What's all the hype about Buenos Aires?

Old Nov 30th, 2010, 08:07 AM
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What's all the hype about Buenos Aires?

What's all the hype about Buenos Aires? It looks bland in photos. Is it really so wonderful? Travel+Leisure called it "Top 10 Cities in the World" so I'm wondering why and how many days to spend there.
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Old Nov 30th, 2010, 08:15 AM
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Is it really so wonderful? I would like to go to a city that looks like Mexico City but is safe ( I think there is a lot of crime in Mexico Cityright now, correct?)
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 05:40 AM
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Well now I've heard you can eat amazing steaks and fabulous wines there, and after eating re-heated pizza for dinner last night (a norm for me) I'm attracted by the idea of eating well for two weeks! It sounds so luxurious to be able to afford great steaks and fine wines! Viva Argentina! Thoughts?
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 05:50 AM
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What neighborhood should we stay in if we like to go to bustling bars and restaurants, and people-watch stylish people, and shop at cute boutiques (less Prada, more Opening Ceremony).
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 06:59 AM
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Ok, so now I see that B.A. is a great city (from online research and reading other threads). Can someone tell me what to do there? I love bars, restaurants, beautiful bars, museums, and colorful architecture. I would like to go to the neighborhood featured in Travel+Leisure, next to the blurb where they say B.A. is one of the best cities -- Does anyone know what neighborhood that is?
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 11:00 AM
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They had to close Buenos Aires to any more tourists. Travel and Leisure has apologized for making things impossible for the Rest of Us who like to eat in our favorite place without crowds, and not have our photos taken all the time by people roaming the streets with cameras and baseball caps.
They are sending everyone to Rio now.
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 11:52 AM
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Geez what a rude and unhelpful set of responses.

I'd check some trip reports but please be aware that Buenos Aires is not completely without crime against tourists. Leave your fancy watches and jewelry at home (in fact advisable not to wear any knockoffs either) and be careful of your wallet.
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 11:53 AM
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Here's just one trip report to get you started. You can select Argentina under "view by country" and look for the orange markers.

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...rip-report.cfm
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 11:56 AM
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Hmm, thank you? Well I'll be sure to leave all baseball caps at home & speak with a French accent. ;-) I found wonderful restaurant suggesions in another post though, yay! Here they are: "San Telmo" and "Brasserie Petanque" (Order: Argentine Pinot Noir, Tardio ( sweet wine), escargot, onion soup, roasted salmon and salmon in a broth with shellfish, and for dessert, Volcan de Chocolate !! )
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 11:58 AM
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Thank you mlgb. Glad to know that not everyone here is mean.
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 12:40 PM
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I frowned when I read the first part of your query, but I would highly recommend that you spend at least 8 days. A few days can be used to go to other interesting and related places, i.e. Tigre or Colonia or to an estancia for a day. All of this will enhance your trip.

Buenos Aires has a lot going for it in terms of visitors as well as for the portenos (locals). If it was not a city of diversity, it would NOT be the favorite of those who have gone. Friends of mine and I have gone more than once due to its offerings and uniqueness. <Other preceding writers have been more specific than I. Sorry. I don't have the strength to write at length.>

Try to READ everything of interest that is written here at this particular forum.
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 12:47 PM
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After I wrote the preceding response--I read what others had written, something that I should have written prior to writing the above. I'll get back to you with specifics next week. I'll have time to do a valid job, and I am glad that I AM NOT one of those "mean" individuals to which you alluded. I do wish they'd been specific.

I have some websites to list for you, but that will mean my going back to "My Favorites" which is quite full to extract specific ones.
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 02:27 PM
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I am sorry that what I said in a lighthearted tone, was taken as mean. I expected what I said to be taken with a sense of humor.

Your first question is that you are wondering if Buenos Aires is "as wonderful" as you hear .. it is to a lot of people, maybe it is a personal thing. How many people have to think it is wonderful before it is accepted to be wonderful?

I don't know anything about Mexico City which has nothing to do with Buenos Aires.
Maybe if you look at a guide book or some magazines, you can see photos and see the French and Italian influence, it is much more European here than Mexico.


I would suggest a good guide book, Rough Guides is good, you can get maps with them too, which really helps.
You might want to see the Feria in San Telmo on Sunday, the Feria in Recoleta on Saturday, try to see a concert or Tango .. go to Puerto Madero and have brunch on a Sunday out along the waterfront.
Shop in Palermo Soho, go on an Open Bus tour.
Brasserie Petanque is great !
For those steaks... go to La Cabrera, El Establo, La Brigada.
You can also find plenty of wonderful pasta and don't forget the ice cream.

Look at this website, maybe when / if you visit, you can use this tour company..they are very popular and busy here. But for free, you can watch the little video and get a look at the city and perhaps get a feel for it yourself.

Have fun researching.
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Old Dec 1st, 2010, 02:27 PM
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Oops ... here is the video/tour website
http://www.ba-walking-tours.com/index.htm
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Old Dec 2nd, 2010, 03:52 AM
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english.buenosaires.com

it is the most european of the SA cities for me

so if you like great food arts culture with a latin/italiano

vibe you should like it.

Supposedly the "Paris" of SA

as opposed to Bogota the "Athens" of SA

When I stay there usually stay at the Claridge..

More of a nature/adventurer so more than a week gets old.

Have fun,
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Old Dec 2nd, 2010, 06:31 AM
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Thank you for all the tips. I'll get researching! To start I read this short article (on a search in the New Yorker). Has anybody been to Guido's ? It sounds delightful. What's your favorite B.A. restaurant? http://www.newyorker.com/online/blog...ghborhood.html
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Old Dec 2nd, 2010, 06:37 AM
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Also, it's great that you recommend Tigre - there was just an article about it last week in the New York Times. it sounds like a worthwhile side trip! http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/11/28...tml?ref=travel
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Old Dec 2nd, 2010, 09:28 AM
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I love Guido's Bar !
It is on the street facing the zoo .. a great neighborhood and fun for a walk before dinner.
The food is excellent as is the atmosphere. I don't eat red meat and still walked out of there stuffed!

I have so many favorites.

Tigre is a definite day trip worth taking.
So is Colonia Uruguay ..
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Old Dec 2nd, 2010, 02:14 PM
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Since your trip isn't until March, I decided to include these websites for your perusal. I also plan to give other recommendations, too, but not at this time. I've been at the net for quite a while today and am slightly fatigued.

Here are some outstanding websites which I found useful in planning for my fourth trip which I took in May of this year 2010.

www.travelline.com.arhttp://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/central-and south_america/argentina/buenos-aires/restaurants.html • http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...nos_Aires.htmlhttp://www.buenostours.com/buenos-aires-nightlifehttp://www.try2cook.comhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio..._District.htmlhttp://bsas4u.comhttp://bafreetour.com/english-home
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Old Dec 2nd, 2010, 02:17 PM
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This is I again! The first website mentioned in the above post does not work as typed, but if you click on Central and South America or the like and then click on Argentina- important information will come up for you. Sorry.
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