Ian Mount: I'll have to say that you got me there. Here's the Missiones Government tourism site, which shows that among other things on November 15 the province will be hosting the 24th National Festival of Wood. But, seriously, I've been to Iguazu waterfalls, which is lovely but tourist-packed (and sometimes waterfall free during drought season, so check before you go) and to Posada La Bonita, a quiet jungle lodge which is truly one of the most peaceful places I've ever been. About Apostoles, I'm a little in the dark.

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Raleigh, NC: I'd love to plan our next trip to Buenos Aires, but my husband thinks anyplace in South America is too dangerous. Sure, there are some crime-ridden, scary places on any continent. We've been all over Europe, and I just don't believe Argentina is any more risky than, say, Germany. Am I right? Do you get the feeling that the locals have any particular disdain for Americans? Where can I go for more information of the safety of the city? I'm really excited to break out of our travel rut, but we both need to feel comfortable of course. Thanks so much for your help!

Ian Mount: Buenos Aires used to be one of those absurdly safe cities where people left their front doors unlocked (at least that's what my Argentine friends tell me), and while it's no longer that I certainly think of it as being as safe as, say, New York. Of course, walking around a tourist area, carrying an expensive digital camera, and screaming in English is probably the best way to be pickpocketed, but I think that's likely true anywhere. And there are some neighborhoods I wouldn't walk around at 4 a.m. (again, like anywhere). In the news you will see a lot of very sensational crimes--"express" kidnappings of wealthy Argentine businessmen, rapes in the subway, etc¿but overall I find it to be wonderfully unintimidating, friendly and safe, especially for tourists. I used to live in New Orleans, another tourist heavy city, and to put it mildly Buenos Aires is far safe. I don't know any official statistics on the crime rates, but here's the US State Department sheet on the country.
As for disdain for Americans, I've never really felt any. There is an incredible disdain for the current president--so his-and-hers "I Love Bush" shirts wouldn't be a great idea--but Argentines generally distinguish between the people and politicians.

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Toledo, OH: What is the safety situation in Buenos Aires? Also, what is the inflation rate in the cost of apartments?

Ian Mount: I'll point you to the last question re: safety. As for inflation, the rate is about 10-12% a year, which means hotel rooms that used to be $80 (US) are now some $100 (US). If you're asking about apartment buying, that really depends on the neighborhood. In hot neighborhoods like Palermo--where foreigners are buying houses and apartments--prices have maybe doubled in the last four years, while in more local barrios prices have risen at a more reasonable pace.

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Irving, TX: Is it safe to rent a car in Buenos Aires and drive from town to town in Argentina?

Ian Mount: I've only done that once with a rented car--to drive down to Mar de las Pampas for this article--and I found it totally safe. Cintra (my wife) and I used to have a car in the city, and we never had any trouble either in or outside the city (we drove to Cordoba, for example). One warning: the highways are pretty scary sometimes, as they're often two lane (one in each direction) undivided roads with 130 km/h (80 mph) speed limits and tons of cattle trucks. So if you're a tender hearted driver... (Here's a bit on the highways from the blog Cintra and I keep: http://www.goodairs.com/2006/10/basta-en-la-ruta.html)
If you're thinking about leaving the car in Buenos Aires overnight, I'd think about putting it in a garage as opposed to on the street, as I've heard of a bunch of car theft (though I've never experienced it and I left our car on the street a bunch).

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New Orleans, LA: I will be in Argentina from December 13 through December 23. I am going with two twenty-something girlfriends. We are going to be in Buenos Aires for most of the trip but we would like to go either to Mendoza or to the beach for a few days of that trip, and are trying to decide which one to do given the time restraints. Which one do you suggest and why?