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-   -   Older woman needs help with trip to Buenos Aires and Rio in Feb.and early March (https://www.fodors.com/community/mexico-and-central-america/older-woman-needs-help-with-trip-to-buenos-aires-and-rio-in-feb-and-early-march-434093/)

gailhwwg Sep 15th, 2008 08:20 AM

Older woman needs help with trip to Buenos Aires and Rio in Feb.and early March
 
I posted a message earlier but it got tagged BRAZIL and should have been Buenos Aires and Rio, probably under Argentina. I will arrive in BA Feb 18th and board The Silver Cloud in the afternoon/evening of the 21st, so I have only three days in Buenos Aires. I arrive in Rio on March 1st and leave evening of March 5th. I want to have a personal guide with a car (I don't do a great deal of walking - I will be 79 years old) a really good hotel in each city (I like Relais and Chateau and Preffered Hotels of the World type places) and suggestions of really good places to eat, as well a suggestions for opera, symphony, ballet etc. if available at this time of year. Should I stay in BA and Rio with so little time or try for the Falls etc? What are the things I simply must not miss seeing in so short a time? All help and suggestions much appreciated. Fodor Folk helped me a great deal last year on my trip to Portugal and I am counting on you all. Thanks in advance, Gail

pat Sep 15th, 2008 09:04 AM

Posts are only tagged for search purposes. There is only one Latin America board so all posts go there. So now you have 2 posts in the Latin American forum. A lot of new people get confused about that. I envy you for being on the Silver Cloud. I loved BA!

avrooster Sep 15th, 2008 11:37 AM

Hi, Gail!

According to what you say, I would suggest you stay in BA at the Alvear Palace Hotel, a Leading Hotels of the Word member, which has a Relais & Chateaux restaurant.

Check out:

http://www.alvearpalace.com/v2/home.php

and

http://tinyurl.com/59fx5f

I may have just the right guide/driver to suggest for you. I'll do some checking and let you know.

I feel you don't have enough time for the Iguazú Falls, unless you wish to sacrifice Rio or BA and anyway, the right time to go there is during our winter.

There are many good places to eat in BA. Tell us a little more, such as what kind of food you like best.

I don't think February (our summer) is a good time for "opera, symphony, ballet", but we can see about that when we are closer to your travel dates.

About "must sees", we would also require more info about your tastes and a little research would unearth many suggestions.

You'll have a great time in our country, Gail.




gailhwwg Sep 15th, 2008 02:29 PM

Thanks for the prompt reply,and ideas. Food-I like all kinds of food, from French and Italian and seafood (I am from Maryland)and want very much to sample the best of Argentinian and Brazilian food. I love both beautiful and down and dirty restaurants (the hole in the wall type). As to what to see history is very high on my list, as is architecture, and interesting neighborhoods. I look forward to your guide ideas. Glad you like the Alvear Palace. A friend of my daughter's says that is the best as well. Thanks, Gail

avrooster Sep 15th, 2008 04:08 PM

Well, Gail, you have a great Italian restaurant a couple of blocks from the Alvear.

http://www.sottovoceristorante.com.ar/en/sottovoce.php

For fine French dining, you have, within the Alvear, La Bourgogne, the only Relais & Gourmand in Argentina.

http://www.alvearpalace.com/v2/restaurants.php?id=1

Another good choice could be Nectarine.

For Spanish fine dining, including seafood, consider Oviedo.

http://www.oviedoresto.com.ar/esencia.php

A great hole-in-the-wall, very cheap restaurant for regional food is El Sanjuanino, around the corner from the Alvear.

http://tinyurl.com/5l2687

I have duly noted your "history is very high on my list, as is architecture, and interesting neighborhoods. I look forward to your guide ideas." I'll let you know, Gail.





avrooster Sep 16th, 2008 09:05 AM

I've got a bright idea, Gail. LOL!!!

Why don't you come a few days earlier, fly down to our South and stay here:

http://tinyurl.com/6qqkle

http://tinyurl.com/qdxvf

I'm confident you won't regret. The hotel is owned by the same family as the Alvear.

avrooster Sep 21st, 2008 02:38 PM

This thread has dropped almost out of sight, Gail.

If you wish to investigate this matter further, I suggest you write to me to [email protected]

Good travels.

beccapax Oct 13th, 2008 05:00 AM

Hi Gail! I'd like to suggest a personal concierge to plan you few days in BA * get you settled and also find cool local events for you...this is a new group Im hearing about run by very knowledgeable people... send an email to [email protected] and let me know how it goes!

KarenSellsRE Oct 13th, 2008 07:05 PM

We were in BA last January and simply adored it. The Ricoleta neighborhood is lovely, safe and easy to navigate on foot if you're up for short walks. The hotel recommendations you've rec'd we concur with. As a cafe society just an easy stroll within several blocks of your hotel will yield multiple fine restaurants and sidewalk cafes. Concierge will gladly arrange for car and driver/tour. USE THIS SERVICE it is for your own protection. Don't miss the cemetary (Evita is in the Duarte tomb)the musuem of art is just a block or so in the other direction. Enjoy

avrooster Jan 9th, 2009 12:52 PM

Sending this thread to the top for Gail.

Scarlett Jan 9th, 2009 02:23 PM

Lots of advertising here ...

gail.. for a smaller less expensive French meal where you will be very comfortable is Granda Bistro in Recoleta on Junin.

I would stay at the Hyatt
http://www.buenosaires.park.hyatt.co...tels/index.jsp

The closer you are to the time to arrive, you can look online at concerts etc.
This person can help you with everything you need.. plus the website is packed with information..
http://www.batravelguide.com/

avrooster really knows all about the Alvear, having worked there ! I would trust everything he says about that hotel .. I can only say that the staff and bar are very nice lol.




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