District of Chile, known as the "Switzerland of South America" with its vast, shimmering-blue lakes and snowcapped mountains...
• The cultural best of both countries...including tango and folkloric shows and a Central Valley vineyards tour to sample wines that rival some of the finest in Europe...

Come away with a thorough understanding of the best profit opportunities available

Please understand, this is no ordinary tourist trek. Along the way, we'll introduce you to economists, real estate agents, attorneys, local expatriates, and others...our most trusted resources on the ground. From them you'll gain an understanding of immigration issues...what you need to do to qualify for residency...how to stay with the least amount of paperwork...what you should consider before you apply for residency, and more...

How to go about negotiating the best deal in today's advantageous real estate market...questions to ask...plus some bargaining chips you might not know you have...How to acquire a clear title to your property and the step-by-step procedure for buying real estate, so you know exactly what to expect...Taxation issues you should be aware of before you complete any transaction or change your place of residency...Plus, you'll hear the pros and cons from people just like you who have already taken the plunge...

We'll make sure that by the end of this trip you have a thorough understanding of the local situation, the lay of the land...and answers to all your questions. We do all the leg work for you. All you have to do is come along and enjoy.

Investing in Argentina and Chile now is the opportunity of a lifetime...

There has never been a better time to visit Argentina. Until 18 months ago, the Argentine peso was pegged even with the U.S. dollar, but today's exchange rate is 2.8 pesos to the dollar. Suddenly, this sophisticated country has become very affordable. The truth is...prices are downright low. Being in Buenos Aires is like being in Paris, with all that European city's amenities and charm, but at one-quarter to one-third the price.

Ordinarily, you might expect that the worst time to visit a country is during a time of crises. But Argentina is a place with a colorful history of resiliency. Its people have overcome both political and economic hardships before and as a result, they are independent, optimistic, graceful, and proud. And they have a lot to be proud of...

Buenos Aires - the "Paris of South America"

Buenos Aires is one of the most exciting cities in the world with a sophisticated, genteel Latin American influence but on a cosmopolitan par with New York or Paris. Large boulevards, beautiful parks and plazas...modern high-rises in some areas and elsewhere narrow city streets lined with colonial-style buildings with walk-up apartments whose French doors open onto plant-filled, wrought-iron balconies.

Its neighborhoods each enjoy their own distinct flavor and charm. In bohemian San Telmo, you can browse the many antique shops or take in the scenery from a sidewalk bistro. La Boca is a colorful Italian neighborhood and home to the much-loved Boca Juniors soccer club. Recoleta is the "Fifth Avenue" of Buenos Aires, teeming with upscale shops and bistros. Palermo is home to the city's zoo, planetarium, botanical garden, and race track.

What about property prices in Buenos Aires? On a recent trip...just a few months back...we found a newly remodeled colonial-style building in Recoleta with brand-new apartments for sale: a small 410-square-foot, ground-floor studio with a large terrace was on offer for $38,000. A 615-square-foot, 1-bedroom, 2-bath model was going for $57,000; and for a 972-square-foot, two-story apartment with a terrace on each floor, the asking price was $90,000. $70 per month pays your city tax, water, and maintenance fee. These are remarkable prices for an apartment in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of one of the world's most exciting cities.

In funky, fun San Telmo, we found a 1,550-square-foot, three-story, loft-style apartment with 750 square feet of rooftop terrace with an asking price of $63,000. Just down the block, a 2,500-square-foot, classically decorated flat with high ceilings, elaborate woodwork, and sparkling chandeliers was on offer for $100,000.

Prices in trendy Palermo and the elite suburbs of Buenos Aires are reasonable, too. We saw large houses - all with lush gardens, swimming pools, and outdoor barbecues (a must if you've tasted Argentine beef) - for prices ranging from $120,000 to $225,000. Our favorite was a 5,000-square-foot mansion overlooking the Rio Plata. It sits on two acres and includes a 1,500-square-foot guesthouse. The cost: $1 million. That may seem like a lot, but this is a spectacular home with a spectacular view. The same size lot next door just sold for half a million dollars...for the land alone.

In Buenos Aires, we'll stay in the heart of the city's tourist, commercial, and financial districts, near the famous Plaza de Mayo and the city's most historic monuments: the Casa de Gobierno, the Cabildo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, to name a few. You'll see all of these and more on our city tour.

