Although many visitors make a beeline for Argentina because of the peso’s good value compared with the pound or dollar, why not spend some of that saved cash on some luxury activities in Buenos Aires? From spa sessions to polo lessons, Buenos Aires serves up these days out, and more, on a spoon so silver it could have been dipped in the River Plate circa 1810.
We love Buenos Aires: its frenetic lifestyle that oozes sex appeal, charm and culture. But living there for years, there’s a limit. And that’s when, through whispers, rumours and idle gossip, you find out that there are places to unwind. Some obvious, some a little bizarre and some hidden.
When porteños need to escape the city smog, they head to Cariló, Argentina’s ‘green sand dune’ (its meaning in the Mapuche language). Breezy and easy to get to, Cariló is a top Argentina travel destination and the country’s most exclusive summer resort, a green lung which is a small slice of paradise: a pine forest next to the beach.
“You can’t go wrong” is an overused phrase, but perhaps it’s not that out of place when describing a visit to Iguazú Falls. You can’t exactly take a wrong turn and miss it. Yet there are some pointers worth knowing to get the most out of your stay. Here’s The Real Argentina’s “all you need to know” guide.
Buenos Aires. Meaty Mecca for overdosing on chargrilled cow. The capital of mate, of the mullet, and of dancing to the most melancholy music in the world. The only city in the world where staring at strangers, joining a picket line, feasting at midnight, multiple dog walking, drumming up drama, weekly therapy, and cheat nights…
The neighbourhood of San Telmo is the Buenos Aires that people imagine when they think of the city. Dancers really do tango on the plazas, the sound of an accordion can be heard echoing through doorways and elephantine steaks are served in the area’s restaurants.
Here’s a quick round-up (plus see the map below) of my five favorite hotels in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires — all of them are absolutely great places to stay!
Home Hotel
The most famous and sought-after boutique hotel in BA, so popular it’s almost impossible to get a reservation. The cancellation policy is crazy, so go for a drink — the cocktails by the pool are great!
Honduras 5860, Palermo Hollywood, Buenos Aires…
Salta beats to a different drum, figuratively and literally. Gone is the incessant Tango of Buenos Aires, and gone are the frenetic rhythms of cumbia. In the dramatic north-western province of Salta, it is the resonant thud of a bombo legüero, the chiming mandolin-like charango and guitar that provide the soundtrack…
First the heat – it really hits you. 40°C (104°F) plus. Hot, humid, and so sweaty you just don’t care. Lugging a back-pack makes the going even hotter and more difficult, and rather slow. Everything around you is wet, gorgeously lush, and very green – not the Argentina most people know…
How exactly do you define a boutique hotel? Well it is a bit of a loose term, and one that is stretched to its limit in Buenos Aires. Boutique usually means small. But in this city, it can mean anything with modern art in the lobby, bamboo walls and a spa in the basement, and who cares if it has 60 rooms. Boutique is buzz, and like all buzzes, the term becomes so common that it fades out into more of a putter. That said, there are some very very good boutique hotels in Buenos Aires, award-winning, world-beating, praised-in-Wallpaper* type of places…
FF# @GourmetPlaza #SM comida deliciosa, servicio buenísimo y excelentes vinos! @CatenaMalbec @ArgentoWine @LapostolleWine @BodegaColome
RT @vickybaker: Cycling in Buenos Aires is just beginning to take off. Here are some tips I wrote on the @argentowine blog http://t.co/XHwGxobM
@ArgentoWine @birdswithbottle @winesofarg Wonderful review..well done Argento...I'm opening a bottle as I type...Damn that's fruity!
Gracias, ladies! RT @birdswithbottle: @winesofarg Birds with Bottle love @ArgentoWine Malbec. See vid http://t.co/dGVcwn3y
The Real Argentina is brought to you by Argento Wine – we’ve got a real passion for everything Argentina and we want to share it with you. Our contributors and editors draw on first-hand experience of the country, from the vibrant culture and the delicious food to the exhilarating countryside and bustling cities – we love it all…
