A blissful little city in the Patagonian region of Argentina, El Calafate’s strategic location makes it feature on most travel itineraries in this part of the world. A trip to El Calafate can easily be designed around a traveler’s specific interests. Its grand melting glaciers and frequent sightings of Patagonian birds serve a photographer well. Its idyllic lakeside haunts and starry skies are perfect romantic settings. A variety of restaurants and souvenir shops render walks eventful. The growing popularity of El Calafate has resulted in the emergence of a number of upscale hotels in the area. Winter is a great time to visit, with the glacier at its magnificent best.