Plus, you'll spend an unforgettable evening at Esquina Carlos Gardel, one of the city's most famous tango clubs. Buenos Aires is the birthplace of the tango, after all, and Carlos Gardel was one of its most famous practitioners. No trip to Buenos Aires would be complete without experiencing this provocative art form up close and personally.

On to Patagonia...the Grand Tetons and Yosemite rolled into one

Patagonia. The name alone inspires visions of adventure. Soaring pink and white granite cliffs...golden plains of the pampas...dense southern beech forests...enormous glaciers...sparkling lakes of incredible hues. Some say this spectacular, unspoiled wilderness is like the Grand Tetons and Yosemite rolled into one.

You'll see it all for yourself when you venture there with International Living this September. From Buenos Aires, we'll take you to San Martin de los Andes, where we'll spend two nights at the famous Hotel La Cheminée. Lovely San Martin is nestled amid mountains and surrounded by forests of beech and cypress. Trout fishing is popular in the numerous lakes, ponds, and streams. We'll spend time exploring San Martin and its surroundings...and of course, we'll see some great real estate bargains while we're there. This is the "Aspen" of Argentina...a world-class resort community where South America's elite come to vacation.

From San Martin we'll travel by luxury motor coach on the famous Seven Lakes Road to the mountain resort of Villa la Angostura and then Bariloche. This is a day to look forward to. You'll find your eyes glued to the breathtaking scenery. We'll pass through unique cane forests and see each one of the seven crystal-clear glacial lakes. We overnight in the quaint town of Villa la Angostura, where you'll find the best chocolate in the region. Here we will visit properties for sale between $20,000 - $150,000 with incredible views of the mountains and lakes. We will overnight at the Hotel Correntoso. The following morning we will finish our lake drive to our final Argentina destination - Bariloche.

Chic Bariloche: The St. Moritz of Argentina

Bariloche, on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, is to Argentina what St. Moritz is to Switzerland. From June through September, this upscale ski resort is the place to be seen, but we prefer the off-season when visitors come to hike, fish, sail, ride horses, swim, and sun. Bariloche was founded in 1895 by German-Swiss settlers and still retains an Alpine flavor...chalet-style buildings with flower-filled window boxes...chocolate factories and fondue restaurants.

We'll spend one night here staying at the charming Edelweiss Hotel exploring the area and checking out real estate opportunities. If you've ever wanted a mountain or lake home in one of the world's most popular resort communities, now is your chance to buy at an unbelievably reasonable price.

When last we checked, a small bungalow in the exclusive Arlauquen Golf and Country area was on sale for $50,000. A pine-treed lot on the shore of Lake Guiterrez with a small rustic-style house was on offer for $43,000. In the heart of Bariloche, a beautiful 1,700-square-foot, alpine-style chalet with a view of the lake was priced at $76,000, and a 3,200-square-foot house near the town center was just $150,000.

You won't want to leave...but
Chile's Lake District beckons

Bariloche is so enchanting, you'll find it hard to tear yourself away. But I promise, Chile's Lake District won't let you down. Of course, we have to get there first, and we'll do so in style. Crossing from Argentina to Chile in the Lake District by boat is one of the most extraordinary journeys you will ever have the privilege of taking. By way of a large, first-class, enclosed launch we will cross beautiful Lago Nahuel Huapi. From the far bank, we'll take the final leg of the journey into Chile by motor coach, passing spectacular rushing rivers and roaring waterfalls...so have your camera handy. Thus begins the second half of our great adventure...in Chile.

Chile is one of the most beautiful countries on earth - yet few people realize it also has one of the fastest-growing economies in the western hemisphere. Here's your chance to get to know this amazing country...and enjoy First World comforts and old-world charms...while exploring some of the best investment opportunities in the world.

Most likely, you know Chile as that long, skinny stretch of land that lines 2,700 miles of South American's western coast...but Chile is one of the most diverse countries in South America and offers quite a bit beyond beachfront. Fjords, volcanoes, mountains reaching nearly four miles high, lakes as clear as any in the world, an agriculturally rich Central Valley covering 70,000 square miles...and Santiago, one of the world's most exciting cities.

Like Argentina, Chile was settled by people of European descent especially Germans. It is a modern, efficient, first-world country in every region, where you'll feel safe and secure. Unlike poorer Latin American countries, there aren't bars on windows, walls around houses, or blaring car alarms. The roads in Chile are excellent, both primary and secondary, from one end of the country to the other.

