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Today "Recoleta" - Buenos Aires

2007-08-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

One of the most exclusive and distinguished neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. Museums, art galleries, international fashion. The Cultural Center and a cemetery with notorious personalities.

It possesses a high populational density, almost without low houses. It has a great number of traditional estates of beginnings of the XX century where the families of the oligarchy lived, now transformed in embassies or museums. Their more characteristic space is the one thatis next to the traditional cemetery of the Recoleta, very rich in art samples and history, since in their many luxurious tombs and other not so much, they are some of the most important personalitiesin the Argentinean history, as Guillermo Brown, Dorrego or Evita. To their entrance it is the Plaza Alvear, cultural nucleus in which the weekends are formed an important fair of crafts and many street shows. Also on this square it´s the Recoleta Cultural Center, center of exhibitions with gratuitous entrance of the Government of the City that has varied and constantly renovated samples of art. To the side, it is the Buenos Aires Design and Walk of the Pilar, commercial and gastronomic center inaugurated a few years ago. Crossing the Libertador Avenue, it´s the National Art Museum, also with gratuitous entrance, that possesses an important collection of national and world Art. The imposing Laws University are also in the area, and that of engineering, with a neogotic style, the Museum of Ornamental Art, the National Library, exponent of brutal architecture, the Sanmartinian Institute, Shoppings and a foreign cinema complex. They also stand out the traditional Basilica Menor Nuestra Señora del Pilar, 1732, next to the cemetery, the building of the Automobile Argentinean Club, that of Channel 7, the Palais de Glace, center of exhibitions, and diverse monuments like the one of Evita, that of Artigas, that of Torcuato de Alvear, that de Carlos of Alvear and sculptures like that of the Colombian Botero, in the Park Thays. There are important avenues, the Libertaador Avenue, Las Heras, Figueroa Alcorta, Callao, restaurants, bars and pubs and several discos.

Today "Patagonia" - Argentina

2007-08-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

The Patagonia in south of Argentina, offers adventure options.

Explore Patagonia at a relaxed pace or take a complete hiking and trekking adventure.

Bariloche
At the foot of Lake Nahuel Huapi and surrounded by a series of landscapes which are absolutely irresistible, visiting the city of Bariloche is in itself an adventure for the traveler. This city, one of the largest in Patagonia, has a varied infrastructure for gastronomy, lodging and entertainment, including hotels, bungalows, and even casinos and discos.
Las Leñas
There is a long list of places to ski in Argentina. Las Lenas, An hour an half flight from Buenos Aires, and only 43 miles from the airport of Malague. Is the vastest and highest ski area in Argentina. More than sixty kilometers of runs provide skiers and snowboarders with descents of varying difficulties suitable for skiers and riders of all abilities, some people say Las Lenas is the best resort in South America. Cerro Catedral, is located only 12 miles ( 20km ) from the city of Bariloche., waiting for those skiers who wish to experiment the adventure promised by winter sports, provided with the most modern infrastructure so beginners and advanced snowboarding can enjoy all the alternatives of the snow sports.
Perito Moreno Glacier
One of the big attractions of the Patagonia Argentina is the Glaciers National Park, declared World Patrimony for the UNESCO. One of the visit that you can’t loose is the Perito Moreno Glacier. Located in the Park. It has a great archeological and biological paleontological values.
Strait of Magellan
Navigation through the legendary Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel, the glaciers, channels and fjords of the Darwin Mountain Range.
Fly Fishing in Patagonia
If you’re looking for unforgettable fly fishing and an outfitter without boundaries to take you to the rivers of your dreams, you’ve found the right place in Patagonia Argentina.

Next Post: "Recoleta - Buenos Aires"

Today "Tango in Buenos Aires"

2007-08-10T18:57:00.000-07:00

Buenos Aires is the birthplace and the world capital of TANGO, a rhythm that was created by the banks of the Río de la Plata, at the end of the 19th century, as a fusion of European and African music.

The tango is manifested in the lyrics - many of the words used in the tango come from lunfardo (porteños’ slang); in the music - the bandoneón provided the music from the Río de la Plata with that melancholic and somewhat sullen sound that characterizes tango today; and in the dance - tango classes last between one and two hours. It is ideal to take four or five lessons.
From the first lesson, teachers train beginners in the mastering of the basic steps: eight simple movements that may be learned in a few hours.
Buenos Aires is full of tango houses with live orchestras and dancers. The most important places that offer live shows usually include dinner (with options in Argentine beef or international menus).
You may also go to the milongas, places where you dance tango. Many of them organize classes – given by specialized teachers – before the dancing. For beginners and more experienced dancers, the offer includes group or individual classes. Tango, milonga or vals.

