Buenos Aires

[ShirleyT]

Buenos Aires is an incredible city! We stayed at the Alvear Palace, which is pricier today than when we were there 3 years ago, but it's consistently rated among the best hotels in SA, and worth every penny!



One of the best "side-trips" we've ever done in the world was to Iguassu, which is on the borrder between Brazil and Argentina. The only reason to go is the waterfalls, which I believe are the most numerous of anywhere in the world. There are, I believe, two daily flights each way, and they leave from the airport in BA which is about 10 min from Recoleta, and are quite inexpensive. Two days is plenty, one to see them on each side.

[Gardi12]

Yup, Buenos Aires is also nice and charming in winter. Although this winter it was snowing for a day for the first time since many decades... Personally I think spring and autumn are best, the summer months can be very hot and humid.

[tessier]

I have only been there once but stayed at the Palace and the Four Season. Both were super deluxe.

How can you beat a car and driver for $17 per hour? There is just no pointin taking a taxi.

The value was great and the countryside very welcoming.

While I never go to the same place a second time, it maybe time to rethink that and go back again.

[tessier]

you are so correct and with some great opportunities for the better properties I would be booking my free mileage first class ticket soon.

[bsherida]

I am planning a trip to Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Montevideo in December - early January. I just can't seem to make up my mind to spend the money to stay at the Alvear Palace or go less expensive at the Caesar Park or Park Towers. Do you have any feel for these hotels? Planning on the Park Hyatt in Mendoza with a few good wine tours and then R&R in Montevideo at the Sheraton, which was the ONLY available hotel for our dates. Also, any great leads on BA restaurants? Thank you, B.

[billiej]

My visit to Buenos Aires for the 8th time and Iguazu Falls (first time)was in late June-early July last summer, and as usual, it exceeded my expectations. What a treat to leave the HOT southwest US and have a pleasant and quite mild winter.Don't tell too many turistas in the US about BA because for a huge city it's sorelatively tourist-free,especially in the "off-season" like June, July, August. A plus for a great hosteria offered through a Luxury Link Auction. It is Las Balsas, and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful small hotels/inns I've ever seen. Only 15 large rooms, gourmet meals, overlooking a beautiful lake, with snow-capped peaks in the background. A room in this small hotel was featured as the "last page"in November's Conde Nast Traveler". Actually, the picture was made from the room where I stayed, and I took almost identical pictures! One of the very best destinations ever for me, and I've been around the block a few times--all 50 states, all 7 continents, etc., etc. Las Balsas has a beautiful website (lasbalsas.com).

[bonniejoy03]

Hi billiej. Sounds awesome. I have a few questions for you. First, how long do you usually spend in Argentina (8 days?) What would you suggest as a first itinerary for someone who hasn't been there? (must sees for a 7-10 day trip). Do you book yourself or with a company? How do you get around? Thanks for any insight!

[billiej]

Reply to message asking for more info on Argentina. About my travels to Argentina - I've been there either 8 or 9 times. My stay is usually 4-6 days, and sometimes up to 2 weeks. I also have taken severalcruises out of Buenos Aires on Princess or Holland America, and I've cruised to Antarctica twice. My favorite hotel is the Marriott Plaza, and I've stayed there so often that the hotel employees recognize me on each visit! I've also stayed at the Claridge (nice hotel, but a yucky 1/2 block to Florida Street, the Pedestrian Street). The Sheraton is a couple of blocks beyond the Marriott. Typical convention-type hotel. Also, the Intercontinental is a very good hotel, but its environment is not especially inviting. Sometimes I do all the booking, but if I am going to do something special, there is a travel agent in Argentina who does the greatest work ever. She is efficient, prompt, and above all--honest! Her name is Irene Mintzer, and her company's address is: [email protected], or [email protected], or [email protected]. All e-mails listed since there is a similar name which has no relationship with Irene's company. Irene has booked some very special things for me: a wonderful day at an estancia (ranch in the Pampas); a tango show/dinner at a beautiful theater with a steak dinner that were very high class and not general turista-stuff; all arrangements from transfers to and from airports, reservations on LAN or Aerolineas Argentina, and accommodations at Iguazu Falls. Never a moment to worry! Everyhing was taken care of. I said, "honest". A couple of years ago, Irene had made all the arrangemens for me to spend a few days at Iguazu Falls--my first visit there. I was quite excited--but a few weeks before the trip, Irene sent an e-mail recommending that I cancel my trip. The drought had been bad, and the falls were a mere trickle, she said. Although disappointed, I took her advice and canceled. The next year was quite rainy, so she booked identical items for me--and, it was literally the trip of a lifetime. The 174 falls were full and glorious. And, on this trip, I met several travelers who had gone the year before and were vastly disappointed. But, the differrence--their travel agent had not notified them of the conditions. I shall always commend Irene for her honest and full disclosure of conditions. Whatever arrangements you want, Irene can book it for you!