[Allegra]

Buenos Aires was pretty safe as far a crime goes when I was going there frequently in the late 90s. In fact, the low crime rate was boasted in tourism advertisements.

I don't know if that has deteriorated since the peso crashed, though.

[Veto!]

Thanks, Allegra. You certainly do get around!

I met a fellow at church who works for NASA and is on loan to the Argentine Space Program. Yes, they have one and will soon launch a satellite. He says that BA is still pretty much a sure bet for a delightful and safe vacation but declined to predict the future.

I've traveled quite a bit in Europe, Asia and Turkey, which is as much Middle East as I'm up for, but have never been to South America. Have any other suggestions? I tend to like cities better than scenery.