Buenos Aires Argentina

Tango, Polo, Style, and Soccer

The city of Buenos Aires Argentina is experiencing a renaissance these days, and if you're looking for a vibrant city with an exciting mix of old Europe and the new South America, you can't miss Buenos Aires. Argentina as a whole is buzzing with energy these days, not only with an awakened worldwide sensibility and appreciation of the Tango, but also as a hip place where excitement awaits you at every corner. Ralph Lauren knows this, and the new face of his fragrance Polo Black is hot young Argentinian export Nacho Figueras. Nacho symbolizes just what the New South America is all about, where you can find the best polo clubs, the most stylish hotels, chic shopping, and top-notch restaurants. Buenos Aires Argentina is the hub of the new, revived Argentina, as well as a cultural, historical, and political center, producing a vibrant, enticing buzz that will make you come alive the minute you arrive in town.

Soccer is the energy that makes Argentina hum, as well as the rest of South America. Locals love to watch the games on tv in public places, like cafes, bars, and even appliance stores. Join the fever and dive into local energy to witness one of the classic national pastimes.

To sample Buenos Aires Argentina chic, stay at the Faena Hotel for hotel interious design that will knock your socks off. Also, eat at Casa Cruz for a sexy trendy crowd any time of the week. In fact, the food in Buenos Aires Argentina will make you want to come back years after your trip. Argentina was one of the first countries to develop organic farming, which of course means high quality and high standards in food quality.

Hilights of Buenos Aires Argentina:

• National Congress and the Civic Center
• Palaza de Mayo & House of Government
• the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo
• the Colon Theatre
• San Telm traditional neighborhood
• Palermo, & Puerto Madero
• Recoleta & its famous cemetary
• Hunting for Bargains along Corrientes
• Palermo Polo Club for the Argentine Open, the most prestigious polo tournament in the world

Don't deny yourself a day trip to a classic Argentine Estancia, where you can sample the empanadas and savor a Criolla parrillada complemented by some internationally fabulous Argentine wine. Get ready for live folk music, some traditional dancing and some gauchesca skills such as carrera de sortija, or horseback riding.

Shopping Mecca

Get ready for serious shopping in Buenos Aires Argentina. Bring your credit card and head for the Alto Palermo mall, conveniently located in the center of the city, in the upscale area called Recoleta. This mall has every shop you'll want to hit, all under one roof. Styles are current and chic and prices are so very reasonable, thanks to a 2002 economic crisis. Argentina is recovering from that crisis, but in the meantime, you will find prices to be very good.

Another spot to hit for trendy shopping is Calle Florida, especially for Argentina's trademark products: leather items. Calle Florida also hums with dozens of cafés. Treat yourself to café con leche, or anything with dulce de leche on it.

Alto Palermo mall and Calle Florida are full of beautiful items you'll feel immediately attracted to, and there's a good chance you'll end up needing to make room in your luggage for purchases! Look for great bargains on quality, chic items like:

• vintage lamps
• upscale fashionable clothing
• home furnishings
• European-style leather shoes
• leather jackets
• leather handbags

Palermo Viejo

Shopping Palermo Viejo is as upscale, sophisticated, and hip as any shopping destination in New York or Europe, with its own brand of charm to boot. There are sidewalk cafes and juice stalls for when you get tired of shopping or walking. Shopping fanatics will love this charming upscale-yet-downbeat district of Buenos Aires, whose charm includes cobblestone streets and boutique shopping featuring top designers from Argentina. Palermo Viejo is in the northeast part of Buenos Aires, and taxis from the center of town to this shopping district run less than $5. That's a bargain! The best way to see the area and get into the best shops is to walk, once you exit your taxi. Start on Avenue Armenia, where you should stop in Trosman. This boutique carries cotton separates and shimmery swimsuits do die for. To but the same quality of design in the US you would have to pay much more, but here in Palermo Viejo the cost is much much less.

Continue walking to Calle El Salvador, where you can check out superior quality leather goods at Humawaca. The leather here is especially unusual and beautiful, offered in a rainbow of colors like peach and pink! One designer at Humawaca is Ingrid Gutman. She comes from an architectural background so her bags are unusual as well as beautiful. Stick with Calle El Salvador and you'll run into another shop, this time featuring wonderful colorful underthings. This shop is called Juana de Arco. Take a peek just for the visual display, even if you're not in the market to buy any undies. On to Avenue Malabia, wehre you'll find El Diamente for lunch. Ask for a table on the roof, where people-watching is the best around. All of Buenos Aires is visible from up here! Entrees are reasonable at $7 to $20. Along the same street head for Mariano Toledo for some couture...museum quality clothing! A little more ways down the street make sure to stop into Ferroni, where shoe designer Josefina Ferroni makes exquisite shoes...only about a dozen of each design so you can pretty much bet that once you get back home, you'll be the only person around wearing that shoe. The shoes are top design but reasonable prices. Ferroni is reason enough to visit Palermo Viejo. Just a few streets away, on Calle Uriarte stop in for a drink at the hippest place in town, called Casa Cruz. Finally, a little further away, so maybe take a cab or get ready to walk a lot, is Celedonio Lohidoy. They sell one-of-a-kind jewelry in a rainbow of colors. You'll think of wildlife and flora when you look at their pieces. Have fun here, it's a very unusual jewelry shop, and worth the extra walking to get here. Well worth it.

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