Next post "Patagonia"

Today "Puerto Madero" - Buenos Aires / Argentina

2007-08-08T02:36:00.000-07:00

From a Travel Diary

Puerto Madero is a "new" mixed-use neighborhood that is being gentrified by the conversion of derelict warehouses into swanky offices, hotels, condominiums and restaurants. This area is just east of central Buenos Aires, but it has quite a different atmosphere. The meshing of land and water creates a special chemistry that is irresistible to visitors and locals alike, as the outdoor promenades are enjoyed by many couples and families. There is a convenient information booth with helpful staffers and colorful brochures. One of the marshy areas is being maintained as the Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur, a large wildlife reserve within the city limits. I spotted ducks with bright red bills, floating in calm waters and intermingling with patches of reeds and grasses. The maritime swagger of Puerto Madero is emphasized by the construction of sleek bridges (one of which was designed by the great Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava) and new buildings, like the interesting Divino Buenos Ayres restaurant/club. They create a vibrant old/new attitude that makes this district my personal favorite in Buenos Aires.

Next Post: "Tango in Buenos Aires"

Buenos Aires

2007-08-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

Buenos Aires, considered the most cosmopolitan city of South America, very much alike some European capital cities. The highlights include: Plaza de Mayo and the surrounding buildings, among which La Casa Rosada (seat of the National Government); “El Cabildo”, old seat of the government of Buenos Aires, the metropolitan Cathedral standout. From this place we’ll move along towards the “Palace del Congreso” (Parliament), the 9 de Julio Avenue (know as the widest in the world) to see the Colon Theatre, considered together with the Metropolitan House of New York and the La Scala of Milan, among the best opera houses of the world, where the best actors and musicians have come from all over the world to perform there. We’ll also visit the popular suburb of the Boca which looks like a Neapolitan or Genovese one. The Palermo Park and the historic Recoleta, with its renowned cemetery located just a few meters from the wellknown restaurants, cafeterias and discos of Buenos Aires.

GREAT GAUCHO PARTY: with Gaucho Museum
Enjoy a day in the country visiting a typical ranch of the wet Argentinean pampas, where you will meet different aspects of the life of the gaucho. We will see jockey exhibitions in ring races. There you will be welcomed with empanadas, asado (barbeque), Argentinean wines and folkloric songs and dances. You will also have the opportunity of riding on a horse.

DINNER AND TANGO SHOW
The tango is known and loved in all the world. In Argentina we have an advantage: here it was born. Enjoy the glamour, emotion and sophistication of the biggest variety of shows in Buenos Aires, visit the Tanguerías (tango places) and learn how to dance Tango, in the innumerable academies of this genre, with the most well know professors at a national and international level.

DELTA FULL DAY
We will ride on the modern Tren de la Costa connecting Olivos/ San Isidro Delta. We will have lunch in a typical Creole restaurant where you will enjoy all the different kinds of Argentinean meat, with no limit. Options of pasta and a wide salad bar. Arriving at the Delta we will take a long boat through the fantastic Paraná de las Palmas.

Exchange

2007-08-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

The local currency is the Peso ($)
The exchange rate fluctuates between $300 to $ 350 per U$S 100, due to the current economic situation.
If you need to exchange foreign currency go to an authorized exchange agency or a bank. Hotels and stores accept US Dollars, and in general are willing to exchange for Pesos.

Argentina - The home of the sultry tango does a good line in fiery soccer and juicy steaks.

2007-08-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Argentina's pleasures - stunning natural wonders, an elegant capital with a European-flavored sophistication, and a passionate culture - are as tempting as ever. The silver lining to the financial cloud is that it's now one of the best travel bargains around.

This is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to blend in with the locals.

When To Go
For residents of the Northern Hemisphere, Argentina offers travelers the possibility of enjoying two summers in one year, but the country's great variety and elongated geography means visiting is pleasant during any season. Patagonian destinations, such as the Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz, are best visited in the summer months (December to February ) when the weather's milder and more services are available. Outside this time, services thin out and public transport becomes trickier. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Buenos Aires (the summer is hot and humid). Mendoza, Córdoba and the Lake District are all spectacular in autumn, when the leaves are fiery reds and yellows, the temperatures are comfortable and the crowds are few.

Northern Argentina, including the Iguazú Falls in the subtropical Misiones province, is also more pleasant in the Southern Hemisphere's winter or spring when heat and humidity are less oppressive. Ski season runs mid-June through mid-October, and the resorts are most expensive and most crowded during July and August when every porteño (person from Buenos Aires) seems to be on the slopes. The most expensive times to travel are the Argentine vacation months of January, February and July