Plus, like every other country in the world, Chile is being challenged by the current global economic slowdown...real estate prices are extremely reasonable. And Chileans are serious about attracting foreign investment and tourism. For instance, right now in Chile you can establish residence in a Free Zone port on the Pacific, enjoy virtually tax-free living, and even receive government money to start your own export business.

Snow-capped mountains, Bavarian-style chalets, and world-class sport fishing in Puerto Varas

We'll start our Chilean adventure in Puerto Varas, the "Switzerland of South America." Broad-shouldered, snow-capped mountains overlook lakes 25 miles wide. Like Bariloche and San Martin in Argentina, Puerto Varas was settled by Germans in the 19th century, and picture-perfect, Bavarian-style chalets dot the landscape.

Here we'll spend three nights at the delightful Hotel Cabanas del Lago in Puerto Varas. On the edge of Chile's largest lake, Lago Llanquihue, the Osorno Volcano towers in the background and the six-story chalet-style building is a perfect complement to the alpine landscape. Its restaurant specializes in fresh trout, salmon, and game, and features a wonderful selection of fine regional wines.

Puerto Varas has everything you could want, including a wealth of fine restaurants, a new casino, and two Orvis fly-fishing shops....sport fishing is big business here. You'll notice a strong German influence here, too, a wonderful benefit of which is the multitude of chocolates, cakes, pies, and pastries available in the German-style bakeries.

During our stay in this area, we'll see a good cross-section of real estate. On our recent trip, one participant bought a 6.5 acre parcel on the lake with 360° panoramic views for $147,000. He plans on building a fishing lodge. We also found a small house of 1,000 square feet in a residential neighborhood on the edge of town on offer for just $12,000. Outside of town, a nice 2.5-acre piece of land with a great view of both Osorno volcano and the lake carried a price tag of $27,000...and you can build your dream home here for a fraction of what you'd pay in Europe or the United States.

Chile's most beautiful city

Further north up the coast is Valdivia. It's about halfway between Puerto Montt and Temuco at the end of a beautiful drive through conifer-covered mountain scenery. Valdivia is judged by many to be Chile's most beautiful city with its waterfront promenade, immaculate parks and squares, and its fine shops.

The town was named after founder Pedro de Valdivia (who also founded Santiago) after he arrived here to look for a new source of slaves. Instead, he lost his life in 1554 (and the entire city was lost in 1599) to the Mapuches, who had different ideas about slavery. While it's often thought of as a coastal town, it's actually about 10 minutes from the Pacific, at the confluence of the Cau Cau, Calle Calle, and Valdivia rivers.

Here we found a home on offer about 15 minutes from downtown, sitting on a pleasant 2-acre, landscaped lot. The house is 1,100 square feet, with three bedrooms and one bathroom. The asking price is $69,800.

We will spend the night in Valdivia.

Ranches and Horseback Riding

In Pucón, we'll spend two nights at Hotel del Lago overlooking Lake Villarrica. A giant mirror that reflects the image of the volcano towering 9,230 feet above, this astonishing lake is big enough for some serious boating and fishing.

Pucón is a beautiful town for walking, and probably the most popular Lakes Region travel destination - but you'll be pleasantly surprised at the property prices here. We found a cheerful, well-built three-bedroom, two-bath home in the town center on a nice-sized lot listing for $90,000. A lakeside lot of 1.25 acres was selling for only $60,000. A one-bedroom apartment with a beautiful view of the lake and forest...$38,000. We also saw a nice investment property on the road between Pucón and Villarrica, with three fully equipped modern cabins and a wonderful lake view on 2.5 acres for an asking price of just $135,000.

Live better for less in cosmopolitan,
Latin-charged Santiago

While the excellent real estate values in the Lake District may astound you, you'll be equally amazed at how affordably you can live in exciting and beautiful Santiago - Chile's capital city. You can rent a two-bedroom, one bath apartment with living room, dining room, and kitchen for as little as $120 a month. If you're willing to pay three or four times that much, you could live in luxury and style in the heart of the city's cultural and historic district.

If you're interested in buying, apartments start at $12,250 for a small, two-bedroom place with a view of the Andean cordillera, and range up to $131,700 for a luxury apartment with two terraces and a view of Parque Forestal. Houses start at $15,700 for a small, three-bedroom, one-bath home to $151,000 for a 4,500-square-foot colonial casa antigua.

