travelme

Everyone probably has their own image and idea of Paris so you might get to BA and say to yourself that it doesn't seem like Paris at all. The facades of the buildings in many parts of the city seem Parisian to me. I think the style is called Beaux Arts. Enjoy the city for what it is.
I might go back next summer if I can get a decent flight. Anything under $1300 would fit the bill.

Guenmai

travelme..Thanks. But, I don't need it to actually seem like Paris to enjoy it. I vacation in Paris almost annually. I've just heard, from folks who've been there, that it's kind of Parisian like...architectually. I'm always interested in architecture when I travel. However, I'm going to experience the really non-architectually related, latin-ness of BA, if you know what I mean. Smiles. Happy Travels!

travelme

Hi Guenmai,
I always try to go to a new place as well with an open mind and not too many expectations. You will enjoy BA for what the vibrant city that it is. Still I am not sure if I would describe it as a Latin city either. There are times when I am in Buenos Aires and I ask myself if I am really in the Americas at all? To me it a city that is a cross between an Italian and a Spanish city. The people are really nice and forgive me but even friendlier than both the Spanish and Italians. Oh-oh, I might be starting something here! Have a great time and please let us know how you liked Buenos Aires.

Guenmai

I'm from L.A. area where "Spanish" is referred to as Latin (Latinos) which is what I was referring to although BA, of course, would have Latinness connected more to Spain, not Mexico. But since Mexico, Central America, and South America are all Spanish influenced, I refer to the countries using the general term of Latin. That was what I was speaking of.

So, I'm really looking forward to BA and hope to see some tango dancing performances. I love tango although my favorite form of dance is flaminco so I'll have to plan a trip to Spain,too. Just think, over 30 years of back and forth vacations to Europe, almost annually, and I still haven't made it down to Spain.

I have a friend, living in Northern Europe, who takes off for a whole week each year to just go to a week-long flaminco dance clinic...where she takes lessons all week, listens to lectures on flaminco, and dances the week away. Smiles. Happy Travels!

Guenmai

I noticed, from one of your other posts, that you're from Boston. There's a Boston GTG going on in October. You should check out the Asia forum where it's posted. I've flown there twice to the Boston GTG. I can't make it this year however.

It's held at, what used to be called, the Hotel at MIT, which is now a Doubletree Hotel I think. The fodorites are great and there are usually some from the European board, in attendance,too.

The person giving it (Bob, but not his screen name), has held it, annually, for MANY years and he and his wife will be going to BA this year for vacation. You could chat with them.

The person throwing the Boston GTG is now in Hawaii at the Honolulu GTG which unfortunately I couldn't make this year. I've been to two in the past, last year and a few years prior. They're fantastic.

We are a very tight-knit group on the Asia forum and know each other in person and travel to each other's GTGs and even meet, mostly in Bangkok, annually and hang out together there and other places in S.E. Asia.

I even threw my own GTG here in Pasadena and they all flew in. You can read about the GTG weekend if you type in Pasadena under the Asia forum Search box. Some of the Boston GTG folks were there. I had a lot of folks who flew in from everywhere from Boston to Hawaii and many states in between. It's a great group of people. Happy Travels!

travelme

Thank you. I might be away that weekend for the get together. What a shame as it is practically in our neighborhood.
I love Mexico and I am going to Guadalajara in February. Its supposed to have great architecture too. Have you been?

Guenmai

It's too bad you might not be able to make the GTG. By the way the Hotel at MIT has changed to Le Meridien Hotel, not the Doubletree. I don't know why I had the Doubletree on my mind.

I went to Guadalajara back in the early 80s and it was fabulous. Since I live in L.A. County, it was very cheap to drive down to San Diego and then walk across the border and get a taxi to the airport and fly to Guadalajara out of Mexico which then was a lot cheaper than flying out of LAX. I don't know what it costs now though.

So, since the sister of one of my best friends lives in Chula Vista, I just drove to her place, left my car in her garage, stayed overnight, and then she drove me to a trolley that ended right at the border. I then walked across the border bridge and off in taxi to the TJ airport. It was very easy.

Guadalajara was absolutely beautiful. The architecture was great. And I loved taking a horse-drawn carriage through the downtown area. I knew two people down there, so a couple of days, out of the week that I was there, each one stopped by and took me out. The rest of my stay, I wondered around on my own. You'll have a great time. Happy Travels!

curious12

I am feeling your pain as well. I am in the process of looking for flights from NY to Rio in January (after the New Year). The airfares are outrageous and so are the amount of frequent flier miles it takes to purchase a ticket. I am also looking at TAM airlines, however, I have never flown them before. How is the airline? Are they reliable, safe, etc? Any advice is appreciated! Thank you.

tengohambre

I have flown TAM a few times in the past few years. Never had a problem, their int'l service was good and their planes new. I will likely fly them again this year and wouldn't have any hesitation doing so. Note that they have now started non stop flights from JFK to Rio. Previously, all such flts stopped in Sao Paolo, either on American, Continental or TAM. You should be able to get a ticket for under $1,000.

curious12

Thanks for the helpful info. TAM appears to be the cheapest from NY when compared to other airlines but prices are still greater than $1000!

susanna

I just hit the jackpot, hopefully anyone else looking will strike gold too.

Orbitz, mexicana airlines, san francisco through mexico city: $790 with taxes!!!

avrooster

For what travel dates did you get that quote, susanna?

Thank you and have a great time in our country.

susanna

It was for Feb 2009. Unfortunately, I had to go to work and didn't buy it yet, but, I am hopeful that it will still be there or return. This price is almost half of what I was looking at.

avrooster

It's still there, Susanna, for certain dates. Book it fast!

susanna

SCORE!!!!!
If anyone is looking the prices seemed to be sticking at this new low price!
Feb 18-Mar 3 San Francisco to Mexico City with a 3 hour layover, 2 hour layover on the way back, on to Buenos Aires $780!!!!!
Sorry for all the !!!!! but I am sooo excited.

avrooster

Congratulations, Susanna!!!!!!!!!!!!

I beat you with the !!!! LOL!!!!

You'll have a great time in our town.

drdawggy

Susanna,

Now all you need to do is start working on your cultural and language awareness.

Gooooooooooal !!!!!!!

vs

Scored!!!!!!!

Seriously, Congrats on a great fare.

susanna

Funny DR ! My husband often refers to me as Norm Crosby, I often get these sayings wrong.

But it was a good fare and it was a good score!

Exploradora

LAN definitely seems better priced, but then again I live in Miami. LAN is a much more pleasant flying experience than American also. 45 movies at your seat, free drinks and edible food in coach, with nice stewardesses. arctictropic.com is a great place to go for travel ideas once in Argentina.

KKWM

I still get e-mail alerts from kayak.com on BA airfares and I am seeing that they are down to $859 out of O'Hare starting in December for many dates. Gas prices are going down too - so maybe that will help more. With prices like that it may be worth it for some people to take the hit for a cancellation and rebook.