neilbit

We will be in Buenos Aires over Christmas. Does anyone know if Estancias stay open then or maybe a visit to Colonia?

I know most stores/restaurants will be closed. Does anyone have any ideas of what touring we can do on Christmas day?

Susan7

We were in Buenos Aires for Christmas last year, quite a few restaurants were open, but very few shops.

We saved up the walking tour of the city for Christmas Day, much less crowded. There's a very good route for a walk suggested in the Time Out guidebook for BA.

Buquebus is one of the ferry companies that goes to Colonia and Montevideo, you can check on their site for the schedule:

http://www.buquebus.com/cache/HomeARG.html

Scarlett

We live in Recoleta and stick close to home on the holidays, because it is so very quiet out. Those who can leave town for the beaches etc, will be gone and it is quiet and pleasant in the city ..
Christmas Eve will be pretty quiet, find places that are open for food if you can plan ahead, and Christmas Day too. . our first Christmas here, we were surprised by how many places closed..

I am not sure how much would be going on in Colonia or Montevideo either .. but a Bike or Walking Tour is a great idea!

neilbit

Thanks for the ideas!

patriciakucey

We will be renting an apartment in Recoleta in december and are also interested in holiday/ christmas activities. As we are new to B A and argentina and so far don't know any fellow travellers we are open to meeting other travellers for information sharing /activities.
Would love to hear ideas and where to go to meet some English speaking (we have NO spanish unfortunately) social groups .

Scarlett

BA Expats
http://baexpats.org/

Saltshaker
http://www.saltshaker.net/

More sources of info for you

MarnieWDC

neilbit:

If your political leanings are relaxed, and/or if you like beer, you might want to join the gatherers, with YANKEE MIKE at:

"Always Monday, always at 7:30!
Always at Danila RestoBar
Bernardo de Irigoyen 82
(9 de Julio and Av. de Mayo)"

From his blog:

"Now in our 3rd year in Buenos Aires, we are the southernmost outpost in the Américas of that fine international drinking society Drinking Liberally International."

There is also a group of Porteños who meet to speak English with Tourists and Ex-pats - just for the meeting and the practice. I will try to find the info.; perhaps another poster has it ?

If you get a travellers' Spanish set of CDs, or a phrase book - to learn the important phrases and questions - you will enjoy your stay even more.

Best,
~MarnieWDC

MarnieWDC

Pardon ! I should have written .... YanquiMike.
~M

Scarlett

lol, Marnie .
Mike is so very generous and helpful , a sweetheart.

bsas

Christmas season is a wonderful time to be in Buenos Aires. Museums, discotheques, pubs, and restaurants do not close for the season. However is important that if you decide to go out for dinner on Christmas Eve, you need to register prior to time, due to many families do a reserve for that day.

It’s true that many of local people left Bs As to go to other cities to spend par t of the summer in the beach, but still there are things to do in Bs As. For example all the Tango Houses makes unique Tango Dinner shows for Christmas Eve that goes until the other day, with fascinating performances that reflects the mixture of local culture with the spirit of the season.

All the Estancias are open for the season, even during Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, however it is important to know that during the holidays this activity is more expensive due to the extra costs they have to pay to their employees.

neilbit

A Tango dinner show sounds interesting. Let me know if there is a particular one you can recommend.

MarnieWDC

My favorite, after having been to several (although most without dinner, as the dinners are so much less appealing than most restaurant dinners) is La Ventana. You will get lots of other good suggestion here - as well as with a search on TA.

Enjoy your Tango !

~MarnieWDC