Buenos Aires - March 2008

Buenos Aires Itinerary

Caseron Porteno: The tango villa where we stayed in the district of Palermo, about 10 subway stops from downtown.

Callao: This district is just a few subway stops away from the downtown core. The area seems a bit run-down in places but is home to the Teatro La Comedia, where tango lessons are taught daily.

San Telmo: One of Buenos Aires oldest neighbourhoods, it lies just south-east of the downtown core. It is famous for its tango, antique shops, the Plaza Dorrego and one of the largest flea-markets in Buenos Aires that takes place every Sunday.

Abasto: This neighbourhood is famous for being where Carlos Gardel lived for most of his life. It is also famous for the 70 year old Abasto Market, which was converted into a shopping center in 1999.

La Boca: An old neighbourhood which was originally the city's first natural port. In earlier days the homes were decorated with left over ships paint giving them a particular charm, which has fueled their more recent revitalization as a tourist destination.

Recoleta Cemetery: The first and largest public cemetery in Buenos Aires. Founded in 1822, it is famous for being Buenos Aires largest outdoor museum of architecture and sculpture.

Puerto Madero: The new port of Buenos Aires, was perhaps new in 1897 when it was first completed but was certainly past its prime when it was abandoned in the 1930's, when the port was moved further north. A massive restoration project began in 1990 which has brought much of the area back to life.

Colonia, Uruguay: A quaint and sleepy tourist town an hours ferry ride from Buenos Aires. It was founded by the Portuguese in 1680, who fought over it with the Spanish for 150 years afterwards. What remains was recently designated a World Heritage Site.

El Tigre: A small community surrounded by water about an hours train ride up the coast. Perched on the delta of the Rio de la Plata, it is home to tour boats and an enormous weekend market.

Tango Clubs: Club Gricel, Viejo Correo, Sunderland, La Milonguita and Niño Bien,

and... yerba mate is pronounced "yerba mat-eh".