Revealed Travel

Spotlight on Buenos Aires

Newsletter December 2017

Revealing Buenos Aires The Argentine capital offers gourmet cuisine, fabulous shopping, vibrant nightlife and

superb cultural activities from seductive tango to top-notch opera and long sporting traditions from world-class polo to great football.

The city was originally founded on 3 February 1536 by Pedro de Mendoza and named by the chaplain of his fleet after a much-revered holy figure amongst sailors, ‘Santa Maria de Buenos Aires’ (Saint Mary of the Fair Winds), for delivering them safely to land.

Today Buenos Aires has a population of just over 3 million of which around 75% are of Spanish or Italian descent. The city is cosmopolitan, friendly and fun, much like the Porteños themselves.

One important thing to bear in mind is that Buenos Aires has two key airports. Transatlantic flights arrive at the international airport at Ezeiza, which is located 22 miles southwest of the city. There are very few internal flights which connect from here. The other airport is Aeroparque which is just 4 miles north of the centre. Aeroparque airport is the main airport for domestic flights within Argentina but also has some international flights to other Latin American countries. If you are flying into one airport and have an onward connecting from the other you need to allow at least three hours to get between the two.

Argentina Revealed: Practical advice and know-how for travellers.

Practical Information There are direct flights with British Airways from Heathrow to Buenos Aires and flights from other UK airports via Paris and Amsterdam. Other airlines route via Madrid, Frankfurt and Sao Paulo. There is a good network of internal flights but when travelling north to south you may have to route via Buenos Aires. British Nationals with a full valid passport (and at least 6 months to run) do not require a visa. Vaccinations: Nothing compulsory. Local time: GMT -3 Currency: Argentine Peso (AR$) Average Daytime temperatures: Summer (Dec-Mar): 23-32oC Winter (Jun-Sep): 6-15oC

01932 424252 www.argentinarevealed.co.uk

www.southamericarevealed.co.uk part of the Revealed Travel group owned by Mercator Enterprises Ltd

Spotlight on Buenos Aires

Recoleta With its lavish homes and smart hotels, Recoleta is regarded as the most affluent neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. It has tree-lined avenues and easy access to key museums and some lovely squares and parks.

San Telmo San Telmo is the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, characterized by cobblestone streets and rather a crumbling, faded grandeur. The weekly street market is a must for the first-time visitor to the city.

Palermo If you are trendy, creative, chic, young, cool and well-heeled you might want to head for Palermo. The area includes some of the best restaurants, bars and nightspots as well as some great public gardens and parks.

La Boca La Boca is home to the Bombonera football stadium and Caminito, the street with colourful houses which have become artists’ studios. There might be some open-air tango on display but unfortunately it is also rather seedy, with dodgy street hawkers, overpriced tat and pick-pockets.

Puerto Madero The renovated docklands area have been completely transformed over the last 20 years, with old warehouses turned into appealing restaurants, popular bars, clubs and nightspots, smart offices and apartments.

Costañera Sur Covering over 800 acres, the Costañera Sur ecological reserve is the biggest green space in the city with more than 300 species of birds. You can walk around the park in about an hour, or hire a bike at the main entrance. Open every day except Mondays. Entrance is free.

Strictly Tango From absolute beginners who want to take their first steps at learning to tango to intermediate or advanced classes for those with experience, we will arrange a personalised dancing lessons with professionals of the highest calibre. Classes are available in English, Italian and French.

Tigre Delta The area was colonised for the first time in 1580, but it wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that it became a preferred area of recreation for the upper classes of Buenos Aires society. During your boat journey through the Delta you will be see some of the older mansions and how they contrast with today’s wooden houses on stilts.

Evita Duarte de Peron This tour covers the life and death of one of Argentina’s best known figures, a character who continues to provoke conflicting passions. Visit the Evita Museum to learn more about her life, and the monument erected in her honor and the adjacent Cementerio de la Recoleta where her tomb is located.

01932 424252 www.argentinarevealed.co.uk

www.southamericarevealed.co.uk part of the Revealed Travel group owned by Mercator Enterprises Ltd

Colon Theatre Tour A guided tour of the most outstanding theatre in Buenos Aires which is regarded as one of the top opera houses in the world. Construction began in 1890 and is an eclectic blend of classical Greek, Italian Renaissance, German and French influences, a magnificence of marble and mirrors, chandeliers and frescos, carved columns, stained glass and gold leaf.

Tunnels This is a journey back in time to the origins of the city taking you into the underground tunnels which have now reopened as a museum. The tour provides a fascinating glimpse into the architectural development of Buenos Aires with some evidence of the early settlers.

Visit an Estancia There are some beautiful estancias within easy reach of Buenos Aires which can be visited either as a day trip from the capital or for a stay of a few days. They range from traditional working farms to luxurious manor houses with extensive grounds.

Pope Francis Revealed Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was born in Buenos Aires in 1936, the son of an Italian railwayman. During this tour we explore the places of his youth, where he used to play football, his elementary school and the Jesuit College of El Salvador, where he taught literature and psychology in the 1960s.

Buenos Aires by Bike This tour is suitable for all ages and, wherever possible, we avoid the main roads but still take in many of the main sites such as Puerto Madero and the Costañera del Sur, La Boca, San Telmo and the Plaza de Mayo. Bikes, helmets, mineral water, and insurance are included.

