Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires was chilly when we arrived, but the skies were blue and the sun was out! The city is really interesting and we would have been happy to stay much longer to explore more. There are many beautiful buildings which indicate the importance of the city in history, the most famous of which (at least to us) was the Rose Palace, where Evita made her speeches. The modern side is the rejuvenated docks, which are hot property and are lined with great restaurants.
In contrast, we stayed in the bohemian district, San Telmo, which the guide book accurately describes as having a ‘decaying grandeur’, and which is famed for it’s antiques markets and old tango parlours. We loved its charm, and its bakeries, street art and quirky shops.
A short walk away from our apartment was the Boca area, which is home to the Boca Juniors football team, and also brightly coloured tin houses, which early immigrants painted using leftover ship paint. It was full of street artists and craft stalls, and tango dancers too.
Tango is a huge part of the Buenos Aires culture. We got quite involved – visiting the international tango festival which was taking place, attending a show and also taking a class! Our moves weren’t bad either!
We stayed in an apartment and Olly was let loose in the kitchen for the first time in two months! Yay! We were even able to entertain our friend Chirag, who joined us for a day. Finally, we have to mention the steak and red wine. It was superb. Definitely the best we have tasted!
Buenos Aires tips:
- Steak, wine and pastries – try them all!
- Don’t have a strict schedule, there were lots of street performances worth stopping for
- Take a stroll through the San Telmo district on market day
- If you have time, take a day trip on the ferry to Colonia, Uruguay
Bright colours in Boca
Great patisseries were a pleasant surprise
Tango dancers in San Telmo Square
Our favourite old tango bar in San Telmo
Scrumptious steak and wine!
This giant flower opens and closes for the sun each day.
The modern docks
San Telmo antiques market
Lots of street art to be seen in the San Telmo district
Tango dancers in San Telmo Square
