The southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is where most Antarctic cruises leave from. Many visitors arrive by plane from Buenos Aires and leave the next day - I think it's worth more of your time. The plane descends over the start of the Andean mountain range and lands on the narrow isthmus whose runway starts and ends in the BeagleChannel.

The mountains are usually snow capped, even in summer and the weather is rarely kind; wind and rain sweep in from the southern ocean creating a green and pleasant national park area. There are beaver dams, Indian relics, penguins and other exotic species. The city is a bit frontier like, with primarily wooden buildings looking hastily erected.

There is a variety of accommodation from five-star through to backpacker lodges. The main shopping and business street is parallel to the quayside and has the expected souvenir shops but they are of good quality and reasonably priced-it's also a tax free zone. If you are going on to the great white continent you can kit up with whatever cold weather gear you need. Alpine sports are a short drive away in the mountains. Restaurants major on seafood and indoor (!) barbecues serve tender Argentine steak. Short excursions to see penguins, whales, seals etc are available in the Beagle Channel.

There is a lovely little steam railway (British engines), prison museum (why the place exists) and the feeling of being a lot further south than most. Darwin spent a lot of time here, so should you. We found the locals very friendly, English widely spoken, and US dollars accepted. Oh, and there's a Routemaster bus for city tours....