An Argentine Adventure in the Planning Stage
Dec 1st, 2007, 08:37 AM
#21
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Hi Gartin,
My favorite neighborhoods and those that I think a visitor would enjoy are Recoleta and Palermo.
BA is amazing, most neighborhoods are always busy and full of life and things going on, so on most blocks, you will walk out the door and be in the thick of things.
I think as a tourist, you will want to be in a central area where you can walk to as many places as possible too..I love San Telmo but it is nice to get away from there too
I like the ArtSuites apart/hotel on Azcuenaga in Recoleta
www.artsuites.com.ar/
..we stayed there last year and we were pefectly happy with the place for 2 weeks.
Just today some friends who live here but had visitors from the States, went to Tigre for the day, yesterday. They took one of the charter boat tours when they got there. Then they asked about lunch .. a light salad perhaps and they were taken to someones house where they were given terrible food for outrageous prices.. ( 100 pesos a person for inedible food in dirty surroundings)
They saw when they were there that all the people eating in the house/restaurant were passengers from the same charter boats.
So my advice when doing sightseeing is get recommendations before hand, from the people who have gone on any tours..not the actual tour companies..
This does not apply to AVrooster..I am speaking of charter boats and "tour companies"..
Also free is the Cicerones..I want to go on their tours too ! Definitely look into their tour services.
www.cicerones.org.ar/en/visitantes.htm
My favorite neighborhoods and those that I think a visitor would enjoy are Recoleta and Palermo.
BA is amazing, most neighborhoods are always busy and full of life and things going on, so on most blocks, you will walk out the door and be in the thick of things.
I think as a tourist, you will want to be in a central area where you can walk to as many places as possible too..I love San Telmo but it is nice to get away from there too
I like the ArtSuites apart/hotel on Azcuenaga in Recoleta
www.artsuites.com.ar/
..we stayed there last year and we were pefectly happy with the place for 2 weeks.
Just today some friends who live here but had visitors from the States, went to Tigre for the day, yesterday. They took one of the charter boat tours when they got there. Then they asked about lunch .. a light salad perhaps and they were taken to someones house where they were given terrible food for outrageous prices.. ( 100 pesos a person for inedible food in dirty surroundings)
They saw when they were there that all the people eating in the house/restaurant were passengers from the same charter boats.
So my advice when doing sightseeing is get recommendations before hand, from the people who have gone on any tours..not the actual tour companies..
This does not apply to AVrooster..I am speaking of charter boats and "tour companies"..
Also free is the Cicerones..I want to go on their tours too ! Definitely look into their tour services.
www.cicerones.org.ar/en/visitantes.htm
Dec 1st, 2007, 09:27 AM
#22
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Thanks Scarlett for the information. I'll check the Art hotel. By the way do you, avrooster, and drdawggy know each other? I mean have you met? I get the impression you have. I seem to look at all of information from you 3 with more interests. Do you have any thoughts on Mendoza and Santiago? Thanks for all your help. It makes me feel a little more secure when making decisions.
(Debra)
(Debra)
Dec 1st, 2007, 10:01 AM
#23
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Hi Debra
It is the Art Suites Hotel...there is also an Art Hotel down the street ( same street) and very nice also.
No, I have not had the pleasure of meeting these 2 gentlemen, only on the internet
It is the Art Suites Hotel...there is also an Art Hotel down the street ( same street) and very nice also.
No, I have not had the pleasure of meeting these 2 gentlemen, only on the internet
Dec 1st, 2007, 11:39 AM
#24
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Hi, Debra S. Gartin!!!!!
I'll try to come up with some answers:
1) "We do like areas where you can step out your door and be in the action."
If you mean the touristy "action", I agree (for once, LOL!!) with Scarlett, meaning that it would be a good idea to stay in the Recoleta or in Palermo. I suggest a little research about these two areas.
2) "Any suggestions on Mendoza and Santiago?"
No, but I would suggest researching those two places in this forum and in the Trip Advisor Argentina forum.
3) "also avrooster, maybe you can give me some more information on your tour and we can take you up on it."
I suggest reading the corresponding thread and acting as indicated there, which means e-mailing me and telling me more.
4) "By the way do you, avrooster, and drdawggy know each other? I mean have you met? I get the impression you have."
Yes, the world-famous drdawgy and the humble yours truly have met several times over the last few years. LOL!!!
He has come on my tour more than once, we have travelled to Bariloche together and we have dined together whenever drdawggy's terribly busy schedule in BA permits.
In other words, we are great friends and the show we put on here of mocking each other is just meant for the further entertainment of our readers.
