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A Week in July in Buenos Aires

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A Week in July in Buenos Aires

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Old Jun 22nd, 2008, 02:17 PM
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A Week in July in Buenos Aires

Hello,

My partner and I have the opportunity to spend an entire week in BA in a few weeks!! I realize it might be a little chilly/cold. Is it worth going to Uraguay on a Ferry or is this just the wrong time of year? Also, any recommendations for guided full day Wine tours would be most appreciated. Thanks a lot. -John.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2008, 06:02 PM
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It has been cold lately, expect July to be cold.
But it is usually also beautiful with blue skies and lots of sunshine.
Colonia is a lovely day away, easy to get to and you can be back in town for dinner.
It is a change of pace, it might be nice .. but then, you are here for only a week, there is plenty to do in BA in only a week.
Wine tours I don't know .. I am not sure you can do that in a day.
With all the sights to see, things to do here, late nights and good food, I think a week will just give you a taste of what Buenos Aires is like.
If you would like to go to a great place for a wine tasting, look into this...
www.terroir.com.ar
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Old Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:02 AM
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Thank you very much for the suggestions. I appreciate it. If you can share any ideas of things that we should do, please let us know. We sincerely appreciate the assistance. Thanks again, -John.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2008, 05:48 AM
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OK, you asked for it

1- get a good guide book.
Fodors or Frommers is good.

2- get a map.. you lose time when you get lost
(this is based on much research)

3- what made you decide on BA?

4- These are things we did on our first visit, things that are easily done and special here ..
MALBA - Modern Art Museum & lunch ( lovely restaurant)
this is in a wonderful area of town, after seeing the museum, just walk ... you will pass a lot of the old mansions that house Embassies.
You can head in the direction of the Belle Artes Museum and make it a museum day or just go in that direction.. Nearby is also the Decorative Arts museum which is in a mansion which is just wonderful..that staircase ..

In Recoleta you can just wander and see the Parks.. one after another, with statues that are fabulous and great spots to sit and rest and people/dog watch.
Go to one of a zillion cafes and relax, get some caffeine in you and keep walking.

Palermo/Palermo Viejo/Soho/Hollywood.. shopping in quirky boutiques and eating in great interesting cafes and really good restaurants.. just walk.. it is all there. Buy purses and shoes .. ( this is also mandatory for first time visitors )

San Telmo on Sunday.. Tango in the streets, flea market, antiquing, entertainment, food...

Recoleta on Sat - Hippie Feria in the park..great souvenir shopping.

Go to Puerto Madero in the evening for drinks at one of the restaurants on the water, facing the city, enjoy the view, then go to a great restaurant.. have a steak.

For breakfast ask for a cortado y medialuna caliente.
For dinner, vino tinto or Malbec

Eat and drink and keep walking and looking.. enjoy.



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Old Jun 23rd, 2008, 05:15 PM
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Hi Scarlett,

Again, THANK YOU!! We decided to go to Santiago for a week and BA for a week as we have never been there before. We are very fortuante that we have really been (except Antartica) almost everywhere else. Was able to get First Class free Air and Hotel in BA for free. Originally we were going to do a Northern European Cruise but We decided that the Euro was not as friendly to the US dollar as we would like/or are used to experiencing. We live in Miami and are sort of looking forward to a break from the heat and a friendlier currency. Your ideas are just GREAT. I hope I am expressing how much I/we appreciate them. If you think of anything else, please let us know. -John.
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Old Jun 24th, 2008, 05:06 AM
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Free hotel and FC flights is fabulous!!

I have a friend who was here from the States not too long ago, she works for the wine companies in Oregon, I can send this to her and see if she has any good stuff on going on a wine tour..although I believe that takes more than just a day..

In the meantime, as soon as you get here, check the papers (Time Out) and see what is going on, you might catch a good ballet or concert etc.
Cirque de Soleil is here til July, if you are interested in that sort of thing.

It is warming up to 60 today...

As you read up on things, come back with questions..
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Old Jun 24th, 2008, 04:26 PM
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Oh you will LOVE BA and Santiago! I'm the friend from the States that Scarlett mentioned.

In Santiago, you will be about 2-3 hours from wine country. I highly recommend visiting Montes (the Apalta vineyard site) and Santa Ema. Los Vascos would also be a fun stop.

In Argentina, most of the wineries are in Mendoza, which is a two hour flight (or over night bus ride) from BA. It is worth the trip, in my opinion.

I highly recommend Achaval Ferer (very, very small production, fabulous Malbecs!); Bodega Norton, Kaiken (owned by Montes) and Pascual Toso.

Oh I would LOVE to be there this time of year...I love cool temperatures...I really should spend half of the year in Oregon and half in South America. LOL!

