Five days in Buenos Aires

Perhaps my blogs are like buses, none for ages and then three come along at once!

It occurs to me that whilst I tell you that I design tailormade itineraries, unless you have booked anything with me, you may not have seen anything I have done. This being the case, I have decided to share a selection of past itineraries to give you a sample of what I can do. They have all been edited so that they are quick to read and not too full of details.

This 5 day itinerary for Buenos Aires was created for a couple in their 30s, not long married, who wanted to learn to tango and to “feel” Buenos Aires. Having lived in Buenos Aires myself, I particularly enjoyed creating this itinerary.

Day One

On your transfer to the hotel, you will drive along the Ezeiza Highway into the city, which is known to be the widest avenue in the world, with its 12 lanes lined with Jacaranda and Kapok trees. In the middle stands the Obelisk, the famous landmark in the centre of the city, which commemorates the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the city.

You will also pass by Colon Opera House as you continue to your hotel in Recoleta. Recoleta is an elegant residential district in Buenos Aires. Here you are surrounded by the best restaurants, shopping, parks and gardens, art galleries and museums.

As you are arriving late after a long flight, I recommend you enjoy a quiet dinner at one of the Hotel’s excellent restaurants.

Day Two

I have left this morning at leisure, for you to enjoy a lie-in and a late breakfast. After breakfast, you might like to explore the surrounding area stopping for a quick coffee or a light lunch at La Biela Restaurant in Recoleta.

At 2:00pm, you will be met at your hotel by your driver, who will transfer you to the Tortugas Country Club where I have arranged VIP tickets for the Tortugas Open Polo Tournament. You will be met at the entrance to the Tortugas Country Club and accompanied to the Tournament by your polo player

During the months of September-October of each polo season since the year 1930, the famous Tortugas Open is played at the exclusive Tortugas Country Club fields, one of Argentina’s major sportive and social gatherings. Played by the country’s eight best teams, this tournament is very exciting and attracts the finest polo players and horses from around the world.

Return to the hotel to freshen up before being picked up at 7.00 pm and head out to the Tango Academy for a private tango lesson with the most well-known tango couple in Argentina.

 You will be immersed in the rhythm, learning the techniques, the steps and the atmosphere of the dance. The instructors will teach you the secrets of the tango and demonstrate why they are the most well-known and internationally recognized tango couple.

At 8:30 pm your diver will return and transfer you to the Faena Hotel & Universe for a Dinner and Tango Show at Rojo Tango:

Rojo Tango is situated in El Cabaret nightclub within the Faena Hotel & Universe. The setting restores and revives the nostalgia of a time gone by, and unlike most traditional tango shows; the Rojo Tango is much more intimate. The performers are literally within arm’s reach of the audience throughout the show. Prior to the performance, you will enjoy a gourmet meal. The show itself lasts for one hour and 20 minutes and features a 5-piece orchestra, 2 singers and 4 dancing couples. Program covers Tango history from the 20s to Astor Piazzolla.

Day Three

After breakfast, you will be met at 10.00 am and taken on a Southern Tour of Buenos Aires to discover the eclectic architecture, with its narrow streets, ornamented facades and balconies. Your guide will be with you for the whole day.

You will have the opportunity to visit Plaza de Mayo, the colonial Cabildo, the old town hall and the Presidential Palace ‘Casa Rosada’. Then you will head further south to the La Boca area to see the famed Boca Juniors soccer stadium and the colourful Caminito Street, where artists exhibit their work outdoors. The atmosphere in La Boca is fun and lively, like the colours of the buildings. Afterwards, you will continue to San Telmo, the oldest part of the city to explore the contrasting architecture, antique shops and Sunday’s famous flea market.

At 12.15pm you will be given a private backstage tour of the Colon Theatre, one of the world’s Grand Opera Houses, before enjoying lunch at one of the best restaurants in Puerto Madero.

After lunch, you will be taken on a tour of the sophisticated Recoleta quarter with its French architecture, Recoleta cemetery (the final resting place of Evita) and tour the Palermo residential neighborhood, gardens and shops. Finally, a peaceful carriage ride along Palermo Park will end your day before returning to your hotel at 6:00pm.

At 8:30pm, you will be transferred in a vintage car for a tour of the Milongas, starting in Belgrano.  This will be a great way to taste the true tangueros night life and see authentic dance salons where milongas take place and real porteño tango dancers attend.  You will return to your hotel at around midnight.

Day Four

After a leisurely breakfast you will be collected from the hotel at 10:00am and transferred to Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport, which is the domestic airport located about 15 minutes from your hotel. You will take a Helicopter Tour of the city and then transfer to Estancia la Bamba de Areco.

 This is an incredible way to get familiar with the city, its surroundings and spectacular views. After which, you will continue by helicopter to the Estancia

A day at an Argentine Estancia is a wonderful way to see and enjoy the countryside, and have an opportunity to indulge in a typical Argentine asado lunch whilst enjoying the views of the endless plains.  Your guide can also arrange some activities such as horse-riding or ride on horse drawn carriages.

 At 5:00pm you will fly back to Buenos Aires domestic airport and upon arrival be transferred to your hotel.

 This evening you will enjoy a tango lesson at 7:00pm and dinner will be at your leisure.

Day Five

Today you will have a leisurely start and then be met by your guide and driver and transferred to Buque Bus Ferry terminal in time for the 12.30pm departure to Colonia de Sacramento. Colonia is one hour ahead of Buenos Aires and you will arrive at 2.45pm, local time. I have arranged for gourmet lunch boxes for today as the food on the Buquebus is appalling!

Upon arrival you will have a sedan car and your guide will remain at your disposal for the afternoon.

Colonia is a quaint historic village with narrow cobblestone streets and buildings founded by Portuguese settler Manuel Lobo in 1680, which have been declared a World Heritage Status by UNESCO. You will also be able to see The Plaza Mayor which is especially picturesque as are the Portuguese Museum, Casa del Virrey, Casa Nacarello and Municipal Museums. The historic district occupies 20 blocks and is a great place to stroll around at leisure.

Note: Remember to bring your passports since you’ll need them for clearing immigration at the Argentine/Uruguayan border