Have a great time in our country with your hubby, Debra!!!
I'll try to come up with some answers:
1) "We do like areas where you can step out your door and be in the action."
If you mean the touristy "action", I agree (for once, LOL!!) with Scarlett, meaning that it would be a good idea to stay in the Recoleta or in Palermo. I suggest a little research about these two areas.
2) "Any suggestions on Mendoza and Santiago?"
No, but I would suggest researching those two places in this forum and in the Trip Advisor Argentina forum.
3) "also avrooster, maybe you can give me some more information on your tour and we can take you up on it."
I suggest reading the corresponding thread and acting as indicated there, which means e-mailing me and telling me more.
4) "By the way do you, avrooster, and drdawggy know each other? I mean have you met? I get the impression you have."
Yes, the world-famous drdawgy and the humble yours truly have met several times over the last few years. LOL!!!
He has come on my tour more than once, we have travelled to Bariloche together and we have dined together whenever drdawggy's terribly busy schedule in BA permits.
In other words, we are great friends and the show we put on here of mocking each other is just meant for the further entertainment of our readers.
Have a great time in our country with your hubby, Debra!!!
Dec 2nd, 2007, 10:49 AM
#25
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OMG!!! I said "the world-famous drdawgy"!!!!
I didn't spell his screen name right!!!!
Of course, it should have been "the world-famous drdawggy"!!!
At least, I caught my mistake before he did!!!! LOL!!!
Rest assured you'll have a great time in our country, Debra!!!
I didn't spell his screen name right!!!!
Of course, it should have been "the world-famous drdawggy"!!!
At least, I caught my mistake before he did!!!! LOL!!!
Rest assured you'll have a great time in our country, Debra!!!
Dec 3rd, 2007, 06:06 PM
#26
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Scarlett, did you just move to BA recently? I thought I saw that somewhere. My husband and I would like to live in another country for a while and have been thinking South America. Thanks for your recommendations. I will look into Arts Suites Hotel. We are really looking forward to our trip and some warm weather even though we just spent the weekend in Seattle sitting in a wonderful wine bar listening to a guy playing Christmas music on the piano and watching the snow fall outside with all the Christmas lights sipping some very fine wine. Winter was beautiful at that moment. Now we have heavy rain, flooded streets with detours trying to find a way home from work. High wind warnings with saturated grounds and great big trees that like to come down in the wind. I hate all that, but I still live in a beautiful place.
Dec 3rd, 2007, 06:31 PM
#27
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AVROOSTER, thanks for all the energy you spend on your posts. We like some touristy things but we also like to "try to be" in the country we are in. We have traveled the world with South America being our last contienent to visit before we can do repeats. We are also looking to possibly live in Argentina for a few months at a time since we will retire in the next couple of years. (We still have two sons in college)My husband turns 65 Feb.8 so we are talking alot about the second part of our lives. I think your tour is something we are interested in because I think you could inform us on the Real Buenos Aires like you said. I will email you soon. We have wanted to learn spanish for 30 years and I saw someones post about a coffee shop that the locals go to to speak english and the non spanish speakers can learn spanish. I have to find that post again because that's what we want to do. I haven't found language to be a problem in all our travels but I want to speak other languages. I did find swaili(sp?) to be a challenge. So fill us up with as much information you want to put out there because I am taking mass notes. Thanks, Debra
Dec 4th, 2007, 01:20 AM
#28
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Well, Debra, I'm a couple of years older than your hubby, I work out of my home and we live about 40 miles NW of BA.
Among many forum friends (and foes, of course) I know a Canadian couple who stays here for two or three months every year, during our summer (your winter). I'll arrange for dinner with them, when you are here.
At that time, we can discuss in depth the pros and cons (there aren't any of the latter, LOL) of your "looking to possibly live in Argentina for a few months at a time since we will retire in the next couple of years." You could even have the enormous privilege of meeting the world-famous drdawggy, the undisputably foremost Internet authority on BA (LOL!!), if he happens to be in town.
Of course, you'll be welcome on my tour. Simply proceed as indicated in the corresponding thread.
About your "We have wanted to learn spanish for 30 years and I saw someones post about a coffee shop that the locals go to to speak english and the non spanish speakers can learn spanish. I have to find that post again because that's what we want to do.", you mean this thread: Meet friendly locals in Buenos Aires.
At this writing, it is N°96 scrolling down the left side of this page, where the threads about Latin America are listed. It could be further down, by the time you read this. I suggest some research on the subject.
Talk to you later, Debra, if your "taking mass notes" leaves you with any time available, of course. LOL!!!
