Buenos Aires Itinerary
 

I'll be arriving to Buenos Aires from Foz (overnight bus). I was thinking of leaving Foz early in the morning and going to Ignatious and then from there, taking the overnight bus to BsAs, is this possible or would i need to spend the night there? Is it worth going there?

I will have about 6-7days (not consecutive - will be going to El Calafate and Uruguay)

I would appreciate suggestions of what I can do both in BsAs and Uruguay. I have alotted 2 days in Uruguay but I can easily change it to 3 days (losing one day in BsAs) - any suggestions for Colonia and Montevideo?

COLONIA, located to the west of Montevideo City, on the Río de la Plata and Uruguay River banks, you will never forget this ancient and magic city...
In this tour you will meet the colonial part of Uruguay, with its beautiful coast and paved streets that give this small city a unique style.
Colonia is a privileged Department of Argentina s neighbouring country, thanks to its people, beaches and historical places.
Every year, its tourist attractions invite a great number of visitors coming by ship from Buenos Aires, ready to spend an unforgettable day or weekend.
COLONIA ONE-DAY TOUR
08.00 hs.Harbour check-in (North Dock)
09:00 hs.Departure towards Colonia City on the "Eladia Isabel".
12:00 hs.Arrival at the city. Lunch at the "Old Tunnel" Restaurant. City Tour visiting the historical district with its museums, the coast, the "Real San Carlos" with its Bull-ring. Free time.
18.00 hs.Transfer to the Harbour to go aboard
18.45 hs.Departure towards Buenos Aires Port.
21.45 hs.Arrival at North Dock.

MONTEVIDEO is the capital of the neighboring country, lies on the Río de la Plata bank, opposite to Buenos Aires. It's a picturesque place of colonial Spanish, Italian and Art Deco styles.
You will be captivated by the "Ciudad Vieja" -an old city built on a peninsula close to the port- and the commercial center, located around Plaza Independencia.
The one-day Montevideo Tour is perfect for visiting this important south-american city and the Rio de la Plata western bank.
You will enjoy a city tour where you will learn more about Uruguay ´s history, traditions, and its people.

MONTEVIDEO ONE-DAY TOUR
07:15 hs.Harbour check-in (North Dock)
08:00 hs.Departure towards Montevideo City
11:00 hs.Arrival at Montevideo City and Visit to the Old City
13:00 hs Lunch at the Harbour´s Café
14:30 hs.City tour and visit to the Shopping Mall
18:00 hs. Transfer to the Harbour to go aboard
19:00 hs. Departure towards the Buenos Aires Harbour
22:00 hs. Arrival at Buenos Aires.

For other alternatives, do not hesitate to contact me.
And in Bs As you have some tours. Tell me about your likes (sports, history, arts, etc)

For Buenos Aires, you have to do some research to decide what you want to do. The city offers everything. Start with the English version of the city's excellent tourist-oriented web site -- www.bue.gov.ar. The Buenos Aires forum at www.tripadvisor.com also has many suggestions. As for Uruguay, it depends. If you want to see a smaller version of BA, with a better waterfront, go to Montevideo for a day and night. Colonia is a very, very small but historically interesting spot across the river from BA, either 50minutes or 3 hours by ferry, depending on whether you take the fast or slow boat. If you have any interest in seeing the a world-class beach resort, the most sophisticated in South America, fly to Punta del Este for two days and a night, and rent a car to see the area (stretches for about 40 miles).

vnks - thanks, that's great! I haven't been able to find much on Uruguay so I'm glad you give me such useful info.

When I click on www.bue.gov.ar I get to a Spanish language site and don't see a way to get to an English language site.

KathyM: look in the upper right corner. Click on the British flag next to the Brazilian flag.

Thanks PuntaLugano, I had a chance to look at the sites you gave, they're very helpful.

Sorry I forgot to include my interests/likes: musuems, ancient ruins, culture, history. I'm not into partying (drinking, clubbing) and not into sports but wouldn't mind seeing a football match just because it's part of the culture.

Also what is a good neighbourhood to say in BsAs? I was thinking I stay 3 nights in one area and the 3 nights in another.

Other than the lunch at Meson de la Plaza, Colonia was a huge waste of a day. We did the Iguazu Falls yesterday - pretty amazing.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

Mike, Have you already been to Bariloche? If so, how was it? Any great finds in BsAs? Have you been to Casa Saltshaker or taken AV's tour?
Got to hear all about it!!!!!

Oceania, I've a lot of alternatives of tours in BA but I can't attach the document. If you can write me an e-mail to: [email protected] I'll give you BA information.
Thanks,

I loved Colonia, but it would be tough to fill more than a day here. It was beautiful, but so quiet it was almost creepy...I half expected tumbleweeds to come rolling down the streets (nothing else was). If you like extreme tranquility, it could be your place.

We did an Estancia day through Friendlyvisit tours, and it was a lot of fun (albeit touristy). I would also recommend strolling Calle Florida...great shops and a lot of energy. Also, the Recoleta Cemetary is not to be missed...it's amazing. We filled an entire afternoon there. There will be tour guides hanging around the entrance volunteering to show you around for tips...we hired one, and didn't regret it. He was fun and a wealth of knowlege. Check out San Telmo if you have a Saturday or Sunday to invest...otherwise, I wouldn't bother (when we went back during the week, you could fire a scud missle down the main drag at high noon, and not hit a thing...it was completely dead).

Colonia can be fun if you take a bicycle tour. They are offered by Buquebus. Take the fast boat, that is one hour to get there.
To appareciate Colonia you have to be able to relax and enjoy nature and a slow pace.
I also enjoyed a few days in the Four Seasons in Carmelo an hour from Colonia. THis is different it is up scale kind of resort life, but again very much in touch with nature. The spa has an Oriental feeling , the place in the middle of an eucaliptus , pine forrest, horse back riding is fun, having dinner by the river etc. The hotel would take care of all that.
It is not cheap. Not expensive expensive but expensive for Uruguay.

Ther Four seasons in Carmelo also offers golf, tennis and there is a nearby Casino which I didn't visit.

last entry :-), now there is also golf in Colonia at the new Sheraton hotel.

I was planning to stay in San Telmo (hostel)...I guess that's not a good idea if not much is going on? I'm surprised to here this, I thought San Telmo is a happening part of the city.

San Telmo is an experience, but mainly on Sunday afternoon..the place is alive with tango dancing all over the square...colorful photo ops everywhere.

Those who have asked about Bariloche...we found it to be well worth the trip...we came in from the Chilean side of the Andean Lakes on the famed boat-bus-boat overnight... and found the town to be pleasant, picturesque and friendly. During ski season (their winter) it must be even more lively I imagine. The scenic views are unmatchable throughout the region.
Stu T.