granny

Oh Scarlett, I am so envious!!

Tell us all the details of your adventure. We've been to the Japanese Gardens, so I have an idea where you're looking to buy an apartment.

May your visa come quickly and you have a safe trip.

Granny (Carol)

GAMBLE

Just came back from BA (8 nights), Iguazu (2 nights), Bariloche (3 nights) two weeks ago. In BA we stayed at Melia Recoleta Plaza Hotel (Posada) @ $230/nt. Inclusive tax and breakfast (WOW Arg. Rate) very close to Park Hyatt, Alvear Palace, Ceasar Palace, and love this area. We did a lot of walking and sometime taxi (only get on the Radio Taxi – metered), which is inexpensive. We do one district (barrio) per day. We follow Fodors guidebooks and just about see everything recommended. We took a horse drawn carriage in Palermo and got dropped off at the Japanese garden for a stroll – lovely. Do the flea market on Sunday in San Telmo, etc. Went to Piazzolla Dinner Tango show –$65.00 regular seating with shuttle bus transfer and menu include appetizer, main course, desert and drinks (1 bottle of wine for 2). Good restaurants: for lunch try La Bourgogne at Alvear Palace Hotel, we went there 3 times (2X for lunch and 1X for dinner). The lunch is the best ever for 66.00(200 peso) for 2 persons. Although pr. Fix you can still select each course (3), plus wine and coffee. You will not be hungry the rest of the day. Dinner is 2X more expensive. We also tried Nectarine (recommended by Fodors) – don’t go – more expensive than La Bourgogne. Sottovoce is also very good – moderately price – recommend reservation for dinner (we went 3 X for dinner). La Caballeriza (Porto Modero?) – NO, don’t go. Also tried the toasted sandwich at Francesca in all the shopping malls – 15 pesos for a big club sandwich. Try the empanadas (no more than 1.80 peso each) at Sanjuanino (on Posadas few doors down from Melia R. Plaza Hotel). Sirop – beneath Nectarine is also very good and moderate price. Park Hyatt has a French and Italian restaurant - $$$$. The Italian is better and on par with La Bourgogne for dinner. Yes do go to Café Tortoni for coffee or tea. Shopping – well there was not anything that I want to lug around. We went to Colonia by fast boat - $194/2 person for the day. Town seems to be deserted and we ate at a seaside café – El Torreon, the mosquitoes were bearing down on us as we stroll in the park. We decide to change tix for an earlier departure. There was great chaos at the ticket counter but we finally got general seating instead of 1st class seating with no refund. We were glad to be back in BA. We had also (thru WOW Arg.’s recommendation) booked an overnight at La Bamba estancia with private transfer from domestic airport at $766/2 persons staying at a master double room. But there was a thunderstorm that day and the road to the estancia was too muddy for driving thru so we were only able to go for the day a few days later (lucky we had many days in BA) and were refunded $393.00. Our experience at this estancia was not very good – the receptionist had no reservation for us but said it is ok just go and have lunch now (we didn’t bring the fax from WOW with the new changes). We decided to go horseback riding before lunch. They provide mosquito repellant for you – make sure you spray all over even the saddle we set out with a group of 6. We just rode along the road for about forty-five minutes. Open bar set up on the lawn, we were served empanadas and we set with some local tourist who came for the day. Even thou we don’t speak much Spanish we were able to communicate a little with them. They are all very friendly. There was a salad bar and 3 different cut of beef served – not the best beef we’ve had though. Desert was ice cream. After lunch we decided to ride horses again before heading back to BA. We were glad that we didn’t stay at the estancia, which is in a dilapidated form. The door handle to the restroom was about to come off any moment. We heard that this place is for sale.


We flew to Bariloche from BA. Upon arrival we checked out the car and started to head out to La Balsas in Villa la angostura. It is a very direct and simple route to follow. But we missed the sign and went directly into town. A very nice gentleman led us all the way down to the hotel. At first sight we didn’t feel that this place is worth the rate they charge and was a little disappointed. Since the restaurant just closed (very late 1:30AM) they made a sandwich for us for dinner. After a good nights rest and a hearty breakfast we felt so much better and head out for some hiking and exploring. Indeed it is very beautiful. But of course we had dinner at the hotel both nights – this is a Relais & Chateaux hotel so the food is very good. The next day we hired a boat and head out to do some fishing – no luck! We also went to the Myrtle (?) woods for a hike. In the afternoon I had scheduled a facial and my husband a message. It was the best facial I’ve had. On the day of our departure – we drove to the town of Bariloche and headed out to Llao Llao Hotel for lunch (one can go into the hotel if you tell them you are having lunch or dinner on the property otherwise you cannot go in). It was so so. Our flight back to BA was delayed (the thunder storm had caused a few problems for the airport) and we didn’t get back to hotel until 2 am.

Our flight to Iguazu was rebooked when I was in Bariloche and we had the early afternoon flight. We had a driver met us at the airport and took us to Sheraton inside the part. Hotel is OK and we had a fall view on the top floor. We head out to the top fall right away – it was very humid - lucky we had a small umbrella for shade but no hat. For dinner both nights we had their buffet. We follow the instruction we got from hotel and did our own walk both days - if you got tickets for the Zodiac ride (it goes under the fall and you’ll get totally drench) make sure you do it last (watch out for last ride time) so that you don’t have to spend the rest of the day walking around in wet clothes. Iguazu Falls is more spectacular than Niagara Falls! One more thing – must bring along OFF no mater when you go!

Graziella5b

Hi Gamble, great report. I am glad you had a good time, thank you for your imput from restaurants it is very helpful, I like Syrop where we go often, but was on my way to try Nectarine....now I have your report.
It seems there are a lot of mosquitoes this year,
!! So Off will it be. Thank you again.

dsd162

Was just able to get back on the PC and see a lot of new information for our visit. We will be in BA from 5/14-5/26. Sounds like if we want to see the falls or Bariloche, we should fly. How do you find a flight? Do I inquire while I am stateside,or wait until we get in country? Thank you to everyone for taking the time to answer ...dsd162 in VA

Giovanna

We made our first trip to BsAs in November 2005 and absolutely loved it. We went to Iguazu for two nights. I e-mailed a travel agent in BsAs before we left and she arranged flight and hotel for us. Worked out very well. The falls are incredible and shouldn't be missed.

You have received good advice from many, but if you are still open for more, I have a file I compiled when planning our trip. If you are interested, e-mail me and I'll send it to you.

kurochca

We are going to spend two weeks May 01- May 15 in South America. I booked my flight BA – Iguazu Falls with Aerolineas Argentina on line. It was $237.16 for two one way tickets (we are going to Rio from Iguazu).