Among many forum friends (and foes, of course) I know a Canadian couple who stays here for two or three months every year, during our summer (your winter). I'll arrange for dinner with them, when you are here.
At that time, we can discuss in depth the pros and cons (there aren't any of the latter, LOL) of your "looking to possibly live in Argentina for a few months at a time since we will retire in the next couple of years." You could even have the enormous privilege of meeting the world-famous drdawggy, the undisputably foremost Internet authority on BA (LOL!!), if he happens to be in town.
Of course, you'll be welcome on my tour. Simply proceed as indicated in the corresponding thread.
About your "We have wanted to learn spanish for 30 years and I saw someones post about a coffee shop that the locals go to to speak english and the non spanish speakers can learn spanish. I have to find that post again because that's what we want to do.", you mean this thread: Meet friendly locals in Buenos Aires.
At this writing, it is N°96 scrolling down the left side of this page, where the threads about Latin America are listed. It could be further down, by the time you read this. I suggest some research on the subject.
Talk to you later, Debra, if your "taking mass notes" leaves you with any time available, of course. LOL!!!
Dec 4th, 2007, 02:53 PM
#29
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Hi, Debra ! Yes, we moved from Portland, Oregon to Buenos Aires this past April!
So we are still like tourists and yet, lucky enough to be at home here
My friends back in Portland have been keeping me up to date with the weather..wow, you really had some rough weather this past weekend! The Oregon coast took a real hit too
So we are still like tourists and yet, lucky enough to be at home here
My friends back in Portland have been keeping me up to date with the weather..wow, you really had some rough weather this past weekend! The Oregon coast took a real hit too
Dec 4th, 2007, 06:02 PM
#30
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yes scarlett on wild days like today in victoria we are sorry we have to wait until the 29th for our honeymoon
cheers
andrewdavid
ps 3 guests missed our wedding on saturday due to the poor weather in Vancouver and n on the Island here. luckily in town was dry after 10am!
cheers
andrewdavid
ps 3 guests missed our wedding on saturday due to the poor weather in Vancouver and n on the Island here. luckily in town was dry after 10am!
Dec 4th, 2007, 06:40 PM
#31
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Scarlett, We live just across the water from Seattle. Yeah we have had some pretty wild weather. What took you to BA? Is this a permenant move or do you live there part time? We are thinking about a part time move. It's too beautiful here to leave for good. But I can see BA for winter and Seattle for summer. The dollar still seems strong there? Our other option is Maylasia, our travel buddies have retired there from Nairobi, Kenya. We have traveled the world with these friends. And if the Euro and dollar ever balance out I wouldn't mind spending time there also. We just want to try it, living in another country that is. Would love to hear how you came up with your dicision. Debra
Dec 4th, 2007, 06:52 PM
#33
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Andrewdavid, congratulations on your marriage. Sorry the weather had to be extreme for your day. Did Victoria get hit very bad? I love Victoria, my husband and I like to ride our motorcycle up through that area. Have fun in BA and let me know how you like it. We will be there Feb.11.
Dec 4th, 2007, 08:13 PM
#34
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I am trying to make reservations at the Art Hotel. But they want my credit card info over an internet email. I'm not very comfortable with that. Has anyone done that and not had problems. I asked them if it was a secure site. Any suggestions?
Dec 9th, 2007, 10:29 AM
#39
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AVrooster, Drdawggy, Scarlett or anyone else who have made reservations at Art Hotel or any other hotel. I have tried to call the Art Hotel to make my reservations and they say they can't do it over the phone. When making reservations over the internet they want your credit card number and security code. I'm afraid with all that information out there anyone could use your card. They did say we can fax the information. I guess my concern is the security code. Am I just being paranoid?
Dec 9th, 2007, 10:50 AM
#40
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We stayed at the ArtSuites Hotel.
We called them and gave them the number on the phone. We dealt with them mostly by email though.
But I I remember doing this ( emailing numbers ) with the apartment we rented in Paris. But they used a secure site for this..no problems at all.
If you feel nervous about it, just do the fax.
They do things a bit differently here than elsewhere and everyone here sees it as business as usual .. so try not to worry . It all seems to work out ok in the end
We called them and gave them the number on the phone. We dealt with them mostly by email though.
But I I remember doing this ( emailing numbers ) with the apartment we rented in Paris. But they used a secure site for this..no problems at all.
If you feel nervous about it, just do the fax.
They do things a bit differently here than elsewhere and everyone here sees it as business as usual .. so try not to worry . It all seems to work out ok in the end