The San Telmo marketplace is fun. Very colorful. I agree with visiting Puerto Madero for dinner. If you want to see a tango show, Rojo Tango in Puerto Madero is fabulous. The show is really good and the food is as well.

I did not have a chance to check out the rest of BA when I was there....we were only there for 26 hours! I did see all that I could though ;-)

Have a GREAT time!
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Old Jun 25th, 2008, 06:12 AM
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I always listen to my friend the Wineaux and make lists from her recommendations.

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Old Jun 25th, 2008, 01:47 PM
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Dear Scralett and Wineaux,

What great recommendations!! It sounds like we will have a great time and made the right decision to go!!

Thanks for the "cultural" ideas. We enjoy the Arts and try to take advanantage of whatever is available.

Any must see Museums? Shopping? -I feel like I am WAY taking advantage of your knowledge and generosity, but I travel 100% of the time for Work and have not had a chance to get and read the books you suggested. I really don't want to "wing it" 100% of the time. Talk soon.

-John.

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Old Jun 25th, 2008, 01:49 PM
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4- These are things we did on our first visit, things that are easily done and special here ..
MALBA - Modern Art Museum & lunch ( lovely restaurant)
this is in a wonderful area of town, after seeing the museum, just walk ... you will pass a lot of the old mansions that house Embassies.
You can head in the direction of the Belle Artes Museum and make it a museum day or just go in that direction.. Nearby is also the Decorative Arts museum which is in a mansion which is just wonderful..that staircase ..

Shopping...that requires more work for you
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Old Jun 25th, 2008, 03:41 PM
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Have a great time, I only wish to approve of Achaval Ferrer in Mendoza is one of the only wineries ( bodegas) that charge a small fee, but well worth it.
Smaller than others, but great quality and charming surroundings.If you go to Mendoza check the Club Tapiz is a lovely place to stay and they have great food
Going to Uruguay? THe top destination in Uruguay is Punta del Este but to go there since it is a great beach,
( I also live in Miami) but Punta is unique to make any sense you should go in Summer that is Dec to March.
A day in Colonia taking the one hour ferry is fun being a tiny colonial city.But it is quiet place .To spend some nice relaxing days in a nice Four Seasons HOtel, Carmelo is a good destination. The hotel sends a van to pick you up at the arrival of the Ferry.
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Old Jun 25th, 2008, 03:43 PM
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If you really go to Mendoza, a more expensive but superb place is Cavas Wine Lodge. It is fantastic and they are excellent suggesting restaurants, and places to visit, including out doors.

As you can see I have been many times in Mendoza, many more in Buenos Aires, where I have lived many years, and actually I was born in Uruguay.
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Old Jun 26th, 2008, 12:26 PM
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bookmarking - great info - thank you
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Old Jun 27th, 2008, 11:28 AM
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Really GREAT stuff here!! Thanks a lot!!
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Old Jun 28th, 2008, 07:41 AM
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For the Birquebus (sp) from BA to Colonia.....What is the difference/benefits between First Class, Special Class and Tourist Class...Thanks!!
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Old Jun 28th, 2008, 04:44 PM
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I envy you going to BA. Check out the Evita Peron museum. Very interesting and I was surprised to learn that all her shoes are Ferragamo! Don't forget the Dulce de Leche.
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Old Jun 28th, 2008, 05:52 PM
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The difference is minimal, it is a one hour trip, the three classes have similar seats, there is a free shop the same for everybody,and a bar where you can buy food, coffee etc, like you go with a little trade and ask what you want. In the three classes is similar. The $ difference is not much and the difference is service is not much.
(Last time I took first class because there were no tickets in tourist I think they give me a free coke not a big deal)
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Old Jul 1st, 2008, 09:10 AM
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I didn't think it was possible to add anything to all these great suggestions! but I thought of a couple of things..

First, as Sharon says, don't forget the Dulce de Leche!!! I miss it sooo much.

DO go to the Recoleta Cemetary. Very, very interesting.

Go to the Alvear Palace Hotel for lunch. Fabulous! A Fodorite friend recommended it to us and we loved it.

Have a great time.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2008, 09:59 AM
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Hey Kodi,

Thanks for the recommendations. Will definitely do the Cemetary as well as the Palace Hotel Lunch. We do not leave until the 16th, so, PLEASE, if you think of any other ideas/suggestions, we would be very appreciative. Thanks again. -John.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2008, 06:07 PM
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The lunch buffet at the Alvear Palace is a splendid idea....

www.buenosaireshistorico.com offers a very interesting and informative tour of Recoleta Cemetary. The fee listed on the web site is for up to four people. Much more informative than wandering around on your own.

enjoy...
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