La
Cultura d' Argentina
This itinerary
explores the rich and varied culture of Argentina from pre-historic
Indian times to the present. Our vehicle will be the art, music, history,
cuisine, and dance of this beautiful country. This adventure takes us
to world-class museums and theatres, Tango clubs, excellent restaurants,
and to the fantastic Iguazú Falls national park & rain forest.
Day
1
Board our plane for Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America.
Day
2
Arrive at Buenos Aires with no jetlag (Buenos Aires is only one hour
ahead of New York). Our hosts will meet us and drive us through Buenos
Aires to the Recoleta district where we can have coffee in one of the
numerous cafes. We continue our visits to northern districts: Belgrano
, Palermo Park, Palermo Chico, Recoleta Promenade, Del Pilar Church
and Recoleta Cemetery, resting place of Eva Peron. At midday we will
drive to our first class hotel for check-in. For those willing (and
this is our suggestion) our bus can deliver us back to Recoleta in the
afternoon to visit Recoleta Flea Market, Centro Cultural Recoleta (exhibition
of painting by young artists), and Palais de Glace (arts center). Tonight
is our first opportunity to dine in one of the great neighborhood restaurants.
Day
3
Into the heart of the city we go to the San Martin Park area, Florida
Street, government area, and central districts. This afternoon we are
in for a real treat: San Telmo area and Antique Market. This is not
junk, as you will see, as we roam among street musicians, artists, and
the antique shops.
Day
4
Our sightseeing this morning takes us to the most colorful district
in Buenos Aires, La Boca, the immigrant neighborhood that invented tango.
After strolling through this area and delighting in its arts and colors,
we will enjoy an included lunch at an excellent Italian restaurant.
This afternoon is free for relaxing. Tonight, we shall select another
great restaurant and dine with the Porteños.
Day
5
Transfer from our hotel to the domestic airport for our flight to Puerto
Iguazú, at the juncture of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. Upon
arrival we will check into our hotel and have the afternoon for walking
around this charming town. Tonight, dinner in one of the excellent restaurants.
Day
6
Here begins a great adventure of water, nature, animals, beauty. The
largest waterfall in the world, Iguazú Falls is located in a
national park and rain forest. Our adventure begins with a short train
ride to the falls where we will walk around to the very edge of the
gigantic cataracts. Next, a spectacular boat ride around the bottom
of the falls, followed by a ride up through the rain forest where we
are sure to spot some local fauna. After our tour, we will have access
to a couple of hotel rooms and showers, in the event any of us got wet
during the boat ride. Now, off to the airport and our flight back to
Buenos Aires.
Day
7
This morning is free, but we would suggest another walk around Florida
Street (classy shopping area) or to the Natural History Museum. This
afternoon we enjoy a “Behind the Scenes” tour of the Colón Opera
House followed by a guided visit to Museum of Fine Arts. On our way
we can stop at Ateneo Bookshop (once a theatre and still preserving
that atmosphere) and enjoy a coffee or beer at one of the many local
cafes. Please have a short nap this afternoon because tonight we are
going to dinner and tango show. You will see from the audience and performance,
this is not touristy fare.
Day
8
Rest up from last night or, better, explore more of the many great museums
or the art galleries along Suipacha St., Arroyo St., and Alvear Avenue.
This afternoon we’re off to the MALBA Museum (Museum of Latin America
Modern Arts) followed by a Tango Class ("when you get tangled up,
just tango on."). After dinner we will visit one of the 100’s of
neighborhood dance halls. This is a real insider’s look at the local
culture. These patrons are older folks, many of whom come here as singles,
to dance and socialize. We can dance or not, with each other or with
the locals, all while enjoying great music, fine Argentine wine, great
local beer, and warm Argentine hospitalidad.
Day
9
Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, is a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Today is
free for an optional excursion to this beautifully preserved 17th century
Portuguese town.
Day
10
Today
we are off to the city of La Plata (56 km southeast of Buenos Aires)
for a visit to the great natural history museum and the city’s beautiful
cathedral. This museum is one of the most famous in Latin America, and
it houses an outstanding collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and displays.
Day
11
This is our last day in Argentina, but fortunately, our flight departs
tonight, so we have the entire day at our disposal. We can do more sightseeing,
shop, or, we can arrange for a tour of the Botanical Gardens, the Japanese
Gardens, and lunch at a neighborhood restaurant that specializes in
empanadas, tamales, cheeses, and wines – yummy. After our day’s adventure,
we will have an opportunity to freshen up at the two day rooms we have
reserved at the hotel. Finally, off to the airport, delighted that we,
as Columbus, have discovered a new world.
NB: If
anything is playing at Teatro Colón during our visit, our agents
will do their very best to obtain tickets for us. If nothing is playing
there, we will visit one of Buenos Aires’ other great theatres.
INCLUDED