Brazil, Argentina....or both??

[MellersSmellers]

So we're planning a big 3-week Start of Retirement holiday with a group of friends. A bit lead by a group travel company itinerary, we were thinking initially of doing a circular trip taking in Rio, Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls but stretching it to include Salvador to the north of Rio.
As we pick up the planning again, I'm wondering if we're being too ambitious and and whether we'd be better just focussing on, say, Argentina and leave Brazil to another day as both countries look like they have so very much to see and do. Saying that, we're all in our 60s and who knows if we'll ever get to do that second trip.
Any thoughts from someone who's visited these countries? Visit them together or separately? Which is your fave? And what would be your Must Sees?

@MellersSmellers unfortunately, I have no wise words for you - I am also looking for advice about the area myself.

If it was me I would be keen to include Salvador too but you'll probably need to take a vote and go with the majority decision. Alternatively could the group separate and rejoin after a Salvador leg for those who are keen?

I’d stick to Brazil and add paraty or similar close to Rio. I’d certainly add Salvador. Brazil is HUGE and Argentina is too. I’d def go for separate trip (but nip across the border at the falls!).

@MellersSmellers Ive been to both - separately!

In Brazil we started in Rio, went to Salvadore and then on to Praia Do Forte for a beach break. This is a more laid back place than Trancoso. We then travelled to the Minas Gerais area and stayed at Ouro Preto and Tiradentes. We had a car for this so could explore ourselves and it’s a rich area for churches. Not too many visitors. We didn’t go to the Amazon on this holiday but we did go to Iguazu. You could add in the Amazon too. At Iguazu you need to go into Argentina to see the best bit of the falls (in my view). If you add Paraty and the Amazon, you need three weeks!

Argentina! Love it. Like Brazil - it’s huge. You need internal flights as in Brazil. Argentina has the fabulous Patagonia area and glaciers. BA is a great city and we’ve also toured the Lake District area. I have friends who have also stayed on an estancia and there are wonderful cities such as Salta and Mendoza. The wine estates around Mendoza are fantastic. We’ve also done a photo tour in the Andes. Plus orca watching off the Valdez Peninsular. We’ve also been to the Antarctic via the Falkland Islands. Argentina has a reliable internal flight network.

If I’m honest - we prefer Argentina. Both countries have great hotels. They have very different landscapes (Andes and rainforest!) but both have strong individual culture. Rio is probably more edgy so you have to stay in tourist areas. BA is large but if you stay in Palermo Soho area it’s fantastic. Plenty to see and do. Rio has Copacabana and that is truly something! It’s huge! Obviously Rio has iconic sights but BA is easier to walk around. Plus there’s the tango shows! And parrillas.

So - do not try and do both. One or the other and decide what means most to you in terms of wildlife, cities, beach, culture and iconic sights. Both offer so much. (Rio airport was unbelievably busy when we went - heaving). I would say Argentina is more organised.