Buenos Aires is one of South America’s greatest metropolises and its relatively short history is one of constant drama. At its height it was one of the richest cities in the world. The contrast of the faded grandeur of the belle époque and the skyscrapers of today make it a fascinating place to wander about. The city has always been at the forefront of Latin American art & literature and the roller-coaster politics have always provided both with plenty of inspiration and emotion to draw from. The capital lies between the Atlantic ocean and vast prairie lands known as the Pampas, home of the famous gauchos.
When to travelOctober & November or March & April |
Time from Buenos AiresBy air: 0 hrs |
Estancia |
Adventures |
Activities
Horse Riding | Gaucho Culture | Food & Wine | Bird Watching | Hiking | Tango | Beach Time | History & Culture | Polo | Photography | Nightlife | Fishing | Adventure Sports | City Life
More on Buenos Aires and the Pampas
The fertile plains of Argentina are extremely important to its economy. The first Spanish invaders’ cattle stayed whence they had fled disease and indigenous attack. When the Spanish later returned the cattle herds had greatly multiplied and a leather industry was born. With refrigerated shipping came a meat exportation industry, which propelled the young country into becoming one of the richest in the world and also funded and built the incredible architecture and public buildings in Buenos Aires and the stunning estancias that exist all over the country today.
In travel guides there is little to merit the title The Paris of South America. Although Buenos Aires is twinned with Paris and possesses some excellent examples of French architecture, among many other styles, some aspects of the city couldn’t be further in opposite than it’s north hemispherical twin. Two of the best examples of architecture and belle époque wealth are the Aguas Corrientes Palace and the Colon Theatre, one of the best concert venues in the world with guided tours and a full calendar of great events.
There are many activities around the city from graffiti, photography and history tours to tango dinners, and theatre and culture shows.
As the night falls people crowd restaurants until well past midnight, the most popular of which are the city’s parrillas, steak restaurants where huge cuts of beef fresh from the pampas are enjoyed with several glasses of malbec wine.
The countryside around Buenos Aires hosts many great estancias where one can escape the city and enjoy the calm and huge skies. There are many activities, especially horse riding and polo, which is a major sport in Argentina and many estancias have their own polo fields.