Wine-tasting Not so very long ago the only South American wines you’d find in restaurants and supermarkets were Chilean. Today Argentine wines have secured a good reputation. Wine tastings are guided by a sommelier from a selection of the best Argentinian wines from different regions to fully appreciate the aroma, texture, taste and body of each.

Cattle Auction The Mercado de Liniers in the centre of Buenos Aires is reputed to be the largest livestock market in the world. It dates back to 1900 and has capacity for 20,000 head. Cattle are sold in batches. On a recent visit, with the auctioneer moving through the pens on an improvised golf buggy and buyers standing on platforms above the cattle, it took an hour and half to sell over 3500 animals. Photo. Daniela R.

Helicopter Ride Get a bird's-eye view of the city and the Parana Delta by helicopter. An unforgettable

experience to see Buenos Aires from the air. Duration: 15 minutes Costs vary according to the number of passengers: 1 passenger: USD 270 2 passengers: USD 297 (USD 149 per person) 3 passengers: USD 324 (USD 108 per person)

Mataderos One of Buenos Aires’ best kept secrets. La Feria de Matederos has a great emphasis on traditional handicrafts, meat stews, cheeses and other local produce with entertainment provided by folk singers, dancers and gauchos demonstrating their skillful horsemanship. The fair takes place every Sunday from March to December and on Saturday evenings in January and February. Recommended.

01932 424252

www.argentinarevealed.co.uk www.southamericarevealed.co.uk

part of the Revealed Travel group owned by Mercator Enterprises Ltd

Hotels Our dedicated team of travel specialists will be more than happy to discuss accommodation to suit all budgets, from five star luxury to three star comfort. We have outlined here a range of hotels, from large traditional classics and hotels with contemporary style to small, chic boutiques.

Palacio Duhau, Park Hyatt, Classic elegance and style. The hotel combines two buildings, a Palace dating from 1934 which was restored in 2006, and a contemporary building, designed in harmony with the original architecture. Secluded gardens and an art gallery connects both buildings. Located in Recolata.

Faena Universe The Faena is a stylish Philippe Starck-designed hotel with avant-garde interiors in black marble with red velvet, superb dining and probably the best tango show in town. Located in Puerto Madero.

Legado Mitico This charming boutique hotel has just 11 beautifully decorated rooms, each of which is dedicated to a significant figure in Argentine history with décor to match. The rooftop deck had a six-person Jacuzzi.

Mine, Palermo Located in the heart of Palermo Soho, this boutique hotel is surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Buenos Aires. The hotel has 20 rooms and a beautiful garden with an outdoor swimming pool.

Gran Hotel Argentino This is a traditional hotel overlooking the 9 de Julio Avenue not far from the obelisk. Classic Rooms are carpeted and traditional; Contemporary Rooms have with a modern design and wooden floors.

Madero This hotel in Puerto Madero aims to provide contemporary comfort for modern sophisticated travellers with a sense of style. Well-equipped, spacious rooms, friendly service.

NH Tango The NH Buenos Aires Tango hotel is in the centre just off 9 de Julio Avenue. 108 modern rooms and suites with hardwood floors.

Emperador Large, centrally located hotel with a good reputation for value for money and quality of service. 265 air-conditioned rooms.

NH Lancaster Elegant, Georgian-style hotel with 115 rooms some of which offer a river view over the Rio de la Plata. Central.

01932 424252

www.argentinarevealed.co.uk www.southamericarevealed.co.uk

part of the Revealed Travel group owned by Mercator Enterprises Ltd

Further afield:

Perito Moreno El Calafate is the base from which to visit the impressive glacier of Perito Moreno. If there is time, we suggest a visit to the Glaciarum ice museum in Calafate with its Glaciobar where the bar, tables, seating and walls are all made of ice. We can combine a visit to Perito Moreno with Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. If conditions allow, we thoroughly recommend the opportunity to take a walk on the glacier with crampons.

Travel across the River Plate to Uruguay The beautiful town of Colonia del Sacramento can be easily reached in an hour by fast ferry across the River Plate from Buenos Aires. This makes for a pleasant day trip or can act as a gateway for further travels in Uruguay.

The Lake District San Carlos de Bariloche is an ideal base for exploring the lake district. The spectacular journey from Bariloche to Puerto Montt in Chile via a series of buses and boats makes for an unforgettable adventure.

Tierra del Fuego to Torres del Paine The Ventus Australis is launching in January 2018 and will join sister ship the Stella Australis in travelling from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (or vv) between October and March each year. Early booking is essential.

About Us

Revealed Travel specialises in putting together completely bespoke tailor-made holidays and itineraries throughout Central & South America and South-East Asia.

A personal service and value for money from our team of travel experts.

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Meet the Team

Once again Revealed Travel will be participating in a number of Travel Shows in January and February.

Destinations Manchester: 18-21 Jan

Destinations London: 1-4 Feb

Telegraph Travel Show: 23-25 Feb

Please visit our websites for further details and how to apply for free tickets to come and see us.

Coming soon

Prize Draw to win a Holiday to Ecuador*

Quito

Amazon Jungle

Tren Crucero (including the Devil’s Nose)

Details will be published soon on our Ecuador Revealed website and in a future newsletter.

www.ecuadorrevealed.co.uk

*conditions apply

01932 424252 www.argentinarevealed.co.uk www.southamericarevealed.co.uk

part of the Revealed Travel group owned by Mercator Enterprises Ltd