Like Buenos Aires, Santiago has its own distinct neighborhoods. Bellavista is a charming, colorful area reminiscent of Greenwich Village in New York, complete with sidewalk cafés, ethnic restaurants and clubs, and wide, tree-lined streets. The Providencia sector is our personal favorite due to its beauty, cleanliness, cosmopolitan feel, and the fact that it's within walking distance of much of El Centro, Santiago's historic colonial center. A brand-new luxury apartment in the Providencia sector, with three bedrooms, two baths, a terrace with great views of the city, and a nearby park starts at $93,000.

If you prefer to build your own home a bit removed from the city, you can do it for a fraction of what you'd pay at home. In the Central Valley, we found a 47-acre fruit-bearing, irrigated lot in the fertile Talca region just two hours outside the capital for $73,000. Minimum wage is $165 a month in Chile, and a skilled laborer earns about $35 a day. Quality wood and other construction materials are abundant and inexpensive in Chile.

In Santiago, we'll stay near the city center. We'll spend our first evening in Santiago in a dinner meeting. The next day, in addition to touring real estate in Santiago, we'll take a jaunt to Vina del Mar, Chile's most popular and glittering beach resort, which boasts elegant hotels...casinos...charming beaches...and grand avenues lined with palms, boutiques, and restaurants specializing in international cuisine.

On our final day, we'll make time for a tour of the Concha y Toro Vineyard. You'll see the house that Don Melchor built in 1875, hear the legend of The Devil in the Cellar, and find out how the famous Casillero del Diablo wine got its name. You'll walk through the vineyards, explore the cellars, taste some of their finest vintages, and understand why Chile is the fastest growing exporter of fine wines in the world.

You will not find a better value for your travel dollar

Whether you're interested in owning an affordable, quality second home in splendid surroundings...finding the ideal retirement haven...or exploring investment opportunities in two of the most dynamic economies in the world...you'll find what you're looking for on our Argentina and Chile Discovery Tour.

Value is extremely important to us here at International Living - not just in the opportunities we search out on your behalf, but in our own products and services as well. That's why we work hard to find excellent travel deals wherever we go. In Argentina and Chile, we've outdone ourselves. This 17-day trip includes...

• International airfare from Miami to Buenos Aires and from Santiago to Miami
• Domestic airfare from Buenos Aires to San Martin de los Andes and from Temuco to Santiago
• All airport transfers
• The lake crossing between Argentina and Chile on an enclosed motor yacht
• 14 nights luxury hotel accommodations in Argentina and Chile
• All breakfasts and all dinners (except two days when lunch is included instead of dinner)
• A tango show in Buenos Aires
• A tour of the Concha y Toro Vineyards
• All entrance fees for parks and other activities
• Personal tours of real estate
• Exclusive meetings with key contacts
• Private transportation throughout the program
• Professional bilingual tour guides
• Assistance throughout the tour by a Discovery Tour guide

For a program of this scope and length, which provides such extraordinary VIP entrée to Argentina and Chile, you might reasonably expect to pay at least $5,500 or $6,000. Indeed, that's what other, high-end tour operators charge for tourism travel alone (no special access and no airfare, either).

But this trip costs less. We have negotiated what I believe is perhaps the best travel deal in the history of our company. (Plus, you must consider, too, that any one of the extraordinary investment opportunities we'll introduce you to could earn you profits of many times the cost of the trip...which means this journey could easily pay for itself many times over.)

Our extraordinary 17-day tour, airfare from Miami included, is priced at just $4,597 per person, based on double occupancy (single supplement: $700). For the Argentina or Chile portion alone, including airfare, your price is $2,997 per person based on double (single supplement is $350).

Please note, participation will be limited to just 35 attendees. (It will sell out quickly!) That's why I urge you to respond immediately.

The sights you'll see and the opportunities you'll discover will surpass your expectations. Contact my office today to put your name on the list of attendees by phoning (800) 926-6575 or using the registration form below. I believe you'll find this Argentina-Chile expedition one of the most rewarding travel experiences of your life

Sincerely,

Register Today!

P.S. As I explained earlier, if you don't have the time to travel with us to both of these extraordinary countries, we can make arrangements for you to travel with us only through Argentina...or to join us in Chile. Please call us for details at (800) 926-6575. Again, however, I strongly urge you to make the time for this entire excursion. There has never been a better time to visit both Argentina and Chile...and real estate prices may never again be this low. This is, truly, a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and if you're serious about finding a sophisticated, First World haven where you can invest or live...you won't want to miss a single day of this trip! Contact us today at (800) 926-6575 or by registration form to reserve your place.

Register Today!